July 2025

Hometown Hillsdale: Julie Willson Budd, ’84

Moving to a new city in the eighth grade isn’t an easy feat. Her move to Hillsdale at such a transformative age helped Julie empathize with her eighth-grade students during her 25-year teaching career at Hillsdale Academy. For Julie, she found the foundation of society in Hillsdale: Family, church, and local community.

Problem Solver: Williams Carves Out Career in Law

Tom Williams, ’67, earned varsity letters at Hillsdale in track and field in the long jump. The veteran with a successful career in transactional law says Hillsdale College has always been an important part of his life, from childhood until now.

Let’s “Flood” Campus for Homecoming

A Flood is coming to Hillsdale College on September 26 and 27. Mark Flood, ’78, that is. One of the unofficial “Homecoming ambassadors” is trying to get as many of his classmates back for the College’s annual gathering that has been happening for more than 100 years.

Impact Player: Gatt Carried Hillsdale Success to the Business World

Jeff Gatt, ’87, wanted to make an impact as a college football player, and he has carried that philosophy into his life and professional career. After graduating from Hillsdale with a 4.0 grade-point average in accounting, Gatt has built a career helping mid-size and small companies accomplish big things.

Brotherhood On and Off the Field: The Affholter Brothers

A college football team with three brothers on its roster is a rarity. For the Affholter brothers—twins Ben and Nick, both ’25, and Zac, ’27—the word “brotherhood” has a new meaning because of football. From putting in hard work on the field to competing together in the weight room, football has strengthened the offensive linemen in more ways than one.

Elise Mason: Developing Character in the Classroom and the Pool

Elise Mason, ’25, came to Hillsdale College, where she not only splashed her way into the record books as one of the school’s outstanding distance swimmers, but also grew in heart and mind as she prepared for a career in teaching.

Taking Time to Acknowledge the Good, the True, and the Beautiful

This year’s Alumni Awards recipients were another impressive group of individuals who have impacted the world partly because of the educational foundation they received at their alma mater. Alumni continue contributing to a society that desperately needs “the good, the true, and the beautiful.”

Relationship Builder: Weston Relies on People in the Banking Business

Banking is often about numbers, but for Walter Weston, ’07, it’s about people. The senior vice president of Healthcare Sponsor Coverage and Group Leader at Comerica Bank said relationships are the key to success.