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News Stories

K Welcomes New Faculty for 2025

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Kalamazoo College is pleased to welcome the following faculty members to campus this fall: 

Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology Bonnie Ebendick

Ebendick arrived at K after earning her Ph.D. in biological sciences in August from Western Michigan University (WMU). She previously earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology/biotechnology, with a specialization in microbiology, from Michigan State University.

Before attending WMU, Ebendick worked as a research scientist at Michigan State, the University of Toledo and Iontox, LLC, beginning in 1999. Her teaching experience includes positions as a lecture teaching assistant and recitation teaching assistant at both Michigan State and WMU.

Visiting Assistant Professor Bonnie Ebendick
Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology Bonnie Ebendick joins the Kalamazoo College faculty.

Visiting Assistant Professor of English Kevin Fitton

Fitton recently earned his Ph.D. in English creative writing from WMU. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hope College, a master’s degree in New Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Master of Fine Arts from Bennington College.

Before arriving at K, he taught first-year writing, children’s literature and creative writing workshops as a graduate assistant at WMU; courses in creativity and literature at Grand Valley State University; and academic writing at Olivet University.

Visiting Assistant Professor of English Kevin Fitton
Visiting Assistant Professor of English Kevin Fitton joins the Kalamazoo College faculty.

Assistant Professor of Chemistry
and Biochemistry Andrew Jensen 

Jensen arrived at K from the University of Michigan, where he was a postdoctoral researcher, a mentor for graduate and undergraduate researchers, and a guest lecturer for courses in chemical analysis, physical properties of analysis, environmental chemistry and mass spectrometry. He previously served as a graduate research assistant at the University of Colorado, Boulder and an undergraduate research assistant at Davidson College in North Carolina. 

Jensen earned a Ph.D. in analytical, environmental and atmospheric chemistry at the University of Colorado, Boulder and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Davidson College. 

Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Andrew Jensen
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Andrew Jensen joins the Kalamazoo College faculty.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics and Business Matthew Schultz 

Schultz has prior teaching experience at Kellogg Community College, where he was an adjunct instructor for business courses specializing in economics; Lakeview School District, Climax-Scotts Community Schools and Battle Creek Central High School, where he taught marketing, accounting, entrepreneurship, business law, finance, business management, career preparation and computer science; and with the MiSTEM Network/Code.org, where he facilitated teacher training for the AP Computer Science Principles curriculum. 

Schultz received a Ph.D. in education from Indiana Wesleyan University, a master’s degree in career and technical education from WMU, and both a Master of Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Cornerstone University. 

Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics and Business Matthew Schultz, new faculty, 2025
Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics and Business Matthew Schultz joins the Kalamazoo College faculty.

Assistant Professor of Spanish Language and Literature Brayan Serratos García

Serratos García recently earned a Ph.D. in Spanish and Portuguese Language and Literature from Vanderbilt University, where he also completed a master’s degree in the same field. He holds a bachelor’s degree in World Languages and Cultures with an emphasis in Spanish from Iowa State University. His research explores transoceanic connections among Europe, Asia, and the Americas during the Early Modern period, with particular emphasis on the contributions of Indigenous and local knowledge-producers.

Serratos García has held teaching positions as instructor, adjunct faculty, teaching assistant, and course coordinator at Vanderbilt University and Fisk University, as well as a teaching appointment at Beijing Normal University. He has taught a wide range of courses from introductory language classes to advanced seminars on Spanish and Portuguese literature and culture. In addition to Spanish and Portuguese, he speaks Chinese and Italian and has lived, studied, and conducted research across Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Assistant Professor of Spanish Language and Literature Brayan Serratos García, new faculty 2025
Assistant Professor of Spanish Language and Literature Brayan Serratos García

Student Earns Headline-Worthy New York Times Mentorship

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For Kalamazoo College student Sarah Guerrero Gorostieta ’28, a passion for writing has opened doors all the way to the New York Times. 

Guerrero learned in August that she’s been selected for the New York Times Corps, a program for college students who could benefit from mentorship and career guidance. The Corps connects participants with veteran journalists and provides professional training before the students visit the Times newsroom. Although she won’t be writing for the Times, the program represents an extraordinary opportunity. 

“I’m grateful for this because practicing skills in journalism will help me learn to be curious and how to ask questions,” she said.

Guerrero attended a student conference through the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in April, later attending the association’s full conference in July thanks to the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership Fund at K. When the association posted about the Times’ mentorship program on LinkedIn, she felt earning a spot might be difficult with her limited experience—she only had two writing classes and no previous freelance work. Yet the post suggested the Times was looking for students just like her. 

