Endowment Alma College’s endowment is critical to the long-term financial strength and stability of the college and ensures its continued ability to meet student needs. These funds last forever and touch many lives as the principal grows. In fact, more than half of the endowment’s annual distributions are used for direct financial assistance to deserving students. The growth of the endowment maximizes student impact and elevates the college to elite status.
College Corner (2011) The bookstore moved to its downtown location in 2011. In summer 2016, the college-run Stucchi’s Café component of the building transitioned to a Starbucks franchise operated by Sodexo. These are major advancements in the college’s efforts to connect to downtown.
Center for Student Opportunity (2012)
The new CSO replaces Jones Auditorium and the former bookstore. The CSO is a one-stop shop for students to make the most of their Alma education and ensure academic and career success.
Dunning Memorial Chapel (2021) As one of the most treasured and well used spaces on campus, the facility hosts numerous weddings per year, weekly worship services, multiple weekly Bible studies, and daily choir rehearsals. It also accommodates a multitude of student and community events throughout the year. Improving the usability and flexibility of the chape enables the facility to become the valuable, distinctive instrument of campus spiritual life Alma College and its students need. This project will bring the chapel into the 21st century.
Hamilton Commons (2013) The college’s primary dining facility since 1968, Hamilton received major renovations and a 6,000-square-foot addition that reflects current trends in college food service and increased seating capacity by nearly 25 percent.
Gelston Hall (2013) Built in 1956, Gelston is Alma’s oldest residence hall. Renovations to the East and North Wings included new infrastructure, improved ADA accommodations, enhanced bathrooms, modernized rooms and furniture, superior safety features, and study spaces. Gelston’s West Wing, roof, and main lobby were also renovated.
Learning Commons The Learning Commons is the signature element of the college’s master plan. The project calls for a complete transformation and modernization of the existing library. It establishes the heart of campus, creates a hub of activity, and demonstrates the college’s commitment to academic excellence.
Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Scholar House (2014) TKE alumni provided funding for a new house. Located at 313 Philadelphia, the facility houses 19 students, an administrator-in-residence, common rooms, chapter room, kitchen, and designated study area. The design serves as a model for other residential houses.
Reid-Knox Entry (2015) Thanks to a joint-MDOT / City of Alma project, Superior now consists of two lanes of traffic with westbound parallel parking on the north side of the street, plus bike lanes, stamped crosswalks, and new streetlights. The college also reduced the Reid-Knox parking lot, adding green space.
Delta Gamma Tau (DGT) Scholar House (2016) DGT / SAE alumni provided funding for a new house on Center Street. Groundbreaking occurred at Homecoming 2015, and the house was completed in the spring of 2016.
Hogan Center Wrestling & Strength Facilities (2016) The college removed maintenance buildings and the staircase leading into Cappaert Gym on Hogan’s east side, near Wright Street. A new front for campus emerged with the addition of the glass-enclosed Hatcher Wrestling and Sherman Strength and Conditioning facilities. This also added offices for coaches and created space for the growing cheer program.
Zeta Sigma Scholar House (2017) Zeta Sigma alumni provided funding for a new house at the corner of Grant and Superior Streets.
Gerstacker Suite in the Dow Science Center (2018) The college converted a courtyard in the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Science Building into a collaborative research suite, better using current space and facilitating interdisciplinary projects.
Mitchell, Newberry Hall (2018) and Bruske Hall (2019) Renovations include all new infrastructure along with upgraded student rooms, private bathrooms, refreshed finishes and additional student lounges and study space.
Football and Lacrosse Locker Room (2018) The locker room shared by the men’s football and lacrosse teams had not been updated for many years, resulting in a dated space that looked its age and functioned inefficiently. A complete renovation of the locker room demonstrates Alma’s commitment to establishing national championship-level teams in football and lacrosse.
Wright Leppien Opera House (2019) Originally constructed in 1879, this downtown Alma landmark includes apartments for approximately 40 Alma College students. The building features performance, event and gathering spaces for the community, including accommodations for conferences, wedding receptions, camps and other special community-related events.
