Student Filmmakers Praise Instructor, Showcase

After a pandemic pause, a favorite Homecoming tradition returned in October, showcasing the creative talents of Kalamazoo College film and media studies students. A film festival featuring the introductory and advanced students in classes led by Visiting Instructor Danny Kim, allowed alumni to peek behind the curtain and see how students hone artistic skills through documentary filmmaking. After the screening, alumni asked questions of the filmmakers to learn more about the projects and applauded the students’ talents.

The projects required students to take B-roll footage to supplement the main footage, conduct about four interviews and use a filming technique called framing that shows the interviewee looking somewhere other than at the camera. Three of the student producers recently shared what they learned from their experiences.

Homecoming film festival with instructor and filmmakers
Visiting Instructor Danny Kim (from left), and students Ethan Galler, Davis Henderson, Alex Quesada, Megan McGarry, Emma Frederiksen and Jane Bentley, all from the class of 2025, attend the Homecoming Film Festival.

‘Saturday Night Live’ if it Had No Budget

Davis Henderson ’25 put K’s TV-production class in the spotlight with “ARTX-200,” a film named for the course taught by media producer and studio instructor Jaakan Page-Wood.

“To quote Jaakan, it’s very much like Saturday Night Live if Saturday Night Live was filmed on a Thursday afternoon by amateurs with no money, and was at 4:15,” Henderson said. “It was a great time, and I wanted to give it more attention. It’s definitely helped me find a space at K where I’m able to make stuff.”

“ARTX-200” presents Henderson’s peers as they explain how the course provided a creative outlet they had yet to find elsewhere on campus. Henderson, a theatre major who plans to pursue voice acting, developed an interest in filmmaking as a child when he and his brother began making skit videos with his mom’s photography equipment along with editing tools such as iMovie.

“ARTX-200” by Davis Henderson ’25

“Documentary filmmaking is interesting to me because it’s challenging,” Henderson said. “When something unexpected happens, you can’t restart. There’s no script and you pick it up as it goes. I can open up a history book and get bored. But being able to open a documentary, and see and hear what people are talking about, provides demonstrations that allow your imagination to take over. This is probably the most influential and crucial class I’ve taken here at K. I was able to create something tangible that will go in my portfolio and use it to get a job.”


An Art Form That’s Interesting and Exciting

Jane Bentley ’25 took a much more serious issue of importance to her and created “Students for Justice in Palestine,” a film about the student organization of the same name.

The film opens with Suha Qashou ’24—then president of K’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)—leading a vigil outside the Light Fine Arts building, surrounded by signs and supporters. She discusses her desire to commemorate the lives lost in Gaza in an honorable way.

The subject matter provided Bentley with some challenges.

“Between rallies and meetings, I set up a lot of my shots so a lot of people wouldn’t be identifiable for two reasons,” Bentley said. “First, I wasn’t confident that I was going to get a release form for every single person who might be there. And also, when you’re making something about the pro-Palestinian movement, especially in the immediate aftermath of October 7, you have to consider that leaving someone recognizable could put them in a vulnerable position.”

“Students for Justice in Palestine” by Jane Bentley ’25

Regardless, Kim’s class provided Bentley a chance to be expressive in an inclusive fashion that was supportive of all the student members of SJP.

“If you have something in your life that you think is worth talking about, the best way to get people interested in it is to package it in a form that’s interesting and exciting,” Bentley said. “I think a documentary can be the best way you to do that.”


A Day to Live Graciously

Unlike Bentley or Henderson, Ethan Galler ’25 had the problem of being uncertain when circumstances would allow him to film the bulk of his footage given his subject matter, K’s Day of Gracious Living.

This is DOGL” captures student voices and some thoughts from Vice President for Student Development Malcolm Smith the day before DOGL 2023. They discussed the importance of the traditional day off toward the end of the spring term as well as the history of it being a secret date selected by student government representatives and revealed in advance only to a few administrators.

Thankfully, Galler scheduled the interviews in advance through some sleuthing and logical conclusions.

“This is DOGL” by Ethan Galler ’25

“It was getting close to the end of the term, and either DOGL was the day it was or there would’ve been conflicts with other student events,” he said. “We picked the day before for interviews and hoped for the best.”

Despite cloudy and cool conditions for DOGL, Galler collected footage of a good number of students having fun at the beach in South Haven and supplemented it with footage from K’s archives of previous DOGL activities.

The end product and his enjoyment of the creative process led him to echo Henderson and Bentley’s praise for their instructor and the advantages of taking the class.

“It’s always good to have a little variety in the classes you take, especially if you’re a K student,” Galler said. “Everybody can be a fan of film in their own way, and making a documentary, you get to see behind the curtain with a production. It’s a fun experience.”

All the student videos from the film festival are available on YouTube. Click the links below to watch the others.


Featured Filmmakers

The other student filmmakers featured in the film festival and their projects included the following. Links are included where available:

  • Ian Burr ’24: “Football,” spotlighting K football players and what their sport means to them.
  • Sam Douma ’26: “Via Ferrata,” in which a voracious duo aims to harness their raw musical energy despite being young and distracted.
  • Emma Frederiksen ’25: “Growing with Disability,” showcasing three K students who describe their experiences navigating adulthood and transitioning into college while living with a disability.
  • Alek Hultberg ’26: “Tom Evans,” showing students and friends of Music Professor Tom Evans honoring him as he prepares to retire.
  • Caleb Kipnis ’26: “How to Run Hillel,” presenting insights into the Jewish student organization Hillel and its board members’ roles in planning and executing an event.
  • Megan McGarry ’25: “Clay and Community,” with ceramics students collaborating to make art pieces in response to a problematic mural.
  • Alex Quesada ’25: “Train Swag,” featuring cities, states and people that can seem far apart, but with a train, the world becomes smaller and connected communities get bigger. 
  • Amalia Scorsone ’24: “A SuperKut of Us,” with friends discussing the importance of their time at K as they approach graduation.
  • Luke Torres ’25: “Squishmallows,” in which Jenna Paterob ’23 reveals her obsession with Squishmallows toys.
  • Tariq Williams ’23: “Sustainability at Kalamazoo College,” showing K’s efforts in sustainability and the impact of recycling on campus.
“Football” by Ian Burr ’24
“A SuperKut of Us” by Amalia Scorsone ’24

NSF Grant Benefits K’s Tresca, Lab Students

A National Science Foundation (NSF) grant will help a Kalamazoo College faculty member and his students develop a lab partnership with some of their counterparts at the University of Toronto while performing research with peptoid nanomaterials.

