From where do graduates gain perspective? In what ways can they learn to understand the “increasingly complex world,” and how exactly does their leadership become “enlightened?” In the spring of 2003, Kalamazoo College kicked off 4 and Forever, a new effort to raise students’ awareness of philanthropy. From the first day students converge on campus, they are exposed to dialogue centered on giving back.

The goal of 4 and Forever is to instill a sense of connection between current students and the greater “K” community, specifically alumni, by presenting a program to each class that is designed to help students understand that the alumni who preceded them shape and support their education. The program will encourage students to consider the role of philanthropy in the College’s operation, and impress an understanding of the interconnectedness and interdependence that exists between current students and alumni.

Dynamic alumni speakers in four campus events a year will convey the messages of the program to each class. The themes for each class year are: “I am Here,” (first year students); “I am Connected,” (sophomores); “I am the Future,” (juniors); and “I am Ready,” (seniors). T-shirts printed with these themes and logos are sponsored by alumni and given free of cost to students who attend the class event.

Before the national academic community recognizes Kalamazoo College as an elite college, our students and alumni need to build a better sense of that excellence, and need to articulate it themselves. This program will strengthen the web weaving them all together; it will show current students examples of alumni who have not only achieved great things, but have also asked difficult questions, changed career paths, returned to work they began at an unpaid internship, or who have had significantly different life experiences than they would have had they not chosen Kalamazoo College many years ago.

Although students may only attend Kalamazoo College for four years, their relationships with the College last forever.

4 and Forever Speakers and Sponsors

To get more information about 4 and Forever, or to become involved as a speaker or an alumni sponsor, contact June Shockley in the Kalamazoo College Fund at 269-337-7288 or shockley@kzoo.edu