The British art critic John Ruskin believed "Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." I don't know how many of us in Michigan would agree with him as we work our way through a long winter, but he does make a good point. Even the times that challenge us can lead to good things and growth. Thank you for being a breath of fresh spring air in the lives of our students and for supporting them as they learn, grow and thrive at Kalamazoo Valley!
Alisha Siebers
Associate Vice President for College Advancement
and Executive Director for the KVCC Foundation asiebers@kvcc.edu
269.488.4821
Seal of Transparency The KVCC Foundation recently earned Candid/Guidestar's Platinum Seal of Transparency! Check out our nonprofit profile to keep up to date with our impact here.
Messages from Scholarship Recipients
The Foundation has been working with the financial aid office to make it easier for students to send thank you notes to our donors. Here are some of the comments we've received in the last couple of weeks:
"Thank you so much for selecting me for your scholarship. Your donation toward my education has helped my family and I substantially as I seek my associate degree in nursing. I am in my final semester and the relief of financial burden has helped decrease the stress of being able to provide for my family. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"Your kind contribution has helped me pay for the much-needed school books, and brought me a few steps closer to my goal of graduating with an Associate's Degree in Electrical Technology. I am particularly grateful for your generosity, and it is heartwarming to know that there are people like you who are willing to help students like me achieve their dreams. Once again, thank you for your kindness and support."
KVCC Foundation Update The KVCC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the college. The Foundation raises money to financially assist students and programs of the college. In FY 2022-23 the Foundation:
• Awarded $77,617 from 56 endowed scholarships
• Awarded $539,699 of unrestricted financial assistance
• Assisted 931 different students
• Average award was $579
Gov. Whitmer asks lawmakers to make community college free for all high school graduates - How will this affect scholarships?
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal demonstrates her ongoing commitment to developing a well-educated workforce in Michigan. The proposal includes investments in pre-K through high school students, postsecondary education and adult learners, and funding to build infrastructure and capacity within the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. Read more here.
This is fantastic news; however, the needs of today's students are much more complex. If passed, Governor Whitmer's proposal will assist students with the cost of tuition at community college, but students will still face financial obstacles to getting advanced education. Low income students struggle with transportation costs, food insecurity, childcare expenses and other basic needs.
Future and established scholarships and their donors will need to be creative in adapting if this proposal is passed. Scholarships will continue to play a vital role in educational success and, as enrollments increase, will be needed more than ever!
Register Now for Kalamazoo Valley Youth Summer Camps Looking for some summer fun for your children? Explore Kalamazoo Valley's wide variety of youth summer camps. From athletics to hands-on learning, there's plenty at Kalamazoo Valley to keep kids busy all summer long! Click here to register and learn more.
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, several community gardeners collaborated to grow a variety of African heritage crops, such as millet, sorghum, eggplant, okra, beans and more. Stay tuned for more information. Kalamazoo Foodways
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