Blakely Tresca, assistant professor of chemistry, has been awarded nearly $250,000 under the NSF’s Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (LEAPS-MPS). The LEAPS-MPS grant emphasizes helping pre-tenure faculty at institutions that don’t traditionally receive significant amounts of NSF-MPS funding, including predominantly undergraduate institutions, as well as achieving excellence through diversity. 

Tresca and his students will create peptoid nanomaterials, which are synthetic molecules that show promise in detecting harmful substances in water or people, for example, or in creating coatings that can impart new properties onto other materials. Their work will dovetail with research at University of Toronto in the lab of Assistant Professor of Chemistry Helen Tran.

“I’ve been working with Dr. Tran on putting an alkyne functional group into peptoids, and then studying how the peptoids can self-assemble into materials,” Tresca said. “And once they self-assemble, we want to know how alkynes react in these materials.”

Tresca explained that his lab’s processes require several repetitive tasks including shaking and rinsing samples five or six times each with 10 to 18 individual steps requiring a total of 18 to 20 hours of work when done by hand. The grant covers the cost of a robot that makes the process faster, easier and safer.

“Dr. Tran’s lab has expertise in doing automated synthesis,” Tresca said. “They have a robot that’s the same as the one we have here now. They also have expertise in characterizing the materials, using instruments like an atomic force microscope or AFM. I’m excited because, if things turn out the way we plan, we will be able to work on some really cool applications to design new ways of sensing, either analytes or toxins.”

The grant also covers funding for Tresca’s students to work in the lab, travel to conferences and visit the University of Toronto over the next two years. He estimates that two K students will assist in his lab during the academic year and five will work during the summer.

Tresca’s grant is one of two NSF awards given to faculty members in K’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the past year. The other has allowed Roger F. and Harriet G. Varney Assistant Professor of Chemistry Daniela Arias-Rotondo to redesign the lab portion of inorganic chemistry (CHEM 330 at K). It also has helped her and her lab students make compounds that can absorb solar energy and turn it into electricity using manganese, a low-cost, low-toxicity alternative to the materials currently used in solar energy conversion, which tend to be rare, expensive and difficult to mine. 

NSF Grant Recipient Blake Tresca in his lab with a student
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Blakely Tresca, a recent NSF grant recipient, works with students in his lab
NSF Grant Recipient Blake Tresca with students
Tresca poses with his lab students in summer 2024.
NSF Grant Recipient Blake Tresca in his lab with a student
Tresca joins his lab after the summer poster presentations at the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership in 2024.

Computer Science Team Impresses at Programming Contest

Three Kalamazoo College computer science students traveled to Grand Valley State University last weekend to compete in the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), the longest-running higher education programming competition in the world. 

More than 50,000 students from more than 100 countries competed in several regional competitions, solving a number of programming problems over the course of five hours. The contest fosters creativity, teamwork and innovation in building new software programs, and tests the students’ ability to work efficiently in challenging conditions. 

Chau Ta ’25, Benjamin Whitsett ’27 and Cole Koryto ’25 finished sixth out of 18 teams in the East Division’s Central North America Region, which included students from Ohio, Michigan, Eastern Ontario, Western Pennsylvania and Indiana. K’s representatives, in a team aptly named Bit by Bit, finished higher than five of eight teams from the University of Michigan and one of three teams from Michigan State University among others. Overall, Bit by Bit finished 48th out of 182 teams in the East Division. 

With school standings determined by the average scores of all their representing teams, K placed 12th in the East Division. That was good enough for second among five teams from Michigan and first among three teams from Great Lakes Colleges Association institutions. 

“I believe this is an outstanding achievement and something we can celebrate,” Dow Assistant Professor of Computer Science Sandino VargasPérez said. “Our students are bright, dedicated and enthusiastic about learning. They enjoy these contests where they can express what they’ve learned here at the College. I asked them, ‘Team, what is your goal for the event?’ They responded, ‘We want to be above the 50th percentile and maybe beat one of the teams from Harvard.’ Not only were they in the top 20%, but they also defeated one of the four teams that Harvard sent and defeated the University of Michigan in average points. They were so delighted with their results.” 

Programming Competition 2
Chau Ta ’25, Cole Koryto ’25 and Benjamin Whitsett ’27 impressed Dow Assistant Professor of Computer Science Sandino VargasPérez at the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) regional.
Programming Competition 1
Whitsett (from left), Ta and Koryto compete in the ICPC.

Honors Day Celebrates Student Achievements

Hundreds of Kalamazoo College students were recognized Friday, November 8, during the annual Honors Day Convocation for excellence in academics and leadership. Students were recognized in six divisions: Fine Arts; Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures; Humanities; Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Social Sciences; and Physical Education. Recipients of prestigious scholarships were recognized, as were members of national honor societies and students who received special Kalamazoo College awards. Student athletes and teams who won Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association awards also were honored. Many of the awards presented are based on outstanding performance during the previous academic year. The students receiving Honors Day awards or recognition are listed below. 

