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April was a busy time at the KVCC Foundation, so we wanted to provide the following brief updates on the initiatives that took place throughout the month.
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Kalamazoo Valley Wraps Up Community College Month with Special Tribute from State
Together with the nearly 1,000 other community colleges across the country, Kalamazoo Valley celebrated Community College Month during April. To wrap up the month, the college received a Special Tribute from the State of Michigan.
The Special Tribute, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, State Sen. Sean McCann (20th District), State Sen. Julie Rogers (16th District), State Rep. Christine Morse (61st District), State Rep. Matt Hall (63rd District) and State Rep. Beth Griffin (66th District), acknowledges the state-of-the art training and educational experiences the college has provided to students through Southwest Michigan since 1966.
Sen. McCann delivered the Special Tribute to Kalamazoo Valley President Marshall L. Washington, PhD., in recognition of Community College Month during a legislative luncheon on April 29. more View photos on the college Flickr page.
Day of Giving to Benefit Students with Financial Needs
The 2022 Day of Giving campaign raised $11,406.42 for student scholarships. Gifts were collected on April 19 and 20 at Anna Whitten Hall, The Groves, the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building and on the Texas Township Campus.
Cooking Competition Paired Culinary Students with Kalsec Food Scientists
Culinary students from Kalamazoo Valley Community College teamed up with food scientists and research chefs from Kalsec for a cooking contest called Food-4-Thought. The April 21 competition culminated with the announcement of five semi-finalists and three top prize winners during a two-hour event at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health building on the college’s downtown Bronson Healthy Living Campus. The competition was sponsored by Kalsec. “The program was a splendid celebration of the months-long planning effort and student preparation for the competition. Designed to help students more deeply understand the connection between chemistry and food, the competition provided extremely valuable experiences,” said Provost and Vice President for Student Services, Paige Eagan, Ph.D.
The top three winners and their scholarship awards were:
$1,416 | 1st place | Paige Burgess
Burrata Flatbread with Prosciutto, Arugula, Roasted Pistachios and a Balsamic Glaze
$708 | 2nd place | Anessa Tolbert
Poke Nacho with Marinated Ahi Tuna served on a Crispy Golden Wonton Chip
$500 | 3rd place | Jennifer Burnett
Surf & Turf Canape
View photos on the college Flickr page.
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Public Invited to Celebrate 'Wonder Media' Exhibit on May 24
Everyone is invited to a free public reception on Tuesday, May 24 from 3-5 p.m. to recognize the opening of the "Wonder Media: Ask the Questions!" exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The event takes place at the museum and features remarks from Kalamazoo Valley Community College President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., Museum Director Bill McElhone and WMU Communication Professor Sue Ellen Christian, guest community curator. The exhibit, which explores issues surrounding media, news and information, opened April 9 and runs through December 2023. It was created through a collaboration between Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Museum, with assistance from other community supporters.
2022 Opportunities for Education Scholarship Fundraising Event
The 2022 Opportunities for Education (OFE) student scholarship fundraising event is set for September 22. The event will feature some of the region’s most popular restaurants and beverage vendors and will also include student and faculty chefs from the college’s culinary and brewing programs. Guests will enjoy a walk-around tasting under a big tent where they can sample signature dishes. Self-guided tours 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.
This student scholarship fundraising event helps the Kalamazoo Valley Foundation provide the highest level of financial support for students at Kalamazoo Valley. Join us as a sponsor and see how your support helps make a difference in the lives of our students. PNC Bank is the Presenting sponsor of the event.
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JoAnn Lynch
JoAnn Lynch is a people person who cares deeply about education. For 35 years, JoAnn taught English and journalism at Robichaud High School in Dearborn Heights. She also taught at Wayne County Community College, which ignited her passion for community colleges. After she retired from teaching, JoAnn and her husband moved to Kalamazoo to be closer to family in the area. It was then that JoAnn discovered Kalamazoo Valley and the innovative training taking place within the Police Academy and the Industrial Trades programs. “Community colleges do a good job of helping students discover what they are interested in and then propping them up in that area,” she said.
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Green Crystaline, by Stephen Moranto, 2021 Best of Show, glazed ceramic
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Calling All Kalamazoo Valley Alumni Artists!
We invite you to participate in the 11th annual juried Alumni+ Art Show at the Center for New Media. Held in conjunction with the June Art Hop, this exhibition is a way to showcase works by our talented alumni. You may enter the show if you have successfully completed at least one class at Kalamazoo Valley, are not enrolled (Summer 2022), and are not employed 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 until May 19, 2022. Mark your calendars and plan to join us on June 3. Entry information can be found here.
Call for Nominations for Distinguished Alumni
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 July 1, 2022. Contact Denise Thomas, alumni relations coordinator at 269.488.4314 or dthomas1@kvcc.edu for more information.
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Tribute to Retiring Foundation Board Members
We are saying farewell to two departing members of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Foundation Board who together dedicated 18 years of combined volunteer service to help advance the Foundation’s mission and support Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
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Mike Way
Mike joined the KVCC Foundation Board in 2013 and was one of the visionary leaders who initially inspired the creation of the Bronson Healthy Living Campus. He and the late Marilyn Schlack, former President of Kalamazoo Valley, discussed the emerging need for improving the local food supply chain, with an emphasis on creating a reliable source of locally produced food for Bronson Methodist Hospital and its related entities. Mike’s leadership on behalf of Bronson, in concert with Kalamazoo Valley and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (formerly KCMHSAS), led to the concept, construction and launch of an entirely new way of educating students about the connection between good nutrition and improved physical and mental health. Mike is a visionary who always asks “what’s next?” and prompts those around him to seek out new ways of influencing the community for the greater good.
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Patrick Allkins
In 2010, with an initial gift of $10,000, Patrick 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. Because of Patrick’s financial investment, the fund has grown to a value of over $100,000. Patrick joined the KVCC Foundation Board in 2013. Since that time, he has been a tireless champion for the Foundation and its donor cultivation and recognition programs. Patrick generously shares his time, talent and treasure with great affection, ease and determination. Kalamazoo Valley students will continue to benefit from his philanthropy for years to come.
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