With that thought and some encouragement from Professor of English Marin Heinritz, she decided to apply. Today, Guerrero is paired with Motoko Rich, the Times’ Rome bureau chief. She will receive guidance from Times journalists and attend training sessions with her cohort for the next three years. 

Guerrero—who enjoys studying English, political science and Spanish—began her journalism journey in high school outside Chicago. She pursued independent writing and joined her school newspaper during the pandemic to stay connected with classmates. Although K does not offer a journalism major, she has discovered that courses and opportunities at K are helping her prepare to become an independent journalist. 

“Dr. Heinritz was a philosophy major, and she told me that you don’t need to major in English or journalism to become a journalism professional,” Guerrero said. “You just have to be curious. You just have to push yourself to learn. Motoko Rich, my mentor, told me that it’s important to learn a little bit about a lot of things. That’s why I think K, with our open curriculum, is so good for me. I can take a little bit of everything while also learning how to be good at one niche thing.” 

Taking the introduction to journalism course with Heinritz further piqued her interest in the profession. One assignment for the class pushed her to interview strangers around campus and she learned to write stories on tight deadlines. 

“It was nerve-wracking, but it also made me excited,” she said. “It was a way to orient myself as a first-year student and Dr. Heinritz encouraged me to keep going, even when it was difficult.” 

Since then, Guerrero has leaned into every opportunity to develop her craft as she writes for K’s student newspaper, the Index, contributing campus stories, and freelances for NowKalamazoo, a nonprofit newsroom known for in-depth local reporting. Her first published story profiled a Nigerian food truck in downtown Kalamazoo. 

“It was intimidating, writing for a broader audience I didn’t know,” she said. “But I realized I don’t have to wait until after graduation to do the real work. I can do it now.” 

Those experiences complement her national opportunities, giving her both mentorship at the highest level and practical reporting experience in her community. Guerrero is especially drawn to solutions journalism, which highlights how communities address challenges. She also feels a strong responsibility to represent voices at K that might otherwise go unheard. 

“We have a lot of students of color here, and their stories need to be shared,” she said. “I want to help build a bigger, more diverse staff at the Index.” 

Guerrero’s long-term vision is to mentor younger student writers, expand the paper’s reach and ensure that it reflects the full K community. 

Alumni of the Times Corps often go on to fellowships, freelance opportunities and newsroom careers. Guerrero hopes to one day pitch stories to the Times, perhaps even for its Modern Love section, which she has followed since high school. For now, she balances classes, reporting and her growing network of mentors. She admits she still gets nervous before interviews, but she sees that as a good thing. 

“Journalists should be a little nervous,” she said. “It means the questions we’re asking matter.” 

As she looks ahead to study abroad, internships and more bylines, Guerrero remains motivated by the same curiosity that brought her to the field in the first place. 

“The future of journalism belongs to people who ask good questions and believe in the freedom of the press,” she said. “That’s the kind of journalist I want to be.”  

New York Times Corps Member Sarah Guerrero Gorostieta stands next to a fountain that has NAHJ projected onto it
Sarah Guerrero Gorostieta ’28 attended a student conference through the National Association of Hispanic Journalists before the association’s full conference thanks to the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership Fund.
New York Times Corps member Sarah Guerrero Gorostieta holds her NAHJ conference name tag
Guerrero applied for the New York Times Corps mentorship after attending two journalism conferences.
Portrait of New York Times Corps member Sarah Guerrero
Guerrero writes for K’s student newspaper, the Index, while freelancing for NowKalamazoo, a local nonprofit newsroom.

Student Group Seeks Alumni Who Work in Law

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The Aspiring Law Student Organization (ALSO) at Kalamazoo College is seeking alumni to return to campus to talk with students about their journeys in the legal profession. Group leaders say those conversations are among the most valuable ways to show students what’s possible with a law degree. 

“Hearing from someone who sat in the same classrooms and then went on to pass the bar is incredibly valuable,” said Libby McFarlen ’26, ALSO’s president. “Alums can talk about how K prepared them in a way that other schools can’t.” 

McFarlen is leading the effort to reinvigorate ALSO after the group had been relatively quiet in recent years. She stepped into the presidency at the encouragement of last year’s leader, who believed her passion for the field and professional connections could help strengthen the organization. She now works alongside Vice President Laura Goia ’27, an exchange student from Romania; Secretary Ella Miller ’26; and Treasurer Isabelle Mason ’27 to establish ALSO as a go-to resource for students considering careers in law. 

