Academic Affairs

Paul L. Hartman died at home in Okemos, Michigan, on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the age of 80. Paul was born on February 15, 1994, in Evanston, Illinois, to Fred and Martha (Gardner) Hartman. Paul was a graduate of Evanston Township High School, Albion College, and Boston University School of Theology. He was an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church, serving Churches in Alden, Lansing Central, Litchfield, and Sunnyside in Kalamazoo. He was also the Director of Education and Youth at Okemos Community Church. He especially excelled at helping youth at UMC summer camps.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Randels; his former wife, Mary Ellen (Neller) De Ridder; his daughters Beth Magennis, Andrea Hartman, and Angela Young; stepson David Randels; and his grandchildren, Erin, Kyle, Emma, Anna, Audan, and Oliver

Submitted by: Dylan Elliott

“This letter serves as documentation that a Liberal Arts Education prepares a person to challenge themselves throughout their life. I never believed that I would be writing books after I graduated from college. I was not a high-performing student who enjoyed the requirement for English writing class. I was always looking for physical challenges: Basketball, Football, Military pentathlon, and Ski instructor were all challenges that I accepted.
Friends have been saying for years that I should write a book about the terrible things that my wife did to survive during World War II. Finally, I wrote the book and it has proved to be quite popular. My wife alone has sold close to 100 books. It is listed on Amazon. Recently, I finished a book on my memoirs, and I will soon write a book. My wife and all our travels. All because I took a class that was required of me.”

–Dr. Tim Williams, Professor Emeritus of Physical Education

“Brigitte’s Journey From World War II to America” written by Dr. Timothy Williams can be purchased on Amazon.

Submitted by: Dylan Elliott

Dr. Melody (Mercer) MacMartin passed away peacefully on January 22, 2025, on the island of Sint Maarten, after living with adult-onset Muscular Dystrophy for more than ten years. She was 73. Her husband of 49 years, Dr. Craig MacMartin, DDS, was by her side.

Dr. MacMartin was born on December 21, 1951, to Rev. Dr. William Douglas Mercer and Elouise Bratton Mercer. She graduated from North Farmington High School and Albion College in 1974, where she met her future husband and joined Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1978. A family practice physician in the Metro Detroit area for nearly 40 years, Dr. MacMartin owned and operated Livonia Medical Center for 29 years. She was recognized for her work in women’s health, particularly in the study and treatment of osteoporosis and bone density.

Submitted by: Dylan Elliott

George William Shipman ’63, 85, passed away on February 26, 2025, in Bend, Oregon. Born on April 9, 1939, George grew up in Monroe, Michigan, where he graduated from Monroe High School. His passion for history and knowledge led him to pursue higher education at Albion College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History. He continued his academic journey by obtaining a Master of Arts in Latin American History from Western Michigan University and later earned a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Michigan.

George dedicated his career to academia and library sciences, making significant contributions to the institutions he served. He began as an instructor at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico before being specially recruited for an internship at the Library of Congress. His expertise and leadership took him to the University of Tennessee, where he served as Associate Director. Later, at the University of Oregon, he became a professor and University Librarian. During his tenure there, he establised a library development program and among other things, played a key role in forming Orbis, a consortium that enhanced library services across universities in Oregon and Washington.

Beyond his professional achievements, George served his country in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961.

George is survived by his wife, Krystyna; his sons Brian ’91 (wife Parinaz Pahlavi) and Andrew (wife Colleen); and his grandchildren: Cameron, Persia, Soraya, McKenzie, and Madison. He was predeceased by his parents, Arnold Shipman and Vandalay (Dale) Wagner, as well as his sister Barbara Shipman List ’56.

Submitted by: Krystyna H. Shipman

Lindsay ’10 and Mark McLaughlin ’10 moved to the Old Mission Peninsula in 2023 with their son, their dog, and a dream. The two have since become co-owners of Moondance Flower Farm–named after their wedding song, “Moondance,” by Van Morrison. Read more about the McLaughlin’s business at www.moondanceflowerfarm.com.

Submitted by: Alumni Office

Darcy Muns ’20 and Colton Wiskur ’22 married on Sept. 13 in Saline, Michigan. Guests included Paige Dredge ’21, Carly Schwarz ’21, Ashley Iglesias ’21, Jacob Molitz ’21, Marah Taylor (Ranger) ’20, Kirk Myers ’22, Zac Besant ’22, Kim Besant (Freitas) ’21, Austin Stoll ’24, Tony Hopkins ’22, Drew Fogel ’22, Lauren Miller ’19, Patrick Sheperd ’19, Isabel Stella ’22, Spencer Moeggenberg ’22, and Alex Mileski ’22.

Submitted by: Darcy Muns

Marie Ames ’11, alumna and former Albion College employee, received the 2025 Calhoun County Joanne Konkle Senior Services Outstanding Volunteer Award. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to senior centers, Ames worked with Lee Township leadership to establish the Lee Township Senior Social in 2021. What began with eight participants has grown into a weekly gathering of around 40 senior citizens. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy a homecooked meal, entertainment, and social engagement.

Submitted by: Marie Ames

Kayleigh Harvey ’15 married Lev Tsidilkovski on Oct. 10, 2025, at Loon Mountain Summit in New Hampshire. Fellow alumna Paige Gustafson ’15 was also in attendance to celebrate the happy couple.

Submitted by: Paige Gustafson

Ryan Stowe ’10, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, recently appeared on GridgeFridge, a podcast run through the University of Wisconsin-Madison Morgridge Center for Public Service. The podcast aims to connect students, staff, and faculty to local and global communities to build partnerships and solve critical issues through service and learning. The podcast is available to listen to on Spotify and other streaming services.

