study away Archives - News and Events

Chance Encounter with Alumni Opens Student’s Doors to K

Posted on July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

It was a leap of faith for both of them.

Lily Toohey ’26 had an associate’s degree in business, an innkeeping job in Kalamazoo, and a strong desire to pursue more education challenged by financial constraints.

Nancy (Loebe) Hessler ’68, along with her husband, Jan Hessler ’65, had a comfortable retirement, deep pride in Kalamazoo College, and a commitment to pay forward the opportunities they were given.

Their chance meeting at Kalamazoo House in September 2023, where the Hesslers were staying during K’s Homecoming and Toohey was checking on guests at breakfast, started like many K stories: The proud alumni praising their alma mater, encouraging the unsure student to apply. Nancy Hessler, however, took it a step further.

“She said, ‘You should apply. If you get in, I’ll sponsor you,’” Toohey said. “And I was like, ‘You met me yesterday. What do you mean?’ But the way that she talked about it, she had so much pride that she went there and really talked highly about it. And I think in a spiritual sense, I felt like there were a lot of signs pointing to it being the direction I needed to follow.”

For Hessler’s part, she saw a drive in Toohey and aspirations in line with K’s values.

“It was so clear to me, oddly enough, so suddenly, that it was what we should do,” Hessler said. “Jan and I were given by our parents enough of a start line to do well. We both had good, solid, steady professional employment [Jan as a researcher with Argonne National Laboratory and Nancy as a Moraine Valley Community College librarian], and we were raised conservatively financially. You live within your means, and you prepare for the future, so we were positioned by the time I met this young lady, whom I consider something of a wonder at this point, to offer this.”

They exchanged contact information, and despite lingering uncertainty, Toohey decided to apply to K and see what happened. When she let Hessler know that she had been accepted and offered an excellent scholarship, Hessler promised per-term financial support that would cover the rest of her tuition.

“I would have hated to see someone like Lily, who clearly wanted very much to go to college, be denied that on the basis of finances,” Hessler said. “I would wish, in a perfect world, that it didn’t happen to any student with the ambition and drive to want to better themselves through a good education beyond high school. That’s not the world I live in, but by taking this action, I managed to make a strike on the good side of things.”

Portrait of Lily Toohey - alumni chance encounter — When Nancy Hessler ’68 met Lily Toohey ’26, she saw a strong drive in Toohey along with aspirations that align with Kalamazoo College’s values. When Toohey later let Hessler know that she had been accepted to K, Hessler promised per-term financial support from her and her husband, Jan ’65, that would cover the remaining cost of her education after a scholarship.

The Hesslers have long been financial supporters of Kalamazoo College, including the Kalamazoo College Fund, inspired in part by Nancy’s parents, who were determined to offer their daughter higher education.

“I’ve always been stressed about the money aspect,” Toohey said. “I always wanted more education, but I had gone to community college because it was just too expensive. Having the financial support has been such a weight off my shoulders.”

Although readjusting to student life as a transfer mid-academic year in winter term 2024 while still working presented challenges, not having to worry about the cost allowed Toohey to focus on school.

“Nancy has been so incredibly supportive of everything that I want to do,” Toohey said. “She’s all about doing something, and if you don’t like it, change your mind and try again. She’s been supportive of my photography and wanting to study away and all these things. So having that has been like I’m doing it all for Nancy. When it gets hard, it’s for Nancy.”

For example, Toohey originally planned to major in business, minor in French and study abroad in France. Then, as a dormant interest in photography came back to life, she changed her minor to studio art and study abroad became study away through the Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA) New York Arts Program.

Hessler encouraged her every step of the way, and in January 2025, Toohey flew to New York City. In the New York Arts program, students participate weekly in a seminar to learn about, read on and discuss the arts in New York and art world careers. In addition, each participant is placed in an internship with a professional artist.

“Oh, she was so excited when she got the internship, and I was so excited for her, because I remember the excitement I had trying something out,” Hessler said, reminiscing about her own K-Plan. In addition to enjoying classes in a range of subjects and ending up with a major in French and minors in German, economics and religion, Hessler credits experiences such as studying abroad in Caen, France, and an off-campus work study program with developing independence and supporting the transition from child to fully functioning adult.

In New York, Toohey learned from three photographers as she completed a photography internship with a business owner who shoots mainly in studio, a mentorship with an event and fashion photographer, and an additional internship with a fashion photographer who works with brands. Through those experiences, Toohey conducted studio shoots, took behind-the-scenes images of New York Fashion Week and spent days on location for branding shoots.

She learned, practiced and broadened her photography and business interests, coming away with a new focus on fashion marketing photography. The program capstone is a personal project, and Toohey’s included seven photography shoots and curation of an exhibit on the duality of womanhood.

