Category: Students

Senior Awards 2012

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The following students received awards during the Senior Awards Ceremony, June 9, 2012

Fine Arts Division

THE LILIA CHEN AWARD IN ART, awarded to students in their junior or senior year who distinguish themselves through their work in ceramics, sculpture, or painting, and who exhibit strong progress in their understanding of art.

  • Joanne A. Heppert
  • Daedalian James Derks
  • Taylor Stamm

THE GEORGE EATON ERRINGTON PRIZE, awarded to an outstanding senior art major.

  • Angela M. Frakes

THE LILLIAN PRINGLE BALDAUF PRIZE IN MUSIC, awarded to an outstanding music student.

  • Erin C. Donevan

THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT AWARD, given by the Music Department of the College for outstanding contributions to the musical life of the campus.

  • Gina Marie Cosgrove Bravata
  • Rachel Meria Cohan
  • Gus L. Hay
  • Elizabeth Antoinette Hubbell
  • Michael P. Ignagni
  • Elizabeth Anne Kur
  • Madelaine Mae McCann
  • Jacob R. Price
  • Hailey R. Schurr
  • Alison Raeann Smith

THE FAN E. SHERWOOD MEMORIAL PRIZE, awarded for outstanding progress and ability on the violin, viola, cello or bass.

  • Eleanor E. Wong

THE MARGARET UPTON PRIZE IN MUSIC, awarded each year to a student designated by the Music Department faculty as having made significant achievement in music.

  • Jacob C. Arnett
  • Kate Elise Fodor

THE RUTH SCOTT CHENERY AWARD, given to a graduating senior who has excelled academically and in theatre and who plans to continue the study of theatre arts following graduation.

  • David H. Pimentel
  • Marianne Renee Stine

THE IRMGARD KOWATZKI THEATRE AWARD, awarded to the senior who has excelled both in academic areas and in theatrical productions during four years at the College.

  • Samuel T. Bertken

THE CHARLES TULLY DESIGN AWARD, given annually to a senior who has achieved excellence in some aspect of theatre design.

  • Kyle A. McCord

Foreign Languages Division

THE CHINESE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD recognizes seniors who have excelled in the study of the Chinese language and China-related subjects on campus and abroad in China.

  • Douglas Colton
  • Nicholas R. Gersch
  • John C. McGowan

THE PROVOST’S PRIZE IN CLASSICS, awarded to that student who writes the best essay on a classical subject.

  • Rachel A. LoPatin

THE JOE FUGATE SENIOR GERMAN AWARD, awarded to a senior for excellence in German.

  • Nathan Colello Gilmour

THE JAPANESE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, COLLEGE CHAPTER, is
awarded in recognition of the student’s achievement in their study of the Japanese language and for their overall academic excellence.

  • Laura Whitney Abram
  • Lauren Jean Case
  • Kellea S. Floyd
  • William Patrick Gallagher
  • Aaron E. Geller
  • Johnny T. Ho
  • Sarah C. Holman
  • Ian Powell

THE ALLIANCE FRANCAISE PRIZE IN FRENCH, awarded for excellence in French by an advanced student.

  • Kathleen C. Golembiewski

THE SENIOR SPANISH AWARD, given by the Department of Romance Languages for outstanding achievement in Spanish.

  • Jameson Kane Drouin
  • Joshua Anthony Imperial
  • Mayra A. Montero

Humanities Division

THE DAVID STRAUSS PRIZE IN AMERICAN STUDIES, awarded for the best paper written by a graduating senior in his or her junior or senior year in any field of American Studies.

  • Allison Nicole LaRose

THE ELWOOD H. AND ELIZABETH H. SCHNEIDER PRIZE, awarded for outstanding and creative work in English done by a student who is not an English major.

  • Kathleen C. Golembiewski

THE MARY CLIFFORD STETSON PRIZE, awarded for excellence in English essay writing by a senior.

  • Allison Nicole LaRose

THE DWIGHT AND LEOLA STOCKER PRIZE, awarded for excellence in English writing: prose or poetry.

  • Stewart J. Finnegan
  • Kimberly Grabowski
  • Rebecca Ellen Staudenmaier

THE JAMES BIRD BALCH PRIZE, for the senior having done the best work in American History.

