Illuminating the Pathway Forward with Briton spirit 🕯️
Purple & Gold Weekend is our annual spring event to highlight the curiosity, achievement, and sense of purpose that unite Britons across generations. We invite our Briton community back home just ahead of Commencement to receive an intimate update on the priorities, vision and values of the institution and the vital role of alumni in our continued success! Swipe through for the highlights from an amazing weekend. 💫
Elkin R. Isaac Research Symposium
The 36th annual Elkin R. Isaac Research Symposium showcased outstanding student research and creative activity from 127 students presenting from a broad array of disciplines. The epitome of the liberal arts in action, we are blown away each year by how bright our Brits shine! 🌟
Photo: Senior Anna Cochrane showing attendees a psychological tools she studied as part of her project Psychological Assessment Library – Review and Demonstration. Faculty sponsor Shanti Madhavan-Brown '15.
Tyland Martin '26 presenting Do Black Male Mentoring Programs Work? A Comprehensive Analysis of Outcomes. Faculty sponsor Ari McCaskill.
Kaelyn Ruiter '26 presenting Comparisons of Lunar Glass Samples from the Apollo and Chang’e Landing Sites. Faculty sponsor Nicolle Zellner.
Chloe Lkhamsuren '28 and Kyra Shouldice '27 presenting their joint project Characterization of Microsatellite Genetic Markers for Sabatia angularis. Faculty sponsor Sheila Lyons-Sobaski.
Zoey Bennett ’28 discussing her project The Neuroscience of Beliefs: A Complex Adaptive Systems Approach to Beliefs. Faculty sponsor Roger Albertson.
Purple & Gold Insider's Summit
A special opportunity to hear directly from campus leaders about the progress and priorities shaping Albion today, including the ways we are strengthening the student experience, expanding experiential learning opportunities to navigating the changing higher education landscape, and more. The Summit offered an inside look at the work underway across the College, from academics and student life to our Pathway Forward plan and fundraising strategies.
Attending audiences were able to ask questions, engage in discussion about the opportunities ahead for Albion and its students, and learn ways they can get further involved as alumni.
Sharing Updates on Academics, Enrollment & Student Life
Leroy Wright, vice president of student development, Mandy Dubiel, vice president of enrollment management, and Lisa Lewis, provost and vice president of academic affairs. Moderated by Jordan Herron ’16, vice president of the Albion College Alumni Board.
Financial Updates: Continuing the Pathway Forward
President Wayne Webster, Dan Valles, vice president of finance, and Amy Routhier ’99, vice president of institutional advancement. Moderated by Lynne Futter Gilmore ’74, president of the Alumni Board.
Looking Ahead: Providing Experiential Learning for All
Troy Kase, director of the career & internship center, Dr. Vicki Baker, associate dean of strategic partnership, Dr. Craig Streu ’04, professor of biochemistry, and Lindsey Knowlden, director of AmeriCorps discussed the various alumni and community partnerships providing skill development and career preparation to students. Moderated by Provost Lisa Lewis.
Celebration of Philanthropy
At this intimate event in the Kellogg Center living room, alumni gathered to hear brief remarks and engage with students whose achievements and experiences are made possible through philanthropic support. It was a chance to see philanthropy in action and to celebrate the difference our supporters make in the Albion community.
Speakers highlighted the Center for International Education Free Passport program, courtesy of the Jeff ’75 and Cheri Weedman ’77 Family, and the John S. Ludington ’51 Endowed Professorship, which has supported research on the economics of cybersecurity.
Amy Routhier '99, vice president of Institutional Advancement.
All smiles from Glenn Corliss '61, Stockwell Society member!
I believe and know many of you agree that experimental learning and global education are necessary. It is the process of stripping away the familiar to reveal a student’s true potential. This transformative work is only possible because of the bridge builders in this room … the alumni."
- Cristen Casey, director of the center for international education
The scholarships I have been given have allowed me to give back to the community while I am still in it. I want you to know that the scholarships you are funding are not just funding degrees, but you are funding students like me to lead."
-Andy Chavez '28, engineering dual degree major from Houston
Albion is more than just a school, it is the place I have been the most safe in."
- Andy Chavez '28, pictured with Jennifer Yawson, Jackie Gutierrez, and Heather Albee-Scott from the TRIO program
Meggen Urka '80 connecting with professor Zhen Li.
I got a free passport through this program, it was so easy and the reason why it was possible to get a passport. I wouldn’t have had the time or the resources without this endowment."
-Bonnie Lord '26 of Alma, Mich., thanking donors for making opportunities like the Center for International Education Free Passport Program a possibility
Lesley (Davis) Addison '92 and Susan Dombrowski '89
Professor of Economics and Management Zhen Li thanking donors for gifts like the John S. Ludington Trustee Professorship to directly support faculty professional development so that they, in turn, can help students learn with real-world experiences.
John S. Ludington [Trustee Professorship] provides resources that allows faculty to continue their research and strengthen their academic reputation and create greater learning opportunities for students."
We are making sure Albion is still accessible to all, and that is in thanks to you."
-President Wayne Webster
2026 Alumni Awards Ceremony
Our alumni award recipients exemplify Albion College’s mission: to prepare students (and alumni) for lives of purpose characterized by meaningful careers and responsible leadership with local and global impact. Join us in congratulating the 2026 recipients!
We are so incredibly proud to call these 12 outstanding individuals Albion College Britons. Their contributions to this world and continued support for the College are invaluable. Listen to each awardee's one-minute biography at the link below to get a glimpse at their impact!
Dressed to the nines with sweethearts Darrell '77 and Yolanda Toran Williams '77
Reconnecting with Casey Hoffman '12 and Dennis Oosterhart '11
Awardee Jonathan Takeshita ’17 with family
Infectious laughter from Lisa Lewis, provost and vice president of academic affairs
Greater Albion community advocate Ronnie Sims and Sidney Coleman
First-year Naomi Griffin '29 provided the melodic tunes to underscore a night of celebration
Natalie Krauss '18
Beloved Albion community member Eddie Ruth Williams
Wesley and Donna Hoffman, proud parents of awardee Casey Hoffman '12
Marty '64 and Kathy Fry Ludington '77 with Zach Constan '95
Awardee Michael Haines '85 and Cliff Harris, professor of chemistry, with Natalie Altayeb '26
Tony Harris '87 and Kevin Opple '93 with Eddie Reynolds
Bright smiles from Lesley Davis '92 and Jon Addison '91
Dennis Moore '70 connecting with student Natalie Altayeb '26
Rany Aburashed ’02 and wife Farrah Alaidi
Kye Bright '13 chatting with Amy Everhart '08, senior director of alumni engagement
Awardees Mike '69 and Peg Mitchell Turner '69 with Bob '77 and Denny Frost '77 and current Brit Kam Mayes '26
THANK YOU!
Thank you for lighting up our Spring semester during Purple & Gold Weekend! The chances to connect with fellow Brits don’t stop here. Visit albion.edu/alumni to view upcoming events, access the alumni directory, refer future Britons, and so much more.
UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS ● May 8-9: Commencement ● May 27: Pink Pony Happy Hour - Mackinac Policy Conference ● June 4: Gerstacker Institute in Cleveland, Ohio ● Aug. 3: Traverse City Alumni Event ● Aug. 5: Bay View Lecture & Reception ● Aug. 7: Briton Classic Golf Outing ● Oct. 2-3: Homecoming, Hall of Fame, & Milestone Reunions
Credits:
Kalli Onai '19, social media and content strategist Dave Buchanan, director of videography and photography