Hailing the New Chief
Donna Randall Named Albion College's 15th President
February 23, 2007

Story by Jake Weber, photos by Dave Trumpie

A standing-room only crowd in the Kellogg Center gathered on February 23, 2007, to greet the woman named as Albion College’s 15th – and first female – president. Donna Randall, provost of the University of Hartford in Connecticut, will take over from current president Peter T. Mitchell on July 1.

Donna Randall and trustee Rich Baird listen to presentations made by members of the faculty, administration and students. “We have absolute confidence that Donna is the right person to lead Albion College at this moment in the College’s history,” Baird said during his introduction.

Randall in turn thanked the audience for their warm welcome. “I am impressed by your passion for the liberal arts … Albion College doesn’t simply prepare students to be part of the global society, but prepares them to be agents for change,” she said. “I am excited to be here.”

Emeritus professor of religious studies Johan Stohl, an active member of the Albion community, greets Randall.

“I’d like to leave you with these two words,” Randall said at the end of her remarks. “Go Brits!”

“I’m probably the second-happiest person in the room right now,” joked President Peter T. Mitchell. “As an alumnus, I’m really happy to meet this new president.”

Randall (left) visits with two search committee members, associate professor of Women's and Gender Studies, Trisha Franzen, and former student body president Meagan Burton, '07.

Channel 3/Kalamazoo was one of several regional media organizations on hand for the announcement.
 

Related story: Albion College Names Donna Randall as 15th President