  • Sarah Christina Baumann

THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT AWARD, given for outstanding work in the major.

  • Ariel Marie Schnee

THE HODGE PRIZE IN PHILOSOPHY, awarded to that member of the graduating class who has the highest standing in the field.

  • Nathan Colello Gilmour

THE MARION H. DUNSMORE MEMORIAL PRIZE IN RELIGION, awarded for excellence in any year’s work in religion.

  • William A. Schlaack

Natural Sciences & Mathematics Division

THE H. LEWIS BATTS PRIZE, awarded to the senior who has done the most to support the activities of the Biology Department and to further the spirit of collegiality among students and faculty in the Department.

  • Lindsey Sara Gaston
  • Heather Rae Russon

THE ROBERT BZDYL PRIZE IN MARINE BIOLOGY, awarded to one or more students with demonstrated interest and ability in marine biology or related fields.

  • Mirae Katherine Guenther
  • Zachary K. Janes

THE DIEBOLD SCHOLAR AWARD, given to one or more seniors in recognition of excellence in the oral or poster presentation of the SIP at the Diebold Symposium.

  • Kelsey Meredith Hassevoort
  • Nathan C. Robinson
  • Alison Raeann Smith

THE WILLIAM E. PRAEGER PRIZE, established by the faculty in the Biology Department and awarded to the most outstanding senior major in Biology, based on academic achievement in the discipline.

  • Kelsey Meredith Hassevoort

THE ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE AWARD IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, sponsored by the American Chemical Division of Analytical Chemistry and the Journal of Analytical Chemistry, to an undergraduate student who displays an aptitude for a career in analytical chemistry

  • Caitlyn W. VanGelderen

THE ANNUAL UNDERGRADUATE AWARD IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, sponsored by the American Chemical Division of Inorganic Chemistry, to an undergraduate senior student planning on pursuing graduate studies in chemistry.

  • Masroor Hossain

THE KURT KAUFMAN FELLOW, given annually to a senior with the best Senior Individualized Project in the Chemistry Department.

  • Aidan J. Klobuchar
  • David M. Robinson

THE LEMUEL F. SMITH AWARD given to the major in chemistry pursuing the American Chemical Society approved curriculum and having at the end of the junior year the highest average standing in courses taken in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

  • Aidan J. Klobuchar

THE OUTSTANDING CHEMISTRY STUDENT FROM KALAMAZOO COLLEGE, sponsored by the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society and is given to the graduating student who has demonstrated leadership in the chemistry department and plans to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.

  • Margarite Matossian

THE CLARKE BENEDICT WILLIAMS PRIZE, awarded to that member of the graduating class who has the best record in mathematics and the allied sciences.

  • Daniel J. Esman
  • Aidan J. Klobuchar
  • Jacob R. Price

THE JOHN WESLEY HORNBECK PRIZE, awarded to a senior with the highest achievement for the year’s work in advanced physics toward a major.

  • Alexander C. Dombos
  • Lynn Mormino
  • Jacob R. Price

Physical Education Division

THE GEORGE ACKER AWARD awarded annually to a male athlete who in his participation gave all, never quit, with good spirit supported others unselfishly, and whose example was inspirational.

  • Evan I. Levine

THE SENIOR ATHLETIC AWARD, given by the Department of Physical Education to the outstanding senior female athlete.

  • Erin Lynn Campbell

THE MARY LONG BURCH AWARD, for a senior woman who has manifested interest in sports activities and excelled in scholarship.

  • Kelsey Meredith Hassevoort

THE KALAMAZOO COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AWARD, for a graduating senior who has most successfully combined high scholarship with athletic prowess.

  • Alexander C. Dombos

THE C. W. “OPIE” DAVIS AWARD, awarded to the outstanding senior male athlete

  • Christopher J. Manning

THE KNOECHEL FAMILY AWARD, awarded to a senior member of the swim teams in recognition of demonstrated excellence in both intercollegiate swimming and academic performance.

  • Christine Lewis
  • Kevin B. Lodewyk

THE CATHERINE A. SMITH PRIZE IN WOMEN’’’’S ATHLETICS, awarded to a woman athlete who in her participation gave all, never quit, with good spirit supported others unselfishly, and whose example was inspirational.

