Kalamazoo valley alumni

E-Newsletter | February 2024

Director's Message
The drama critic George Jean Nathan quipped, "Love is an emotion experienced by the many and enjoyed by the few." We hope you are included in "the few!"  As a part of our Kalamazoo Valley community, you might appreciate this perspective from the Dalai Lama more: "When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace." This essence of caring feels to me like the backbone of what Kalamazoo Valley is all about. We here at the KVCC Foundation are sending out love and gratitude to you alumni for all that you do to make this such a wonderful community.

signature: Alisha Siebers
Alisha Siebers
Associate Vice President for College Advancement
and Executive Director for the KVCC Foundation
asiebers@kvcc.edu
269.488.4821


three simple illustrations from left to right: an eye, a heart, and a cartoon mascot of a blue cougar. the image implies the phrase I Love Cougars.

Alumni Love
The month of February has been recognized as the month of love with the celebration of Valentines Day since the 14th century. Valentine's Day and its origins is steeped in folklore, (history of Valentine's Day) No matter why you celebrate it, it is a wonderful time to pause and acknowledge those individuals that you admire the most.

The KVCC Foundation expresses our heartfelt pride and admiration to you, our alumni, who chose Kalamazoo Valley Community College for your education and use it to improve the quality of life for your family, workplace and the community of which you live. Thank you! 


A young man with a beard is smiling at the camera. He is wearing a gray T-shirt with a logo reading "SOULE" and a black baseball cap with a logo on it. Behind him is a wall covered with a collage of family photos, creating a warm and friendly background.
NEW - The Wyatt Taylor (Alumnus) Memorial Trades Endowed Scholarship
A new endowed scholarship has been created at the KVCC Foundation. Staff at Maple Hill Auto created a scholarship in memory of Wyatt Taylor. 

Wyatt graduated in 2021 from Portage Community High School. During his senior year, he dual enrolled at Kalamazoo Valley Community College to complete and earn his welding certificate. After graduation Wyatt pursued a career in the Union Trades. 

The Wyatt Taylor Memorial Trades Scholarship was established to support qualifying students in a Skilled Trades program with funds for tuition or personal expenses. If you would like to help grow this scholarship, you can donate here. Just indicate "Wyatt Taylor Memorial Trades Scholarship" on the online form.

 
A young man with a warm smile is standing outdoors in a sunlit area. He has long, dark curly hair and is wearing a tan coat over a black turtleneck, giving him a stylish and sophisticated look. The background features a green, blurred park-like setting with trees, adding a serene and natural vibe to the image.
 

Alumni Spotlight:
Alumnus Tevyn Grayson is Living his Dream

Local entrepreneur and Kalamazoo Valley Community College alumnus Tevyn Grayson is living his dream. The 30-year-old Kalamazoo native is a proud father of two, enjoys a fulfilling career and maintains a healthy work/life balance.

Grayson graduated from Kalamazoo Valley in 2015 with an associate degree in accounting. The experience played an important role in inspiring him to pursue his goal of entrepreneurship. He currently owns several businesses, with Grayson Accounting Service being his most successful.

"I'm doing what I love," Grayson said. "I enjoy interacting with clients and growing meaningful connections within the community. I took everything I learned at Valley and used it to move myself forward in life. It was a very comforting experience and helped me figure out what I wanted to do." more

 

upcoming events

Kalamazoo Valley Community and Continuing Education
Did you know you can take a class at the college on beekeeping?

The Community and Continuing Education Department at Kalamazoo Valley Community College provides innovative and relevant lifelong learning opportunities to community members of all ages. These non-credit classes emphasize personal enrichment, professional development and community outreach. 
Sign up for classes today!

center for new mediaHosts February Black Artists Exhibit

In collaboration with community partners, Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Center for New Media will host an exhibition of works by local black artists in February 2023.

The exhibition is part of the college's celebration of Black History Month. Artwork will be exhibited in the Center for New Media and its Arcus Gallery throughout the months of February and March. The artwork can also be viewed on the Center for New Media's Facebook and Instagram accounts. The exhibit's opening will be at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 2. A total of 13 artists have submitted 35 works of art for display in the show.

The Center for New Media is located on Kalamazoo Valley's Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo.


what’s happening at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The kalamazoo valley museum is operated by kalamazoo valley community college and is governed by its board of trustees.

image is a photo of the body of an electric guitar against a black backdrop. Text in a white text box reads Fretboard Festival

Save the Date! 2024 Fretboard Festival March 1 - 2, 2024
Celebrate Kalamazoo's guitar history and legacy by taking a deeper look at past Fretboard Festivals, interviews from former Gibson employees and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's guest guitar features. Fretboard Festival

A banner for the Kalamazoo Foodways Symposium featuring a smartphone photograph of colorful food. The phone screen shows a healthy bowl with sliced avocado, cashews, and various vegetables against a black and white blurred background. The text 'Kalamazoo Foodways Symposium' appears in a semi-transparent white overlay bar across the image.

Save the Date!  African Heritage Foodways Symposium April 5 - 6, 2024
Enjoy a keynote presentation on April 5, 2024 at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, then a day full of workshops, cooking demonstrations and panel discussions on April 6, 2024 at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building in downtown Kalamazoo. Recently a collaboration with several community gardens grew a variety of African heritage crops, such as millet, sorghum, eggplant, okra, beans and more. Stay tuned for more information. Kalamazoo Foodways
Update Your 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.

Help us stay in touch with you by submitting your online contact form.


Staff Support
If we can be of any assistance to you please give us a call.

Alisha Siebers                                             Annette Chapman
Executive Director                                        Foundation Officer
269.488.4821                                               269.488.4442
asiebers@kvcc.edu                                      achapman@kvcc.edu


Mission. The KVCC Foundation advocates for and financially supports Kalamazoo Valley Community College students and programs. Vision. To remove financial barriers for all Kalamazoo Valley Community College student. Values. The KVCC foundation adheres to ethical and effective stewardship of our current and future resources.
269.488.4821 kvcc.edu/foundation Kalamazoo Valley Community College Foundation. 6767 West O Avenue, PO Box 4070, Kalamazoo, MI, 49003-4070