TV Commercial Wins Davey Award
Alma College’s 60-second TV commercial that promotes the “Alma Experience” was selected by The International Academy of Visual Arts to receive a Davey Award. With nearly 4,000 entries from across the country and around the world, the Davey Awards honor the finest creative work from the best small firms, agencies and companies worldwide. Produced and directed by 2010 Alma College graduate Vaughn Brines, Alma’s award-winning TV commercial packs more than 500 still images within a 60-second stop-motion storyline that illustrates the transforming opportunities that students have to learn and grow during their four years at Alma. Read more.
Students Serve Others During Alternative Breaks
Alma College ranks second in the nation in the percentage of students that participates in alternative break service trips, according to Break Away, the national organization that supports the development of alternative break experiences that inspire lifelong active citizenship. Last year, Alma students provided flood relief, built affordable homes, planned activities for terminally ill children, constructed wheelchair ramps, worked with immigrants, and assisted in after-school programs in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Texas. Read more.
Fulbright Award Supports German Language Study
Alma College faculty member Holly Liu was awarded a Fulbright grant to attend an academic seminar in Germany last summer—an experience she describes as “mind-opening” in her quest to prepare students to understand and communicate with other cultures. Read more.
Student Success Goal of KCP Opportunities Grant
Alma College received a six-year, $700,000 grant from the state of Michigan that will provide academic, social and financial support to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The King-Chavez-Parks Select Student Support Services Grant will establish an Opportunities and Connections (OAC) Program on campus. Read more.
Enrollment Exceeds 1,400 for Third Straight Year
A 6.5 percent increase in new students and a total headcount of more than 1,400 students for the third straight year highlight Alma College’s 2011-2012 enrollment. The total headcount of 1,417 students continues a positive enrollment trend. Only eight times in Alma College’s 125-year history has the school achieved a total enrollment over 1,400. Read more.
National Conference Assesses History of Human Rights
Alma College’s Public Affairs Institute and the Center for Responsible Leadership partnered to organize a national conference assessing what has been achieved in 500 years of human rights advocacy. The 500th Anniversary Conference on Universality in Human Rights, which took place Dec. 2-4, 2011, in Washington, D.C., celebrated the anniversary of Antonio de Montesino’s sermon in Santo Domingo that called for the reform of Spanish policy toward the indigenous. Read more.
National Organizations Recognize Alma’s Academic Excellence
Two national entities—The Princeton Review and the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2012—have recognized Alma College for its academic excellence and quality of campus life. The Princeton Review selected Alma as one of 153 institutions it recommends as “Best in the Midwest” in 2012. The College also is included in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2012. Read more.
Hogan Center Awarded LEED Silver Certification
Alma College’s renovated Hogan Center and new Art Smith Arena have been awarded LEED certification at the Silver Level by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. Read more.
Alma College Makes National Service Honor Roll
For the fourth straight year, Alma College has received national recognition for its commitment to civic engagement. Alma was admitted to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging its students, faculty and staff in meaningful service. Alma data reflects that 86 percent of the 2010 graduating seniors participated in academic service learning during their time at Alma. Read more.
Three Graduating Seniors Win Fulbright Scholarships
Alma College senior Lisa Biering of Williamston, Mike Malloy of Laingsburg and Chelsea Clark of Coopersville were awarded Fulbright Scholarships, becoming Alma’s 18th, 19th and 20th Fulbright scholars since 2003. Biering will teach English and study gender issues in Indonesia. Malloy will travel to Spain to teach English and research alternative education programs for immigrant students. Clark will teach English in Malaysia and study climate change. Read more.
National Model UN Winning Streak Reaches 15 Years
Alma College students continue to set the pace at the national Model United Nations competition in New York City. Alma has received “outstanding delegation” awards in each of the last 15 years—the longest active winning streak of any college or university in the nation. Alma’s 28 all-time “outstanding delegation” awards are the most of any school in the 88-year history of the conference. Read more.
New Major Prepares Students for Careers in ‘New Media’
Alma College has approved a New Media Studies major that will prepare students for work in emerging forms of digital information and technology—from audio and visual arts to social media to gaming and simulation to e-text and Web publication. Read more.
SIFE Wins 10th Straight Regional Competition
The Alma College Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team claimed its 10th consecutive regional championship after presenting its yearlong community economic and business outreach projects to a panel of business leaders. Read more.
Students Honored for Commitment to Service
Standish senior Alyssa Walters was one of six students in the state to receive the Outstanding Community Impact Award, which honors students who have made service an integral part of their college experience. “Alyssa demonstrates the characteristics of Alma’s mission statement—she thinks critically, leads purposefully and serves generously while living responsibly,” says Anne Ritz, service learning coordinator. Read more.
Institute Helps Students Explore Career Interests in Health Studies
The new Integrated Health Studies Institute will offer increased practical experiences, additional contact with health professionals and enhanced interaction with students and faculty who share interests in the health professions. Read more.
Students Join International Criminal Court Network
Alma College is one of the first undergraduate colleges in the United States to belong to the International Criminal Court Student Network (ICCSN). Created in 2006 by students at the London School of Economics, the ICCSN aims to promote the work of the ICC and increase knowledge of international criminal law. Read more.
Alma College Expands Highland Arts Program
Alma College’s highland arts academic program has been expanded to include two half-time positions, held by Andrew Duncan and Kate DeGood, who will serve as co-coordinators. “The highland arts have always been an integral part of Alma College,” says Duncan. “This expansion allows us to build positive relationships with other Scottish organizations and societies.” Read more.