  • Katherine Grue
  • Kelsey Johnson

Social Sciences Division

THE RAYMOND L. HIGHTOWER AWARD, given to a graduating senior for excellence in and commitment to the disciplines of sociology and anthropology and leadership in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology

  • Hannah Hindman Reischl
  • Dana Robinson

THE BARTLETT LAW AWARD, awarded to an outstanding student of Economics or Political Science active in extracurricular activities who plans to pursue a career in law.

  • Matthew Thomas DuWaldt
  • Claire Victoria Madill

THE A. M. FINK MEMORIAL PRIZE IN BUSINESS, awarded to an outstanding Economics and Business major, active in extracurricular activities, who plans to pursue graduate work or an immediate career in business.

  • Calder Alexander Leaver Burgam
  • Cameron Carl Lang

THE WILLIAM G. HOWARD MEMORIAL PRIZE, awarded to a senior who has done the best work in a major in economics..

  • Matthew Thomas DuWaldt
  • Johnny T. Ho
  • Claire Victoria Madill

THE EUGENE P. STERMER AWARD IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, awarded to a senior in Economics and Business for excellence in academic work

  • Patrick A. Miller
  • Rachel Christine Pitzer
  • Joseph J. Prepolec

THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL RELATIONS PRIZE, awarded for leadership in the major, reflecting commitment to inter-disciplinary thinking and social justice.

  • Dion Bullock
  • LaShawn M. Etheridge

THE E. BRUCE BAXTER MEMORIAL AWARD, awarded to a senior showing outstanding development in the field of political science.

  • Zachary Ryan Holden

THE WILLIAM G. HOWARD MEMORIAL PRIZE, awarded for excellence in a year’s work in political science.

  • Calder Alexander Leaver Burgam
  • Emily K. Wolf

THE EUGENE P. STERMER AWARD IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, awarded to a student in public policy and/or international affairs for excellence in academic work in the senior year.

  • Alyssa M. Rickard
  • Theodore J. Sweetser

THE MARSHALL HALLOCK BRENNER PRIZE, awarded to an outstanding student for excellence in the field of psychology.

  • Keith R. Moreno

THE XARIFA GREENQUIST MEMORIAL PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT AWARD, given in recognition of distinctive service to students and faculty in Psychology by a student assistant.

  • Emily Renee Geister-Danville
  • Katharine Ellen Grills
  • Alexander P. Griffin

THE RICHARD D. KLEIN SENIOR AWARD IN PSYCHOLOGY, given for outstanding work in the Senior Individualized Project.

  • Chloe E. Page

THE RICHARD D. KLEIN SENIOR AWARD IN PSYCHOLOGY, given for outstanding contributions to the community.

  • Elise Wolf Williams

THE DONALD W. VAN LIERE PRIZE, given for excellence in psychology research.

  • Katharine Ellen Grills
  • Tristan A. Morioka
  • Courtney Lynne Narker

THE DONALD W. VAN LIERE PRIZE, given for excellence in psychology coursework.

  • Kara Jane Milton

THE LUCINDA HINSDALE STONE PRIZE, awarded to a student whose scholarship, research or creative work in women’s studies, in the form of a SIP or other academic work, is most impressive.

  • Angela M. Frakes
  • Sarah C. Holman
  • Allison Nicole LaRose

Non-Departmental Awards

THE GORDON BEAUMONT MEMORIAL AWARD, awarded to the deserving student who displays qualities of selflessness, humanitarian concern, and willingness to help others, as exemplified in the life of Gordon Beaumont.

  • Lashawn Etheridge
  • Anna Miller

THE HENRY AND INEZ BROWN PRIZE, awarded in recognition of outstanding participation in the College community.

  • Courtney Nartker

THE ALPHA LAMBDA DELTA MAY BRUNSON GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP, given to a senior working toward a graduate or professional degree.

  • Matthew Thomas DuWaldt

THE VIRGINIA HINKELMAN MEMORIAL AWARD is awarded to a deserving student who displays a deep concern for the well-being of children, as demonstrated through career goals in the field of child welfare.

  • Zena S. Blake-Mark

THE ALPHA LAMBDA DELTA MARIA LEONARD SENIOR BOOK AWARD, given to the Alpha Lambda Delta member graduating with the highest GPA.

