Kalamazoo Valley Community College

InFocus: News for Kalamazoo Valley Community College Students
MISSION STATEMENT
Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.

April 6, 2026

Greetings, students,

On Sunday, May 3, we will celebrate the success of your fellow students during our commencement ceremony. Many of you have friends and family who will be participating in this important event and I am so proud of their accomplishments. Maybe even you yourself are preparing to walk on the commencement stage in a few weeks!

Many of you are on track to celebrate your own success in an upcoming graduation ceremony in future semesters. My advice to you in the coming month is to keep after your goals. Do not let anyone or anything stand in your way of achieving your dreams. If you're not graduating this month, if your schedule allows, consider taking at least one summer semester class to keep you moving toward completing your credential.
 
We know that you have been working hard this semester. Maintain your pace for a few more weeks so you can reap the rewards of your efforts over the past months. Your hard work is going to pay off!

Sincerely,

signature: L. Marshall Washington
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Graphic promoting “GradFest” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Event dates and times: Wednesday, April 22, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the AWH lobby; and Thursday, April 23, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in the TTC cafeteria lower level. Attendees can pick up graduation tickets, honor cords, and a $10 off commencement regalia coupon. Activities include purchasing regalia at the bookstore, connecting with University Center representatives, decorating graduation caps, RSVPing for commencement, getting a professional headshot, and enjoying food. Decorative blue and white balloons appear on the right side.
Did you know?
Enjoy Southeast Asian Cuisine at Foodways Symposium April 10 - 11 
Get ready for a culinary journey to Southeast Asia! The college will explore those flavors when our FREE annual Kalamazoo Valley Foodways Symposium returns April 10 - 11 to downtown Kalamazoo. It kicks off Friday, April 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum with a keynote panel and free seed share, followed by a day of culinary exploration on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building. Registration is not required. Visit kalamazoofoodways.org for the schedule and more details.

Come out to the Distinguished Alumni Award Winner Reception April 14
Join us as we celebrate 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner Laurie Cooper at a public reception on Tuesday, April 14, at 5 p.m., during Taps on Tuesday at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, located at 418 E. Walnut St. in downtown Kalamazoo. There will be complimentary food along with beverages for purchase. This is a drop-in event. Have a nominee for the 2027 award? Submit the name here.

