College and Community Celebrate Graduates

Completing college and earning an associate degree or certificate was sweet success for those who participated in commencement and graduation-related activities this spring at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The commencement ceremony took place on Sunday, April 28 in Miller Auditorium on the campus of Western Michigan University.

Brittany Gallagher was one of those graduates. In 2016, 33-year-old Gallagher returned to college so that she could become a dental hygienist. The busy mother of four has successfully completed the program and is prepared to take licensure exams to become a licensed dental hygienist. “I knew that it would be difficult to juggle my family, four kids, work a full-time class schedule and homework,” Gallagher said. “What I didn’t realize was that I would get so much support from the faculty at Kalamazoo Valley which would allow me to succeed beyond my own goals. With the encouragement and support of everyone at Valley, I made it!”

“Brittany is a dedicated student who set her mind to achieving her goal,” said Dental Hygiene Program Director Kim Grubka. “We are proud of all of our graduates and all the hard work they have done to accomplish their goals. It is rewarding when the students keep in touch with us as they enter the workforce.” Gallagher was chosen as the student speaker and was one of hundreds of students eligible to participate in the 83rd commencement. For those who couldn't attend, a video of the ceremony can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTb7TvqCao8&feature=youtu.be.