Welcome to the AIR
The Alma College Institutional Repository contains the publicly available digital materials and archives created by Alma College students, faculty and staff. The Alma College Digital Photo Archive, the entire run of Almanian Student newspaper, and all of the Alma College Yearbooks are available here.
Recent Submissions
Item Shoegaze Faith: Essays on identity, pop culture, and coping with grace(2026-06)This creative thesis is an original work of intellectual property. All rights are reserved by the author. Access is restricted until 2050. Through the lens of pop culture, Drew Downs explores the absurd and suffocating expectations of masculinity and the human search for identity. Through these essays Downs explores anxiety and isolation in a high school German trip, discernment to the priesthood, and a seemingly unrelenting medical condition. And with a style that is evocative, lyrical, and funny, Downs shows that visions of hope and grace are everywhere.Item "Fluid, Not Tectonic": A Study of Pacing in Literature and Nonfiction(2026-06)This paper centers on the topic of pacing in writing, and what role time plays in its movement. The key idea of this paper is that pacing is separated into three sections: flow of information and action, moments of tension, and emotional investment. The objective of this paper was to explore a craft-based idea for my critical thesis, exploring the idea of what it is about the order of words themselves that draws readers in. My research methods include mostly print sources, relying on both fiction and nonfiction examples to support my claim, drawing from writers Jane Alison, Matthew Gavin Frank, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nana Kwame Adjej-Brenyah, Tobias Wolff, Madison Smartt Bell, Elizabeth McCracken, Patti Smith, and Joan Silber. The central takeaway of this work is that word choices made by writers do indeed matter, and the art of time and pacing is essential.Item Flamin' Hot(2026-05)Item Operation: Sky Seed(2026)In this project, we explore the design space of renewable tree delivery systems. Working with the company MiON Forest, we worked on designing “tree pods” that deliver saplings to recently burned areas via a drone. The drone is mounted with artificial intelligence that can determine the optimal planting location for the pod. We were tasked with finding a biodegradable and cost effective material to mass produce. Additionally, we were tasked with decreasing the size of the pod while maintaining the effectiveness of the current design. Achieving this allows the company to 5x the capacity of the drone, making it financially viable to take more contracts and in as a result, plant more trees in the reforestation effort. Our designs take inspiration from things such as lawn darts, bullets, and even competitors of MiON Forest. We use the Fusion 360 suite to find terminal velocities, and air drag to find a design with the highest chance of firmly embedding into the ground. We expect to have multiple designs of varying designs, shapes, and materials from which we will test using static force programs and deliver these designs to the company for them to review and ultimately pick to use in their drone. This research into the aerodynamics of the seed pod is of the upmost importance as this allows trees to be planted in places that would normally be dangerous for humans to get to. Additionally, these seed pods will have much higher survival rates than other methods available, leading to a fast, safe, and effective way to reforest Canada one tree at a time.Item Art and Design Senior Show(2026)The Art and Design Senior Show is a combination of individual research, artistic experimentation, and creative development of work over two semesters or more by the 2026 graduating senior class. Our show is brought together by a diverse range of works across multiple mediums, reflecting our diverse approaches, interests, and personal perspectives from each artist and designer. Over the course of two semesters, students engaged in independent demonstrations of skills, research, critique, and hard work to refine our own creative plans and technical abilities. The works presented spans a wide array of mediums, including painting, graphic design, animation, photography, comics, nail art, and other mixed medias. While each student’s collection is distinct, our projects share a community of thoughtful self exploration and a strong desire to uplift creative practices at Alma College. As students, we were challenged to investigate themes meaningful to our own experiences and perspectives, allowing personal identity, cultural influence, and social awareness to inform both concept and execution. This exhibition emphasizes the importance of artistic expression and knowledge of your practice. Each senior curated their own bodies of work, demonstrating an ability to make informed creative decisions while navigating both professional criticisms and personal challenges. These works highlight the many diverse creative pathways that both art and design can be expressed, communicated, and experienced. The Art and Design Department is an inclusive and diverse community of artists, The Senior Show is meant to reflect, uplift and support not only that environment but also each student individually and unite through our community of creatives. The Art and Design Senior Show serves not only as a celebration of individual progress, but also as a collective reflection of growth, resilience, knowledge, and creative exploration.
Communities in AIR
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