FINE ARTS DIVISION 

Brian Gougeon Prize in Art 

  • Maya Arau 
  • Asha Dawson 
  • Willow Hayner 
  • Maren Palmer 
  • Lee Zwart 

The Margaret Upton Prize in Music 

  • Sophia Herold 

Charles Cooper Award in Fine Arts 

  • Sally Eggleston 

Fan E. Sherwood Memorial Prize 

  • Evelyn Calderon 

Theatre Arts First-Year Student Award 

  • Evelyn Ellerbrock
  • Stephanie Moranko 
  • Phoebe Tozer 

DIVISION OF MODERN AND CLASSICAL LANGUAGES 

LeGrand Copley Prize in French 

  • Isabelle Mason 
  • Estelle Metz 

Hardy Fuchs Award 

  • Paige Peterson 
  • Mo Silcott 

Margo Light Award 

Kai Clingenpeel 

Department of Spanish Language and Literatures Prize 

  • Camila Benavides
  • Jason Krawczyk
  • Abigail Samson 

Clara H. Buckley Prize for Excellence in Latin 

  • Eleanor Campion 
  • Florian Stackow 

Provost’s Prize in Classics 

  • Max Wright 

Classics Department Prize in Greek 

  • Sally Eggleston 

HUMANITIES DIVISION  

O. M. Allen Prize in English 

  • Asha Dawson 

John B. Wickstrom Prize in History 

  • Ryleigh Jaworski 
  • Maja Smith 

Department of Philosophy Prize 

  • Liam Diaz
  • Madeleine Lawson 

L.J. and Eva (“Gibbie”) Hemmes Memorial Prize in Philosophy 

  • Johe Newton Johnson 
  • Nicholas Laframboise 

NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS DIVISION 

Winifred Peake Jones Prize in Biology 

  • Julia Kozal 
  • Jack Kreckman 
  • Cedric May 
  • Ava Schwachter 

Department of Chemistry Prize 

  • Natalie Greene 
  • Marcus Pedde 
  • Ava Schwachter 

First-Year Chemistry Award 

  • Abigail Eilertson 
  • Sara Cate Finks 
  • Emma Wrobleski 

Lemuel F. Smith Award 

  • Anna Buck 

Computer Science Prize 

  • Mahmoud Alsafadi 
  • Daniel Celedon 
  • William Geiger 
  • Dong Eun Kim
  • Nailia Narynbek Kyzy 
  • Aye Chan Myat Phyo 
  • Maggie Zhu 

First-Year Mathematics Award 

  • Isaac Duncan IV 
  • Benjamin Whitsett 

Thomas O. Walton Prize in Mathematics 

  • Matthew Quirk 

Cooper Prize in Physics 

  • Dong Eun Kim 
  • Ellie Mace 
  • Benjamin Whitsett 

SOCIAL SCIENCES DIVISION 

Departmental Prize in Anthropology and Sociology 

  • Rylee Lambert 
  • Marcos Perez 
  • Micahaia Reynolds 
  • Jay Wholihan 

William G. Howard Prize in Political Science 

  • Aubrey Benson 
  • Isabelle Mason 

William G. Howard Memorial Prize in Economics and Business 

  • Cole Koryto 

C. Wallace Lawrence Prize in Business 

  • Maya Alkema 
  • Dilynn Everitt 
  • Robert Newland 

C. Wallace Lawrence Prize in Economics  

  • Sophie Hartl 

Irene and S. Kyle Morris Prize 

  • Callie Abair 
  • Maya Clarren 

Department of Psychology First-Year Student Prize 

  • Isabelle Kastel 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DIVISION 

Division of Physical Education Prize Raymond Cargill 

  • Ruby Hogan 

Lauren Rosenthal ’13 Memorial Prize 

  • Annmarie Lawrence 

Maggie Wardle ’02 Prize 

  • Jordan Wesaw 

COLLEGE AWARDS 

Gordon Beaumont Memorial Award 

  • Michel Romero 
  • Jacinda Servantes 

Henry ’36 and Inez Brown Prize 

  • Lucy Cripe 
  • Tyler Omness 
  • Eden Schnurstein 

Virginia Hinkelman Memorial Award 

  • Clarke Austin 
  • Elijah Mobley 

Davis United World College Scholar 

  • Renzo Palomino Caceres 
  •  Alondra (Danahe) Montoya Martinez 

HEYL SCHOLARS 

Class of 2028 

  • David Fooy 
  • Charles Gordon 
  • Lloyd Maxwell 
  • Nathan Gleason 
  • Isabelle Hahn 
  • Katherine Suarez 

POSSE SCHOLARS 

Class of 2028 

  • Marley Bell 
  • Brizza Gonzalez 
  • Maya Pasillas  
  • Linda Chukwu 
  • Christian Gonzalez 
  • Vivian Ramos 
  • Yamilet Garcia 
  • Miranda Moreno 

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS 

Class of 2028 

  • Clara (Bo) Chambers 

SLAVA-CICA AND SPASA VOYNOVICH SCHOLARS  

  • Alex Nam 

ALPHA LAMBDA DELTA 

Class of 2028 

Alpha Lambda Delta is a national honor society that recognizes excellence in academic achievement during the first college year. To be eligible for membership, students must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and be in the top 20 percent of their class during the first year.  

The Kalamazoo College chapter was installed on March 5, 1942.  

  • Maya Arau  
  • Emily Auchter  
  • Joseph Basil  
  • Aubrey Benson  
  • Alexandrea Bernal  
  • Jack Boshoven  
  • Jay Breck  
  • Daniel Celedon  
  • Maya Clarren  
  • Logan Coller  
  • Cate Cotter  
  • Holden Coulter  
  • Jasmine Davis  
  • Asha Dawson  
  • Enrique Delzer  
  • Isaac Duncan  
  • Abigail Eilertson  
  • Evelyn Ellerbrock  
  • Sara Cate Finks  
  • Landrie Fridsma  
  • Ingrid Gardner  
  • William Geiger  
  • Maira Ghaffar  
  • Cecilia Gray  
  • Natalie Greene  
  • Jacob Hazlewood  
  • Zachary Heikka  
  • Ashlen Hill  
  • Dong Eun Kim  
  • Julia Kozal  
  • Jason Krawczyk  
  • Jack Kreckman 
  • Annabelle Krygier  
  • Rylee Lambert  
  • Alex Lloyd  
  • Grace Lounds  
  • Ellie Mace  
  • Lauren MacKersie 
  • Isabelle Mason  
  • Cedric May  
  • Maren Mosher  
  • Ella Myers  
  • Nailia Narynbek Kyzy 
  • Yen Giang Nguyen  
  • Kevin Oneill  
  • B Osborn  
  • Astrid Parker  
  • Juniper Pasternak  
  • Audrey Pegouske 
  • Paige Peterson 
  • Madelyn Portenga  
  • Olivia Schleede  
  • Ava Schwacther  
  • Clara Siefke  
  • Florian Stackow  
  • Phoebe Tozer  
  • Tony Vaisanen  
  • Anthony Valade 
  • Lucy Vandemark  
  • Benjamin Whitsett  
  • Jay Wholihan  
  • Alicia Wilgoren  
  • Emma Wrobleski  
  • Lee Zwart 

