May 19, 2025
Greetings students!
Summer weather has finally arrived! Seeing the sunshine daily boosts my spirits and helps to set the tone for our summer season of community collaborations. As you continue to dedicate yourself to your classes, I hope that you will find time to enjoy many of the community events and activities scheduled during the coming weeks. Part of the excitement of attending college is taking advantage of campus activities.
Friday, June 6 marks the opening of the 14th Alumni Art Show featuring submissions from dozens of talented Kalamazoo Valley alumni. This year's show begins at 5:30 p.m. in the college's Center for New Media. The event is free and open to the public.
If you know elementary or middle-school aged students who would enjoy one of Kalamazoo Valley's athletic camps, career exploration events or art camps, refer them to our camp registration site here. We have something for everyone! I wish you a pleasant summer and trust that your time at Kalamazoo Valley is productive and rewarding.
Sincerely,

L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
You're Invited to a Student Breakfast to Share Your Thoughts!
Please join us for the Student Success Breakfast on Thursday, June 19, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., in Room 4240 on the Texas Township Campus. This informal gathering is open to ALL Kalamazoo Valley Community College students. Our purpose is simple � we want to hear from you! Expect lots of opportunities to tell us about your experience with us, as well as to learn about the wide variety of resources available to help students succeed. Just drop in! No registration is required.

Grain to Glass: New Online Program Expands Access to Aspiring Brewers
Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Sustainable Brewing Program has a innovative new online format.
This expansion aims to eliminate geographical barriers, making high-quality brewing education affordable, flexible and available to anyone pursuing a career in the brewing industry. Students can choose between two flexible learning pathways: either fully virtual coursework with lab experience integrated into their brewery-related current place of employment or fully virtual coursework supplemented by weekly in-person lab sessions.
"We have many students who have seen success from their time at Kalamazoo Valley," said Sustainable Brewing instructor Brian Lindberg. "We look forward to seeing how providing this online course option will bring in even more passionate students ready to kick-start their careers." more
Registration for the fall semester is now open. Visit www.kvcc.edu/register.
Summer Reading Challenge
Fight the summer slump with the library! While we can't offer personal pan pizzas, we CAN offer you summer reading logs. Visit any Kalamazoo Valley library and grab a bookmark to track your summer reading, plus check out our book display online or in person at the libraries for recommendations on what to read.
Study in the Library!
Did you know that the Kalamazoo Valley Libraries are the perfect place to study?
Texas Township Library, TTC 3120/8420 Arcadia Commons Library, AWH 321
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 (TTC)
Ask a Librarian
Did you know that librarians can help with research and citation? Evaluating information? Or finding a book on a topic of interest? Ask a Librarian!

Time for 20 Percent Off Tuesday on May 27 at the Bookstore
Get 20 percent off in the Texas Township Campus Bookstore on May 27! The promotion is held on the LAST Tuesday of EVERY month! Come in and get yourself some Cougar clothing, art supplies, a new water bottle (even Hydro Flask) or awesome backpack! Promotion excludes electronics, food and course materials. Discount applies to in-store purchases only. Feel free to take a spin through the Bookstore now to see what you'd like to buy. Or, take a peek online at bookstore.kvcc.edu.
Bookstore Now Accepting Summer Financial Aid
Students can currently use summer financial aid to make purchases at the Texas Township Bookstore. Both in-store and online purchases are eligible. Note that the Bookstore has transitioned to summer hours. It will be open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday, through July 31. Shop in person or online at bookstore.kvcc.edu. Online orders may be picked up at TTC or the Anna Whitten Hall Library at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo, or shipped for $5.
Electronic Textbooks and Courseware Available for Classes
STOP! Read this before buying any textbooks this summer. Students, did you know you automatically get electronic versions of textbooks and other course materials for your classes? It's called Ready Day One! The cost is charged to your tuition bill. E-books tend to be at least 50 percent cheaper than hardcover and paperback textbooks. Please note that electronic materials are ONLY available in classes where the instructor selected the option for the course and many do!
What you need to know:
- Within 24 hours of registering for a class with the electronic materials option, Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Texas Township Campus Bookstore sends an email indicating that you are enrolled in Ready Day One and that e-course materials will be available in your Canvas account on the first day of class. It's important to watch for the email.
- If you wish to opt out and remove the Ready Day One charge from your bill (it will be itemized there), you must act within two weeks from the first day of class. You have three options for doing so: Complete the transaction via your Canvas account, email the Bookstore at bookstore.kvcc.edu or call the Bookstore at 269.488.4030.
Food Service on 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, pizza 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. - 1:30 p.m., serving breakfast items from 7:30 - 10 a.m.
Summer Youth Sports Camps Registration Now Open
Attention parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and caregivers! Kalamazoo Valley Community College offers half-day summer youth sports camps at its Texas Township Campus. The boys and girls basketball, softball and baseball camps serve students entering grades 6 - 12, while the volleyball camp is open to grades 4 - 12. The four-day camps are in July (except the special baseball showcase, which is one full day on Aug. 4). To register, visit athletics.kvcc.edu/camps, where you can find camp dates and descriptions, deadlines, fees and equipment requirements. A limited number of scholarships are available; contact Athletic Director Russ Panico at rpanico@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4393.
Celebrate Juneteenth at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum
On Tuesday, June 17 at 5 p.m., the college will celebrate Juneteenth with a free screening of "Mr. SOUL!" � a documentary that explores the first nationally broadcast all-Black variety show on public television. The screening, which will be held at the Mary Jane Stryker Theater in the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, will be followed by a panel discussion with professionals from Black Magic Media and other young Black creatives.
Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep Exhibit Now Open
Step into the environments of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep to explore their contraptions, antics and escapades through dramatic play and interactive opportunities, as part of a new traveling exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Designed for children ages three through nine, the exhibit encourages playfully solving STEM-based and social-emotional problems in fun and engaging ways. "Wallace & GromitTM and Shaun the SheepTM: Shear Genius!" was created by Minnesota Children's Museum and Aardman AnimationsTM Limited � 2025. It runs May 17 to Aug. 31. Find more details at kalamazoomuseum.org.
Enjoy Free Rain Garden Tours Wednesdays & Saturdays
Take a free guided tour of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's rain garden to learn how such gardens play a vital role in improving water quality and supporting local wildlife. Beginning May 31, tours will take place every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and every Wednesday starting June 11 at the same times (no tours on Wednesday, June 4). These family-friendly tours will be available through Aug. 30. Each lasts about 20 to 25 minutes. Register now online at kalamazoomuseum.org, or sign up on the day of at the front desk.
Two Fun Exhibits Highlight Items from the Museum's Archives
Have you seen the new "Colorful Collections" and "The Art of Advertising" exhibits at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum? "Colorful Collections" features items from the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's permanent collection displayed in a rainbow of hues. Delve into the color spectrum like never before as you enjoy some of the brightest and boldest examples from the KVM's collection. "The Art of Advertising" showcases nostalgic signs and advertisements from area businesses from the museum's archives, offering up an eclectic mix of advertising paraphernalia from bygone eras. The exhibits will be on display until Aug. 31.
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