MISSION STATEMENT Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
Sept. 15, 2023
Greetings,
The beginning of the new academic year is always a busy time at Kalamazoo Valley and this fall is no exception! In addition to settling into a new fast-paced schedule, there are a number of exciting and meaningful college-related events scheduled for learners of all ages.
Please join us as we celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 18 when Kelly Sparrow, part-time instructor and academic scheduling coordinator, provides remarks during a presentation at the Texas Township Campus. See below for additional details.
On Sept. 28, the KVCC Foundation hosts its annual Opportunities for Education scholarship fundraising event at the Food Innovation Center. Area chefs, two faculty chefs and culinary program graduates will be serving up signature dishes for your enjoyment. There is still time for you to purchase tickets. Visit www.kvcc.edu/foundation for more information.
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum, which saw a 69% increase in visitors during the last fiscal year (81,724 guests, up from 25,685 visitors the previous year), will offer two free cartooning workshops Sept. 30. And early next month, on Oct. 1, an encore showing of the film version of "HeLa" will take place at the museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater. The film chronicles the local connections and fascinating accomplishments of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were involuntarily taken more than 70 years ago and are still used around the globe in experiments to develop cures and therapies. See more details below.
These and other initiatives complement the college's more traditional learning opportunities for our students. I am grateful for your continued dedication to our mission statement: Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
Finally, would you like to have lunch with me? If you haven't had the opportunity to participate in Lunch with the President yet, you can register here to join me for a casual lunch in the private dining room of the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building.
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Thank you to everyone who attended the Fall Summit. If you haven't already done so, please assist the Summit planning committee by completing this short survey.
Input Needed! The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is updating its strategic plan and needs your assistance. Please take a moment to share your input on the current mission statement and help contribute to the process. On average, this survey takes less than two minutes to complete. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.
Help Us Name the New Cougar Mascot The new Cougar mascot made its official debut last week at Vibe Fest. Give us your suggestion for a name. Volunteers Needed! More than 160 students registered for yesterday's Valley Food Share distribution - a record! Because of the increased need, the Valley Food Share committee needs help packing the shares Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Food Innovation Center. Additional spots have been added to the sign-up. Please help if you are able. College at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market this Weekend You are invited to join the college at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market for our last visit this summer, Saturday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by for hands-on activities and fun for the family. The college has been present on the third Saturday of each month since May. Look for the Kalamazoo Valley tent in the central courtyard of the market. For questions, email Rachel Bair. Lunch with the President President Washington invites faculty and staff to join him for a casual lunch gathering in the private dining room of the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health building in downtown Kalamazoo at noon on Sept. 20, Oct. 11, Nov. 15 or Dec. 7. Choose only one date, please. Space is limited to 15 attendees for each session and registration is required to attend. If you attended previously, please do not register again. Register now.
Havirmill Cafe Menu Now Open Students enrolled in Kalamazoo Valley's Culinary Arts and Sustainable Food Systems programs put their training to work in the 418 Restaurant and Havirmill Cafe. Both are located in the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, 418 E. Walnut St., downtown Kalamazoo. The Havirmill Cafe is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. There will be grab-and-go options as well as a hot bar with freshly made entrees. Click here for menu updates. Kalamazoo Valley to Celebrate Constitution Day Constitution Day is Sunday, Sept. 17. Are you interested in celebrating and learning more about this important date? Join Kalamazoo Valley Community College on Monday, Sept. 18 at the Texas Township Campus in Room 4230 at 11 a.m. Kelly Sparrow, Kalamazoo Valley academic scheduling coordinator and part-time instructor, will present "How the World Works," an insightful discussion elaborating on how the U.S. Supreme Court selects cases, conducts oral arguments and deliberates. The presentation will also include a brief review of relevant topics and cases that relate to our constitution in today's world. For more information, email Kevin Dockerty.
Taps on Tuesdays Return Next Week
Taps on Tuesday events are returning this fall at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building in downtown Kalamazoo. Join us for these happy hour-style events hosted by our culinary and brewing students and staff. Enjoy student crafted beer and food pairings as well as appetizers and wine. Fall 2023 Taps on Tuesdays run from 5 to 7 p.m. and take place each week, beginning Sept. 19, with the exception of Oct. 31, and conclude on Dec. 12.
