The Digest
What’s Happening at KVCC
What’s below in this edition
New look, approach (Pages 1/2)SSC events (Pages 12/13)
Boo, flu (Pages 2/3)Digging history (Pages 13/14)
Veterans Day (Page 3)Costume contest (Pages 14/15)
United Way (Pages 3/4)‘Phantom’ (Pages 15/16)
Auto III open house (Pages 4/5)Afro drumming (Pages 16/17)
Extra food? (Page 5)Visit Germany (Page 17)
Chinese opera (Pages 5/6)Yoga time (Page 17)
Wind Academy (Pages 6/7)Hospitality training (Page 17/18)
Band concert (Page 7)Texas Township (Page 18)
Faculty Success Center (Pages 7/8) Linda’s landscapes (P-18/19)
Wellness screens (Pages 8/9) GVSU here (Pages 19/20)
Managing weight (Pages 9/10)New trustees (Pages 20/21)
WeightWatchers (Page 10)DeKam’s day (Pages 21/22)
Blood clinic (Pages 10/11)Transfer tips (Page 23)
A big deal (Pages 11/12)And Finally (Page 23)
☻☻☻☻☻☻
KVCC’s ‘brand’ to be unveiled Friday
Trumpets, please!
KVCC’s “branding” initiative, which was launched just about one year ago, will be capped off at a pair of “Brand Reveal” presentations on Friday (Oct. 30).
The first is slated for 9:15 a.m. in the Mary Jane Stryker Theater at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The Dale Lake Auditorium will be the site for the second at 1 p.m.
As President Marilyn Schlack said in her invitation to the college community, “You will see how communication, collaboration and commitment have brought us to this point.”
The process began in mid-October of 2008 when the Chicago firm of Lipman Hearne began its information and data collection. Its representatives also conducted a series of interviews with administrators, students, faculty, alumni and staff on campus and conversed with business, educational, governmental and civic leaders.
The process was seeking:
● A better understanding of what the institution means to its audiences.
● A focus on what must be accomplished to continue reaching these audiences and building new ones.
● Improved efficiency and effectiveness in how marketing resources are used.
● A common language that improves the quality of dialogue, especially about the future.
To move the initiative along in its early stages, a collegewide steering committee was established. Its members included Mike Collins, Deborah Dawson, Jim DeHaven, Steve Doherty, Mike Keller, Karen Matson, Candy Horton, and Schlack.
Six “branding” objectives were identified: build awareness of KVCC’s full portfolio; establish a consistent brand image; recruit and retain students; increase private support; build alumni affinity; and clarify opportunities for growth.
After the Lipman Hearne interviewers boiled down what they had heard and scheduled another package of interviews, the findings and conclusions were turned over to a “creative group” that took the process to its conclusion, working through the summer to reach this point.
Co-chairing that group were Matson and Keller. Joining them in the creative phase were business instructor Steve Walman, part-time design instructor Thomas Mills and Thomas Wrench, a 2009 graduate of the Center for New Media program. Karen Visser was later added to address implementation.
"We are presenting an alternative brand concept that's 'simply different' from other colleges," Matson said. "We felt a tagline was often cliché, and opted for what we think is a stronger, more emotional connection to KVCC. It will all be explained in the presentation."
“We've used the term ‘brand essence’ and ‘brand promise,’” Keller added, “but the presentation will give a broader understanding of the various components as well as the terminology.”
One of the important components of the branding process is to captures the essence of what KVCC is all about. It will shape and forge the messages that KVCC wants to foster in positioning its future, to pinpoint what distinguishes it from similar institutions, and how all of these factors can define strategies for future actions in presenting itself to the public.
Get ready for the flu to bug us
If you’re down and out, do us all a favor -- don’t lift up your head and shout, “It’s gonna be a great day” no matter how badly you feel.
Stay home, especially if you experiencing flu symptoms. As Amy Louallen, the college’s human resources manager, informed the college community last week, H1NI, formerly known as the Swine Flu for some strange reasons, is already pigging out on Southwest Michigan.
KVCC has established a committee to address appropriate planning and preparedness in conjunction with the Kalamazoo County Department of Health and Community Services along Center for Disease Control guidelines. The intent is for the college to defer to government authority and public-health directives as what is being called a “pandemic” impacts the state.
KVCC’ers who want the most up-to-date information and guidance can tap into this web page:
While common sense comes into play, those who feel sick should isolate themselves as much as possible.
This form of influenza is extremely contagious, but is on the most part a mild form that runs its course in less than a week without prescription medication. Medical attention should only be sought if the person is classified as high risk or the illness worsens after seven days.
