What an exciting time to be at Albion College! As we consider the challenges that must be addressed by the national and international communities, we are reminded of the importance of colleges like ours. Like they have done so many times before, graduates of private, residential, liberal arts colleges will provide the leadership and wisdom to resolve the tough issues of our day. Since Albion is one of the best of this select group, in only a few short years the world will look to you to do remarkable things. I hope you are expecting great joy in the weeks and months ahead. College should be lots of fun. At the same time, I hope you are expecting repeated challenges. In fact, you should insist that we push you to do your very best work. Embrace the opportunity to pursue excellence in the classroom, on stage, on the field, in your sorority or fraternity, and every place in between. Never again will you be in an environment where everything is aligned and designed to help you develop as a person of influence. Explore all the opportunities available and then create some of your own. Work as hard as you can in all of your classes and then spend some time thinking about how those classes inform each other. Learn to persuade your classmates and then learn to be persuaded by them. Find ways to learn and develop through things that others are doing only as recreation. Ask questions of everyone and give your best ideas to those who ask your opinion. Use this document as one of many handbooks to help you get the greatest value for the time and resources you invest in Albion College. We are committed to your success, so take advantage of all we have to offer. We will enjoy watching your Albion successes, and, in a few years, we will take pride in what you are doing as a force for good around the world.
Mauri Ditzler President