A major focus this year is to help students see law as a less-intimidating, more accessible field. McFarlen wants ALSO to balance serious programming—such as alumni panels and attorney visits—with lighter events designed to spark interest. For example, students can enjoy an upcoming movie night featuring the comedy film Legally Blonde, and also attend one of the standout events of this fall: an October 22 campus visit from the assistant director of admissions at Harvard Law School. 

Through these events, McFarlen hopes to showcase the variety of paths available in law. “A lot of people think being a lawyer is only about arguing in a courtroom, but there are so many areas—sports law, election law, patent law,” she said. “Students deserve to see that breadth.” 

McFarlen’s own experiences highlight the importance of real-world connections. Over the summer, she completed a legal internship with the City of Grand Rapids, working alongside prosecuting and litigation attorneys. As the only undergraduate among law school interns, she conducted legal research, prepared cases, and assisted attorneys in court. The experience confirmed her interest in criminal prosecution and underscored how rare it can be for undergraduates to access hands-on legal opportunities. 

“I was the youngest in the office, but it didn’t matter,” she said. “I learned so much, and I want other students to have those opportunities, too.” 

Looking ahead, ALSO is considering initiatives such as a mock trial team, law-themed trivia nights and panel discussions with government attorneys. McFarlen emphasized that inclusivity will remain central to the group’s mission along with it providing a support system and a launching pad for students whether they’re preparing for law school or simply curious about the profession. 

“Law can seem like a predominantly white, elite field,” she said. “We want students of color and students from all identities to see attorneys who look like them and know this path is open to them. Anyone is welcome to join whether they’re studying for the LSAT or just wondering what lawyers actually do.” 

Portrait of Aspiring Law Student Organization President Libby McFarlen
Aspiring Law Student Organization President Libby McFarlen ’26 wants Kalamazoo College students to see a breadth of opportunities available to them when they pursue the legal field.

Calling K Alumni in Law 

The Aspiring Law Student Organization (ALSO) wants to hear from you. If you’re a Kalamazoo College graduate working in the legal field, students would love to learn from your journey. 

Ways to get involved:

  • Speak on a career panel or Q-and-A session. 
  • Host a small-group discussion with students. 
  • Offer virtual mentoring or job-shadowing opportunities. 

Interested? Contact ALSO President Libby McFarlen ’26 at libby.mcfarlen22@kzoo.edu. 

Biblical Scholar: We Sometimes Get Scripture Wrong

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A popular YouTube personality, biblical scholar, best-selling author and podcast co-host will visit Kalamazoo College for a special event hosted by the Department of Religion on Wednesday, October 8.

Dan McClellan will explore how appeals to scripture are often used to authorize beliefs that might stem more from human assumptions than divine text in a lecture at 4:15 p.m. in the Olmsted Room at Mandelle Hall. The event, titled Bible Says So? How We Leverage the Bible to Authorize Our Own Dogmas, is free and open to the public. He will discuss insights from cognitive linguistics, the cognitive science of religion, and critical biblical studies to show that “the Bible says so” often really means “I say so, but I need the Bible’s authority.” A meet-and-greet will follow his presentation.

McClellan is an honorary fellow at the University of Birmingham’s Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion and the author of the April 2025 book The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture’s Most Controversial Issues. In his research and public scholarship, he examines the ways people invoke biblical authority to defend cultural norms, political positions and personal convictions.

In 2023, McClellan received the Society of Biblical Literature’s Richards Award for Public Scholarship. He has more than 180,000 followers on his YouTube channel and is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also co-hosts the “Data Over Dogma” podcast with atheist Daniel Beecher.

For more information on the lecture, contact Academic Office Coordinator Sarah Bryans in the Department of Religion at Sarah.Bryans@kzoo.edu.

Portrait of Biblical Scholar Dan McClellan
Biblical scholar and YouTube personality Dan McClellan will visit Kalamazoo College for a special lecture hosted by the Department of Religion on Wednesday, October 8.

Grant Backs Williams Lab, Brain Disease Research

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For Dwight Williams, the Kurt D. Kaufman Associate Professor of Chemistry at Kalamazoo College, persistence has paid off. After nearly a decade of research and one unsuccessful grant application, Williams has been awarded a three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support his work developing new molecules that could help protect brain cells from dying from neurodegenerative diseases.  

The grant, worth nearly $385,000, is a milestone for both Williams and his students, who have played a central role in shaping the project since its inception.  