Instructors are also asked to cut their students some slack by not requiring a note from a physician if they miss class because of illness and by being a bit lenient in the application of an absenteeism policy.
This webpage is accessible to staff, faculty, students, and any other members of the community. It will contain constantly updated information and reports, and also feature a five-minute video. Another way to reach the site is the go to the KVCC home page, and then click on “College Resources” and “Pandemic Planning.”
Flag raising part of Veterans Day observance
With the United States at war on two fronts and basically around the world as the nation battles terrorists, it’s time to salute those who have served – and are serving -- in the armed forces.
The KVCC Veterans Club will conduct a flag-raising ceremony at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in front of the Tower Entrance of the Texas Township Campus. In addition to the probable sound of a gently flapping “Stars and Stripes” in the wind, a bugler will be present.
That will be followed later by a Veterans Day celebration from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in the Student Commons Forum.
Both events are open to the public.
College begins its United Way campaign
KVCC will be launching its part of the 2009 Greater Kalamazoo United Way (GKUW) campaign the last week in October and maintain the initiative through Nov. 6.
The communitywide fund drive was started on Sept. 9 and is scheduled to end Nov. 20. This year’s goal is $9.1 million, which is about what the campaign raised in 2008 as, for the first time in anyone’s memory, the fund drive fell short of reaching its goal.
The GKUW supports 60 human-service programs in 42 member agencies, from Girls on the Run to round-the-clock crisis intervention.
This year’s campaign theme is again “Live United,” with a tagline of “Give. Advocate. Volunteer. Live United.”
Western Michigan University President John Dunn is the campaign chairman for 2009.
The supported agencies have a variety of missions, including physical and mental health, strengthening families and youth, strengthening community, and increasing each person’s self-sufficiency.
Together, they deliver services for the growing ranks of the unemployed, the increasing number of children receiving some kind of food assistance, a homeless population that is spiking and is 41 percent children, more and more people losing their health coverage, and a boost among people who are losing their homes.
“As in the past,” said Steve Doherty, who is chairing the college’s two-week effort, “your gifts have been greatly appreciated and we thank you for your consideration.”
Those who choose to participated can use payroll deduction that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2010. Pledge cars can be forwarded to Denise Baker in Room 3380 or dropped off with other members of the campaign team.
Among the member agencies are Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Boys and Girls Club, Comstock Community Center, the Community Healing Centers, Goodwill Industries, MRC Industries, the Portage Community Center, the Salvation Army, the YMCA, the YWCA, Senior Services Inc. the Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo, the Hispanic American Council, Hospice, Ministry with Community, the Douglass Community Association, Gryphon Place, and Family and Children Services.
Automotive Academy plans open house
An open house on Nov. 5 will help launch the third edition of the KVCC Automotive Academy for which applications are still being accepted.
Just like the high-tech vehicles that it trains prospective mechanics to maintain, the academy format is being fine-tuned. It will be shorter in duration, smaller in size, and slightly redesigned in instructional delivery.
The training will be staged in the M-TEC of KVCC, located on the college’s Groves Campus off 9th Street along I-94, instead of at the Texas Township Campus’ automotive facilities.
That is also where the Nov. 5 open house will be staged from 4 to 6 p.m. The third academy is slated to begin Nov. 23.
The agenda will include information about the academy, remarks by lead instructor Hector Orlandi, and a seminar on “Emerging Technologies in the Automotive Industry.” Refreshments will be served.
One of the new wrinkles will be a textbook-less approach. Instead, each student will have access to a laptop computer that they can use to research on the Internet for the online maintenance services offered by automotive manufacturers and suppliers.
Under Orlandi, there will also be a shift in instructional design. The first two academies, which ran for 42 weeks, featured a third segment that had enrollees, in effect, running their own repair shop under the guidance of their instructors.
The new format will have that kind of training integrated throughout the instructions. When the students are being trained in brake work, that’s the kind of repairs they will be making right then and there instead of waiting to the end.
The theory is that will be a more effective and hands-on way of learning and training because the students will be applying that knowledge quickly instead of waiting until later when there could be a tendency to forget.
Instead of a peak enrollment of 17, the third academy will be limited to 12 enrollees. Among the selection criteria in the competitive process are the quality of the written applications, a “documented work ethic,” interest in and knowledge of automotive technology, and driving records.
Within five days of submitting an application, a prospective enrollee will be notified as to whether he/she has met the basic eligibility criteria and be scheduled for an interview. Notification of acceptance into the academy will also be within a five-day period.
