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For the second straight year, Albion will host the Big Read, a nationwide project that aims to bring communities together through shared reading experiences. The effort was made possible by an $11,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which was announced May 11. Through private donations and in-kind efforts, the total financial support comes to $40,000, according to Jess Roberts, associate professor of English at Albion College and director of Albion’s Big Read.

Sarah Goldman (left), who joins the Albion admission team May 16, will be based in the city’s northwest suburbs and lead the College’s regional recruiting operation in the country’s third-largest metro area. She has done similar work for two other liberal arts colleges over the last six years “She has experience and success doing what we need to do,” says Vice President for Enrollment Steve Klein. “She is a formidable competitor.”

A glorious spring day provided the perfect backdrop as Albion celebrated Commencement for the 260 members of its Class of 2016. “For four years, we led organizations; we made the connection with the community stronger; we challenged our ways of thinking,” said senior speaker Candace Cullens, ’16, (left). “We learned many hard lessons through late-night studying, countless meetings and early morning practices. And now it’s time to apply those lessons learned, Class of 2016. It’s not going to be easy, but it will be great.”

Vicki Baker, associate professor of economics and management at Albion College, along with professors in Arizona and Pennsylvania, are researching the needs and concerns of a subset of professors who, according to Baker, “don’t get a lot of attention.” Their work has been bolstered by a $50,000 grant from the New York-based Henry Luce Foundation that will engage 20 mid-career professors in a yearlong study and result in a new book on the subject in 2017.

Eight members of Albion College’s entering Class of 2020 who attended Albion Public Schools will receive four years of tuition, room and board in exchange for work and service in the community that will become increasingly tied to their career interests. “We have big dreams for our town and we have big dreams for our college,” President Mauri Ditzler said to the group during the April 26 announcement event. “And you’re going to be a part of that.”

During her first year on campus, Albion College’s impressive string of Fulbright recipients inspired Natalie Anderson, ’16, to pursue her own award. And now, Anderson is joining that list with the recent announcement of her Fulbright U.S. Student Award for 2016-17. “Honestly, I cried with happiness when I found out,” said Anderson, who will spend nine months in Mexico as an English instructor. “I have wanted this award for three years, and for it to finally be a reality was overwhelming.”

Extraordinary accomplishments by extraordinary individuals—and a reminder that supporters are important, too—were a big part of Albion College’s 27th Elkin R. Isaac Student Research Symposium, held April 20-21. Former NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Jealous (left) and humanitarian and social entrepreneur Mallory Brown, ’08, brought compelling personal stories to the Joseph S. Calvaruso Keynote and Isaac Alumni Lecture, respectively. In between those talks, more than 130 Albion students presented their research, scholarship and creative activity.

Marilyn Snodgrass lived a life of quiet determination as an elementary school teacher, traveler and lover of genealogy. But her gift to Albion College has shown that even those who live unobtrusively can indeed make the biggest impact.

Rebekah Snyder, ’14, was recognized by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin as one of four 2016 state honorees during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week for her advocacy work. Snyder was commended for her efforts with Day One, a 24-hour help line offering confidential support, information and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

A project that was months in the making came together April 5-6 on campus as a celebration of Canada, Canadians and the intricate, sometimes complicated, relationship America has with its northern neighbors.