Annual Respecting Differences Event Takes Place April 8
It's time once again for the annual Respecting Differences event! This year, the speaker is Jennifer Bott, Ph.D., who will present on "From Friction to Fuel: Leveraging Strengths in Intergenerational Work Teams" on Wednesday, April 8. Choose one of two sessions, 9 to 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 3 p.m., to attend at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium. For free parking locations and more information, visit wmich.edu/respectingdifferences. Kalamazoo Valley Community College sponsors this free event, along with Western, Kalamazoo College, the city of Kalamazoo, city of Portage, Kalamazoo County and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo. Registration is not required.
public safety
Personal Safety on Campus Roads
The Kalamazoo Valley Public Safety office would like to remind you that our campus roads are public roads. Slow down! Be extra mindful of pedestrians crossing the road to come to class and of the public, who might be on campus walking, running or enjoying the nature trails connected to campus. Follow all stop signs on campus and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Remember that Public Safety can enforce traffic laws on any of our campus roads. Drive safely!
admissions, registration, and records
Fall 2026 Registration Opens the Week of April 6
Registration for the Fall 2026 semester opens the week of April 6 and is based on earned credit hours. Click here to view the course schedule. Availability to register throughout the week is dependent on earned credit hours and opens as shown below:
  • For those who've earned 36 or more credit hours, registration opens April 6 at 8 a.m.
  • For those who've earned 24 or more credit hours, registration opens April 7 at 8 a.m.
  • For those who've earned 12 or more credit hours, registration opens April 8 at 8 a.m.
  • Fall registration opens for all other students April 9 at 8 a.m.
Advisors and counselors are available to help students select the correct courses for each degree plan. To schedule an appointment, call 269.488.4040. Or, log in to your MyValley account and schedule an appointment by clicking on the "My Advisor/Campus Contact" link in the left navigation pane. For other questions about fall registration, call the Admissions, Registration and Records Office at 269.488.4281 or email arr@kvcc.edu.
student development services
Flyer for “EmployU” workshops at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Text explains that EmployU workshops help students build career and employment skills, covering topics such as job searching, resumes, portfolios, employer spotlights, and interviewing. Sessions are informal Zoom discussions open to all students with opportunities to ask questions. Event date and time: April 16, 6–7 p.m. Instructions to email careercenter@kvcc.edu to pre-register and receive the Zoom link. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears at the bottom.
Flyer titled “Discover Strengths” promoting a CliftonStrengths workshop. Text invites students to learn about their top strengths and how to use them to improve academic performance, social interaction, and future career prospects. It notes CliftonStrengths has been used for over 50 years by more than 1,000 colleges and universities and reaches about 700,000 students annually. The session is open to all students and lasts 30 minutes. Contact information: email strengths@kvcc.edu or call 488.4040 to receive the Zoom link. Event details: Tuesday, April 7 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Includes “Lead with Your Strengths” graphic and Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo.
Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program (KVAAP)
Upcoming Info Sessions
We are continuing to look for students for the Summer 2026 semester! Students can attend these information sessions via a Zoom meeting link that will be sent to them upon signing up. These sessions will explain how Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program can assist students with achieving their educational goals. Interested students can register here.
  • Tuesday, April 14 | 5:30 - 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 16 | 3 - 3:30 p.m.
Student Life and Engagement
Take A Virtual Tour of the KV Circle Center!
Want to see and hear what the KV Circle Center is all about? Click here for a virtual tour! 
Flyer for the KV Circle Center at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Text explains that the KV Circle Center, located at the Texas Township Campus Student Commons, provides free fresh and nonperishable food and hygiene products. Students can complete a simple application to shop once weekly using a reusable bag. Hours of operation: Monday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Tuesday 4–6:30 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Contact information: Monteze O. Morales, Director, mmorales@kvcc.edu. A QR code is included for more information. Illustration shows two people placing groceries, including vegetables and milk, into a large bag labeled “KV.” Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears.
Flyer for “Valley Food Share” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Text explains that the program provides food assistance to students through a weekly drive-thru distribution alternating between the Food Innovation Center and the Texas Township Campus every Thursday from 2–4 p.m. Students receive an email each Thursday with a signup link and pickup instructions. Distribution schedule: January 22: Food Innovation Center January 29: Texas Township Campus, Tower Entrance February 5: Food Innovation Center February 12: Texas Township Campus, Tower Entrance February 19: Food Innovation Center February 26: Texas Township Campus, Tower Entrance March 12: Food Innovation Center March 19: Texas Township Campus, Tower Entrance March 26: Food Innovation Center April 2: Texas Township Campus, Tower Entrance April 9: Food Innovation Center April 16: Texas Township Campus, Tower Entrance April 23: Food Innovation Center Includes Valley Food Share logo and Kalamazoo Valley Community College branding.

Flyer titled “Wellness at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.” Text invites students to learn ways to take care of themselves and prioritize wellness. Sessions take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 4380 at the Texas Township Campus (TTC). Schedule: April 7 – Healthy Relationships; April 21 – STI Testing and Education; May 5 – Naloxone Training; May 19 – STI Testing and Education. Includes wellness-themed icons (mental health, heart/health, and meditation), the Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo, and the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department logo.
Flyer for “Bronco Bound: Drop-In Transfer Resource Tables” with Western Michigan University. Text invites students considering transfer options to connect with WMU advisors and admissions representatives to get questions answered. Event dates: Thursday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Texas Township Campus Cafeteria. No appointment necessary. Includes Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College logos.
Bright pink flyer titled “Transfer Tuesday.” Text invites students who are unsure about which four-year college or university to attend after Kalamazoo Valley to connect with college and university admissions representatives. Event dates: April 7 and April 14. Location: Texas Township Campus Cafeteria. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo appears at the bottom.
Flyer titled “Dear Future Me…” for Spirit Days at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Invitation to create a vision board and write a letter to your future self before the semester ends; free refreshments available. Event runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on three dates and locations: April 7 at CNM Lower Level Lobby, April 8 at AWH Main Lobby, and April 9 at TTC Cafeteria Pit. Background image shows a person writing “vision” on paper surrounded by photos and sticky notes; a note reads “You can do it!” Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo included.
Flyer for “The Ned Foskey Poetry Prize” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Submission deadline is Monday, April 6. Open to any registered Kalamazoo Valley student. Prizes: first place $150, second place $100, third place $75. Submit up to three previously unpublished poems. Includes a QR code for details and guidelines. Decorative elements include a butterfly and an open book illustration, with the Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo.

