Category Archives: Students

Labor Day reflection: the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

With the expansion of the Transcontinental Railroad connecting the American North to South and East and West full service, first-class rail accommodations emerged as the pinnacle of late 19th and 20th-century travel. At the helm of this technological middle-class experience was an army of African-American men known as Sleeping Car Pullman Porters. The company was created in 1867 shortly after slavery had ended, George Pullman seeing the apocryphal mystique of the antebellum South, Pullman Porters existed to be the personification of that belief. Subjected to long working hours, low wages, and perpetual discrimination the Pullman Porters banded together to form the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925 by A. Phillip Randolph. The labor union was integral in convincing FDR to sign Executive Order 8802 in 1941 banning discrimination in defense contract manufacturing labor. We remember the contributions of the people whose contributions helped to make America a better place today.

Posted on Monday, September 04, 2023 by Mr. Ari McCaskill (amccaskill@albion.edu)

Labor Day reflection: A requiem of thanksgiving – Colored National Labor Union

As the summer winds down, Labor Day brings appreciation for the sacrifices for an equitable America. After Emancipation, newly freed Black people sought economic independence and parity with their white American contemporaries. Emerging from this pursuit was the creation of Black organized labor. One of these, which approached labor rights from intersectional identities of the people who did the labor was the mostly Black Washers Woman. Not apprised of the rights of white women of the era, Black women forged together to establish one of the first women’s labor unions in America. For more info see Tera W. Hunter’s book “To ’Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women’s Lives and Labors after the Civil War”.  In 1869, the Colored National Labor Union was created due to discrimination Black people faced in mostly white, larger national labor unions. Its expansion captured the attention of civil rights leaders of the era prompting Frederick Douglass to become its second president in 1872.

Posted on Monday, September 04, 2023 by Mr. Ari McCaskill (amccaskill@albion.edu)

Counterfeit money in the Albion area

Student Accounting has been notified that counterfiet money has been circulating in the area including on campus.

There are a few ways you can determine if the cash you are carrying might be a counterfeit bill:

• Currency $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 all have a watermark and a security strip. When you hold the currency up into the light you will see these features.
• If you have access to a Counterfeit Currency Pen the mark will appear yellow, if brown/black the currency is not real. This will work on all currencies.
• If the bill on the front states is is a “replica and for motion picture use only” and/or the back says “This is a replica”.

If you find that you may have counterfeit currency you may take it to any local bank and/or to student accounting. Please note: Student Account will not replace the currency or take criminal action.

If you have further questions or concerns please contact Student Accounting at 517 629 0507 or Accounting@albion.edu.

Thank you and stay safe Brits.

Posted on Friday, September 01, 2023 by Student Accounting (Accounting@albion.edu)

Festival of the Forks parade Sept. 16

In partnership with the Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce, Albion College invites student organizations and departments to participate in the 56th Annual Festival of the Forks. A long standing tradition of the Albion Community held on September 15-16th in downtown Albion. The event focuses on food from around the world, local musicians and bands, an old car show, petting zoo, and lots of vendors with handmade crafts.  Festival of the Forks Information

Sign up to be involved in the Grand Finale Parade on Saturday, September 16 at 5:00pm.  Promote your upcoming events, programs, or just be a part of the community!  The deadline to register has been extended to September 6. Download the application here

Posted on Friday, September 01, 2023 by Nancy Chapman (nchapman@albion.edu)

Kellogg Center Labor Day hours

Below are the adjusted hours for Labor Day Weekend for the Kellogg Center:

Kellogg Center:
Friday 9/1 7:00am-10:00pm
Saturday 9/2 9:00am-10:00pm
Sunday 9/3 12:00pm-10:00pm
Monday 9/4 12:00pm-10:00pm
Tuesday 9/5 Back to regular hours of 7:00am-midnight

Eatshop:
Friday 9/1 11:00am-2:00pm
Saturday 9/2 closed
Sunday 9/3 closed
Monday 9/4 closed
Tuesday 9/5 Back to regular hours of 11:00am-midnight

Post Office:
Friday 9/1 8:30am-4:00pm
Saturday 9/2 closed
Sunday 9/3 closed
Monday 9/4 closed
Tuesday 9/5 Back to regular hours of 8:30am-5:00pm

Bookstore:
Friday 9/1 9:00am-3:00pm
Saturday 9/2 closed
Sunday 9/3 closed
Monday 9/4 closed
Tuesday 9/5 Back to regular hours of 9:00am-4:00pm

Posted on Friday, September 01, 2023 by Jennifer Yawson (jyawson@albion.edu)

Bird walk at the Whitehouse Nature Center

Join Dale Kennedy and Doug White for a walk in Whitehouse Nature Center on Sunday, September 3, at 10 am.  Meet at interpretive building (Farley Rd).  Wear sturdy shoes (not open-toed sandals).  All levels of birding experience welcome!

Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2023 by Dale Kennedy (dkennedy@albion.edu)