Welcome to the first edition of the Kalamazoo Valley Foundation Focus eNewsletter!
This monthly eNewsletter is designed to help you become better connected to the KVCC Foundation by highlighting the events and activities your generous gifts make possible. From alumni, student and donor profiles to information about college and Foundation events, we hope that you will use this monthly publication to help plan your philanthropy and social schedule! The KVCC Foundation was established in 1980 to assist donors to connect with the college. The Foundation accepts both restricted and unrestricted contributions and those designated for specific purposes, such as student scholarships, the purchase of necessary equipment to improve instruction and to support the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
Our volunteer Board of Directors https://www.kvcc.edu/foundation/directors.htm meets quarterly to help advance its mission and support Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Last year, the Foundation provided $500,00 for student scholarships and $288,000 in support of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
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Social Events for College Alumni and Friends
Student brewers at Kalamazoo Valley have been winning awards for their brews (read more). Discover what all the talk is about and join us for Alumni Taps on Tuesday on February 22, March 29 and April 26. Come and reconnect with the college, fellow alumni and current students and employees during these drop-in events. $5 will get in you in the door for tasty student-created appetizers and beverages. These events will be held in the 418 Restaurant at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building on the college’s Bronson Healthy Living Campus. The fun starts at 4:30 p.m. Space is limited. Make your reservation today!
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Patrick Allkins, "Why I Give"
In 2010, with an initial gift of $10,000, Patrick Allkins established the Janet G. Allkins Memorial Endowment Scholarship through the KVCC Foundation as a tribute to his mother, Janet, who 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,” Allkins said. “She was still driving from Watervliet to Kalamazoo and her death was kind of a shock.”
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Green Crystaline, by Stephen Moranto, 2021 Best of Show, glazed ceramic
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Calling All Kalamazoo Valley Alumni
We invite you to participate in the 11th annual juried Alumni+ Art Show to be held at the college’s Center for New Media on the downtown Arcadia Commons Campus. Held in conjunction with the June 3 Art Hop, this exhibition is a way to showcase works by our talented alumni. Alumni may enter the show if they have successfully completed at least one class at Kalamazoo Valley. Consider this opportunity to share what you’ve created since leaving Kalamazoo Valley and compete for cash awards! Submissions will be accepted from April 4 - May 19, 2022. Mark your calendars and plan to join us on June 3. Entry information can be found here.
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Tracy Klinesteker, 1st place winner in 2021 with Beaver Island Marsh, pastel
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Nominations for Distinguished Alumni Award
Do you know a Kalamazoo Valley Community College alumnus or alumna who has earned distinction in his or her career field? Are you aware of a Kalamazoo Valley alumnus or alumna who has modeled exemplary personal growth and accomplishment? Kalamazoo Valley Community College is inviting students, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the community to share the names and accomplishments of outstanding Kalamazoo Valley alumni to be considered for the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award. Award criteria, nomination form and submission guidelines can be found here.
To be considered for the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award, nominations should be received no later than June 30, 2022. Contact Denise Thomas, Alumni Relations Coordinator at 269.488.4314 or dthomas1@kvcc.edu for more information.
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Schoolcraft resident Robert Koss worked for years in the ink industry before enrolling in classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The father of two elementary school aged children and a middle schooler now works as a part-time electrical lab assistant at the college and is completing his electrical technician degree.
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Annual Fund
With your help, Kalamazoo Valley is able to provide the highest level of educational opportunities to its students. However, additional funding is necessary to support academic programs, technological upgrades, scholarships, capital campaigns and more. Find out how you can support us through the annual fund here.
Community Collaborations
As calendar pages are flipped to February and Black History Month is once again celebrated, numerous events are happening in and around Kalamazoo with an ear and eye on Black culture and history. Check out the Center for New Media's Black Artists Exhibit.
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Opportunities for Education
We hope you’ll join us on October 6 for Opportunities for Education, a scholarship funding event featuring some of the region’s most popular restaurants and beverage vendors including student and faculty chefs from the college’s culinary and brewing programs. Guest will enjoy a walk-around tasting under the “big tent” where they can sample signature dishes. Self-guided yours among the vegetables, flowers and herbs growing in the Food Innovation Center’s hoop houses and greenhouses will be available, along with samples of student-crafted, award winning beer and other beverages. More information coming soon!
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Individuals who earn at least a certificate of achievement or an associate degree can expect to earn almost $1.5 million over a 40-year career.
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Donor Survey
We appreciate all you do for the Kalamazoo Community College Foundation and the students impacted by our mission. Because we value your opinion, we hope you will take a few minutes to share your views with us. Your response will provide us valuable insight into the priorities of key supporters like you.
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Donate
Your gifts to the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Foundation continue to make a difference. In a year where we all learned to navigate a new normal, we are ever more grateful for our dedicated supporters. Together we make life-changing dreams come true on a daily basis. There are multiple ways to give:
- Give a gift of cash. Your gift will be put to immediate use for college scholarships.
- If you’re shopping form home, consider adding Kalamazoo Valley as an AmazonSmile partner. It costs nothing to you and is an ongoing help to the college.
- Include the college in your legal will. It’s an easy way to protect the people and causes you care about the most while benefiting the students and communities we serve.
If you are interested in learning how you can help students, contact Linda Depta, Foundation Executive Director at 269.488.4821 or Dana DeLuca, Foundation Officer at 269.488.4442.
Find out more online:
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