Hillsdale Alumni Newsletter Archives

Ad Astra: Roasting on Common Grounds

If you had to drink only Maxwell House or Folgers for the rest of your life, I bet you’d just quit coffee altogether.
I asked this of Kristi Whalen, ’07, co-founder of Hillsdale’s newest, and only, specialty coffee roaster, Ad Astra. Her answer surprised me.

Fostering the Good Scholarship: Tori Petersen

“At a place like Hillsdale, young people can discover their purpose in a safe place surrounded by people who will support and uplift them,” said Petersen, an advocate for foster youth and speaker dedicated to sharing the gospel. “Hillsdale College is a place of healing for vulnerable youth.”

Tom Burke Scholarship: Hank Bohl

Freshman James “Hank” Bohl’s path to Hillsdale took some twists and turns, but looking back, he sees the hand of God leading him here.

Ransom Dunn Scholarship: Kate Swope

Senior Kate Swope says she fell in love with Hillsdale when her older sister, Nancy, attended the College and had an extraordinary experience. Kate enjoyed a rich freshman year at Hillsdale, full of learning and relationship-building, but she could not afford to come back for her sophomore year.

Double Bondsmen: Chasing Dreams and Finding Reality

Two deadbeat twin brothers currently work for DoorDash—but are aspiring bounty hunters at heart. One night, out on a delivery, the twins hear a gunshot, discover a body, and decide that now’s the time to chase their dream.

Peter Highlander, DPM, MS

Peter Highlander, ’07, is a founding member of the American Orthopedic Society of 3-D Printing. A reconstructive foot and ankle surgeon in Bellevue, Ohio, he has made headlines recently for his custom 3-D printed implants.

Q&A with Alumni Association Board President Marianne Rotole, ’95

Marianne Rotole majored in English and minored in history and communications at Hillsdale. She is currently a vice president at Octagon Marketing North America.

Understanding America

Spencer and Bailey Arlinghaus Amaral, ’14, ’15, aim to teach young Americans about freedom, faith, and virtue through the Windrose Project, a leadership development organization. The project, whose name evokes the directional markings on a compass, sponsors educational seminars, local service projects, and an annual trip to the nation’s capital.

Fisk Museum Acquires Triceratops Skeleton

In January, the Daniel M. Fisk Museum of Natural History at Hillsdale College unveiled a mostly complete 66-million-year-old triceratops skeleton during a ceremony attended by more than 100 students and faculty.

Stuck on a Good Idea: Kevin Meyers and Lucy Darling

While wise choices are paramount in starting a business, Meyers also encourages budding entrepreneurs to have faith. “Don’t hold back because of fear,” he says. “You might miss out on a really good idea.”

Breaking Bread, Building Community

Gather aims to be more than just a restaurant. Tucked in a small storefront in the heart of Detroit’s Eastern Market district, it seeks to draw the community together through locally sourced food, an inviting atmosphere, and charity projects.

“Wear” in the World is Hillsdale? Two Hillsdale Military Moms Share Their Stories

“During a tour of the USS Hornet, one of the retired veteran tour guides saw my Hillsdale College sweatshirt, exclaimed over it, and gave me a hug. He couldn’t get over the fact he was talking to someone associated with Hillsdale.”