Stowe earned his PhD in chemistry from the Scripps Research Institute in 2016. His research involves reforming science education to make it more accessible to students and their community goals, including the removal of unnecessary courses for student progression.

Submitted by: Alumni office

Trevor Knowles has been named Assistant Track and Field Coach at Tiffin University. Knowles, who will serve as the horizontal jumps/multis coach, coached at Albion College from 2022-25. Knowles competed in track and field for four seasons while he was a student at Albion, becoming a three-time MIAA champion, two-time MIAA Field MVP, and five-time All-Region performer. He graduated with a degree in History and a double minor in Educational Studies and Psychological Science.

Submitted by: Alumni office

Kathy Leopold has a lifetime of stories to share. She witnessed history at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the 1970 World Cup. In 1977, she traveled alone to a remote village in Taiwan to visit her parents. Over the years, she has participated in more than a dozen mission trips to Nicaragua and Guatemala. And on May 17—just one day before her 80th birthday—Kathy added another remarkable milestone: She graduated from Lorain County Community College. This Associate of Arts degree is not her first academic achievement. In addition to her bachelor’s from Albion College, Kathy, a retired teacher from Avon Lake, Kathy also holds a master’s degree from Cleveland State University.

Submitted by: Alumni Office

Wendee Schlarf ’84, the longest-serving music educator employed by Traverse City Area Public Schools, has retired after 38 years of service. Schlarf moved to Traverse City and took her first teaching job in 1987 as a general elementary music teacher at Silver Lake Elementary School. She went on to serve in several different capacities in the district, most recently as K-12 music coordinator and the head of the district’s entire music department.

Submitted by: Alumni Office

Comes Around is the title of the first fiction book published by Michelle Morris ’85. A former White House staffer and corporate communications executive and strategist, Morris weaves an emotional tale of coming back home. The story follows Halley McCarthy, a former executive who’s returned to her hometown after her career and her relationship implodes. Halley wants to hide in the ruins of her life, but instead finds herself embarking on a journey she never imagined.

Comes Around can be found at online bookseller Amazon and some independent bookstores.

Submitted by: Alumni Office

Matthew Stander ’19 and Alicia Prause ’21 married on July 26, 2025 in Thompsonville, Michigan. Alumni in the wedding party included Malyn Berger ’20, Michael Bernard ’18, Olivia Conover ’18, Lily Goldberger ’21, Garrett Mason ’18, Josh McGarry ’19, Sam Raseman ’19, Jonathan Stander ’22, Rachel Stander ’21. Other alumni in attendance included Sarah Brittan ’20, John ’19 and Erin (Dunlop) Calhoun ’19, Severiano ’20 and Madelin (Darby) Colangelo ’20, Miro Dunham ’19, Josilyn Eichorn ’19, Aliera Konett ’20, Katherine Maher ’19, Haley McQuown ’22, Nikki Murray ’19, Lesley Ortega ’20, Arshawn Parker ’19, Angel Ramirez ’21, Agata Riccardi ’19. The couple lives in Brownstown, Michigan, with their dog, Sully, where Matt is an internal medicine resident and Alicia is a fourth grade teacher.

Submitted by: Alicia Prause

Ryan Kiesel ’06 has been awarded a Fulbright-U.S. Scholarship to Norway for the 2025-2026 year. Kiesel has worked as a teacher at the elementary level for over 18 years and is currently completing his PhD in Elementary Education through the University of Minnesota. He has taught in schools throughout Chicago, IL, the San Francisco Bay Area, and in rural Minnesota.

Submitted by: Alumni office

Prometheum Inc. has appointed David Hunt ’98 as Chief Operations Officer of its subsidiary, Prometheum ATS. In this role, Hunt will oversee operations and trade compliance. With 25 years of industry experience, he has led strategic growth initiatives, driven product development, and built compliance and operational frameworks across a variety of financial institutions. His career includes senior leadership and C-suite positions at firms such as Securitize Markets, Circle Internet Financial, Allianz Global Investors, and IOI Capital and Markets.

Submitted by: Alumni Engagement

Jay Larner ’01 recently started his first year as superintendent of New Lothrop Area Public Schools. Jay started his education career in the classroom and worked as a principal and athletic director prior to stepping into his new role.

Submitted by: Alumni Engagement

Heather Hildreth ’87 has been appointed to the position of senior vice president and trust advisor by Argent Financial Group. In this role, Hildreth will advise high-net-worth individuals and families on trust, estate, and financial matters. She comes to Argent following eight years at Regions Bank, where she served as Senior Vice President in the private wealth management division. Prior to that, she spent 16 years in the same role at SunTrust Bank.

With more than 35 years of experience in both private firms and corporate environments, Hildreth offers a strong foundation in leadership and team collaboration. She brings extensive management expertise and a proven track record of building and maintaining productive client relationships.

Submitted by: Alumni Office

Jeff Burmeister ’91 has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. Burmeister currently serves as the chief financial officer and chief health plan officer at PACE Southeast Michigan. With over 25 years of professional experience, he has been instrumental in overseeing the organization’s financial operations, including managing the general ledger, budget and real estate operations.

Submitted by: Alumni Office

Joey Mookerjee ’07 has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Tallahassee, FL-based LeadingAge Southeast. After graduating from Albion College in 2007 with a degree in English, Mookerjee went on to receive a Master of Health Services Administration from George Washington University, Washington, D.C.,

Submitted by: Alumni Office