Libraries 
Need Help Now?
Librarians can answer questions about research and citation. Visit us, schedule an appointment ahead of time or use our chat service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Getting started with research
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Citation Guide
For questions about paper formatting and citation ' including MLA and APA ' view our online Citation Guide.

Study In the Library
The Kalamazoo Valley libraries offer the perfect environment for focused work. 
 
Kalamazoo Valley Community College Cougar mascot, a bright blue feline character wearing a black KV logo shirt, stands between library bookshelves and gives two thumbs up; rows of books line both sides of the aisle.

Visit the libraries for:

  • Peaceful atmosphere
  • Excellent views
  • Individual and group study furniture
  • Computers and printers
  • Help from librarians
  • Access to books and electronic databases
  • Study rooms (available at the Texas Township Campus)

Hours and Contact Information
cougar cafe
Food Service on the Texas Township Campus
Looking for a quick snack or something for lunch while on the Texas Township Campus? The Cougar Cafe offers a wide variety of grab-and-go items, including sandwiches, salads and soup. Subway is also located inside the Cougar Cafe. The Cougar Cafe on the Texas Township Campus is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., serving breakfast items from 7:30 to 10 a.m. The Coffee Den is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

This week's Cougar Cafe menu includes:
Monday, April 6 | Baked potato soup; grill station selections
Tuesday, April 7 | Baked potato soup; grill station selections
Wednesday, April 8 | Baked potato soup; taco bar
Thursday, April 9 | Baked potato soup; pulled pork sliders
the offical kalamazoo community college cougar bookstore
Exterior views of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College bookstore entrance. Brick walls surround large glass windows and a door with KV branding. Window graphics show students and campus imagery. Posted signage includes the bookstore website (bookstore.kvcc.edu) and hours of operation, with an A-frame sign placed near the entrance.
Get $10-Off Commencement Attire Coupon at Gradfest
Attention May graduates! Be sure to attend Gradfest to pick up the Campus Bookstore's $10-off coupon for commencement attire. Gradfest is Wednesday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Anna Whitten Hall in downtown Kalamazoo in the main lobby, and Thursday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Texas Township Campus Cafeteria, where you can RSVP for commencement, pick up graduation tickets, decorate your graduation caps, get free professional headshots, enjoy food and more. At the Anna Whitten Hall Gradfest, caps and gowns will be available for on-site sales. No worries if you can't make that. Commencement attire can be bought anytime at the Texas Township Campus Bookstore during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or online. Note that coupons can only be used for in-person commencement attire purchases. 
 
