Britonline for May: Celebrating Achievement


MAY 2017
At Albion Commencement, the Power of the Classroom Becomes Wisdom on the Quad It was a beautiful spring afternoon on campus for the 2017 Commencement ceremony and its celebration of education on Saturday, May 6. Along with recognizing some 280 graduates, Albion awarded honorary degrees to educators Linda (Carmitchel) Yonke, '75, and Michael Milkie and retired Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Inspector General Jess Womack, '65. President Ditzler welcomed members of the Class of 2017 by noting their impact on the demographic shift that occurred during their time on campus. He noted that some 90 percent of enrollment four years ago came from Michigan, but by this year that number had dropped to around 60 percent. Meanwhile, the number of underrepresented students on campus has made a dramatic rise. "You made them feel welcome, just as you made me feel welcome," said Ditzler, who himself arrived on campus in 2014. "You were at the heart of this transition, and for that, for generations to come, Albion thanks you." Learn More » Albion Mourns the Passing of Frank Bonta, 49, Dean of Admissions, Emeritus Frank Bonta, ´49, who passed away on May 20 after a long illness at the age of 92, was known for his love of Albion College. It´s hard to put into words what Albion College meant to Frank, and our entire family, said Bontas son-in-law Chuck Frayer, ´77. Although Frank had a long, distinguished career at Albion, the College was always more than a place to work. The relationships he formed at Albion continued beyond his retirement and remained at the center of his life. For 44 years, Frank Bonta was the face of the admissions office at Albion College. He began as a counselor in 1951, was promoted to director in 1961 and was named dean of admissions in 1973. A year after his retirement, in 1996, the Colleges new admission building was named for Bonta, a move that surprised and humbled him. "Once or twice in a generation someone comes along who embodies all that is noble about his or her college," President Mauri Ditzler said. "Frank Bonta was that person for this College. For so many students, Frank was the first person they met at Albion and to this day reminds them of what is special about their alma mater. He will always have a special place in the Albion community." There will be a visitation and memorial service on June 24 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St. in Eaton Rapids. Memorial contributions can be made to the Eaton County Humane Society, the VFW National Home or the First United Methodist Church. Members of the Albion College community are encouraged to share their memories of Frank Bonta on the College's Facebook page or by emailing. Read More » College Introduces Build Albion Fellows Class of 2021 The third, and largest, class of Build Albion Fellows has been introduced. The new class will feature nine incoming first-year students who reside in the local school district and attended Albion schools and who will receive four-year tuition, room and board from the College. In return, the Fellows will engage in service projects that will help the community. The Build Albion Fellows program was first introduced in November 2014 as a way to help local students interested in pursuing a liberal arts education get that opportunity at Albion College. President Mauri Ditzler spoke to the gathering about the hope for the Fellows to be part of a group that does amazing things at Albion and beyond - and eventually returns to Albion to help the community thrive. Meet the Fellows » Burdine and McConnell Alumni Committee Tribute There is a bond that still holds fast with many Albion College students who were part of what was then known as the Professional Management Program, and which evolved and was renamed the Carl A. Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management. And leading the way were Frank Burdine, 68, who returned to his alma mater in 1977 to run what was known then as Pro Man, followed in 1978 by John McConnell, an Albion economics professor, who coordinated the program until 1980. The Frank, 68, and Barbara Burdine, 70, Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a student in Gerstacker with at least a 3.0 grade point average and who shows financial need. The John S. and Bettina C. McConnell, 76, Endowed Fund will go toward Gerstacker students who are seeking funding to attend business and leadership conferences and seminars and for internship and/or interview incidental expenses. Learn More»			Faculty Profile Vicki Baker Professor of economics and management discusses future of liberal arts colleges with national media. Read Vicki's Profile » Campus & Community Events Matriculation - Aug. 18 Fall Semester Begins - Aug. 21 Homecoming - Oct. 21 Alumni Events Indy Alumni Panel and Mixer - June 1 Milwaukee Brewers Baseball - June 4 New England Aquarium Alumni Gathering - June 8 Professor Series in Metro-Detroit - June 12 Brits, Brews and Blues - June 15 Mid-Summer Social Mixer in Traverse City - July 12 Back-to-Class in Petoskey - July 14 Wrigleyville Sunset Rooftop Cookout - July 20 Lugnuts Game - July 27 White Sox V. Tigers Game/Alumni Gathering - Aug. 25 Email [email protected] for more information! Admission Events SOAR - June 21, 23 & 26 Brits in the News N.C. State Communication Professor Lynsey Romo, '01, on Her Lean-Stigma Research Dave Harrison, '80, Named Vice President of Procurement for Santa Monica Seafood Tim Gough, '07, Named Head Football Coach at Vandercook Lake High School Cynthia Carr Falardeau, '87, Inspired Again by Her Commencement Memory of Bush Chiropractor Emily Brown, '12, Connects Screen Time with Head and Neck Issues Real Estate Agent, Art Teacher Roselle Agles, '93, Makes Waves in Southwest Florida Secure The Future An endowment gift to Albion College today provides a brighter picture for our future. When you make a donation to our endowment, you give a gift with both immediate and long-term benefits. Read More »

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