Detroit Tiger baseball, scandalous love affairs, and "The Empire Strikes Back." What in the world do all these have in common?

Surprisingly, it's the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, which is located on the Adrian College campus. Thanks to new director John Dodson, the symphony is trying some highly creative approaches that open its music to a wider audience.

In addition to concerts with Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, this season included a visit from Ernie Harwell, voice of the Detroit Tigers, who narrated "Casey at the Bat" and lunched with patrons on hot dogs and apple pie. On Valentine's Day, the symphony explores composer Richard Wagner's notorious love affair and the music it inspired while listeners gather at tables with their favorite beverages. And a special concert of music from movies such as "Superman" and "Anastasia" will include an informal discussion between families and symphony members.

Dodson last directed the Bryan Symphony in Cookeville, Tenn. He and his wife Amy now live in Adrian.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Student wins big on TV game show

"Kirk Cleland, come on down!"

Those are the sweet words that Kirk, a sophomore at Adrian College, heard over fall break (Oct. 6 - 9). And by the day's end, his big winnings on the popular game show "The Price is Right" included a PT Cruiser from the Showcase Showdown.

"I couldn't believe it was happening," Kirk said. "One day I was sitting at Adrian College doing homework, same as any day, and then the next."

Believe it or not, Kirk plans to sell the PT Cruiser. Not only will the extra money help him pay for medical school one day, but he just bought a yellow Pontiac Aztek last summer that he absolutely loves.

"I own what are probably the two funkiest vehicles on the market," he joked. "But I'll probably get my photo taken with the PT Cruiser, take it for a drive, and then sell it."

He'll keep some of the other prizes, such as a bedroom group, as well as an ice cream fountain that came with the Showcase. The garden water fountain he won will go to his mom.

"Winning prizes was awesome, but that feeling, that experience, was something I'll never forget. I thank God for all that had to go right," Kirk said.

SOFTBALL SMARTIES
AC softball GPA ranks 2^nd in NCAA DIII

The Adrian College softball team has worked tirelessly to improve performance on the field. Each year has seen a great payoff with improvements in league standing, team and individual records broken, and an increasing number of players receiving post-season honors. All the while, however, there has never been any less importance placed on the real reason the players are here-to succeed in the classroom.

Hard work in the classroom has paid off, as the 2001 Bulldogs were named one of the nation's top academic teams by the National Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association. Adrian was ranked second overall among all NCAA Division III teams after earning a 3.43 team grade-point average. Six players-Kathy Beckwith, Kristen Lasecki, Michelle Marshall, Nicole Schoenberger, Jill Shuster and Abby Walter-were named All-America Scholar Athletes.

"Their hard work on the field is superceded only by their ongoing commitment to academics," Head Coach Molly Ziegler Moore '94 said. "To place second among Division III institutions, many of whom are known for academic excellence, is a tremendous credit to each of the ladies on the softball team and the caliber of student athletes who represent Adrian College."

WINNING DESIGN
Shipman Library earns architectural award

The Collaborative Inc. took Adrian College's functional but nondescript Shipman Library and turned it into an architectural showpiece. Now the firm and design team is being honored for its work.

The renovation and expansion of Shipman Library, which was completed in August 2000, was highlighted in American School & University's Architectural Portfolio edition, winning an award in the category of "outstanding buildings: renovation/modernization."

The expanded and renovated library creates almost 51,000 square feet of new space and features a dramatic vaulted wooden connector that links the existing space with the addition. The exterior incorporates limestone and masonry, which harmonizes the two existing styles of campus buildings.

The library not only houses books and a new technology center, but it is also an academic and social center that is a focal point on campus. And, of course, it is now an award-winning building.

TRAINING CENTER OPENS
Big gain for Underground Railroad, Adrian College

When it comes to the history of the Underground Railroad in Michigan, Adrian College is now the place to be.

The Sojourner Truth Technical Training Center, which we mentioned last issue, officially opened in Deans Hall in November. The first of its kind in the country, the Center will teach individuals how to use advanced technology to preserve the Underground Railroad history of Michigan.

A key component to the Center's program is the TERMINUS Underground Railroad Digital Archive-a powerful multimedia relational database developed by the Center to collect, retrieve and disseminate information on the various aspects of the Underground Railroad. TERMINUS is the most advanced database of its type and is expected to become the most comprehensive repository of Michigan Underground Railroad information in the country.

For more information, call 517-264-3189.