Those who frequent the science building are missing Kali, the 13.5-foot Burmese python, who passed away in September. Kali was six feet long when she was first introduced to the college 22 years ago by science faculty John Hayes and Jenny Ramstetter, despite the misgivings of their colleague Bob Engel. 

“Bob’s reservations gradually waned, and the python became a beloved resident of the science building among parrots, finches, turtles, lizards and exotic birds over the years,” said Jenny. “Bob and John named her Kali, after the Hindu goddess of destruction, and there were many jokes about how slacking Plan students might end up in the python area.”

Despite the jokes, Kali was a gentle soul who had many admirers and regular visitors: young kids from the community, surprised prospective students and of course devoted science students and faculty members. “Other translations of her Hindu name are more fitting: Kali, the ‘goddess of time and change’ and ‘goddess of eternal energy,’” said Jenny. “We will miss Kali.”