The fee for the third academy, which will run through next July,is $9,500. This includes uniforms valued at $300 and $7,000 in high-tech tools that automotive technicians need to function.
“The automotive academy is like a job,” said Orlandi, who has more than 25 years of global experience as an automotive-service technical engineer. “We look for students who can make a full-time commitment.”
Beginning on Nov. 23, the enrollees will be in class or in the lab from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. Stressed will be the eight automotive-knowledge areas that are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and preparing students to reach those standards.
Financial aid is available, and scholarship funds awardable through the Kalamazoo Promise also qualify for the KVCC Automotive Academy.
A complete description and application can be downloaded at Then click on “Automotive Technician Academy.” Information is also available by calling (269) 353-1282.
Bring that surplus food to campus
For the holiday season from Thanksgiving through Christmas, the college is coordinatinga food-collection effort for Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.
Faculty, staff and students can donate canned and bottled foods, along with edibles that are packaged and unopened, all of which will be distributed by the agency to needy Kalamazoo-area residents.
Donations may be made in Room 4220 in the Student Commons, in a receptacle near the faculty offices, and in the Student Success Center.
More information is available from Mary Johnson, student activities and programs coordinator, at extension 4182 or .
Chinese opera booked for Lake performance
A free performance of a traditional form of Chinese opera featuring artists from the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing will be hosted by KVCC on Wednesday (Oct. 28).
Co-sponsored by the newly formed Confucius Institute and the Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education at Western Michigan University, the 7 p.m. staging in the Dale Lake Auditorium is open to the public as well as students and staff.
Six vignettes from classical Chinese operas will offer the audience an opportunity to learn about this type of musical creativity best known for its usage of elaborate costumes, intricately painted face masks and a unique singing style.
Performances include acrobatics, dance and martial arts. The stories on which the vignettes are based date as far back as 200 A. D.
Based in Ellsworth Hall, the Confucius Institute was established last July via a five-year, renewable agreement in collaboration with China's Office of Chinese Language Council International, known more commonly as the Hanban. The partnership will provide new Chinese-language and cultural-studies options for WMU students and faculty. It also has the potential to dramatically expand international opportunities for area schools and local businesses.
"The Confucius Institute program represents the commitment on the part of the Chinese government to extend and expand knowledge about China and its language and culture with people all over the world," said Donald McCloud, dean of the Haenicke Institute. "The program represents one of the largest intercultural education programs ever established. Although differing in format in the area of international education, the Confucius Institute program holds many goals similar to our Fulbright Scholar and student-exchange programs."
One of the institute’s goals is a commitment to extend the teaching of the Chinese language and culture to students and to community residents. It seeks to strengthen collaborations with local schools and community businesses, train teachers and offer language and culture workshops, summer camps, fine-arts events and travel opportunities.
Serving as a window and bridge to China for the region, the collaboration will bring six or seven Chinese-language faculty members, financially sponsored by the Chinese partners, to the WMU campus each year to help the university expand language arts and cultural offerings on campus. In addition, WMU's library holdings will be enhanced, and the Beijing Language and Culture Universitywill designate WMU as one of its major study-abroad sites, sending as many as 30 students to study in Kalamazoo each year.
The WMU Confucius Institute will be supported over its first five years with funding from the Hanban, which will be matched by WMU largely with support for such things as office space and personnel needs, assistance to visiting professors, faculty time in several colleges for institute work, travel, curriculum development and designation of an institute director. In addition to faculty salaries, funding from Hanban will provide operating funds on an annual basis.
In all, the Confucius Institute has formal partnerships in the United States with 61 universities – four of which are now in Michigan at WMU, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University. Michigan is the only state with four.
For more information, contact Jaime LeBlanc-Hadley, WMU Confucius Institute, at (269) 387-3951.
Wind academy’s first session is Monday
Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s first-of-its-kind-in-the-nation training academy for technicians who will work on utility-sized turbines clustered on wind farms around the world is scheduled to be launched Monday (Oct. 26) at the M-TEC.
The 26-week training academy, based on skill standards established in Germany, will produce technicians for entry-level employment working on the giants of the wind-energy industry. They will complete training on May 9.
A second academy is booked to start May 17 and applications are still being accepted. Those applicants not accepted into the first session will be carried over to a waiting list for the second. The fee is $12,000.
The first step to gain access into the next academy is to complete the written application, which can be downloaded at this web site – Applications can be mailed or faxed to the M-TEC, or dropped off personally.