Alma College: Celebrating Distinguished Alumni and Their Contributions

Alma College, a private liberal arts institution rooted in Presbyterian values and located in Alma, Michigan, has a rich history of producing accomplished graduates who have made significant impacts in various fields. Founded in 1886, the college continues to uphold its mission of fostering intellectual curiosity, ethical leadership, and a commitment to service. This article highlights notable alumni and their achievements, showcasing the diverse paths Alma College graduates have taken and the contributions they have made to their professions, communities, and the college itself.

Honoring Alumni Achievements

Each year, Alma College recognizes outstanding alumni during its Homecoming celebrations. The Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor presented, acknowledges individuals who have brought distinction to the college through their professional achievements, served as strong role models, and contributed to their communities, thereby enhancing the college's prestige. The Alumni Citation Award recognizes alumni for their exceptional loyalty and service to Alma College and its Alumni Association. The Smith Distinguished Service Award is presented to graduates who have demonstrated a strong belief in Alma College and have actively supported student recruitment, provided career opportunities, or served on college councils or boards.

Mark Kolanowski: Banking and Community Leadership

Mark Kolanowski, chairman, president, and CEO of Highpoint Community Bank and HCB Financial Corp., exemplifies professional success and community involvement. Kolanowski's journey began at NBD (now JP Morgan Chase) before he joined Highpoint in 1993. He ascended through various leadership positions to become president and CEO by 2002. During his time at Alma College, Kolanowski was actively involved as an admissions tour guide, resident assistant, a member of the Presidential Service Group, and president/founding consul of Sigma Chi’s Theta Nu Chapter. He maintains close ties with the college through lifelong friendships, fraternity events, and professional networks with fellow Scots. Kolanowski encourages current students to actively participate, embrace challenges, and recognize their potential.

Mark Blanke: Corporate Leadership and Civic Engagement

Mark Blanke serves as the chief corporate officer for the Americas region at Delfingen in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He is deeply committed to civic service, serving on the Hope Fund board at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and holding leadership roles with Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center and AIDS Partnership Michigan. Blanke's contributions have been recognized with the Ahee Award for fundraising and community involvement, the Jan Stevens Award for leadership, and Delfingen’s Talent of the Year Award.

Michael Perkins: Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy

Michael Perkins is the director of strategic partnership and donor relations at DBG Detroit and serves on boards including the Ruth Ellis Center and AIDS Partnership Michigan. His work focuses on building strategic alliances and fostering philanthropic relationships to support community initiatives.

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Amanda Zielinski Slenski: Championing Student Success

Amanda Zielinski Slenski, currently chief of staff for Out for Undergrad, a nonprofit supporting undergraduate students, has a long-standing commitment to Alma College. She previously served the college for nearly 12 years in roles spanning enrollment, career development, and advancement, including vice president for enrollment and special assistant to the president. Earlier in her career, Zielinski Slenski held student affairs positions at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Miami University. She is a devoted member of Alpha Gamma Delta, serving the organization in various advisory roles and currently sitting on its Housing Corporation Board of Directors. Zielinski Slenski also volunteers for Alma through mentorship and career panels.

M. Jacob Dayringer: Nurturing Community Through Camp Greenwood

M. Jacob Dayringer has been the camp director for Camp Greenwood since 2018, helping to establish Greenwood Ministries Association as a nonprofit and continuing to lead its programs. Previously, he served as technical director for Breckenridge Community Schools through the Gratiot Isabella RESD. Dayringer was drawn to Alma College for its welcoming community and strong choral program under Will Nichols. He actively participated in campus life through choir, Residence Life (RA and senior RA), Phi Mu Alpha, ACOG, Chapel Life, and as a Phi Sigma Sigma Sweetheart. He remains connected through music, fraternity ties, and Homecoming visits.

Stephanie and Jeff Leppien: Community Leadership and Family Values

Stephanie and Jeff Leppien are active community leaders with strong connections to Alma. Jeff serves as vice president of Garr Tool in Alma and is a board member of Central Michigan Youth for Christ. Stephanie is the office administrator at His Place Family Enrichment Center. She has volunteered with Child Advocacy, United Way, Gratiot County Players, and Alma Public Schools and currently serves on the Gratiot County Players board and as a trustee for the Alma Public Schools Board of Education. Both Stephanie and Jeff graduated from Anderson (Ind.) University, where they met. They have a strong connection to Alma College through their three sons: Matt (’20), Josh (dual enrollment), and Sam (’26). Their most meaningful experiences with Alma include seeing how their sons benefitted from their time there and watching the growing bond between the college and the local community. They encourage students to embrace all that Alma College and the surrounding communities offer.

Notable Alumni Across Disciplines

Beyond these recent honorees, Alma College boasts a diverse group of alumni who have achieved prominence in various fields, including arts, athletics, politics and academia.

Arts and Entertainment

Daniel Henney: An American actor who gained international recognition for his role as Dr. Henry Kim in the Korean drama "My Lovely Sam Soon" (2005). He has since appeared in numerous films and television shows.

Athletics

Tom Crean: A college basketball coach who most recently served as the head coach for the University of Georgia men's basketball team. He previously held head coaching positions at Indiana University and Marquette University, leading Marquette to the 2003 NCAA Final Four.
George Allen: An American football coach who led the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins to winning seasons and playoff appearances.
Bob Devaney: A highly successful college football coach who led the University of Wyoming and the University of Nebraska to national championships.
Jim Northrup: A Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, and Baltimore Orioles.

Politics and Public Service

Gary Peters: An American lawyer, politician, and former military officer serving as the senior United States senator from Michigan. He previously served as a U.S. Representative for Michigan's 14th congressional district.
Frank Knox: An American politician, soldier, newspaper editor, and publisher who served as the Republican vice presidential candidate in 1936 and Secretary of the Navy under Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II.

Academia and Religion

M. Thomas Shaw: An American Episcopal bishop based in New England and a member of the Society of St. John the Evangelist religious order. He served as the fifteenth Bishop of Massachusetts.
Harry Helmer: An American football player and coach of football, basketball, and baseball. He served as the head football coach at Central Michigan Normal School and Alma College.

Other Notable Figures

Paul H. Bruske: An American writer, journalist, advertising executive, and sportsman.
Pearl Fuller: American football player and coach.

Alma College: A Legacy of Excellence

Alma College's commitment to providing a well-rounded education is reflected in the accomplishments of its alumni. The college offers more than 45 undergraduate academic programs and two graduate programs, leading to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts degrees. In addition to academic majors, numerous concentrations, academic institutes, and special programs are offered, including the Honors Program and the Center for College and Community Engagement. The college's 4-4-1 academic calendar, with 14-week terms in the fall and winter and a four-week term in May, allows for focused study and diverse learning experiences.

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Alma College's campus provides a supportive and engaging environment for students. The primary academic buildings, built with a red brick motif, are centered around McIntyre Mall. The college has also invested in modern facilities, such as the Dow Science Center, which features the Gerstacker Science and Technology Suite and the Dow Digital Science Center (DDSC). In 2019, the college dedicated the Wright Leppien Opera House Block, a historic structure in downtown Alma.

The college's athletic teams, the Scots, compete in the NCAA. Alma College offers 12 men's NCAA sports and 12 women's NCAA sports, plus co-ed esports and women's bowling, competitive cheer, dance, and STUNT. The mascot of Alma College is Scotty.

Alma College continues to honor the memory of alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students who have passed away, recognizing their contributions to the college community.

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