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May 3, 2022
Dear College Community,
Our celebration of Commencement on Sunday was delightful. It was another great day for our students, college and for the broader community who will continue to benefit from the skills and abilities of our graduates!
As we take a breath between semesters, I am writing to remind you that your patience, innovation and endurance as we overcame obstacle after obstacle related to the COVID-19 pandemic was and is appreciated. Now we enter a new phase of response to the virus and its variants.
Beginning on May 9, 2022, employees, students and visitors will no longer be required to wear a face covering while on any Kalamazoo Valley campus or in its buildings, including the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. That means on Monday when summer semester starts, face coverings will not be required. Face coverings may still be required in specified areas where external entities or industry standards require them and have received approval from me and the corresponding Cabinet-level representative.
Those who wish to continue to wear a face covering are encouraged to do so. I expect that regardless of the personal decision of others, all will be treated with dignity and respect. I am counting on you to do your part by demonstrating professionalism and compassion as we move into this post-surge and adaptation phase.
Thank you for your continued diligence. Creating a respectful and welcoming environment for all is a shared responsibility. We will continue to monitor data and conditions and I will keep you informed of any associated changes.
I am looking forward to an amazing summer semester!
Thank you.
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
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.
McCann delivered the Special Tribute to Kalamazoo Valley President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., in recognition of Community College Month. more
View photos on the college Flickr page.
Last call for College-wide Luncheon RSVPs
RSVP now to attend a college-wide luncheon planned for this Friday on the Texas Township Campus. Connect with college friends and new colleagues on the last Friday before the start of summer hours! Lunch service will be available outside of the Tower Entrance from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. for staff and 11:45 - 1 p.m. for faculty. If rain brings lunch inside, an indoor location will be announced later this week. Work with your supervisor on when you will attend to ensure staffing within your department. RSVP due by Tuesday, May 3.
Student Voices Advisory Council (SVAC) Returns for 2022-2023 School Year
We are excited to be re-engaging students to participate as members of the 2022-23 Student Voices Advisory Council. Applications from interested students were submitted and reviewed during the month of March before inviting nearly 20 students to participate on the council. A virtual kick-off meeting was held on April 19 where council members shared in a productive, positive and transparent discussion regarding key topics that impact multiple areas of the college. Council members have also been invited to participate in a strategic planning student focus group, facilitated by President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., which aims to gather valuable input as the college continues its development of a five-year strategic plan.
If you have topics, ideas or discussions relating to your department you would like to facilitate with the council, please let us know! Contacts for the Student Voices Advisory Council are Alisha Cederberg, Coty Dunten and Evan Pauken.
Register Now for Disability Network Workshops
The office of Diversity and Inclusion is excited to be collaborating once again with Disability Network of Southwest Michigan to offer a series of disability awareness and accessibility workshops this May and June. Servicing eight counties in the southwest region, Disability Network aims to "educate and connect people with disabilities to resources while advocating social change". Four professional development workshops have been added to the faculty and staff development calendar and are available to register now!
Kalamazoo Valley Community College Held Commencement on May 1
Kalamazoo Valley's 86th commencement ceremony was held Sunday at Miller Auditorium on the campus of Western Michigan University. More than 200 students walked the stage and received their diplomas from Dr. Washington and Provost Eagan. Political Science Instructor Tim Farrow was the faculty speaker and the student speaker was Angela Solis-Sarat, a science major. View more photos on the college Flickr page.
Need Something to Eat?
Take advantage of the opportunity to dine at the Texas Township Campus! Access the following options on the dates and during the hours of operation listed below.
Tuesday, May 3 - Thursday, May 5 | 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Coffee Den ONLY: baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, soup & grab-and-go items
Friday, May 6 | Closed
May 9 - June 30 | 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Subway and Cougar Cafe: grab-and-go items, beverages
July 5 - July 7 | 7:30 a. m. - 1:30 p.m.
Coffee Den ONLY: baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, soup, grab-and-go items
July 11 - Sept. 1 | 7:30 a. m. - 1:30 p.m.
Subway and Cougar Cafe: grab-and-go items, beverages
Get Involved on Campus
Euchre Meetup: Euchre Meet Up: Whether you're a reigning Euchre champ or are interested in learning the card game, please join us in a friendly game of Euchre. Noon - 1 p.m. TTC, first Thursday of every month, location TBA.
Email Julia Fedeson at jfedeson@kvcc.edu if you would like to join.
Walking and Meditation Meetup: Join us for a 30-minute walk outdoors (weather permitting). And then a 10-minute silent meditation. Some very brief guidance on the meditation will be given. This activity continues through July.
- Tuesdays at noon sharp at TTC. Meet at the flag entrance and wear appropriate shoes for walking.
- Wednesdays at noon AWH. Meet in the back courtyard.
- Email Wellness@kvcc.edu if you would like to join us.
Running Meetup: Join us for a 30-minute run (weather permitting) and then 10 minutes of stretching. All running levels are welcome! There will be a route mapped out for each meetup, and we will all meet in the grassy field next to the track for stretching after the 30 minutes.
- Every other Wednesday at noon sharp. Meet at the flagpole entrance and wear appropriate shoes and attire for running.
- Email Wellness@kvcc.edu if you would like to join us!
Arbor Day Tree Ceremony Held to Honor Colleagues
An Arbor Day tree-planting ceremony was held on April 29 to honor the memory of faculty and staff members who have passed away in the last year.
