Remember what it felt like to find your place and feel “at home” at K?
For Landrie Fridsma ’27, that feeling comes not just from the tight-knit student community, but from the faculty and staff who make Kalamazoo College feel like home.
“I value the relationships I’ve built with my professors, who genuinely care about my well-being and success. Their support has encouraged me to pursue opportunities I might not have otherwise considered.”
She spent last summer conducting research in the organic chemistry lab with Dr. Dwight William, associate professor of chemistry, and will continue through this summer as part of her Senior Integrated Project (SIP). Through her time spent at Dow Science Center, it has become one of her favorite places on campus, perhaps unsurprising as a biochemistry major, but fitting with how much of her K story has unfolded here.
“What makes it special isn’t just the building itself, but the memories tied to it—talking with professors, playing card games with lab mates, eating lunch in the atrium, and studying with friends. It’s a place that reflects both my academic journey and some of my favorite moments, which makes it especially meaningful.”
She says working in Dr. William’s lab has prepared her for real-world experiences and the confidence she will carry in her goals after K. Landrie also works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Bronson Commons, further deepening her hands-on experience in the field.
Landrie says that without donor support, she would not have the opportunity to attend Kalamazoo College.
“As a first-generation college student, navigating the financial aspects of higher education was challenging, not only for me, but also for my family. Thanks to scholarships and financial aid, I’ve been able to pursue a strong education, take the courses I need for my major, and fully engage in the K experience. I am deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity has made these opportunities possible.”
Landrie’s journey of finding her academic home at K is possible because of alumni who invest in the transformative academic experiences that happen here.
This Day of Gracious Giving, please make a gift to support current students, and the faculty who provide foundational learning students benefit from for a lifetime.