Alton M. Danks

Senior Systems Analyst
B.A. (Alma College, 1974)

Alton (Al) M. Danks was born and raised in Michigan. After graduating from college, he traveled with a group of evangelists before settling in West Michigan. He has lived in Grand Rapids since 1997. Al's job is to take care of all the technology needs of the seminary. This includes everything from audio/video, designing and managing databases, replacing computers, installing software and more. Al enjoys the challenge and variety in what he does, and particularly values the opportunity to make life easier for the seminary community when it comes to technology. However, for Al, this job is so much more than technology; it is a job which exists to contribute to a greater cause:

"One thing I've discovered over the years is that I am intensely driven to contribute. In my more secular jobs I struggled with not being in a position that contributed more to dealing with the spiritual condition of mankind. While my position here doesn't contribute as directly as I might like, I do feel like I am able to make a contribution through my work here."

Al is married and he and his wife have four children. He enjoys playing X-Box games with his sons - despite the fact that they beat him more frequently than he would like! Another personal hobby for Al is tornado chasing. For several years, he chased via computer and tested his ideas about where and when tornadoes were likely to occur. Now, he has moved from behind the keyboard to behind the wheel - traveling to chase the real thing! Although Al has never spotted a tornado while chasing, he has seen wall clouds (from which most tornadoes come) and hail.