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When your research and teaching focuses on microbes, you can work anywhere—and Dr. Ola Olapade, professor of biology, has covered a lot of ground. His own research has taken him to the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans in South Africa, Mayan ruins in Mexico and Belize (where he studied the impacts and contributions of microbes to the degradation and deterioration of stone monuments), Morocco, the Great Lakes and more.

Retired Provost Susan Conner passed away November 28 in Jackson. During her six years of service to Albion College, Conner, a French historian, developed and strengthened programs that distinguish Albion among its peers nationwide. “Susan was an inspired scholar and a generous colleague,” said professor of French Dianne Guenin-Lelle, adding that she “was an inspiration whom I will miss very much.”

Dugan Karnazes gained his engineering interest at Albion and has gone on to found Velocity Research in Grand Rapids. But when coronavrius overwhelmed the country, he joined a group of concerned professionals to build badly needed ventilators. “It was a group effort to make a difference,” he says.

In her new role, Chief Belonging Officer and Title IX Coordinator Keena Williams is leading the College’s journey to a place where everyone not only has a seat at the table, but “everybody’s heard at the table, everybody has ownership at the table.”

In partnership with two leading organizations championing the study of history, Albion joins eight other colleges—and is the only Midwest institution—offering a four-year $5,000 award to students declaring history as their major at the time of admission.

Albion College, one of the top 50 innovative liberal arts colleges in the country, has announced the Albion College Promise, an extensive scholarship program aimed at Michigan families who have college affordability concerns due to COVID-19.

Nearly 42,000 gifts and pledges totaling more than $101 million across four key priorities lead to the campaign’s conclusion 18 months ahead of schedule. The success underscores the interconnected impact experienced every day by Albion students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends, and boldly sets up the College for an engaged, purpose-driven future.

Albion College students have been tramping through the wilds of Whitehouse Nature Center in recent weeks removing destructive “mile-a-minute” weeds with an understanding that the work they do now will provide a long-lasting benefit. Said one student worker: “To preserve something for people years from now I think is really important.”

No doubt about it, Homecoming 2020 was different. But on the growing list of virtual events that turn out to be pretty enjoyable, it was a clear success.

Albion College is one of only two colleges in Michigan, public or private, that saw enrollment gains this fall. An October 31 story in the Detroit Free Press by higher education reporter David Jesse notes that Albion experienced a 15% increase in its fall first-year class and a 2% overall enrollment increase.