“After an unsuccessful application in 2018, I went back to the basics and sought guidance and mentoring from my networks, which ultimately strengthened the resubmission,” Williams said. “Receiving this award is such an encouragement, not only for the research ahead, but also for the opportunities it generates for Kalamazoo College’s students.”  

Tackling Neurodegeneration  

Williams said that while neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Glaucoma each begin in different ways, they have been found to share a common cellular process that significantly damages or kills brain cells. His lab focuses on ways to block or reduce this process, extending the health and function of brain cells.  

Over the course of the grant, Williams and his students will aim to synthesize and test five families of compounds, each consisting of several unique molecules, for their neuroprotective potential. Results will be shared with the broader scientific community through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.  

Expanding Opportunities for Students  

The NIH funding represents more than just progress in the lab. It directly supports K students by providing stipends for two of them each summer for the next three years, ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent their participation in research.  

“Many of our students want to engage in scientific research, but limited funding has often been the biggest barrier,” Williams said. “This award helps bridge that gap by expanding access to meaningful research experiences.”  

In addition to stipends, the grant will allow the lab to acquire new equipment and instrumentation, speeding up experiments and enabling access to data that previously wasn’t possible for the lab to collect. These upgrades, Williams said, will help his students grow as independent scientists while working on a project with real-world significance.  

Williams defines success in part by the progress of his student researchers. His aim is to help them strengthen their scientific identity, deepen their research independence, and prepare for graduate school, professional careers and leadership roles.  

“Being awarded this funding shows the scientific community the incredible talent and aptitude of the young scholars here at K,” Williams said. “The majority of the data used in this proposal was produced by our students. That is very impressive to me.”  

Dwight Williams stands in his lab with four of the students who worked under his guidance this summer
Dwight Williams, the Kurt D. Kaufman Associate Professor of Chemistry at Kalamazoo College, has been awarded a three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support his work developing molecules that could help protect brain cells from neurodegenerative diseases. The grant is a milestone for both Williams and his students, who have helped shape the project.

Williams Thanks …

“I want to thank my many mentors, Dr. Yan Zhang and Dr. Jill Bettinger of Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Laura Furge; and Dr. Syliva Fitting of UNC-Chapel Hill, who have helped me bring this together. I am also deeply grateful to every young scholar who has contributed to this project over the years. Their dedication and creativity have been essential to moving the work forward. I am especially thankful to:  

  • Suma Alzouhayli ’17  
  • Myles Truss ’17  
  • Rachel Chang ’18  
  • Natalie Hershenson ’18  
  • Christina Keramidas ’18  
  • MinSoo Kim ’18  
  • McKinzie Thiede ’19  
  • Madeline Harding ’22    
  • Skyler Rogers ’23  
  • My-Anh Phan ’23  
  • Rhys Koellmann ’24  
  • Jenna Beach ’24  
  • Cassy Bennett ’25  
  • Katya Koublitsky ’25  

Thank you for sharing your skills and talents with the Williams Lab and for contributing uniquely to this project since its inception. This award is a reflection of your hard work.” 

Since Williams arrived at K in 2015, he has mentored dozens of students in the lab, recalling each by name and recognizing the role they played in advancing the work. “Their dedication and creativity have been essential to moving the work forward,” he said. “This award is a reflection of their hard work.”  

Persistence and Gratitude  

Williams also acknowledged the challenges of securing federal research support at a time when funding is increasingly limited. The lab’s first NIH application in 2018 was administratively withdrawn and rejected. The resubmitted proposal, sent in February 2024, required patience while awaiting the decision.  

“Knowing that the federal funding landscape is changing only reinforces the necessity of persistence, perseverance and patience,” Williams said. “Things are going to be very different moving forward, but I am continually encouraged by our students because I know they can face tough challenges, execute excellent science and solve big problems by working together—all while having fun and building community along the way.”  

Williams added that his faith has guided him throughout the process.  

“I must first thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ,” he said. “Without Him, this opportunity would not have been possible.”  

He also expressed gratitude to mentors at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and K, as well as to colleagues such as former Director of Faculty Grants Jessica Fowle ’00.   

Looking Ahead  

For Williams, the NIH grant represents both an achievement and a launching point. It will allow him to pursue ambitious research goals, expand opportunities for student scientists, and share discoveries that might one day contribute to new treatment strategies for people around the world.  

“The work supported by this grant has the potential to benefit people far beyond our campus,” Williams said. “And the students engaged in this work will carry forward skills that will influence communities and fields for years to come.”  