Winter Book Buyback Scheduled for April 27 - May 1
You can get cash for your used Winter 2026 books at Book Buyback. It takes place April 27, April 28, April 29, April 30 and May 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Texas Township Campus Bookstore. To find out which books will be accepted and for what amount, call the Bookstore at 269.488.4030, visit bookstore.kvcc.edu or email bookstore@kvcc.edu.
get involved on campus
Promotional flyer announcing “Soccer Club is Back!” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Practices are held Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. on the field in the middle of the outdoor track at the Texas Township Campus. Open to all skill levels; invites students to join a supportive, active group whether experienced or new to the game. Notes to bring a water bottle, comfortable shoes and clothing, and a soccer ball if available. Includes contact information to join the club’s Canvas page (email advisor Ramon Veraza at rveraza1754@kvcc.edu) and features soccer-themed graphics and the KV logo.
Promotional flyer for “Kalamazoo Valley Creates: Elements—A Creative Expression of Water.” Event takes place Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Center for New Media, Anna Whitten Hall, and Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Free and open to the public, featuring hands-on experiences in animation and design, fine arts, creative writing, culinary arts, and music. Event is held across three buildings at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo included.
Flyer for Kalamazoo Valley Community College “Student Celebration Showcase.” Event is May 1 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Center for New Media, Arcus Gallery. Showcases artwork by current students who have completed at least one art/AAMT class. Prizes include Best of Show, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Submissions are due April 24; students must prepare and deliver work according to entry guidelines. Includes a QR code for full guidelines and entry form, Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo, and abstract red and yellow artwork.
Promotional flyer for “Harry Potter Club” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Invites students to join a Wizarding World–themed club featuring cosplay, snacks, discussions, reading, games, and crafts. Meetings are held every other Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in TTC Room 4530, with listed dates April 7 and April 21. To join, students are asked to complete the Sorting Hat quiz at harrypotter.com/sorting-hat and email results to mpreston1367@mail.kvcc.edu. Design includes a castle at night and an owl delivering a letter.
Promotional flyer for Kalamazoo Valley Community College Music Club. Event takes place April 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. in TTC Room 4240. Invites students to join for “good vibes and great tunes” and explore music with others. Contact Cole Mosqueda at cmosqueda6591@mail.kvcc.edu for questions. Background features a close-up image of guitar strings with colorful lighting, and the Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo.
Promotional flyer for a Gaming Club at Kalamazoo Valley Community College with a retro pixel-art video game design. Text reads: “Gaming Club—You’re invited to play a variety of games, from tabletop role-playing games and board games to video games, and everything in between.” The club meets Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m. in TTC Room 4510, and everyone is welcome. Visual elements include pixelated hearts, a score display, trees, clouds, and a treasure chest. Contact advisors Mary Cox (mcox@kvcc.edu) and Beth Brandon (ebrandon@kvcc.edu) with questions.
Promotional flyer for the LGBTQ+ Diversity Club at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. A black-and-white illustration of a person holding a megaphone appears on the left, with colorful rainbow stripes and decorative symbols. Large text reads “LGBTQ+ diversity club.” Meetings are held every Thursday from 2 to 3 p.m. Dates and locations alternate between TTC Room 2570 and AWH Room 207, including Feb. 12, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, March 12, March 19, March 26, April 2, and April 9. Contact: Club advisor Misti Mahon at mmahon@kvcc.edu.
Promotional flyer for the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Spanish Club on a yellow background with decorative red patterned borders. Text reads: “Spanish Club—Thursdays, 2–3 p.m., Room 3330 TTC.” Description: “Join us to make connections, practice your Spanish and play games! Nos vemos!” Contact information: Philip Sypris at psypris4050@mail.kvcc.edu or advisor Kevin Fuchs at kfuchs@kvcc.edu for more details.
 
Upcoming Events
 
Promotional flyer for “Food and Verse Pairing: An Exclusive Accompaniment to Taps on Tuesday” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Event takes place April 7 from 5–7 p.m. at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building. Description explains a special lyrical edition of Taps on Tuesday featuring student-crafted food and beer pairings combined with spoken word poetry. The evening includes curated pairings created by culinary and brewing students, each matched with a displayed poem. Accompanying photo shows people seated at a table in a modern dining space while a staff member serves food and drinks.
Promotional flyer for “Food and Verse Pairing: An Exclusive Accompaniment to Taps on Tuesday” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Event takes place April 7 from 5–7 p.m. at the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building. Description explains a special lyrical edition of Taps on Tuesday featuring student-crafted food and beer pairings combined with spoken word poetry. The evening includes curated pairings created by culinary and brewing students, each matched with a displayed poem. Accompanying photo shows people seated at a table in a modern dining space while a staff member serves food and drinks.
Promotional flyer for a “Visiting Writers Book Talk” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Event is April 10 at 10 a.m. and features author Ross Gay discussing “The Book of (More) Delights.” The event takes place in the TTC library and is open to students, faculty, and staff. Additional text invites attendees to join an informal discussion of books by visiting writers. Images of several book covers appear across the top, including works by Ross Gay and other authors.
Promotional flyer for the Visiting Writers Series at Kalamazoo Valley Community College featuring author Ross Gay. Event takes place April 16 at 10 a.m. in the Student Commons Lounge. Text includes a biography noting Ross Gay as an award-winning poet and essayist, author of works such as Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, The Book of Delights, Inciting Joy, and The Book of (More) Delights. A portrait on the right shows Ross Gay seated outdoors, resting his head on his hand and smiling.
Promotional flyer for budgeting and financial wellness drop-in sessions at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in partnership with Advia Credit Union. Text reads: “Stop by to learn tips on budgeting and financial wellness from financial experts with Advia Credit Union. Drop-in visits—no appointment needed.” Sessions are held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 4220 on the following dates: April 6 and 16; May 4 and 21; June 1 and 18; July 6, 7, and 16. Graphics include an upward-trending chart, a plant growing from a coin, and a stack of cash.
athletics
Side-by-side athletic recognition graphic featuring two Kalamazoo Valley Community College Cougars softball players. Left: Camryn Jilek, named MCCAA West Player of the Week, shown smiling in a Cougars uniform. Right: Emily Rice, named MCCAA West Pitcher of the Week, also smiling in a Cougars uniform. Both portraits appear against a light background with Cougar branding and blue accents.
MCCAA Picks Two Softball Players as Player/Pitcher of the Week
The Lady Cougars' softball season officially began a little over two weeks ago and already the accolades are rolling in! Congratulations to Camryn Jilek on her selection as a Player of the Week and Emily Rice as a Pitcher of the Week for the Western Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association! The MCCAA made the announcement on its Instagram and X accounts on March 24.