The Arbor Day event is meant to encourage the planting of trees to benefit and beautify the environment. Kalamazoo Valley has participated by holding a memorial tree planting on Arbor Day since 2010. This year's ceremony included music, a poetry reading and special words of tribute. Honorees include Carol Kingsley, payroll; Tom Noyes, instructor; Marilyn J. Schlack, president; Celeste Stoneburner, pay station; and Jim Taylor, health careers dean. more
Volunteers Needed
Help spread the word about Kalamazoo Valley Community College by volunteering at upcoming events. Volunteers are needed to staff tables and answer general questions about the college.
- Girls on the Run - Saturday, May 21 (Texas Township Campus 8:15 a.m. arrival | 3:30 teardown/cleanup)
- PRIDE Kalamazoo - Saturday, June 4 (Arcadia Creek Festival Site 2 - 8 p.m.)
Email enrollment@kvcc.edu if you'd like to help out.
Take Your Child to Work Day
Kalamazoo Valley Community College hosted Take Your Child to Work Day Activities last week. The job- shadowing day is intended to give children a glimpse into the working world through the guidance of their parents. More than 35 children, ranging in age from two - 14 participated.
Extended Hours for First Week of Summer Semester
Summer semester begins May 9. For the first week of classes only, the Texas Township Bookstore will extend hours to 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, then start shortened summer hours of operation the week thereafter. Summer hours will be 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, in effect from May 15 through Aug. 4.
Honoring Kalamazoo Valley Retirees
More than 20 recent retirees returned to Kalamazoo Valley April 27 to be recognized by the college community at the first Retirement Party since the start of pandemic. Employees who retired between 2020 and 2022 received a plaque and recognition from Dr. Washington. The event was held in the Main Gym at the Texas Township Campus. View more photos on the college Flickr page.
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 for Thought. The April 21 competition culminated with the announcement of five semi-finalists and three top prizewinners 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 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 more photos on the college Flickr page.
Dinner Celebrated the Joys, Challenges of Teaching
To celebrate the teaching profession and share words of encouragement, Kalamazoo Valley's Future Educators' Club (VFEC) hosted a professional dinner on April 4 called Tomorrow's Teachers Today.
Members of VFEC and instructors Cheryl Almeda and Veronica McCann invited fellow educators who've been influential in their lives. Five of the guests, Chrissy Spilson, Alex Bohr, Shelley Esman, Brett Geier and Richard Knowlton, led a panel discussion about the field of education. Kalamazoo Valley's President L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., also spoke to the group. more
View more photos on the college Flickr page.
Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: End of Semester Updates
Library Hours
Beginning on Monday May 9, the libraries' hours will be changing. The Texas Township library will be open Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. during the summer semester. The Arcadia Commons Campus library will be open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Returns
Please return any items that are due and contact the library if you would like to request a renewal. To return books and media, please drop off materials at any book drop or library service desk. A convenient 24/7 book drop is located outside the tower entrance at the Texas Township Campus. Laptops and hotspots should be returned to the circulation desk at either library location.
Summer Semester Laptop and Hotpot Requests
Your students can apply now to request a laptop or hotspot for summer classes. To apply for a laptop, please fill out the form here, or to apply for a hotspot, the form can be found here.
Visit us online
Call 269.488.4328
Email: libraries@kvcc.edu
Chat with a college librarian 24/7: https://www.kvcc.edu/library/asklib.html
Zoom by appointment: Please email libraries@kvcc.edu
Follow us on Instagram @kalamazoovalleylibraries
2022 Year-End Student Celebration Exhibit Opes Friday
The 2022 Year-End Student Celebration Exhibit will open during the May Art Hop on Friday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. and will showcase art and design works created by students from The Studio Arts, Animation and Game Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, Multimedia and Web Design and Development programs.
Thanks to the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, this year a new collaborative presentation of student animations, videos and motion graphics will be on display at the Haymarket Plaza beginning at 7:30 p.m. All other works will be on display during the month of May at Kalamazoo Valley's Arcus Gallery and The Center for New Media located on the Arcadia Commons Campus.
Ned Foesky Winners to Read at Art Hop
Congratulations to the 2022 Ned Foskey Poetry Prize winners and honorable mentions! This year's judge was poet, Robert Post. Thank you to all who entered the contest.
1st place: "A God Named Boy," Michael Montgomery
2nd place: "Sunflower of My Soul," Morgan Taylor
3rd place: "Try to Walk in Our Shoes," Jurnee Hastings
Honorable Mentions:
"Pain Looks Beautiful," Samantha Chavez
"Take an Adventure this Afternoon," Jeme Richards
"Hose Shows," Elliot Russell
"Bleeding Ink," Morgan Taylor
All winners and honorable mention recipients are invited to read their work during Art Hop at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6 at Kalamazoo Valley's Center for New Media. The event is open to the public - students, friends and families are encouraged to attend.
SAVE THE DATE: 'Forgotten Fighters' Film on Sept. 10
Come celebrate the famed Kalamazoo Boxing Academy on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. with a free reception at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, featuring guest speakers and a documentary screening about the history of the academy, whose roster included big names in boxing during its heyday. The museum has been hosting "The Forgotten Fighters of the Kalamazoo Boxing Academy" exhibit since February. It runs through Sept. 18.
General admission to the museum is free. Starting May 9, the museum hours will expand 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For information about programming, visit kalamazoomuseum.org.
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