Breathing Space: Dedicate some time in your week for self-care. The sessions will be 30 minutes each with an agenda as follows: Brief check-in (5 min.), special topic (10 min.), see topics below, and guided and silent meditation (15 min.).
All sessions will be held via Zoom. Email Cathy Colella for the direct Zoom Link.
Save the Date! Staff and Administrator Excellence Awards: Thursday, Oct. 5, Texas Township Campus, Room 4240, refreshments 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., awards presentation 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Award recipients will be notified in advance.
Last Chance to Register! Registration Closes Sept. 20
Employee Fitness Classes Return Every weekday at noon there will be free drop-in classes, ranging from cardio kickboxing to yoga to spin. Mondays and Thursdays will see the return of the Just Move instructors. No registration required, just drop in and enjoy. For more details, go to the Wellness and Fitness Center webpage and select the Employee Fitness Class - Fall 2203. Questions? Call x4184. The WFC staff will be happy to help.
VOYA Financial on Texas Township Campus Do you have an account with Voya through the Office of Retirement Services? Michael Bronson, financial advisor with Voya Financial, works directly with Kalamazoo Valley accounts through the Office of Retirement Services. He will be on campus, Friday, Sept. 22. To schedule a time to meet with him, please email him directly at Michael.Bronson@voya.com.
October Flu Shot Clinic Scheduled for Employees Flu season is coming! Kalamazoo Valley Community College is hosting a flu shot clinic for all employees on Oct. 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 5740 at the Texas Township Campus. Use this link to reserve your spot. Space is limited, so please sign up as soon as possible and remember to keep your appointment. Bring your insurance card for billing purposes. If you have questions, contact Becky Craft, employee benefit manager.
Diversity and Bias in the Search Committee Process Workshop The next Diversity and Bias in the Search Committee Process workshop is scheduled for Oct. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. Participants will explore the basics of what it takes to serve on a search committee and how implicit or unconscious bias impacts our decision-making process. The training is required for those who wish to serve on a search committee. Please contact Trice Batson or Scott Hall to register. Film, Panel Discussions and Trainings Planned this Fall Expect important programming this fall from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Highlights include:
The "Crip Camp" documentary (rated "R" for adult themes) | Oct. 11 | noon - 2:30 p.m. | TTC Room 4240
The film is about a groundbreaking teen summer camp that inspired some of its alumni to join the disability rights movement.
Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: Get to Know the Libraries! Yes, the Kalamazoo Valley Libraries at the Texas Township Campus and Anna Whitten Hall have tons of books and ebooks, and we can get most anything we don't have through MelCat's Michigan-wide library sharing system - but did you know we support your students in many other ways?
Valley Libraries at the Farmers Market
Visit the Libraries at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market (1204 Bank St.) on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We'll have fun, food-focused activities and information for the whole family.
Reserve Textbooks
Textbooks and other course materials are placed on reserve each semester at the request of faculty and students. Instructors may submit personal copies for the reserve collection, or request a library purchase for reserve. Most reserve requests for library purchase are approved, although we suggest submitting your request as soon as possible to provide us purchasing and processing time.
For more information on course reserves, including a list of all items currently on reserve, visit the library's Course Reserve Guide. To reserve materials for your course, contact Ashley Bergkamp (TTC) x4313 or Franki Hand (ACC) x7848.
Request Library Instruction for Your Classes
Bring your students to the library for research instruction or assignment-based exploration. Or, invite a librarian to visit your classroom to introduce information literacy concepts. We are ready to collaborate with instructors to meet the unique needs of your students. Ready to schedule or need more information? Contact Jim Ratliff (ACC & BHLC) x7867 or Amy Brandt (TTC) x4489.
At TTC, you can request library instruction in the Library Instructional Lab through Astra. From the Events tab, click on "Request Event." Then, choose "Library Instructional Lab" from the drop-down menu. Submit the details of your request and a librarian will respond within 48 hours.
Student Technology Loan
Students can borrow a laptop computer, Wi-Fi hotspot and/or a graphing calculator and use it for the entire semester. Technology is available on a first come, first served basis with a Valley ID. All laptops have webcams and microphones, and access to Canvas, Zoom, Microsoft Office and Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Study Spaces
Both the TTC and AWH libraries have quiet and scenic study spaces with computer and printer access. The TTC Library has study rooms available on a walk-in basis, and the lower level study room has a computer workstation with a webcam, so students can attend a Zoom class or take a test in the library.