It's That Time ' Baseball and Softball Season!
Enjoy some fresh air and support the softball and baseball teams at the same time! You're invited to drop in at any time to the home games ' FREE at the college's Texas Township Campus. See below for the home games from now through May. Visit athletics.kvcc.edu for the full schedule of home and away games, plus scores. For a story about the season, click here.

 Team poster for the 2026 Kalamazoo Valley Community College men’s baseball team. The image shows a large group of student-athletes in black Cougars uniforms arranged in two rows, with individual headshots and names labeled above and below each player. Names include Kyle Lingbeek, Eli Main, Carter Manion, Tyler Marx, Jacob Ray, James Rix, Callan Royce, Troy Scarff, Kadyn Stahlhood, Ty Trosen, Tate Wesbecker, Teddy Winstel, Carter Zillmer, Drew Baker, Max Baumer, Joel Botardo, Jackson Cavner, Tommy Clarey, Timmy Crowley, Dominik Deen, Braxton Essian, Dominic Gadlage, Max Gillum, Colin Hoenle, Brody Houseman, Kash Kalahar, and Ethan Lijewski. The background features a baseball field home plate graphic, and a Cougars logo appears in the lower right corner.
BASEBALL
  • 2 & 4:30 p.m. | Thursday | April 9 vs. Marian University's Ancilla College
  • 4 p.m. | Wednesday | April 15 vs. Kalamazoo College JV
  • 2 & 4:30 p.m. | Thursday | April 16 vs. Kellogg Community College
  • 3 p.m. | Tuesday | April 21 vs. Grand Rapids Community College
  • 2 & 4 p.m. | Thursday | April 23 vs. Lake Michigan College
  • 2 & 4 p.m. | Tuesday | April 28 vs. Mid Michigan College
  • 1 & 3 p.m. | Saturday | May 2 vs. Glen Oaks Community College

Team poster for the 2026 Kalamazoo Valley Community College women’s softball team. The image shows a group of student-athletes in black and teal Cougars uniforms arranged in two rows, each with a headshot and their name displayed above or below their image. Names include Camryn Jilek, Hailey Kessler, Emily Kragt, Sadie Laubenthal, Emily Rice, Margarette Sheets, Ava Vandentoorn, Kendra Wallenfang, Emily Zemitans, Jozee Buglione, Brielle Bailey, Brooklyn Bowen, Madison Coppin, Aylin Davila, Adyson Fulton, Lanie Glass, Tristin Hyland, Kennedy Vice, and Isabella Zamora. The background features a softball field home plate graphic, and a Cougars logo appears in the lower right corner.
SOFTBALL
  • 3 & 5 p.m. | Friday | April 10 vs. Lake Michigan College
  • 3 & 5 p.m. | Friday | April 24 vs. Lake Michigan College
  • 3 & 5 p.m. | Friday | April 1 vs. Jackson Community College
  • 1 & 3 p.m. | Saturday | May 2  vs. Lansing Community College
Banner reading “What’s Happening at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.” Includes the Kalamazoo Valley Museum name and KV logo. A small row of images shows a smiling older woman with a younger person, an exterior campus or museum building, and a child looking upward at a red-lit exhibit. Text states: “The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its board of trustees.”


