Come along with authors Gordon Beld and David McMacken on a trip down memory lane to Alma College, a mid-Michigan school with a fascinating past, rich heritage and impressive influence. Look on as thousands of spectators flock to the campus for the annual Highland festival. Sit in the front row while a yet unknown young performer introduces you to a new song, "Take Me Home, Country Roads." Peek into a voting booth to see the ballot listing two former Alma students who are candidates for th...

Ralph Ely, founder of Alma, selected 10 acres of old forest on the bank of the Pine River in 1853. In this central-Michigan wilderness, he built a log cabin, a log store, and two steam-powered mills�a sawmill and a gristmill. At first, his growing settlement was called Elyton, but within a few years, it was renamed Alma, memorializing a battle in the Crimean War. Alma was energized by the acquisition of millionaire lumberman and entrepreneur Ammi W. Wright, who poured his resources into th...