  • Alexander C. Dombos
  • Kelsey Meredith Hassevoort
  • Zachary Ryan Holden
  • Claire Victoria Madill
  • Kara Jane Milton

THE CATHERINE A. SMITH PRIZE IN HUMAN RIGHTS, awarded to a senior who has been active on campus in promoting human rights, furthering progressive social and cultural change, and combating violence, repression, and bigotry.

  • Britta A. Seifert

THE BABETTE TRADER CAMPUS CITIZENSHIP AND LEADERSHIP AWARD, awarded to that member of the graduating class, who has most successfully combined campus citizenship and leadership with scholarship.

  • Alexandra N. Crockford
  • Obineche S. Nnebedum

THE MAYNARD OWEN WILLIAMS MEMORIAL AWARD, for the best student entry in the form of an essay, poetry, paintings, sketches, photographs, or films derived from Study Abroad.

  • Saskia Boggs
  • Kathleen W. Sly
  • Emily K. Wolf

The Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Institute for Service-Learning awards LAPLANTE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS to recognize and reward students who have shown outstanding dedication to civic engagement. The LaPlante Scholars design and lead community programs that promote a more just, equitable and sustainable world.

  • Paul A. Garza
  • Alexander P. Griffin
  • Jay W. McMillan
  • Anna Marie Miller
  • Ellen Curtin Murphy
  • Obineche Nnebedum
  • Catherine Anne Wadsworth Oldershaw
  • Ian Powell
  • Dana Robinson
  • Anna F. Witte

The VIBBERT SCHOLARS honor and exemplify the spirit and leadership of Stephanie Vibbert, activist, scholar, artist, poet and feminist, by creating programs that promote equality and social justice.

  • Angela M. Frakes
  • Meredith Loomis Quinlan
  • Taylor Stamm

THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION AWARD, is awarded to students who have provided key elements of leadership in their organizations, athletic teams, academic departments, employment, and the wider Kalamazoo community. Students were nominated by faculty and staff members in January. Seniors eligible for this award also had to meet a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average requirement and be in good academic and social standing at the College.

  • Jacob Christopher Arnett
  • Zena S. Blake-Mark
  • Dion Bullock
  • Leonidas M. Caldwell
  • Rachel Meria Cohan
  • Mark J. Denenfeld
  • Benjamin Gawel Ensroth
  • LaShawn M. Etheridge
  • Katherine A. Grue
  • Kelsey Meredith Hassevoort
  • Joanne A. Heppert
  • Jennifer Michelle Fiandaca McCutcheon
  • Tanjanequa F. McMeans
  • Anna Marie Miller
  • Ellen Curtin Murphy
  • Obineche S. Nnebedum
  • David H. Pimentel
  • Daniel Pohanka
  • Jacob R. Price
  • Meredith Loomis Quinlan
  • Hannah Hindman Reischl
  • Heather Rae Russon
  • Melba N. Sales-Griffin
  • William A. Schlaack
  • Paula Alana Silverman
  • Dalton S. Simancek
  • Kathleen W. Sly
  • Caitlyn W. VanGelderen
  • Molly Christine Waytes
  • Max A. Wedding
  • Sandrine Zilikana

Farewells and Inaugurations

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Student Commission annual awards recipients
Photo credit: Elaine Ezekiel ’13

By Elaine Ezekiel ’13

Student Commission presented its annual awards during the Week Ten (June 1) Community Reflection in Stetson Chapel. The annual event recognizes outstanding Kalamazoo College staff, students, and faculty, and passes the torch to the elected members of next year’s Student Commission.

Mike Ignagi ’12, Tommy Jackson ’15, Colin Smith ’15 and Brad Stech ’15 from K’s improvisational jazz class opened the ceremony. Lucas Kushner ’14 read a short history of the Student Commission Awards. Kari Paine ’14 presented the William Crockett Award for outstanding contribution to the community by an administrator or staff member to Mail Center Coordinator Carol Cowper. Mara Richman ’15 presented the Francis Diebold Award, which acknowledges a faculty member who shows interest and participation in student life, to Associate Provost and Associate Professor of English Amy Smith. Douglas Colton ’12 presented the Amy Trenkle Award, which goes to the student who exemplifies involvement and leadership on campus, to Ian Powell ’12.

President Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran celebrated the leadership of 2011-12 Student Commission President Meredith Quinlan ‘12.

“I, for one, am looking for an opportunity to vote for you as governor, and better still as president of the United States,” said Wilson-Oyelaran, “because you are the type of leader that our country needs.”

Quinlan offered a farewell address in which she imagined returning to campus as an alumna.

“No matter what,” she said, “the people at K will always keep it what it is.”

She then administered the oath of office to 2012-13 Student Commission Executive Committee members.

Incoming president Bianca Rasho ’13 outlined her strategy of “teamwork, efficiency, and transparency” for next year’s administration. Candido asked the audience to “go in peace,” for a final time this school year.

Photographed (l-r) are outgoing and incoming StuComm board members: back row—Doug Colton ’12, Ian Flanagan ’13, Tendai Mudyiwa ’14, Darrin Camilleri ’14, Daniel Pohanka ’14, Milo Madole ’12; middle row—Hagop Mouradian ’14, Cameron Goodall ’15, Lucas Kushner ’14, Jacob Morden ’13, Ellen Murphy ’12, Alex Werder ’15, Sam Keene ’13, Darwin Rodriguez ’13; front row—Mara Richman ’15, Kari Paine’14, Katherine Stevenson ’15, Meredith Quinlan ’12, Bianca Rasho ’13, Asia Morales ’15, Martin Bergstrom ’13, and Shadae Sutherland ’14.

Open to the public, Community Reflections offer a unique forum for discussion, worship, performance, and community expression in Stetson Chapel. The next Community Reflection will be held during Week One (Sept 14) of Fall Quarter at 10:50 AM.)

Heyl Scholars 2012

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2012 Heyl Scholars

The 2012 Heyl Scholars were honored with a dinner on the Kalamazoo College campus.

The F.W. and Elsie L. Heyl Scholarship awards full-tuition scholarships to graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools or the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center (KAMSC) for the study of nursing at Western Michigan University or science and math at Kalamazoo College. Benefits also include room and board and a book allowance. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years.

Since 1972, the Heyl Scholarship Fund has awarded more than 400 scholarships worth some $30 million.

The Heyl Scholars of 2012 are (l-r): front row—Kelsey Lankford, Kalamazoo Central High School; Yu-Chyn Chiang, Kalamazoo Central High School; Aya Abe, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix High School; second row—Riley Lundquist, Portage Northern High School/KAMSC;Sarah Manski, Vicksburg High School/KAMSC; Kyle Sunden, Gull Lake High School/KAMSC; back row—Paige Maguire, Kalamazoo Central High School/KAMSC;Robert Hudson, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix High School; and Reid Blanchett, Vicksburg High School/KAMSC. Chiang, Abe, Lundquist, Manski, Sunden, Maguire, Hudson, and Blanchett will attend Kalamazoo College. Lankford will attend the WMU School of Nursing. Photo by Anthony Dugal Photography.

The Magnificent Five

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Five women representing Kalamazoo College
(Left to right) Regina Stevens-Truss, Lindsey Gaston, Sandrine Zilikana, Laura Lowe Furge, and Mara Livezey

Majors Sandrine Zilikana ’12 and Mara Livezey ’13 and biology major Lindsey Gaston ’12  joined chemistry department faculty members Regina Stevens-Truss and Laura Lowe Furge at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Meeting in San Diego in late April. The students presented results of their summer research experiences (part of the Senior Individualized Projects for Sandrine and Lindsey) as part of both the Annual Undergraduate Poster Competition and the regular scientific sessions of the meeting.

More than 200 students from schools across the country were part of the undergraduate poster competition.  Zilikana’s research measured differences in reducing the potential of cancer cell types to affect drug delivery. She conducted this scientific work at the University of Michigan with Professor Kyung-Dall Lee.  Gaston’s showed that a specific hormone prevented nerve cell death after brain injury. Her research, conducted with Professor Vishal Bansal at the University of California-San Diego, will be included in a manuscript just accepted to the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology. Livezey presented the results of a study she has worked on for the past two years in Furge’s lab modeling the interactions of inhibitors with human cytochrome P450 enzymes. That study was recently published in Drug Metabolism Letters. While in San Diego, Stevens-Truss directed a teaching workshop for middle school and high school science teachers in the San Diego area. Her innovation in development of the workshop has drawn increasing numbers of teachers to the workshop and provided a new platform for scientists to collaborate with and mentor the nation’s secondary school science teachers.

