{"id":27079,"date":"2026-06-11T16:13:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T20:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/?p=27079"},"modified":"2026-06-11T16:13:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T20:13:07","slug":"alumni-employees-class-of-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/alumni-employees-class-of-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumni Employees Offer Words of Wisdom for Class of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Students
The Class of 2026 processed to the Quad on Thursday during Commencement rehearsal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

The last exams of spring term are behind them, and Kalamazoo College\u2019s seniors are now turning their attention to one final milestone: Commencement<\/a>. A traditional rehearsal today provided the graduating class with what they need to know before Sunday\u2019s big moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As students transition away from undergraduate life, we asked a group of faculty<\/a> and staff who are also K alumni to share what advice they might have for the Class of 2026. Here\u2019s what they had to say. We hope these words will prove to be valuable.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archivist Lisa Murphy \u201998 <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget that your college education was an investment. Keep learning and keep investing in your own growth.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor of English Amelia Katanski \u201992<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFind a way to connect to your community, even if you only plan to be there temporarily. Whether you volunteer with a nonprofit, advocate for an issue you care about, join a cycling or running group, take part in a community garden, or become a regular at the farmer\u2019s market, putting down roots will deepen your sense of connection and nurture your wellbeing.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication and Enrollment Systems Specialist JD Nord \u201918 <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChange happens constantly. Growth happens when you choose it. Nobody can stop you from being who you were always meant to be except yourself.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director of Health Careers, Fellowships and Undergrad Research Jessica Fowle \u201900 <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile it may feel disorienting not to have your GPA as a success metric anymore, try to lean into the post-college freedom to learn new things and possibly even be bad at them! Take a class, learn a craft, go to a workshop, try a new activity because it sounds fun, builds community, or gets you out of your house. For me it has been pickleball and watercolor. Embrace lifelong learning in a new way!\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"The
Students rehearsed for Commencement by running through what they need to do when their names are called on Sunday.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Graduating
Graduating seniors gathered at Light Fine Arts.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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