Writers Archives

Out of this World: Anika Ellingson Looks Up for Her Next Career Step

For the past two years, Anika Ellingson, ’19, has been working on extracting DNA from chimpanzees from Senegal at the University of Utah’s Molecular Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics Lab. The former Hillsdale College women’s swimmer, who is finishing up her master’s degree in physical and biological anthropology this fall.

Lindsey Mertz Philipp Still Assisting People After Hillsdale

The all-time Hillsdale College women’s volleyball career assist leader, Lindsey Mertz Philipp, ’21, spent her time on the court setting up her teammates for the kill. That happened 5,209 times. Although her collegiate setting career is over, she is still dishing out assists.

Sold on Hillsdale: Trip Banks Is Ready to Help Spread the Word About the College

For the past 44 years, Trip Banks, ’76, has been in the family business, Banks, Inc. As a new member of the Hillsdale College Alumni Association, Banks said he is now about selling Hillsdale College, starting with his fellow alumni.

Morgan Delp Goes the Extra Mile

Morgan Delp, ’15, has shown she is up for a challenge. She proved herself a mainstay of the Chargers women’s tennis program, and now she is beginning her second year as principal of Central Catholic High School nestled in the heart of downtown Toledo.

Shakespeare in the Arb

Every year, Hillsdale College students produce one of Shakespeare’s plays in the Slayton Arboretum. Assistant director Katrin Surkan, ’25, documents her experience behind the scenes of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, directed by Ollie Blockhus, ’23.

The Ultimate College Packing List

“Mom, do you think we need to buy another set of dishes? Or is three enough?” Here’s a guide to the ultimate college packing list.

Instant and Lasting Impact: Tennis Brings Brazilian Silvia Siqueira to Hillsdale College

The former Charger women’s tennis standout Silvia Siqueira, ’93, came to Hillsdale as a Brazilian foreign exchange student, and turned down several NCAA Division I offers to sign with the Chargers.

Patented Ph.D.: Sigrid Kiledal Produces Groundbreaking Research at Baylor University

As of July 2023, Sigrid Kiledal, ’17, has a new title. After successfully defending her doctoral dissertation in Baylor University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, you can now call her doctor.

Coming Together: Kirby and Ann Hartley Met at Hillsdale and are Carving Out Separate Career Paths

Kirby and Ann Wunderlich Hartley, ’15, didn’t meet until their junior year. They had two English classes together, worked the same shift at the dining hall, and competed on the Hillsdale College Forensics (Speech and Debate) Team. Despite the inauspicious beginning, the couple is now happily married, navigating parenthood and careers.

Hometown Hillsdale: Patti Foust Bailey, ’87

Maybe she has greeted you with a smile at her boutique in downtown Hillsdale or maybe you’ve listened to her sing memorable tunes from years past. However you may know her, she’s a familiar and active member in Hillsdale’s community. Born and raised in Hillsdale, Michigan, she’s Patti Foust Bailey, ’87.

Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and the Alumni National Tour

The 2023/24 Alumni National Tour has begun! Recently stopping in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Ohio, and Elkhart, Indiana, Doug Goodnough, ’90, covers some highlights from these events.

Books Are Heavy, So Here’s How to Carry Them

The Instagram influencers you’ve seen carrying a tote bag to class may be leading you astray. Here’s a comprehensive review of all the bags I’ve tried carrying to campus, plus a few I haven’t.