Kalamazoo College is a private liberal arts college located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1833 by Baptist ministers and originally named the Michigan and Huron Institute. Kalamazoo College is the oldest private college in Michigan. Between 1840 and 1850, the institute operated as the Kalamazoo Branch of the University of Michigan. In 1855, after receiving a charter from the state, the institute was renamed Kalamazoo College.

The college is part of the Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges (CLAC) and the Great Lakes Colleges Association. Its sports teams are called the Hornets and compete in the NCAA Division III Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

History

Kalamazoo College was founded in 1833 by a group of Baptist ministers as the Michigan and Huron Institute. The school received its charter on April 22, 1833. This was the first school to get a charter from the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan. Instruction at the Institute began in the fall of 1836. In 1837, the name of the new college was changed to the Kalamazoo Literary Institute. School officials tried to get the state of Michigan to recognize it as a college. In 1838, the University of Michigan opened the Kalamazoo Branch of the University of Michigan, creating a local competitor for the Literary Institute. In 1840, the two schools merged, and from 1840 to 1850, the college operated as the Kalamazoo Branch of the University of Michigan. In 1850, the Kalamazoo Literary Institute name was restored. In 1855, the school received an educational charter from the State of Michigan. It was now officially a college. The school changed its name to Kalamazoo College.

James Stone, the first president of Kalamazoo College, led the school from 1842 through 1863. He helped set high academic standards that allowed the college to receive its charter. Shortly after becoming president, Stone proposed adding a theological seminary to increase the number of ministers in the region. With the support of the Baptist church, classes at the Kalamazoo Theological Seminary began in 1848 with 11 students. At the same time, the Female Department was led by Lucinda Hinsdale Stone. In 1845–46, almost half of the 90 students enrolled in Kalamazoo were women. Kalamazoo College also served as a pioneer in coed education, granting its first degree to a woman, Catherine V. Eldred, in 1870.

In 1877, Kalamazoo College students published the first edition of The Index, a student-run newspaper that is still published today. The college also publishes The Cauldron, an annual literary-arts journal, and The Passage, an annual collection of students' work from study abroad.

Kalamazoo College's reputation was built during the presidency of Weimer Hicks, who served from 1954 to 1971. Hicks created the "K Plan" program, where most Kalamazoo students spend at least one term studying abroad and one term working in an academic internship.

On January 3, 2006, Kalamazoo College opened the new Upjohn Library Commons. This building includes the completely renovated older library and an addition that increases its space.

A marker designating the college as a Michigan Historic Site was placed in 1983 by the Michigan History Division, Department of State. The inscription reads:

Academics

Kalamazoo College is considered more selective by U.S. News & World Report. For the Class of 2024 (enrolled in fall 2020), the college received 3,456 applications and accepted 2,569 students (74.3%). Of those accepted, 384 students chose to attend, which is a yield rate of 14.9%. The college’s freshman retention rate is 83%, meaning 83% of first-year students continued their studies the next year. Of those students, 79% graduated within six years.

Of the 44% of first-year students in 2020 who submitted SAT scores, the middle 50% of scores ranged from 1150 to 1360. Of the 20% of students who submitted ACT scores, the middle 50% of scores ranged from 25 to 30.

Kalamazoo College is one of seven college-sponsors of the National Merit Scholarship Program in Michigan. It awarded 2 National Merit Scholarships in 2020. During the 2020–2021 academic year, 2 first-year students were National Merit Scholars.

In 2026, U.S. News & World Report ranked Kalamazoo College tied at No. 67 out of 207 National Liberal Arts Colleges. It was also tied at No. 36 for Best Undergraduate Teaching, tied at No. 34 for Most Innovative Schools, No. 4 for Study Abroad, and tied at No. 40 for Top Performers on Social Mobility.

Kalamazoo College offers 30 majors in areas such as Fine Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. It also offers 22 minors, 5 special programs, and 13 concentrations. The college is listed in Loren Pope’s Colleges That Change Lives. The most popular majors among 2021 graduates included [specific majors].

A 2017 study by Higher Education Data Sharing ranked Kalamazoo College in the top 2% of four-year liberal arts colleges in the United States for producing graduates who earn Ph.D.s. It was ranked No. 17 among private liberal arts colleges and No. 33 among all academic institutions for Ph.D.s per capita. Among undergraduate institutions, Kalamazoo College was first in 2005 for recruiting Peace Corps volunteers per capita.

About 96% of full-time faculty members hold a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field.

Kalamazoo College emphasizes experiential education. Its academic plan, called the “K Plan,” includes a strong liberal arts education combined with study abroad and community experiences.

Students must complete specific degree requirements and three Shared Passages Seminars during their first, sophomore, and senior years. First-year seminars focus on writing and communication skills. Sophomore seminars prepare students for study abroad by emphasizing international culture. Senior seminars focus on major-specific or interdisciplinary topics. To graduate, students must show proficiency in a second language, complete a quantitative reasoning requirement, and finish a senior project, which can be a thesis, artistic performance, or other work-intensive project. These requirements are supported by study abroad, service-learning projects, and internships.

Kalamazoo College started a service-learning program in 1997. In 2001, Trustee Ronda Stryker dedicated the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Institute for Service Learning to her grandmother. This institute supports several service-learning programs. The current director of the institute is Alison Geist. In 2008, the college had 23 ongoing service-learning programs. Many courses include service-learning components. Examples of programs include Community Advocates for Parents and Students, Helping Youth through Personal Empowerment, and Farms to K.

