Arbor Day Ceremony Honors Theresa Hollowell, Julie MacArthur

An Arbor Day event will be held on April 25 to honor the memory of two former Kalamazoo Valley instructors, Theresa Hollowell and Julie MacArthur. Theresa was a dental hygiene instructor who died of cancer in November 2013. She taught in the dental hygiene program for 35 years. Julie MacArthur was a part-time faculty member who taught geology and geography. She started teaching in 1995 and passed away on January 11, 2014.

The tree planting ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at the Texas Township Campus near the wind turbine. “The celebration of Arbor Day provides our college community with the opportunity to recognize and appreciate our beautiful campus,” said English and Transitional Studies Instructor Natalie Patchell. “We have been actively doing tree plantings on Arbor Day for the last five years in an effort to become a certified "Tree Campus USA." And we have added another tradition of remembering individuals who have recently passed by dedicating one of the trees planted in their honor.”

The ceremony is open to all. Kalamazoo Valley staff members Wanda Scott and Gloria Larrieu will offer readings and remembrances, along with Paul Asmus and Helen Palleschi, who were both friends of Theresa. Natalie Patchell will give closing comments.