‘Grand Bargain’ Judge Slated to Deliver Flesche Lecture

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Kalamazoo College will welcome back distinguished alumnus Gerald Rosen ’73 as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Donald C. Flesche Lecture. The event, “The Grand Bargain: Lessons from the Detroit Bankruptcy,” will take place at 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, in the Olmsted Room of Mandelle Hall. The lecture will be free and open to the public, and a livestream will be available for those unable to attend.

Rosen, a retired federal judge for the Eastern District of Michigan and former chief judge of the court, is best known for his role in Detroit’s historic bankruptcy case. His leadership in crafting the “Grand Bargain” helped the city exit bankruptcy in 2014 while protecting the pensions of thousands of retirees and preserving the Detroit Institute of Arts’ world-renowned collection.

Rosen also spoke at K in the 2015 Weber Lecture and was interviewed as a guest at an event for students in 2018. After earning his law degree at George Washington University, Rosen went on to a distinguished career in private practice before being appointed to the federal bench in 1989. During nearly three decades as a judge, including seven years as chief judge, he presided over landmark cases involving terrorism, constitutional questions and civil rights.

Rosen returns to campus as his story is reaching new audiences. His 2024 book, Grand Bargain: The Inside Story of Detroit’s Dramatic Journey from Bankruptcy to Rebirth, provides a behind-the-scenes account of how city officials, state leaders, philanthropists and creditors came together to negotiate a solution once thought impossible. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has described Rosen as “a very important figure in Detroit’s history” whose “daring leadership, wisdom and diplomacy” helped set the stage for the city’s recovery. Rosen discussed the book in a January interview with WMUK 102.1. He and his book also will be spotlighted in the fall edition of Lux Esto.

The annual Flesche Lecture honors Donald C. Flesche, a longtime professor of political science at Kalamazoo College, who influenced generations of students—including Rosen himself. While studying at K, Rosen majored in political science and took courses with Flesche that helped shape his career in law and public service.

Cover of Grand Bargain Book
Retired judge and author Gerald Rosen ’73 will visit Kalamazoo College on September 24 to deliver the annual Flesche Lecture. A livestream will be available.

K Awards Two Employees with Lucasse, Ambrose Honors

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Kalamazoo College today honored one faculty member and one staff member with two of the highest awards the College bestows on employees. Professor of Mathematics Eric Barth received the 2025–26 Florence J. Lucasse Lectureship for Excellence in Teaching, and Campus Safety Officer Adam Kaur was named the recipient of the W. Haydn Ambrose Prize for Extraordinary Service. 

Barth has served K for more than 28 years as a department chair, assistant provost, first-year class dean and director of the dual-degree engineering program. He has held his professor title since 1997. During the pandemic, he was a leader in providing resources to faculty about effective online teaching. 

Barth was granted K’s Outstanding Advisor Award in 2019. He also was a College leader in developing a partial-unit course to help struggling students develop the skills for academic success through a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) grant awarded to K in 2018. 

Nominators said Barth’s teaching exemplifies a holistic commitment to student learning and success. Through course feedback, students have described him as being passionate, encouraging, supportive and engaging while he strives to get the best out of every student. A ceremony to confer the Lucasse Fellowship traditionally occurs in the spring term, during which the honored faculty member speaks about their work. 

Kaur has worked at K since 2021. Nominators said his varied background—including a degree in education and a previous career in hospitality—gives him a broad range of skills. He’s also kind, helpful and thoughtful with tremendous foresight and an empathetic ear as he handles emergent situations calmly, efficiently and expertly with optimism in challenging circumstances. His presence sets a positive tone for students to interact with Campus Safety while making K a better place to live, work and learn. 

Kaur’s interests extend beyond his work to the campus community. He regularly attends Hornet athletic contests, and he is something of a legend for his remarkable rapport with K’s squirrel population. 

The Ambrose Prize is named after W. Haydn Ambrose, who served K for more than 20 years in a variety of roles, including assistant to the president for church relations, dean of admission and financial aid, and vice president for development. Ambrose was known for being thoughtful in the projects he addressed and treating people with respect. In addition to a financial award, Kaur has earned a crystal award to commemorate the achievement and an invitation to sit on the Prize’s selection committee for two years. 

Congratulations to both of the honorees.  