About 70% of Kalamazoo College students spend at least one term abroad. The college partners with over 45 programs in 22 countries across six continents. One program is the International Sustainable Development Studies Institute in Thailand. Most students study abroad during their third year, though some may study abroad during their second or fourth year. Each academic department plans requirements with the assumption that students will study abroad during their third year.

In 2009, the Center for Career Development was created by merging the Center for Career Development with the Guilds of Kalamazoo College. Opportunities through the Center for Career and Professional Development include the Discovery Externship Program and the Field Experience Program.

Student life and traditions

Student organizations are a major source of fun and activities for students. They often invite speakers, hold live shows, dances, and movie nights.

During fall term, three main events take place: K Fest, the Homecoming dance, and Cafsgiving. At K Fest, student groups offer activities like pumpkin carving and bobbing for apples. Cafsgiving is a special one-day celebration of Thanksgiving near the end of the term. The cafeteria hosts a large meal for all students.

In winter term, the college holds Monte Carlo night. Students raise money by playing gambling games in a temporary casino. Professors act as dealers, and players use tickets that can be exchanged for prizes.

Kaleidoscope (formerly the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally Student Organization, GLBTSO) hosts the Crystal Ball each spring. This college-sponsored dance encourages attendees to wear unusual costumes or dress in drag. The event was created to teach about GLBT issues and celebrate the GLBT community. In 2016, the event was renamed Pride Ball. It continues to be hosted by Kaleidoscope, and attendees are encouraged to wear outfits that reflect or challenge their gender identity. The event includes live music, dancing, and contests.

The campus surrounds a grassy hill called "The Quad." Many large events happen here, including Homecoming, Spring Fling, Convocation, and Commencement. At the top of the hill is Stetson Chapel, a popular spot for alumni weddings. The bell tower contains the only set of change ringing bells in Michigan. These bells were made in 1983 at Whitechapel.

The Quad is also the site of a student tradition called "streaking the Quad." This involves students running down the hill from the chapel, wearing no clothes, and returning to the top. Tradition requires touching the school sign before returning. This happens after a performance by Frelon, the college dance group, and during the day by seniors. It often happens around a wedding.

Since 1974, the college has held a spring tradition called "Day of Gracious Living" (DOGL). It was originally a day for students to relax, but after a tornado in 1980, students used the day to help clean up and support the community. Many students spend the day at North Beach in South Haven, Michigan. The date is chosen by the Student Commission president and kept secret, though it is usually on a Wednesday during weeks 7–9. The day begins with bells ringing at Stetson Chapel.

Kalamazoo College is known for its recycling and environmental efforts. A group of student workers runs one of the nation’s most successful recycling programs and participates in RecycleMania, a competition among over 400 colleges. In 2005, the college ranked third in the Grand Champion category. It has placed in the top five in many categories and won first place in 2008 for both the Grand Champion and Stephen K. Gaski Per Capita Classic competitions.

The college signed the President’s Climate Commitment in 2007 and completed a report on its greenhouse gas emissions. The Hicks Student Center uses wind and solar energy, and the group D.I.R.T. (Digging in Renewable Turf) maintains an organic garden. In 2009, the Energy Sting competition encouraged students to reduce energy use. Kalamazoo received a B on the 2010 College Sustainability Report Card.

One of the college’s most popular courses is "Beginning Band Methods," with over 100 students enrolled each year. Open to all students, even those without musical experience, the course teaches how to play brass and woodwind instruments. At the end of the term, students perform a public concert.

Presidents of Kalamazoo College

In January 2016, Jorge Gonzalez was named the 18th president of Kalamazoo College. He was set to begin his role on July 1, 2016, and planned to start several new programs that combine different subjects, such as Latin American studies and public health.

In 2005, Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran became the 17th president of Kalamazoo College. She was the first female president and the first African-American president of the school. She is the 22nd president overall, including those who served as interim or acting presidents. Her immediate predecessors were Bernard Palchick, who served as interim president and later returned to the college; and James F. Jones, who left to become president of Trinity College in Connecticut.

• Nathaniel Marsh (1835)
• Walter Clark (1835–1836)
• Nathaniel Aldrich Balch (1836–1838)
• David Alden (1838–1840)
• William Dutton (1840–1843), after whom Dutton Street was named; fifth and last principal teacher
• James Stone (1843–1863)
• John Milton Gregory (1864–1867)
• Kendall Brooks (1868–1887)
• Monson A. Wilcox (1887–1891)
• Theodore Nelson (1891–1892)
• Arthur Gaylord Slocum (1892–1912)
• Herbert Lee Stetson (1912–1922)
• Allan Hoben (1922–1935)
• Charles True Goodsell (1935–1936) (interim)
• Stewart Grant Cole (1936–1938)
• Paul Lamont Thompson (1938–1948)
• Allen B. Stowe (1948–1949) (interim)
• John Scott Everton (1949–1953)
• Harold T. Smith (1953) (interim)
• Weimer K. Hicks (1953–1971)
• George M. Rainsford (1972–1983)
• David W. Breneman (1983–1989)
• Timothy Light (1989–1990) (acting)
• Lawrence D. Bryan (1990–1996)
• James F. Jones (1996–2004)
• Bernard Palchick (2004–2005) (interim)
• Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran (2005–2016)
• Jorge Gonzalez (2016–Present)

Athletics

The college's sports teams are called the Hornets. They participate in the NCAA's Division III and the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). As of 2016, the Hornets' men's tennis team had won its conference championship for 78 years in a row.

References

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