Alma College President Jeff Abernathy

08/02/2024

Dr. Sharon Varallo is doing incredible work as Founding Director of the Augustana College Prison Education Program. She has built their model program from the ground up.

I’m learning so much from her as I work with Provost Sean Burke to establish a prison education program at Alma College. I’m in conversation with MDOC so that I can begin to teach in a local prison this year, with the aim of working with my faculty colleagues to build a program in the years to come.

The impact of prison ed programs across the country is enormous, for students and communities alike. Nationally, 10-year recidivism rates are over 80%. For students who earn a bachelor’s degree in prison, that figure is 6%.

https://augieprisoneducation.org/

07/12/2024

First of Many Lasts

In preparing for our last Becoming a Scot Day of the year, I realized this will be my last BASD as president. Along with so many other milestone days – Opening Convocation, Traditions Dinner, Homecoming, Honors Day, Commencement, to name just a few –this day is a highlight of every year. What a joy to meet and welcome our newest Scots and their families!

I am eager to return to the classroom and my role as an English professor in a year. But I will miss occasions like this! Go Scots!

05/27/2024

I’m grateful for all who served and all who sacrificed.

05/26/2024

What a joy to have Highland Festival back on Alma’s campus. Thanks to Andi Whitmore and the HF board for all they do to bring this wonderful event to Alma!

05/25/2024

So happy for Ed Osowski ‘87 and Hugh Snook, who were married yesterday in Portland. They are great friends of mine and of Alma, and we are fortunate to have Ed on our board. Cheers!

05/09/2024

Alma's fourth graduate program, the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, will equip students to promote healing, resilience, and empowerment in diverse communities.

Students will gain the skills needed to pursue a career in mental health, human services and private practice, as part of the new Alma College Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program. Read more about our newest graduate degree offering at https://bit.ly/4buF7F8

04/22/2024

I shared with the campus community today that I will step down at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. Serving as Alma’s president has been a great privilege, and I'm so proud of all we have accomplished together.

ALMA — Alma College President Jeff Abernathy has announced he will step down at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. After nearly 14 years in the role, he shared

04/19/2024

So proud of the Class of '24! What a talented and resilient group they are! Senior year in high school was cut short for them, and college didn't look like what they expected through those years of Covid.

And, still, they achieved so much. Congratulations, all!

02/12/2024

New agreements with several organizations in India make it easier for international students to attend Alma College, and create exchange opportunities for faculty.

HYDERABAD, India — It will be easier for international students to attend Alma College for graduate and undergraduate degrees, thanks to agreements signed by college officials with three organizations in

12/15/2023

The 2023 football season has come to a close but the legacy this team has left at Alma College will be told for years to come. Congratulations to Jason Couch and the football program from a fantastic playoff run. Go Scots!

ALMA — In 2023, the Alma College football team once again set a new standard of excellence for the program. For the second consecutive year, the Scots finished the regular

11/29/2023

For the last time, Dr. Nichols prepares the Alma Choir for Festival of Carols.

I’m so grateful for Will Nichols’ work over four decades at Alma College. Will is the heart and soul of Alma, and all of us are so proud of all he has accomplished in his career.

Today, faculty and staff gathered for a gauntlet following Will’s last class at Alma. Or so we thought! I took this picture immediately after: here he is, working hard right up til the show.

I hope you can join us for Festival of Carols this weekend!

11/13/2023

So proud of this team! Congratulations to Coach Couch and his MIAA Champions.

10/31/2023

Welcome home, Bob Murray! We missed you.

10/11/2023

I hope students had a chance to relax over Fall Break! Welcome back! 🍂

10/04/2023

Homecoming is a wonderful time of year on Alma's campus. Countless alumni returned home, and numerous students participated in the weekend's festivities. Go Scots!

09/27/2023

Tom Andison was a great friend to Alma College and we are profoundly grateful for his passion for Alma and commitment to its future. Alma College’s longstanding affiliation with the Presbyterian Church and Tom’s strong core of faith was one of the biggest commonalities of our relationship, and as such, I can think of no more fitting honor than to name our chapel after him. President Dunning will be honored through the naming of Dunning Hall, a residence hall for upperclass students in the area known as South Campus.

https://www.alma.edu/news/alma-college-chapel-to-be-named-after-andison/

08/24/2023

What a joy to welcome the Class of ‘27 to campus this week! Over 400 talented Scots! In addition to our undergraduate students, we have 45 graduate students enrollees this semester as our graduate offerings grow. Go Scots!

07/24/2023

Our thoughts are with the Doran family at this time.

A Message from President Abernathy to the Campus Community Mike DoranAlma College grieves the loss of Michael “Mike” Doran, an athletics coach and faculty member, who died on Thursday, July 20. He was 71. Mike came to Alma in 2004 and found a home on the coaching staff of the Scots’ softball t...