FINE ARTS 

Performing Arts: Music 

  • Isabella Alimenti  
  • Alexa Barrera-Zavala  
  • Miles Borgsdorf  
  • Teige Bredin  
  • John Brewer  
  • Chloe Brown  
  • Sara Joy Bush  
  • Ava Butera  
  • Samantha Capentier  
  • Cameron Couch  
  • Cooper H. Dahl  
  • Maya Davis  
  • Gabriel Flandes  
  • Victoria Gutierrez  
  • Kaylee Hanson  
  • Elizabeth Henderson  
  • Cosette Hurtubise  
  • Zarifa Ibrahimzada  
  • Weslee Innes  
  • Caroline Johnson  
  • Carrie Kozlowski  
  • Shay Kruse  
  • Annabelle Largent 
  • Maya Lee  
  • Maya Lopez  
  • Alexandria Mason 
  • Bernice Mike  
  • Meena Mortiz  
  • Andrew Oss  
  • Tobias Peters  
  • Maggie Petersen 
  • Tadeusz Potocki  
  • Karina Rodriguez  
  • Miriam Ruiz Kahle  
  • Mckenna Ryan-Elbert  
  • Halen Sherwood  
  • Calvin Strader  
  • Jocelyn Suranyi  
  • Ella Talaski  
  • Carissa West  
  • Sierra Winter  
  • Nora Zemlic 

MIAA AWARDS 

These teams earned the 2023–24 MIAA Team GPA Award for achieving a 3.300 or better grade point average for the entire academic year: 

  • Men’s Golf  
  • Men’s Lacrosse  
  • Men’s Swimming and Diving  
  • Men’s Tennis 
  • Women’s Basketball  
  • Women’s Cross Country 
  • Women’s Golf  
  • Women’s Lacrosse  
  • Women’s Soccer  
  • Women’s Softball  
  • Women’s Swimming and Diving  
  • Women’s Tennis  
  • Women’s Volleyball 

MIAA ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL 

Student Athletes 2023–24 

The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association each year honors students at MIAA member colleges who achieve in the classroom and in athletic competition. Students need to be a letter winner in a varsity sport and maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average for the entire school year. 

Kalamazoo College Singers with director
The College Singers perform at the annual Honors Day Convocation
Honors Day students
Honorees receive awards at Honors Day
Honors Day students
Students stand to be recognized at Honors Day
Honors Day students
Students stand to be recognized at Honors Day
Honors Day attendees
Faculty congratulated students at Honors Day
Honors Day stduents
Students stand to be recognized at Honors Day
Honors Day attendees
Faculty process in during Honors Day
Students
Students stand to be recognized at Honors Day

A

  • Callie Abair
  • Fuzail Ahmed
  • Maya Alkema
  • Adnan Alousi
  • Mahmoud Alsafadi
  • Emiliano Alvarado-Rescala
  • Paige Anderson
  • Eleanor Andrews
  • Kaelyn Arlington

B

  • Annalise Bailey
  • Poppy Balkema
  • Madison Barch
  • Emma Becker
  • Shelby Bennett
  • Eleanor Bernas
  • Douglas Blackwood
  • Luke Bormann
  • Mairin Boshoven
  • Eleni Bougioukou
  • Jaylen Bowles-Swain
  • Holly Bowling
  • Ella Boyea
  • Lukas Broadsword
  • Jonathan Brunette
  • Anna Buck
  • Jaden Buist
  • John Bungart
  • Ian Burr

C

  • Raymond Cargill
  • Isabella Caza
  • Trustin Christopher
  • Thomas Clark
  • Madeleine Coffman
  • Samuel Coleman
  • Logan Coller
  • Cate Cotter
  • Lucy Cripe
  • Mia Crites
  • Chase Cummins
  • Emma Curcuru

D

  • Erik Danielson
  • Jessica Dant
  • Carson Deines
  • Ethan DeNeen
  • Olivia Depauli
  • Alexander Di Dio
  • Jordan Doyle
  • Alexander Dubin

E

  • Rebecca Elias
  • Elise Elliot
  • Sara English
  • Caleb Ewald
  • Chad Ewing

F

  • Sara Cate Finks
  • Jordan Flink
  • Parker Foster
  • Andre Fouque
  • Landrie Fridsma

G

  • Aliza Garcia
  • Brynna Garden
  • William Geiger
  • Lukas Graff
  • Lillian Grelak
  • Kaitlyn Grice
  • Natalie Gross
  • Madyson Groth

H

  • Sydney Hagaman
  • Alison Hankins
  • Madeline Hanulcik
  • Sophie Hartl
  • Pauline Hawkes
  • Jacob Hazlewood
  • Zachary Heikka
  • Gerardo Herrera-Sanchez
  • Garrick Hohm
  • Ronin Honda
  • Joseph Horsfield
  • Tyler Houle
  • Gavin Houtkooper
  • Ethan Huebsch
  • Samuel Hughes
  • Alek Hultberg
  • Lukas Hultberg
  • Michael Hume
  • Madelaine Hurley
  • Kennedy Hynde

