GOCC has new board members

Glen Oaks Community College will see a trio of new faces on its board, following Tuesday’s vote in the general election.

Joni Smith and John Bippus claimed the two, six-year seats to the board. Bud Malinoski came up short in the three-person race.

Meanwhile, two candidates were unopposed for a pair of four-year terms. Newcomer Mary Lou Falkenstein will join incumbent Nancy Percival to fill the four-year posts.

New Dean at Glen Oaks

The new dean of finance and administration at Glen Oaks Community College was introduced at Wednesday’s board meeting.

Bruce Zakrzewski previously worked in finance and administration positions at Lake Michigan College, and a pair of Indiana-based businesses in the South Bend region before that.

Petitions for candidates due Aug. 14th

St. Joseph County Clerk Pattie Bender is advising the public that petitions for candidates to area school boards of education, Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees and village councils are due by 4 p.m. Aug. 14.

All positions will be elected in the Nov. 6 general election.

Bender said candidates wishing to run for school board in Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Nottawa and White Pigeon and all village council candidates need to file a minimum of six signatures and a maximum of 20.

Board candidates for Sturgis, Three Rivers and Glen Oaks need a minimum of 40 signatures and a maximum of 100 signatures.

All petitions are to be filed in the county clerk’s office.

New professors for area school

Glen Oaks Community College has announced the appointment of two new professors.

Michelle McNamara, who previously served as an instructor of oral communications, and Sheryl Smithson were hired as professors at the Centreville-area school.

McNamara will continue to teach oral communications, while Smithson will serve as professor of microbiology.

In addition, a trio of faculty members received tenure after completing a four-year probationary period. They are: Steven Ryno, professor of communications; Chad Worthington, professor of psychology; and Michael Sandelin, professor of math.

Biggest graduating class at GOCC

Glen Oaks Community College graduated 225 students Friday, as the class of 2012, its family members and friends gathered in the school’s gymnasium for the ceremony.

About 150 of the graduates participated in the commencement exercise, which was led by school president Gary Wheeler. Also addressing the standing-room-only crowd were faculty member Michael Northrop, alumni Bruce Gosling and student Lynn Harter.

Wheeler said the size of the class was the largest in the school’s history.

Motorcycle safety training offered

The first of nine weekends for motorcycle-safety training takes place Friday at Sturgis High School.

Offered through Glen Oaks Community College and overseen by state-certified trainer Robin Bordner, the program is partially funded by the Michigan Department of State.

Cost per participant is $25 and classes are limited to 12 students per session. Though the program is offered nine different weekends, only one, three-day weekend of training is required to secure the certification.

Bordner said classroom work takes place Fridays, with driving and testing on Saturdays and Sundays.

In addition, three one-day, returning-rider classes are offered June 2, 30 and July 7.

More information is available at 506-5111.

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