The workshop was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Next year’s meeting will be in Boston, and Stevens-Truss and Furge plan to attend with another group of students. Stevens-Truss will also lead another teaching workshop there.

Interference Implications

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Kalamazoo College student at a conference in San Diego
Mara Livezey discussing the work with other scientists in San Diego.

The peer-reviewed publication Drug Metabolism Letters has accepted for publication the manuscript “Molecular Analysis and Modeling of Inactivation of Human CYP2D6 by Four Mechanism Based Inactivators.”

In addition to Associate Professor of Chemistry Laura Furge, the senior and corresponding author, the manuscript has six student co-authors: Mara Livezey ’13, Leslie Nagy ’09, Laura Diffenderfer ’11,Evan Arthur ’09, David Hsi ’10, and Jeffery Holton ’13.

Their work described in this paper contributes to the understanding of how some drugs can halt the activity of an enzyme. In this case, the enzyme studied is one that is important for the body’s processing of about 20 percent of medicines, particularly treatments for arrhythmia and other heart diseases, depression, and other maladies. Such understanding is vital because many people’s health depends on daily regimens of multiple medicines. Sometimes one drug can interfere with the very enzymes responsible for the processing and clearance of other co-administered drugs. This and other unwanted side effects are the number one cause of hospitalization in America.

The paper’s contribution to the understanding of how certain classes of drugs cause this interference with key enzymes will hopefully lead to more effective prevention of the phenomenon in the future.

The K research was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and by the Department of Chemistry Hutchcroft Fund. The latter was established by a gift from alumni Alan ’63 and Elaine (Goff) Hutchcroft ’63.

The final version of the study was presented at the San Diego meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Great Leaders

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They are great teammates, adept at leading and following. They speak articulately and they listen justly. They are athletic captains, student organization officers and participants. They may see what others see but often dream what few others do. They are the kind of people who believe that a significant piece of what it means to be human is developing and using that part of our soul which exists in relationship to others. Kalamazoo College recognized 31 seniors with the 2012 Senior Leadership Recognition Award this month.

31 seniors receive the 2012 Senior Leadership Recognition Award

Pictured are (l-r): front row—Tanjanequa McMeans, Ellen Murphy, Caitlyn Van Gelderen, Rachel Cohan, Meredith Quinlan, Paula Silverman; second row—Melba Sales-Griffin, Katy Grue, LaShawn Etheridge, Sandrene Zilikana; third row—Ben Ensroth, Heather Russon, Molly Waytes, Jennifer McCutchen, Katy Sly, Joanne Heppert, Obineche Nnebedum; fourth row—Jacob Arnett, Dalton Simancek, William Schlaack, Hannah Reischl, Anna Miller; back row—Max Wedding, David Pimentel, Daniel Pohanka, Dion Bullock, Jacob Price, and Mark Denenfeld. Not pictured are Zena Blake-Mark, Leonidas Caldwell, and Kelsey Hassevoort.

Student Receives Young Women of Achievement Award from Kalamazoo YWCA

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Breanna Dailey ’12 is among 26 recipients of a Young Women of Achievement award from the Kalamazoo YWCA. The awards are given to high school and college-aged women in the greater Kalamazoo area who have achieved high academic success while staying involved in extracurricular activities and contributing to the community.

Breanna is a double major in psychology and French who is also active in the Kalamazoo College band and serves on both the Senior Graduation and Student Activities committees. She is also active in AMIGOS, a bilingual mentoring program operated by the College’s Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Institute for Service Learning that pairs K students with students at Kalamazoo Central High School.

Dragging Out Conversation

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Six Kalamazoo College representatives at Stetson Chapel
(Left to right, top row) Candido ’00, Finan ’14, Stutz ’14, Wedding ’12 (bottom), Isser ’13, and Epperson ’13. Photo Credit: Elaine Ezekiel ’13

By Elaine Ezekiel ’13

“Reclaiming Crystal Ball: What Drag Means for Us” was the theme of the Week Eight (May 18) Community Reflection in Stetson Chapel. Sponsored by Kaleidoscope, members of the campus’ LGBT organization offered perspectives on drag and the annual Crystal Ball dance.