I

  • Carson Ihrke

J

  • Halley Johnson

K

  • Timothy Karubus
  • Isabelle Kastel
  • Seth Keana
  • Blake Kelsey
  • Hunter Kiesling
  • Kendyl Kirshman
  • Alexander Kish
  • Kathryn Klahorst
  • Mart Klenke
  • Daniel Koselka
  • Julia Kozal
  • Jack Kreckman
  • Clayton Kryszak

L

  • Braeden Lavis
  • Annmarie Lawrence
  • Jacob Lynett

M

  • Natalie Maki
  • Matthew Matuza
  • Benjamin Maurice
  • Zachary Maurice
  • Grace McGlynn
  • Amy McNutt
  • Rachel Meston
  • Gabriel Meyers
  • Brittany Miller
  • Jack Miller
  • Bayley Millerov
  • Elana Mitchell
  • Jackson Mitchell
  • Brenden Moat
  • Mackenzie Moore
  • Elizabeth Muenzenmaier
  • Mary Ellen Muenzenmaier
  • Andrew Munger
  • Anna Murphy

N

  • Robert Newland
  • Emma Newlove
  • Dustin Noble
  • Hayleigh Nower

O

  • Jeremiah Ohren-Hoeft
  • Gabriel Olivier
  • Tyler Omness
  • Reece Omodio

P

  • Mia Pascuzzi
  • Eric Paternoster
  • Alex Pepin
  • Sydney Pickell
  • William Plesscher
  • Grayson Pratt

R

  • Elizabeth Rachiele
  • Tieran Rafferty
  • Savera Rajendra-Nicolucci
  • Julia Rambo
  • Sara Reathaford
  • Liam Regan
  • Keegan Reynolds
  • Sheldon Riley
  • Emory Roberts
  • Luke Rop
  • Elizabeth Rottenberk
  • Eli Routt
  • Alexander Rueff

S

  • Zenaida Sackett
  • Robert Samples
  • Vivian Schmidt
  • Annika Schnell
  • Amalia Scorsone
  • Tillie Sheldon
  • Steven Shelton
  • Cassidy Short
  • Colby Skinner
  • Dawson Skupin
  • Erin Somsel
  • Jonah Spates
  • Ella Spooner
  • Adam Stapleton
  • David Stechow
  • Taylor Stephens
  • Molly Stevison
  • Emma Stickley

T

  • Levi Thomas
  • William Thomas
  • Jakob Torzewski
  • Dean Turpin

V

  • Anthony Valade
  • Samantha Vande Pol
  • Lucy Vandemark
  • Hannah Vander Lugt
  • Cameron VanGalder
  • Mitchel VanGalder
  • Madison Vrba

W

  • Joseph Wade
  • Ivy Walker
  • Annslee Ware
  • Ryan Warezak
  • Riley Weber
  • Jack Wheeler
  • Ava Williams

Y

  • Hailey Yoder

Z

  • Jacob Zeller
  • Rebecca Zoetewey

K Honors First-Generation Students

Kalamazoo College is proud to celebrate the successes of its first-generation college students, faculty and staff today on National First-Generation Day. November 8 was identified as the date because it honors the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded college opportunities for low-income and first-generation populations. 

Championed by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Center for First-Generation Student Success, the day brings awareness to the strengths of first-generation students. At Kalamazoo College, we seek to affirm those strengths and the assets they bring to us by supporting, elevating and increasing their visibility on campus. 

Here are a few stories of our students. We asked them about their involvement and activities, why they chose K and their advice for other first-generation students.


Anahi Barajas ’26

Involvements and activities: During my time at K, I actively engage in some student organizations, as treasurer for Latinx Student Organization (LSO), actively attending Women of Color Association (WOCA) and ¡Qué Chévere! Aside from student organizations, I am a career ambassador at the Center for Career and Professional Development, and I work at Media Services as a front desk assistant. I also participate in the Career Launch Internship Prep Program (CLIPP) to increase the probability of getting a summer internship.

Why I chose K: Visiting Kalamazoo College on top of hearing about the experiences from my high school’s alumni who came to K. Their experiences, with the beauty of the campus, alongside the financial aid package reassured me that moves from Texas would be worth it. 

My advice to other first-generation students: Coming from Texas all the way to Kalamazoo has been a hard transition. But I would suggest being involved in different clubs and putting yourself out there so you can make friends, especially during orientation events. That’s when I met my best friend. I think you should put yourself out there and try new things. During winter try to keep yourself active and busy so that seasonal depression doesn’t affect you. There are so many resources out there, take advantage of them 

Anahi Barajas
Anahi Barajas ’26

Vanessa Barranco ’25

Involvements and activities: I am currently one of the co-presidents of ¡Qué Chévere!, a student organization dedicated to representing and celebrating diverse identities within Latino cultures. Additionally, as this year’s funding board coordinator, I assist in budget management and purchasing for all student organizations, working to ensure funds are allocated equitably across student organizations. 

Why I chose K: As a senior in high school, I was nominated for the Posse Scholarship, and after multiple interview rounds, I was chosen along with nine other students to attend Kalamazoo College. Along with that, I was drawn to K’s open curriculum as well as the small class sizes that would allow me to receive more personalized attention from professors and be more involved with campus life. 

My advice to other first-generation students: My advice to students is to go to school events and different clubs. It’s so important to find your people and your community, especially when you are away from home. Also, make sure to take advantage of the resources K has to offer! 

First-generation student Vanessa Barranco
Vanessa Barranco ’25

Camila Benavides ’27

Involvements and activities: During my time here at K, I have been actively involved in several organizations that allow me to give back and connect with the campus community. I am a member of the Latinx Student Organization (LSO), where I help foster a supportive and inclusive space for Latinx students, creating a strong sense of community among peers who share similar backgrounds and values. Additionally, I am part of the Alpha Omega chapter of the Spanish Honor Society, which has deepened my appreciation for Hispanic culture and language, providing opportunities to connect with others passionate about our heritage. I am also involved in Kalamazoo Language Intercultural Partners (KLIP), where I volunteer at Lincoln International Studies School to help newcomers learn English, supporting them as they build confidence in their language skills and adapt to a new environment. Lastly, I am a member of the Kalamazoo Dance Team (KDT), which allows me to express myself creatively and connect with others through a shared love of dance. Each of these experiences has enriched my time at K in unique and meaningful ways.