“When I presented my work, one of my friends got really emotional, and he was tearing up, talking about my work, and my advisor said that he can’t wait to see the big things that I do,” Toohey said. “Getting those comments from people felt like, ‘OK, people are seeing it,’ and also, I was proud of myself. I never thought I’d be creating work like I created in New York.”

The New York Arts Program built Toohey’s confidence and reminded her of the importance of creating. Back on campus for spring term, she threw herself into a photography class project involving fashion shoots based on personification of her favorite beverages. She’s been thinking about opportunities she may want to pursue, including a partnership with a local vintage store or internships in Grand Rapids or Chicago.

“I want to move to New York after graduation,” Toohey said. “I fell in love with it; I literally got a New York City tattoo. The program helped me learn that I truly loved the city, and that I could make it work, and it built my photography skills and the confidence to go for it and make mistakes.”

“I’m very grateful for the way this has all worked out,” Toohey said. “I’m so incredibly grateful for the Hesslers and everything they’ve done for me.”

Was it a gamble for Toohey and for the Hesslers? Sure. Has that leap of faith paid off? Absolutely.

“You know, my parents took a chance on me,” Hessler said. “There is no guarantee in life that a student or any person will make the most of what they’ve been offered. I asked my dad once, when I wanted to thank my parents, ‘What can I do?’ He said, ‘Pay it forward.’ As it happens, I made a choice not to have children. So, OK, this is paying it forward. That’s what I’m trying to do. There was no guarantee, but boy, did we pick a winner. Lily is doing amazing things and making the most of the opportunity. If I can be part of that, as far as I’m concerned, that’s the very least I could do. It’s up to those of us who can and who have benefited from K’s education to support young people in experiencing it, too.”

Student-Athlete, Business Major Finds Passion for Filmmaking

Posted on February 22, 2024September 17, 2024

Story by Social Media Ambassador Blagoja Naskovski ’24

In a pivot prompted by Kalamazoo College’s flexible curriculum, Ian Burr ’24 heeded a call for “lights, camera, action” in New York while discovering a potential lifelong passion.

Burr, a business major, recently participated in the New York Arts Program, a winter-term study away opportunity, where students learn about acting, musical theatre, dance, play writing, directing, vocal music, instrumental music, improvisation and children’s theatre—or in Burr’s case—filmmaking.

His interest in photography pushed him to take Framing Differences, a sophomore seminar taught by Genevieve U. Gilmore Professor of Art Richard Koenig, which gives K students a working knowledge of the tools used in photography before leaving for study away or study abroad. Burr then bought his first camera and worked on sports videography for the women’s soccer team and recreational hockey games.

These experiences convinced Burr to add a film and media concentration to his K-Plan and seek opportunities in New York. There, he worked as a production assistant intern for an upcoming Netflix show, American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders, and at Green Point Pictures, an advertising company where he helped create pitches for clients. The time in New York also gave Burr an opportunity to shoot his first film.

“The New York Arts Program was an amazing opportunity for me to gain hands-on experience as someone who is interested in the film industry,” Burr said. “It is very hard to get into the industry and participating in this program while taking classes and working for two companies was a very valuable way to gain skills for something that I am very passionate about.”

Since, Burr has developed a Senior Integrated Project (SIP)—not in business, but in filmmaking—with a production titled I Love You, Bro, dedicated to his friend Jake, who died in a car accident. The short film focuses on the mental health of Rhett, who loses his best friend, Avery, in a crash.

“I wanted to show how people deal with loss,” Burr said. “Some people push their feelings off, so they don’t seem weak, but no one should be alone, and it’s totally OK to share your feelings with someone.”

Last fall, Burr had a chance to present the film—which takes place in his hometown of Franklin, Tennessee—to the K community while emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness.

“The idea to turn my movie into a SIP came while I was attending the New York Arts Program,” Burr said. “Without the opportunity that K gave me and the collaboration with Professor Koening, I wouldn’t be able to do something that means so much to me. The professors are so great and welcoming. The small size class made me establish close relationships with the professors and my classmates easily. Professors here care about your progress and your ability to use your whole potential.”

Burr also credits a close friend for his assistance with the movie.

Aidan Baas ’23, “who also participated in the New York Arts Program, was very supportive during this journey,” Burr said. “When I was with him during the study away program in New York, he helped me to come up with the idea of I Love You, Bro. Furthermore, he came from Michigan to Nashville during the summer of 2023 and helped me with shooting and editing, which made the movie to be successfully completed.”

Elsewhere at K, Burr is a punter and kicker on K’s football team, through which he’s established lifelong connections with his teammates. He also has drawn inspiration to achieve excellence in academics through faculty members such as L. Lee Stryker Associate Professor of Business Management Amy MacMillan, Visiting Professor of Business David Rhoa and Visiting Instructor in Art Daniel Kim, who have provided Burr with real-world experiences related to his coursework. And although he’s been dedicated to undertakings such as football and more, Burr strongly encourages his peers who are interested in filmmaking to find their own opportunities through faculty and coursework.

