Kalamazoo Valley Alumni Newsletter - December 2023
E-Newsletter | December 2023
Director's Message Dacher Keltner, a professor at U.C. Berkeley who teaches "The Science of Happiness," is convinced that experiencing feelings of awe is a key part of a happy, fulfilling life. I completely agree! Since I have started working at Kalamazoo Valley, I am filled with awe as I walk through our campuses. Everywhere, I see signs of caring, courage and determination. I hear lively voices of engaged instructors flowing from classrooms, I see readers deep into their studies in our beautiful libraries, I watch groups of friends laughing together in the hallways. And, even beyond our campus walls, I notice all of our community partners, including you, caring about these dedicated students. I'm truly amazed by the community we are creating together. Pure joy!
Alisha Siebers
Associate Vice President for College Advancement
and Executive Director for the KVCC Foundation asiebers@kvcc.edu
269.488.4821
Call for Nominations for Distinguished AlumniDo you know a Kalamazoo Valley Community College alum who has earned distinction in their career field? Are you aware of a Kalamazoo Valley alum who has modeled exemplary personal growth and accomplishment? Kalamazoo Valley Community College is inviting you to share the names and accomplishments of outstanding Kalamazoo Valley alumni to be considered for the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award. Award criteria, nomination form and submission guidelines can be found here.
To be considered for the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award, nominations should be received no later than February 1, 2024. Contact Denise Thomas, alumni relations coordinator at 269.488.4314 or dthomas1@kvcc.edu for more information.
Patrick described his mother as courageous, committed, generous and driven. Despite being on a fixed income, she kept a log of all of the gifts she'd made. "I was unaware that she supported that many organizations," Allkins said. It was her generosity that inspired Allkins to create the scholarship fund. "We wanted others to continue the legacy of education and have the opportunity to succeed. It's a way to honor my mom and pay it forward."
In 2010 he established the Janet G. Allkins Memorial Scholarship through the KVCC Foundation as a tribute to his mother, Janet. Janet died in a car accident at the age of 90. She was a legal secretary who was still working at the time of her death. "She had that work ethic which stemmed from the Depression."
Mr. Allkins served one tour in Vietnam with the United States Navy. Upon returning, he finished his schooling at Lake Michigan College and graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in psychology. Allkins also served for several years on the KVCC Foundation's Board of Directors as well as many other community organizations.
Meet Patrick Allkins, co-founder of Frizkin Enterprises, the holding company that owns OnStaff Group and its three divisions. Patrick and his wife founded the company in 1985 and it has grown from one office in Kalamazoo to multiple offices in Southwest Michigan.
The scholarship is awarded to one student per semester. "The more students we can help, the better," Allkins said. "We continue to contribute to the fund and it continues to grow." Eligible applicants must be enrolled in the business administration program and have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours at Kalamazoo Valley with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Allkins knows his support of the college and its students will have a lasting impact on the community. "Kalamazoo Valley Community College offers an affordable way to gain education and training," he said.
NEW Alumni Business Directory Coming Soon!
Want to showcase your business to other alumni? Wait no longer! If you earned a degree or certificate at Valley and own your own business, soon you can complete an online form to be included in the Alumni Business Directory. The Directory will offer a direct link to your business and connect you with other alumni, students and community.
Not a business owner? We encourage you to support the Kalamazoo Valley alumni or student-owned businesses in your community by tapping into their services and offerings. You will have the ability to browse all of the listings or search for a specific service.
Kalamazoo Valley University Center: Get a Bachelor's Degree on Kalamazoo Valley's Campus! The Kalamazoo Valley University Center offers students to complete a bachelor's degree from a partner university, on our campus - in their desired program, quickly and cost effectively. Agreements with partner universities promote the necessary coordination and collaboration that enable our students to achieve their educational goals streamlined to accommodate their personal requirements.
Here's how it works:
Step 1: Complete a two-year AA, AS, or AAS degree from Kalamazoo Valley;*
Step 2: Enroll in a bachelor's degree program through the University Center and transfer your degree as two years of study;
Step 3: Complete years three and four of your bachelor's degree and graduate with a bachelor's degree from one of our partner universities.
The process is seamless. Remaining courses are covered through university partners located on Kalamazoo Valley's campus. In many cases, a third year of study at Kalamazoo Valley's tuition rates is also possible. Students may enroll directly upon graduation from Kalamazoo Valley or at anytime in the future. See more!
Visiting Writers Series Kalamazoo Valley's "About Writing" Visiting Writers series is coordinated by English instructor Julie Stotz-Ghosh, Ph.D., and offers students and community members the opportunity to talk with professional writers and listen to their work. All events are free, open to the public and include a craft talk and a reading by the author.
BONNIE JO CAMPBELL with film producer/director Haroula Rose
Feb. 2 | Dale B. Lake Auditorium
Texas Township Campus | time TBA
In partnership with the Kalamazoo Film Society and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalamazoo Valley will host a conversation with Campbell and Rose about the film adaptation of Campbell's book "Once Upon a River," a meandering story of survival about a Native American girl's search for her estranged mother. Campbell will also discuss her new novel, "The Waters," which will be released in January 2024. On an island in the Great Massasauga Swamp - an area known as "The Waters" to the residents of nearby Whiteheart, Michigan - herbalist Hermine "Herself" Zook has healed the local women of their ailments for generations.
NOW OPEN - Furniture Exhibit Featuring Two Centuries of History The Kalamazoo Valley Museum's new "Off the Shelves: Exploring the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's Furniture Collection" exhibit treats the public to a rare peek at its furniture collection that spans over 200 years of history, from one-of-a-kind items to mass-produced pieces. See Dobbin the horse, which was used to train cavalry officers; a reproduction of King Tut's throne that was on display at Gilmore's department store for years; the neon Hoekstra Hardware sign that graced the back entrance of the store for several decades; and other pieces that all tell stories. Check out the promo video here! The exhibit runs through Jan. 21. Entry to the museum and exhibit are free.Update Your Alumni Contact Information
Have you moved? Changed your name or have a different email address? If you have new contact information, please take a moment and complete the Information Update form.