Why I chose K: I chose Kalamazoo College for its commitment to diversity, social justice and a personalized education. The college’s unique K-Plan, with its emphasis on flexibility and hands-on learning, provides the perfect environment for me to explore my interests while remaining rooted in my values. I was also drawn to Kalamazoo’s small campus, which creates a close-knit, supportive community and allows for more personalized connections with faculty and peers. This focus on individualized academic paths and meaningful relationships made K the ideal place for my educational journey.

My advice to other first-generation students: My advice for other first-generation students is to seek support early on and build connections with faculty, advisors and peers. Don’t hesitate to ask for help and make full use of the resources available, like tutoring or career counseling. Remember that you belong here and there’s a community ready to support you every step of the way. Be proud of who you are and where you come from; your unique background is a strength and it brings valuable perspectives to the campus. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity for growth and know that your resilience and determination will help you succeed.

First Generation Student Camila Benavides
Camila Benavides ’27

Abigail Gutierrez ’25

Involvement and activities: As an active member on campus, I regularly attend ACAPOC (an all People-of-Color a capella group on campus), Asian Pacific Islander Student Association (APISA) and Philipino American Student Association (PASA) meetings and participate in various campus events.

Why I chose K: I chose Kalamazoo College for its intimate community and the exceptional support I received during the admission process. This early experience reinforced my belief in the power of campus resources and the potential for meaningful connections.

My advice to other first-generation students: My advice to incoming students is to seize opportunities and take initiative. By proactively seeking out experiences, I recently landed an internship that allowed me to develop a new skill under the guidance of a supportive mentor. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was moving out of state for college. This bold decision has fostered my independence and courage. I’m grateful for the personal growth it has enabled and the positive impact it will have on my family. I’m excited to apply the skills and connections I’ve gained at K to uplift my community.

First-Generation student Abi Gutierrez
Abigail Gutierrez ’25

Grace Leahey ’25

Involvement and activities: I am involved with Student Development as a First-Year Experience mentor and I’m the co-president of both the Hacky Sack Club and Kalamazoo College’s student chapter of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). I work for the chemistry and biochemistry department as a lab teaching assistant and grader. Additionally, I’ll be volunteering with Sisters in Science starting this winter.

Why I chose K: I chose Kalamazoo College because I really wanted to have the opportunity to foster connections with my professors and peers in a way I knew wouldn’t be available at a larger university. The interpersonal connections I have created during my time at K will continue to help me succeed in my future educational and career endeavors.

My advice to other first-generation students: I would advise any first-gen students to always ask questions. There are so many resources just waiting to be tapped into. Sometimes, it’s scary to ask for help, but K has taught me that there will always be someone in your corner. You do not have to do it alone and asking for help 100% does not invalidate your successes.

First-Generation Student Grace Leahy
Grace Leahey ’25

Micahaia Reynolds ’27

Involvements and activities: During my time here at K, I have participated in many organizations and volunteer opportunities on and off campus. I am vice president of Kalamazoo Bible Club, a member of the Black Student Organization (BSO) and the K College Cheer team, and have participated in the Women of Color Association (WOCA) and Sister Circle. I have performed in Afro Desi Sol (AFDS), an event that comes once a year to celebrate the collaboration and showcasing of different cultures and heritages, and spoken on a first-generation panel as part of our orientation week. I have also volunteered at El Concilio and Kalamazoo Central High School, working with elementary students as well as high school students who are new to the United States and learning English. I work with Community Advocates for Parents and Students (CAPS) and travel to a nearby community center to tutor students and help guide them toward achieving the Kalamazoo Promise. I am also a First-Year Experience mentor, where I assist first-year students through orientation and their first term at K as they begin navigating the college experience. Finally, I am currently on the Dean’s List, and have been selected to receive the departmental prize from the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at the Honors Day Convocation on November 8.

Why I chose K: I chose to attend Kalamazoo College for several reasons. One reason is that its reputation preceded itself in the recommendations I received. Another is its endless opportunities to get involved with nearby communities and build personal connections with the professors. Since coming to K, I have discovered so many more opportunities that I didn’t even know about before enrolling, such as the ability to network with people from many different fields regularly, the number of possibilities available for studying abroad and away, and the opportunity to explore different classes and career paths.

My advice to other first-generation students: To other first-gen students, I would say to never believe they’re alone because there’s always someone willing to help and support them. I would also tell them to not try to carry the world on their shoulders, that the people who helped get us to this point are so proud of us already, and there’s nothing we can do to disappoint them. Our presence is an inspiration to others whether we are always aware of it or not. Congratulations, you did it!

Micahaia Reynolds
Micahaia Reynolds ’27

Michael Robertson II ’25

Involvement and activities: During my time at K, I have been involved with the Department of Theatre Arts since my sophomore year. I have been a member of Young Men of Color (YMC) for all four years and I am currently the vice president and treasurer. I am also a First-Year Experience mentor and a former collegiate football player for the Hornets.

Why I chose K: I chose K because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I also appreciate how small the campus is. It is extremely easy for me to find the resources that I need on campus. I am also fortunate enough to build relationships with my fellow students and professors due to how small the courses are. The school also has a great appreciation for art, which is a beautiful thing to see. It is also important to recognize how the school emphasizes academic success and how they promote their alumni networking, which has been extremely beneficial for me.

My advice to other first-generation students: My advice for first-generation students is to keep an open mind and always try new things. Do not be afraid to ask for help; there are so many great people and resources that are willing to assist you. I also encourage them to hang out with people different from you, because you can always learn from everyone. Be yourself, and embrace being different.