“Dive into it,” he said. “Ask professors for many opportunities to grow. Filmmaking is building portfolios. If you want to be a director, direct something. Go and create. The only way you fail is if you never try. Be dedicated. Collaborate with your friends, classmates and professors. Create the films you want to see.”

Ian Burr ’24 (left) works with actors Graeme Cadaret and Jayden Scheer while filming a scene of “I Love You, Bro.”

Filmmakers collaborate in a studio — While participating in the New York Arts Program on study away, Burr found his passion for filmmaking while working as a production assistant intern for an upcoming Netflix show, “American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders,” and at Green Point Pictures, an advertising company where he helped create pitches for clients.

Ian Burr prepares to punt during a Kalamazoo College football game — Burr prepares to punt during a Kalamazoo College football game. Photo by Kimberley Moss.

Ian Burr focuses on filmmaking with two actors — Burr films Cadaret and Scheer in the making of his film, “I Love You, Bro.”

Buzz Around Washington Caps Student’s Paralegal Work, Study Away

Posted on December 20, 2023December 20, 2023

Paralegal Libby McFarlen at the Lincoln Memorial — Libby McFarlen ’26, pictured at the Lincoln Memorial, spent her fall term in Washington, D.C., working as a paralegal intern for a criminal defense attorney.

Libby McFarlen at the Washington Memorial — McFarlen visited sites such as the Washington Monument while learning the ins and outs of what a paralegal does within the Washington court system.

Libby McFarlen at the Capitol Building — McFarlen snapped pictures from one end of the Washington Mall to the other with a Buzz the Hornet Squishmallow at sites such as the U.S. Capitol Building on her last day in Washington, D.C.

There was a Buzz floating through the air recently in Washington, D.C.

Although that could mean many things under different circumstances, in this case it means that a cuddly, orange-and-black representation of Kalamazoo College’s beloved mascot, Buzz—a Squishmallow, to be exact—was following Libby McFarlen ’26 around town for some Instagram-worthy photo opportunities while McFarlen concluded her study away experience.

“K is a small liberal arts college in Michigan, and I thought we needed to have some representation in Washington,” McFarlen said. “I just picked some of the major sites people think about with D.C. and took some pictures. We hit the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial as he basically went from one end of the National Mall to the other.”

McFarlen’s primary purpose in Washington, though, was to work as a paralegal with a criminal defense attorney through the Washington Center, an organization that provides immersive internships and academic seminars to students from 25 countries including the U.S. It was the perfect study away fit for McFarlen, a Kalamazoo native and Loy Norrix High School graduate, who plans to officially declare a political science major in February.

Both study abroad and study away programs involve firsthand chances to learn in locations far from campus, but study away offers opportunities specifically within the U.S. Many of them are credit-bearing and provide professional experience.

“It’s such an amazing program and it’s not talked about as much as study abroad,” McFarlen said of study away. “I just want K students to know that it’s not a lie to say this was a life-changing experience for me. It has reaffirmed what I want to do after graduating from K. If any student is interested in doing it, I would say just jump in and go for it. I had such a great time, and if I could go back and do it again next fall, that would be 110% fantastic.”

McFarlen commonly worked daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. side by side with the defense attorney, primarily in an office environment, but also in court, at a jail, in investigations and in meetings with clients. Although she was surprised how little attorneys are in front of a judge or at trial, the experience gave McFarlen a first-hand look at what might be her future profession.

Paralegal Libby McFarlen at the White House — McFarlen, here at the White House with a friend, interned in Washington through the Washington Center, which provides immersive internships and academic seminars to students from 25 countries.

Libby McFarlen at the National Museum of Natural History — McFarlen, pictured in the middle of the front row at the National Museum of National History, plans to return to Washington, D.C., in a few years to pursue her law degree.

Libby McFarlen at the National Mall — McFarlen praised K’s study away program while recognizing that she had a life-changing experience in Washington, D.C.

“We would go to court in the mornings, and I would take notes for him,” she said. “We would then come back and have client meetings. I really got to know the D.C. superior court system online because I learned how to file motions with the courts and, basically, how to do everything that a paralegal would do. It provided great insight into what it means to be a criminal defense attorney.”

Ultimately, McFarlen has yet to decide whether she wants to be an attorney or a lobbyist. Regardless, the next steps toward her future vocation would be to graduate from K and take a gap year or two before returning to Washington for law school. Her interest in politics makes the day after an election feel like Christmas morning, she said, meaning the location would be perfect for her continued education, hopefully somewhere such as Georgetown or American University.

“In D.C., there’s so much history and so much knowledge condensed into such a small area,” McFarlen said. “It was especially cool that I could do something like go into a Smithsonian anytime I wanted. I would be riding around in an Uber and I would constantly be reminded and shocked that I was in D.C., seeing the Capitol building sitting on the end of the National Mall. It was amazing to be there.”