Print and Electronic Resources
Staff and faculty are welcome to browse our book collection, in person or online. We have titles to support both academic learning and personal interests. We also subscribe to several electronic book and journal databases for research needs.
Hours and Contact Information Hours (including evenings and Saturdays)
Call x4328 email website
OFE Scheduled for Sept. 28 Support student scholarships by attending this year's Opportunities for Education scholarship fundraising event. The Sept. 28 event will feature some of the region's most popular restaurants, including student and faculty chefs from the college's culinary and brewing programs. Guests will enjoy a walk-around tasting under the "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. Tickets are available at www.kvcc.edu/foundation.
Photographer on Campus Are you in need of a professional headshot? Join us on Sept. 29 at the Texas Township Campus in the lower level area of the student commons. Appointments are available in 10-minute increments from 9 to 10:50 a.m.Sign up now.
Volunteers Needed! The college will once again be hosting College Night at the Texas Township Campus. The event takes place Monday, Oct. 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.Volunteers are needed starting at 5 p.m. (with dinner available starting at 4:30 p.m.). Please email Ryan St. John if you can help.
Buying Online is a Popular Option at the Bookstore Close to 2,100 online orders were processed by the Texas Township Bookstore during the Winter 2023 Semester. Either in person or online, the Bookstore is here to help students be successful in class. It sells textbooks, computers, backpacks, binders, pens, markers, glue sticks, art supplies, calculators and more, even candy and snacks starting at 10 cents. Online orders may be picked up at TTC or the Anna Whitten Hall Library at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo, or mailed to any address. Shipping is $5.
Valley Athletes Combine Service with Academics On one side of the volleyball net were Kalamazoo Valley Community College athletes in their blue and black uniform jerseys and on the other side were senior citizens in blue vests with catchy nicknames on them, like Bam Bam and Yoopers. Welcome to chair volleyball at StoryPoint Kalamazoo at Bronson Place retirement community, formerly The Fountains, on a recent Tuesday afternoon. "Engaging the senior residents in physical activity was awesome for our players," said Athletic Director Russ Panico. more
Cheer on the Lady Cougars volleyball team when they play Kellogg Community College at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19 in the main gym on the Texas Township Campus. It's free. Get the volleyball schedule here.
Museum Offers Two Free Cartooning Workshops on Sept. 30
Ever wanted to try your hand at cartooning? Now's your chance to learn for FREE. Join the Kalamazoo Valley Museum on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., for two mini workshops exploring the art in comics and animation in the museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater. The "Pow! Boom! Wham! Art of the Comics" workshops will be led by professional illustrator Aubrey Jewel Rodgers from Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Center for New Media. The sessions are suitable for children ages eight and up, as well as adults. Comic character costumes are welcome!Between the workshops, museum patrons can attend a meet-and-greet with special costumed characters named Spidey, Spin and Ghosty from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets for the workshops will be available the day of the program at the front desk, first come first served. Meeting the characters will not require a ticket. Admission is free to both the event and to the museum. Visit kalamazoomuseum.org for more details.
The "HeLa" play cast at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater last fall.
Film Version of Henrietta Lacks Play Returns Oct. 1 It's a little-known fact that we can thank a woman with familial ties to Kalamazoo for many of medical breakthroughs of modern times, like cancer treatments and the polio and COVID-19 vaccines and more. Learn the late Henrietta Lacks' amazing story from the encore showing of the film version of the "HeLa" stage play on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater. At a time when informed consent did not exist, cells were removed from Lacks in 1951 without her knowledge during a medical procedure and later used in experiments worldwide. The play, written by Kalamazoo playwright Buddy Hannah, debuted at the museum last fall before a live audience, thanks to a grant from the KVCC Foundation. Admission is free to the filmed play. No advance registration or tickets are required. Seating is first come, first served.
Museum Attendance up 69 Percent Kudos to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum for attracting a 81,724 visitors during the just completed fiscal year 2023, up from 25,685 visitors the previous year, representing a 69 percent increase. Museum Director Bill McElhone attributes the spike in foot traffic to a number of factors, among them the museum's quality programs, which were made possible after filling several staff vacancies. "I would also credit the increase in attendance to a growing desire by our visitors to return to in-person experiences," McElhone said. He hopes to end the current fiscal year with close to 100,000 guests, which would put the museum back in the range of pre-pandemic numbers. It had 110,383 visitors during fiscal year 2019.