Kalamazoo College President Jorge G. Gonzalez congratulates Professor of Mathematics Eric Barth on earning the 2025-26 Lucasse Award
Kalamazoo College President Jorge G. Gonzalez (left) congratulates Professor of Mathematics Eric Barth on earning the 2025–26 Florence J. Lucasse Lectureship for Excellence in Teaching.
Campus Safety Officer Adam Kaur received the 2025 W. Haydn Ambrose Prize for Extraordinary Service from President Gonzalez
Campus Safety Officer Adam Kaur receives the 2025 W. Haydn Ambrose Prize for Extraordinary Service from President Gonzalez.

K Completes Major Electrical Infrastructure Project

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President Jorge G. Gonzalez flips a switch marking the completion of Kalamazoo College's electrical upgrades
President Jorge G. Gonzalez flips the switch to mark the completion of Kalamazoo College’s electrical upgrades.
Three attending the ceremony marking the completion of Kalamazoo College's electrical upgrades
Partners including engineering designer Abonmarche Byce, construction manager Owen-Ames-Kimball, and electrical contractor Hi-Tech Electric helped make the upgrades possible.

Kalamazoo College has completed a major multi-year project to modernize its electrical infrastructure, strengthening the safety and reliability of campus power while also building capacity for future growth. 

Engineering for the project began in early 2022, with construction starting in fall 2023. The project introduced a new 8,320V power service and modernized medium-voltage switchgear across campus. All new underground cabling was designed in a two-loop configuration to enhance reliability, and new main distribution panels were installed so that each building can operate independently. In addition to reliability and safety, the project also supports K’s sustainability goals. New transformers use mineral oil for insulation and cooling, eliminating risks of contamination in the event of a leak. For the first time, the College can also monitor and measure energy consumption in every building—an important step toward meeting the goals outlined in the College’s Climate Action Plan. 

This work was made possible with the support of several partners: engineering designer Abonmarche Byce, construction manager Owen-Ames-Kimball, and electrical contractor  Hi-Tech Electric. Funding support came in part from The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, whose $2 million grant supported the project as well as enhancements to K’s science facilities.  

“This infrastructure modernization will contribute greatly to the reliability and safety of our campus electrical system. Some of the components that were replaced were 80 years old,” said President Jorge G. Gonzalez at a ceremony to celebrate the switchover to the new system. “Together, we’ve brought this project from blueprint to reality. Lux Esto!”  

Two attendees hold light-bulb-shaped cookies
Ceremony attendees were treated to cookies shaped like light bulbs.
An electrical box with a switch is connected to industrial lights
The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation helped support the electrical project with a $2 million grant that also supported enhancements to K’s science facilities.

El Concilio Honors K President

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A nonprofit organization honored Kalamazoo College President Jorge G. Gonzalez this weekend with an award that recognizes his efforts to support and create greater opportunities for students in Kalamazoo.

El Concilio, established in 1981, serves the local Latinx community by providing culturally sensitive social services, advocacy and programs that foster self-sufficiency, preserve cultural heritage and support the community’s economic well-being. Gonzalez received its Nezahualcoyotl Award, an annual honor granted to a Latinx professional leader, at the Nuestras Raices Gala on Saturday at the Radisson Plaza Hotel of Kalamazoo.

In a letter to Gonzalez, El Concilio Chief Executive Officer Adrian Vazquez-Alatorre noted that as president of K, Gonzalez has worked to create a path for many generations of students to walk and achieve their dreams. He also cited the College’s partnership with El Concilio through the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement, which works to build experiential education opportunities to help students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills of social responsibility, intercultural understanding, lifelong learning and leadership.

“In collaboration with Kalamazoo College, we had over 50 student volunteers and interns in the last few years,” Vazquez-Alatorre said. “Thank you for all you have done for the Latinx students inside and outside of Kalamazoo College.”

“I am deeply honored to receive the Nezahualcoyotl Award from El Concilio, an award named after leader, poet and visionary whose legacy still echoes through centuries,” Gonzalez said. “This recognition reflects the shared commitment between Kalamazoo College and our community partners to empower students through education, opportunity and cultural pride. Receiving the Netzahualcoyotl Award reminds me of his timeless words: ‘Let us leave at least flowers, let us leave at least songs.’ As I prepare to retire from Kalamazoo College, I hope that our work leaves behind something beautiful—something that uplifts not only individuals, but entire generations and echoes beyond today.”

Suzie Gonzalez, President Jorge G. Gonzalez and El Concilio CEO Adrian Vazquez-Alatorre
Suzie Gonzalez ’83 (from left), President Jorge G. Gonzalez and El Concilio CEO Adrian Vazquez-Alatorre were among the people attending El Concilio’s Nuestras Raices Gala on Saturday where President Gonzalez received the Nezahualcoyotl Award.