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.

Glen Oaks teacher honored

An art professor at Glen Oaks Community College has been selected as the recipient of the annual E.J. Shaheen Chair for Teaching Excellence Award.

Michael Northrop, who joined the Centreville-area college in 2000 and became a full-time faculty member in 2005, was announced the 28th winner of the award.

Northrop teaches art history, object drawing, two-dimensional design and several other art classes.

The honor recognizes a distinguished full-time professor who adheres to high professional standards. It was introduced in 1983 by E.J. Shaheen, then president of the Glen Oaks Community College Foundation.

Northrop is to be honored during the college’s May 4 graduation ceremony.

Mandatory orientation

Glen Oaks Community College officials have made attendance at orientation for new students a requirement.

Mandatory at any one of the six sessions begins with students new to the school effective with the start of the fall 2012 semester. Sessions last four hours and are offered on various days of the week and at various times of day starting with a May 9 session.

The final orientation is Aug. 16.

School officials said orientation is a critical and informational program, which highlights policies, procedures, activities and support services offered at the Centreville-area school.

Attendance at one of the orientation sessions is required before a student new to the school may register for classes.

Orientation dates and more information is available through the school’s website: glenoaks.edu.

Tuition increase for GOCC

Tuition for St. Joseph County students attending Glen Oaks Community College will increase $5 per credit hour starting in the fall.

Approved by the school’s board of trustees, the rate hike will bump the college’s tuition rate to $89 per credit hour.

Meanwhile, students in the college’s service area will pay $136 a credit hour, with an additional $6 per credit hour figured in, while out-of-district students will be charged $173 per credit hour, an $8 increase per credit hour.

Board members said stagnant enrollment and an increase in the school’s contribution to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System warrant the tuition increases.

Trine U To Offer Bachelor’s Degree

Credits from a four-year university may soon be secured from a location in Sturgis, as Trine University is expected to start offering classes in the Commons Building of Sturgis Public Schools.

The Angola, Ind.-based college is set to offer classes toward a bachelor’s degree in a number of fields, including business administration, emergency management, applied management, computer science and psychology, college officials said.

Trine officials said the classes will take place at an accelerated rate. The school will accept transfer credits, as it has a working agreement with Glen Oaks Community College. The agreement with Glen Oaks means an associate’s degree from the Centreville-area school will be recognized and allow a student to enter Trine as a junior.

Trine will also offer dual-enrollment courses for area high school students.

GOCC Accepting Nominations

Glen Oaks Community College has announced that nominations are being accepted for the E. J. Shaheen Chair for Teaching Excellence award.

Current and former students, staff and community members are invited to nominate a full-time faculty member. This appointment is awarded on an annual basis to a faculty member at Glen Oaks Community College who exemplifies high professional standards, demonstrates excellence in teaching and whose position as a full-time faculty member reflects upon the value of education to his or her students and the quality of education. The appointment includes a monetary award.

All nominations should be submitted to the president’s office at Glen Oaks. Nominations will be accepted through March 9.

The E. J. Shaheen “Chair for Teaching Excellence” was initiated in 1984 after a generous donation by Mr. Eli J. Shaheen, an original member of the Glen Oaks Board of Trustees.

« Previous Page — Next Page »