First-generation student Michael Robertson
Michael Robertson II ’25

Leslie Santos ’25

Involvements and activities: My on-campus activities throughout my time at K have included 3 years as a resident assistant in the campus halls, two years as a career ambassador for the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD), and one year working for the Office of Student Activities. I have also been on the e-boards for the Alpha Lambda Delta and Biochemistry Clubs. Lastly, when possible, I volunteer with the Food Recovery Network Club to take unused food from our campus cafeteria to give to community pantries.

Why I chose K: I was initially drawn to Kalamazoo College because of the Posse L.A. Scholarship which brought it to my attention and offered a financial and peer mentorship-based support system. I also largely chose to attend Kalamazoo College because of the small class sizes that allow for more one-on-one time with professors and a sense of close campus community. Lastly, there seems to be strong support for students in STEM such as the Math and Physics Center, learning support, and teaching assistant and student-instruction sessions.

My advice to other first-generation students: My main advice for first-generation students is to find mentors in a variety of areas (teachers, employers, upperclassmen and peers in your own grade). It’s important to get multiple perspectives for guidance and to help in the process of developing your character by modeling characteristics and habits from those you admire and surround yourself with. Also, it’s worth it to take the time to find (and use) the resources available to you based on your identities and needs.

Leslie Santos
Leslie Santos ’25

Horse Sense Guides K’s Equestrian Team

Five Students at Cedar Lodge Stables
Kalamazoo College’s Equestrian Team consists of (from left) Libby McFarlen ’26, Sydney Myszenski ’25, Ella Varnhagen ’25, Shannon Dopp ’28 and Emily Spelson ’28. They are co-hosting a two-day equestrian meet starting Saturday, October 19, with Grand Valley State University at Cedar Lodge Stables near Lawrence, Michigan.

You might be chomping at the bit to attend a football or soccer game during Homecoming weekend, but hold your horses. Find out first about some student-athletes in another sport, who are just as proud as their peers to be representing Kalamazoo College.

K’s Equestrian Team is co-hosting a two-day meet beginning this Saturday, October 19, alongside Grand Valley State University at their home barn, Cedar Lodge Stables. The facility is near Lawrence, Michigan, about a half-hour drive west of Kalamazoo. Although sometimes dark horses when facing riders from bigger schools, the College’s representatives participate in meets through the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA), a nonprofit organization supporting individuals and teams at a variety of equine sports experience levels.

Libby McFarlen ’26—a Kalamazoo native and Loy Norrix High School graduate—is one of K’s equestrian competitors. She got the bug to start horseback riding when she was 8 years old. Although her grandma wanted to buy her a pony for her birthday, grandma chose instead to provide her granddaughter with riding lessons after comparing the costs between the two options.

Find K’s Equestrian Team
on Social Media

Kalamazoo College has several student organizations that focus on athletic endeavors including Equestrian Team. Find more on the Equestrian Team on these social media platforms:

Equestrian Team: Libby McFarlen with Ethan the horse
McFarlen has been riding horses since she was about 8 years old when her grandma purchased riding lessons for her.
Emily Spelson ’28 of the Equestrian Team holds a Kalamazoo College flag in front of a horse named Elliot
Spelson holds a Kalamazoo College flag in front of a horse named Elliot at Cedar Lodge Stables.
Equestrian Team: Shannon Dopp ’28 holds a Kalamazoo College flag in front of
Dopp, pictured with a horse named Dozer, is among five students who will compete in equestrian events this weekend.

“I was only supposed to ride for a couple of lessons, but I absolutely fell in love with it,” McFarlen said. “I’ve been involved in riding hunter-jumper, so I joined the team at K because I wanted to continue to ride in college. I wanted to put all the effort I could into this sport because I’ve been in love with it for about 10 years now.”

McFarlen and her teammates—including Sydney Myszenski ’25, Shannon Dopp ’28, Emily Spelson ’28, and Ella Varnhagen ’25—participate in either showjumping—an event that includes the horses leaping over obstacles and fences—or flat riding, which includes walking and cantering. Divisions are split based on each rider’s experience level, usually with five or six students from around Michigan in each. The host barn provides horses, and riders are randomly paired with them through a method such as drawing numbered popsicle sticks, which can be an intimidating experience.

“If you’re not at your home barn, chances are you’ve never ridden the horse you get paired with,” McFarlen said. “The captain has a brochure with a list of the horses, their name, breed and height. Some of them will have distinctive characteristics, too. Some horses will need a riding crop and some don’t. Others might not like handsy riders who pull. The horses have as much personality as people do.”

Sydney Myszenski stands with a Kalamazoo College flag next to Dozer
Myszenski ’25 stands with a Kalamazoo College flag next to a horse named Dozer.
Ella Varnhagen stands with a horse named Percy
Ella Varnhagen ’25, pictured with a horse named Percy, will represent K with her equestrian teammates in a meet this weekend at Cedar Lodge Stables.

For such reasons, McFarlen recommends students have a little background in horseback riding before joining the Equestrian Team. K offers an equestrian physical education class for beginning riders, although a cost is involved. McFarlen recognizes that costs also can be an obstacle for students wanting to participate with the Equestrian Team, with a $45 IHSA registration required yearly and competitions away from Kalamazoo typically involving the cost of an overnight stay.

However, K’s instructors will often lend team members the clothes they need to participate in shows—including boots, helmets, breeches, gloves and a navy blue or black jacket—and the team hopes they will have some fundraising efforts in the near future that will help more students join.  

“We’ve started going out on Saturday morning trail rides, so it’s nice to have a chill time, too, without worry for whether your leg is positioned right or your hands are perfect like you would while competing,” McFarlen said. “It allows us to go around and talk together as a team. The solid group we have is what makes the club special to me and we would love to grow. Even though there are more standard sports, I think we’re just as cool because we’re unique. We’re valid student-athletes, too, and we do this because we love our sport.”