Three musicians perform on a stage. In the foreground, an older man wearing a patterned shirt and headband plays an electric guitar at a microphone. To his right, a younger man plays a harmonica into a microphone. Behind them, a drummer sits at a drum kit. The stage background is dark, with microphones, stands, and musical equipment visible.
Kudos to the Museum on a Successful Fretboard Festival!
More than 1,500 people attended the 21st Annual Fretboard Festival held at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and the college's Anna Whitten Hall on March 20 - 21! Another 225 folks tuned in online! Click here and here for 150-plus photos from the event.

Outdoor courtyard beside a brick building with large windows. A landscaped garden with tall green plants and shrubs lines the building, and a freestanding informational sign is positioned in front of the greenery. A round concrete planter with flowers sits near a curved seating area on the left, and a paved walkway runs through the space.
Earth Day Rain Garden Tours and Activities Offered April 22
Celebrate Earth Day with a free guided tour of the museum's rain garden at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30  p.m. Wednesday, April 22. Register in person at the front desk or online at kalamazoomuseum.org. There will also be Earth Day activities from noon to 3 p.m. in the museum's Innovation Lab, and pop-up Science on a Sphere demos throughout the day. Special planetarium shows will be offered at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. for $3 per person.  
 
Graphic banner reading “Statewide Astronomy Night.” The word “astronomy” is stylized with the letter “O” depicted as a glowing solar eclipse and a crescent moon incorporated into the design. The background features a black center band with starry galaxy imagery along the top and bottom edges.
Explore Space at Statewide Astronomy Night April 25
Have fun with astronomy through interactive demos, crafts, a trivia game and FREE full-dome planetarium shows for all ages on Saturday, April 25, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. It is part of the annual Statewide Astronomy Night, also known as SWAN. Registration is not required. For more details, visit kalamazoomuseum.org.
 
Poster for “Shape Shifting: The Touring Exhibition.” The design features a modern, stylized blue guitar centered vertically, with a sleek, unconventional body shape resembling a contemporary or experimental instrument. The background is divided into bold vertical color blocks in red, yellow, and orange. Text reads “Shape Shifting” with the subtitle “The Touring Exhibition,” and at the bottom, “The guitar as modern artifact.” A small guitar-related logo appears in the lower left corner.
'SHAPE SHIFTING' Exhibit Featuring Electric Guitars Wraps Up April 26
If you love music, be sure to check out the new "SHAPE SHIFTING: The GUITAR As Modern ARTifact" traveling exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum before it ends on April 26. Explore 40 instruments that embody the art of the guitar, displaying it as both an instrument and as a physical canvas for artists and builders.
 
The Gilmore
Check out The Gilmore Film Series April 28 - May 1
Experience four films about pianos and the passion, music and people they inspire during FREE daily lunchtime screenings in the museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater at noon on Tuesday, April 28; Wednesday, April 29; Thursday, April 30; and Friday, May 1, as part of The Gilmore Film Series. Free tickets will be available at the museum's front desk starting at 10 a.m. on the day of each screening or preregister at kalamazoomuseum.org. Seating is limited. For film descriptions, visit www.thegilmore.org/events/list/.
 
Black-and-white historical photograph of a man standing in a grassy field holding the reins of a saddled horse. The man wears a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeve shirt, and chaps. The horse stands beside him with a saddle and gear attached. Another person and fence line are faintly visible in the background.
Have You Seen the 'Black Cowboys' Exhibit Opens at the Museum?
Did you know that one of four cowboys who went on the Western trail was Black? Learn more fascinating facts about the Wild West from the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's newest traveling exhibit, 'Black Cowboys: An American Story,' open now through July 26. Admission is free to the exhibit and to the museum. Read more here.
 
Close-up of a hand gently touching and inspecting green leafy plants in a garden or field.
Last Chance! Final Spring Honorable Lecture is April 21
Enjoy weekly talks examining ways we restore the tenets of reciprocity with the natural world as a community and as individuals. Organized by Kalamazoo Valley Community College's ValleyHub in partnership with the museum, the sessions are held every Tuesday, from March 10 to April 21, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This drop-in lecture series takes place at the college's Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health building, located at 418 E. Walnut St. in downtown Kalamazoo. View the list of topics at valleyhub.kvcc.edu/events.