Commencement

Kelvin Crone-Willis ’25 is an environmental studies major with minors in geographic information systems and environmental biology from Ferguson, Missouri. He has been deeply involved in campus life as a member of the Swim Team, a First-Year Experience Mentor, and a teaching assistant in the Earth and Environment Department. Kelvin has participated in two FURSCA summer research projects—one with Biology and one with English—and is also active in the Honors Program, Environmental Club, and Albion AmeriCorps. He works as an assistant at the Whitehouse Nature Center and is a member of the Center for Sustainability and the Environment.

Some of Kelvin’s most meaningful experiences came through his work with Albion’s Big Read, where he discovered the power of building community and cultivating joy through radical learning environments.

Kelvin shares: “I believe that community is the single most important element that makes Albion College unique. During my time here, I have been encouraged and nurtured by an amazing network of students, educators, and supporters both on and off campus. I am grateful for the opportunity to share and celebrate the elements of this web of support, which cultivates academic success, professional development, and personal growth for all Albion students.”

After graduation, Kelvin plans to return to Missouri to reconnect with family and community while pursuing a potential GIS/Remote Sensing internship with NASA’s DEVELOP program. He aims to build a career in environmental conservation, GIS, or environmental outreach.

His advice for future Albion students? “Constantly be curious. Walk through the world and even just across campus with wonder and curiosity because it will bring unforeseen opportunities and unimaginable joy.”

Makeba Bantu ’25 is a psychology and communication double major from Webster, Massachusetts / Nairobi, Kenya. She has been a dynamic leader and advocate on campus, serving as treasurer of the Black Student Alliance, secretary of Divine Dancers, and public relations officer for the African & Caribbean Student Union, which she helped found. She is a member of the Honors Program and the James L. Curtis Institute for Social Change, and has participated in numerous conferences, including the National Council for Black Studies and the Challenging Borders International Human Rights Conference. Makeba also works at the Whitehouse Nature Center, mentors first-year students, and contributes to the Io Triumphe as an intern in the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Makeba’s favorite Albion memories include international student orientation and performing with Divine Dancers.

She reflects: “The Albion community has been the foundation of my growth. The people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made, and even the challenges I have faced, have shaped me and shaped my understanding that success is a joint effort, not just an individual endeavor.”

In her speech, she shared how Albion has guided her journey of identity and belonging, and taught students that true impact comes from the small, intentional ways we build community where we go.

After graduation, Makeba plans to work in a psychology research lab focused on autism before pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA).

Her advice for future students? “College will sometimes feel rough and challenging, but in the midst of all of it, you’re building the person you’re gonna be. It’s kind of beautiful when you look back and realize how much you’ve grown.”

Kara Anderson ’25 is a political science and English double major from Lansing, Michigan, with a concentration in law, justice, and society, a Ford Institute concentration, and an experiential learning certificate in human rights advocacy. At Albion, Kara has served as president of Student Senate and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, vice president of the Concert Choir, director of the Albion College Human Rights Lab, and a research scholar with Human Rights Educators USA. She served as a student delegate to the Athens Democracy Forum, was a member of the Honors Program and Ford Institute, and a Sleight Leadership Fellow.

Kara’s favorite Albion memories include simple, joyful moments—like relaxing with friends, watching TV, and sharing treats in their rooms.

Reflecting on her Albion journey, Kara shares: “At Albion I found a community where I belong and could grow into the person I am today, a place where I felt both comfortable and challenged. In my speech I plan to share my story, the importance of community, and my dream for a better world.”
After graduation, Kara will attend law school to continue her commitment to justice, advocacy, and creating positive change.

Her advice for incoming students? “Get involved. Go out and meet new people, join organizations, and participate in events. Doing so will make your experience more fun and help you develop skills to succeed after graduation.”