Two First-Year Equestrian Student-Athletes
Dopp and Spelson enjoy time together at Cedar Lodge Stables.
Two Equestrian Team Seniors
Myszenski and Vernhagen are the two seniors on K’s Equestrian Team.

K Joins Network Focused on First-Generation Student Success

The FirstGen Forward Network—an organization that partners with colleges and universities, philanthropists, businesses and the public sector to catalyze first-generation student success in higher education—has selected Kalamazoo College to be among its newest members this year.

K joins 80 new members and more than 400 other institutions nationwide in their commitment to first-generation student success by boosting student experiences, enhancing academic and co-curricular outcomes, and building more inclusive institutional environments.

The recognition stems from a host of services the College offers first-generation students, which include:

  • The Career Launch Internship Prep Program (CLIPP), which guides students from their first-year through their senior year and empowers them to take control of their career paths.
  • Dinners and group discussions that help build networking opportunities while bolstering success in higher education.
  • A welcome event during Orientation that allows new students to hear from continuing first-generation students who speak about their K experiences.
  • A chance to participate in events related to National First-Generation Day, marking the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The legislation expanded college opportunities for first-generation populations.
First-Generation Student Success Panel at Orientation
A panel of first-generation students welcomed more first-generation students to Kalamazoo College during Orientation in September 2024.

Additionally, a portion of a historic $30 million gift received by the College in 2023 will be used to coordinate campus efforts and focus on a student success model that includes a full-time staff member dedicated to providing support for first-generation students. Currently, 22% of K’s student body identify as first-generation college students, with recent incoming classes ranging from 25–30% first-generation. Understanding how K can best adapt to meet the needs of first-generation students as the population continues to grow at the College and nationally, while providing an environment where they can thrive and achieve their educational goals, has been an on-going strategic goal for the College.

“A Kalamazoo College education provides our graduates with many benefits, skills and experiences that help them lead successful and meaningful lives,” Associate Vice President for Student Development Brian Dietz said. “Ensuring that each one of our students prospers from the full array of these benefits is critical to the work we do as a College, and understanding the unique experiences of our first-generation college students enhances this work. Being a member of the FirstGen Forward Network gives us access to evidence-based practices and resources, and enables us to better identify, understand, and most importantly, remedy the challenges which hinder first-gen students from realizing all they want to achieve at K and beyond.”

Community Breakfast Celebrates Student-Community Connections

At the College’s annual Community Breakfast on October 1, Kalamazoo College President Jorge G. Gonzalez highlighted the dynamic relationship between the College and the city of Kalamazoo, focusing on the contributions of K students and the shared successes fostered through local partnerships. The event brought together leaders from nearly 40 organizations, including state and local officials, business professionals and nonprofits, all committed to strengthening these vital community connections.

Gonzalez recapped some of the College’s 2024 achievements and emphasized that Kalamazoo College continues to attract outstanding students from across the United States and around the globe, as well as from the local area.

This fall, the College welcomed 314 first-year students and 24 transfer students from 16 states and 10 countries. Diverse in academic interests and passions, he noted that 31 percent of the first-year class is comprised of domestic students of color, 30 percent are Pell Grant eligible, and 25 percent are first generation college students. Among the College’s 1,335 total students, K counts 90 Kalamazoo Promise Scholars and 28 Heyl scholars; last June the College graduated its largest Promise cohort since joining the list of participating Michigan higher education institutions.

Gonzalez highlighted the many ways that K students become an integral part of the Kalamazoo community, working in local businesses, volunteering in schools and participating in community projects. He cited Professor Amy MacMillan’s Principles of Marketing class, which is working this fall with Greenleaf Hospitality Group to build student awareness and interest in their businesses as a potential employer after graduation. He also cited the nonprofit organization Building Blocks of Kalamazoo, which promotes vibrant neighborhoods through resident-led group projects. Originally founded by Professor Emeritus Kim Cummings, Building Blocks is now led by Kalamazoo College alumna Katie McPherson ’08, who as executive director, continues to foster this partnership through summer internships, volunteer opportunities and collaborations with faculty.

Another highlight of K students’ civic engagement is its partnerships with the City of Kalamazoo. City Planner Christina Anderson ’98 is leading the strategic planning process for Imagine Kalamazoo 2035, kicking off with a community read of the book Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design, an activity supported by the City’s outreach and engagement intern, K senior Emerson Wesselhoff.

“The relationships formed through these community projects are transformational,” Gonzalez said, “not only for our students, but for the entire community.”

He also noted that K is proud to stand alongside Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College “as part of Kalamazoo’s vision to be an education city.”

After Gonzalez’s remarks, senior Alex Nam, a double major in international studies and German, spoke about his experiences at K. The flexible curriculum allowed Nam to explore across disciplines, from political science to fundamentals of acting. During study abroad in Germany, he taught English at a local business school through an internship. His involvement in the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement and the Center for International Programs led him to tutor students at Kalamazoo Central High School through the Refugee Outreach Collective. He also taught German lessons at Woodward elementary school with the German department and most recently, he interned at Read and Write Kalamazoo. He told the audience that while he was born in Louisiana, and has lived in Los Angeles, Houston, and Connecticut, after four years at K, he now considers Kalamazoo his home.

President Jorge G. Gonzalez speaks at the Community Breakfast.
Kalamazoo College President Jorge G. Gonzalez speaks at the Community Breakfast. on Tuesday, October 1.
Alex Nam at the President's Community Breakfast
Alex Nam ’25 spoke at the Community Breakfast on Tuesday, October 1, about his experiences within K’s flexible curriculum.

Of his experiences at K, he said, “I saw first-hand how important it was for higher-ed institutions to be closely connected to the communities that sustain them. From tutoring refugee students, to gaining substantial behind-the-scenes pedagogical experience at a non-profit, the robustness of my teaching resume is a testament to the access that K College ensures for its students and the weight placed upon community engagement and civic help…Although four years at K College may fly by —and as a senior I can testify to this—my teaching experiences have made me feel more connected to this community—my community—than I have anywhere else in my life.”