Stephanie Gordon Archives

Hometown Hillsdale: Abby Strehle, ’19

Born and raised in Hillsdale County, Abby Titus Strehle, grew up in the small farming village of North Adams. Attending Hillsdale College was her dream and ultimate goal as a K-12 student. In fact, Hillsdale was the only college to which she applied. As Abby grows older, her appreciation deepens for the place that shaped who she is.

Hometown Hillsdale: Joe Williamson, ’03

As a student-athlete, Joe Williamson, learned both physical and mental disciplines on and off the football field. Joe has shared and applied the lifelong disciplines he learned at Hillsdale in his current roles as math teacher and head varsity football coach at Hillsdale High School.

Forward Down the Field: Isaac TeSlaa Becomes a Detroit Lion

What started as a childhood dream for Isaac TeSlaa is now a reality for the former Chargers standout, who will soon be going forward down the field, watching the blue and silver wave. And it’s just the beginning for TeSlaa.

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.

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.

She Has What It Takes: Sophia Bultema Shoots for the Paralympics

Sophia Bultema, ’26, has been shooting guns since the age of 10. Now sponsored by Krieghoff and Winchester Ammunition, Sophia has put her name out there in the shooting sports world, and missing a forearm hasn’t held her back.

Hometown Hillsdale: Jackie Sullivan, ’87

Jackie devised a clever phrase when she worked for Admissions more than 30 years ago. “Choose your college carefully because you may never leave,” she would say to prospective students. Jackie’s phrase could not be more true for her Hometown Hillsdale story.

Hometown Hillsdale: Joanna Wiseley, ’76

For Joanna James Wiseley, ’76, her story had just begun during a Hillsdale College visit. Little did she know that she would serve her alma mater for 33 years and the city of Hillsdale would become home. All because of a visit to the quaint Hillsdale College campus.

Hometown Hillsdale: Amy Waldvogel, ’91

To Amy Schaefer Waldvogel, ’91, Hillsdale, Michigan, is more than the College. It’s rich family history and countless memories. Hillsdale is home.

Hometown Hillsdale: Literacy and Reading at Work

Some Hillsdale alumni remain in the area after graduation to support local schoolchildren. Erin Dowd Williamson, ’01, a reading recovery teacher at Hillsdale’s Gier Elementary School, and Erin Wonders Brackman, ’18, a literacy specialist at Jonesville’s Williams Elementary School, have devoted their careers to helping children become excellent readers.

Hometown Hillsdale: Shane Spahr, ’92

Shane Spahr, ’92, epitomizes a Hillsdalian. Born and raised in Hillsdale, Shane appreciates the tight-knit community and his Hillsdale College education that helped shape him into the person he is today.

Hometown Hillsdale: Greg Bailey, ’89

He has spent his life devoted to many things: his family, the family accounting business, the local hospital, the City of Hillsdale, and several non-profit organizations in the Hillsdale community. He’s Greg Bailey, ’89.