Chaplain Elizabeth Candido ’00 recalled her experiences attending Crystal Ball as a student, when the event was much smaller and more private.

Elinor Epperson ’13 discussed her experience filming a documentary about Crystal Ball 2011 and the status quo of male attire: “Women have fought hard to earn the right to wear pants, but men wearing skirts is considered abhorrent.”

Caitlin Finan ’14 spoke about choosing her first Crystal Ball costume: a surprisingly comfortable men’s suit. Kaleidoscope co-president Max Wedding ’12 described reclaiming his feminine side through drag. Craig Isser ’13, dressed in rainbow suspenders and matching platform wedges, described his pre-Crystal Ball routine: “Drag shows us how much fun, how different, how okay life can be when we start to lose the limitation of gender.”

Kaleidoscope co-president Hailey Stutz ’14 spoke about her daily struggle with identity though clothing, not just preparing for Crystal Ball.

Finally, Candido offered the audience advice on how to react to the anti-gay protester on campus throughout the week. “The protester is here not to reason with you,” she said, “Don’t allow your anger or your emotions to amplify his voice.”

Following the reflection, attendees signed a poster with an inclusive religious message, which now hangs in Biggby’s coffee shop.

Community Reflection offers a unique forum for discussion, worship, performance, and community expression each Friday at 10:50 AM (refreshments at 10:30) in Stetson Chapel. The entire campus community and general public are invited. The Week 10 (May 25) and final Reflection of the 2011-12 academic year will be devoted to Student Commission Community Awards, in which the K Student Commission honors the accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff. The new Stu-Com Executive Board will also take the oath of office.

Biochemistry Beats Biceps

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A beefcake pose doesn’t always a great male model make. Sometimes it takes a yeast two-hybrid trap for proteins. Two photos of Tanav Popli ’11 are featured on the video advertisement for the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting (Tanav is pictured in slides 18 and 19, wearing a gray sweater with an argyle pattern).

The photos are from last year’s meeting in Washington, D.C., at which Tanav presented the results of his Senior Individualized Project work completed at University of California-San Francisco. His poster was titled: “Tmtc4 interacts with C3G, Wntless, and Zfhx4: a yeast two-hybrid trap for proteins associated with development of the corpus callosum.”

“I think he has returned to that USCF lab as a technician while he applies to medical school,” says Laura Furge, associate professor of chemistry. “There are three students that have just this week submitted abstracts to attend the 2012 meeting in San Diego,” she added.

They are: Mara Livezey ’13, Sandrine Zilikana ’12, and Lindsey Gaston ’12. Travel for students to this meeting is provided by a grant to Kalamazoo College from the Howard Hughes Medical Foundation.

Kalamazoo Kicks Byte

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Six Kalamazoo College students
“K” students Will Guedes ’15, Tibin John ’15, Chris Clerville ’13, Jiakan Wang ’13, Lucas Kushner ’14, and Trung Hoang ’12.

Students from Kalamazoo College worked together to build their mental endurance and speed in anticipation of a big test held Oct. 21-22. No, not mid-terms—the 36th annual Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest sponsored by IBM. Regional competitions for the so-called “Battle of the Brains” attracted tens of thousands of students from schools in about 90 countries on six continents, all with the same dream to walk away with prizes, scholarships, job opportunities, and a coveted spot among the top 100 teams invited to the World Finals in Poland in May 2012.

Two Kalamazoo teams competed against the smartest collegiate IT talent from 122 colleges and universities in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, including teams from MSU, UM, Purdue, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. Each three-student team applied its programming skills to solve complex real world problems under a grueling five-hour deadline huddled around a single computer.

“The two ‘K’ teams did great,” said Pam Cutter, associate professor of computer science. “We had seniors through freshmen participating.”

The “Black Hornets” finished tied for 48th, and the “Orange Hornets” finishing 53rd.

“We’re proud of their effort and for standing up to the ‘big schools.’ It was time well spent and a great learning experience for all.”

Check out the final results!