TRIBUTE GARDEN

The Veterans Tribute Garden at Kalamazoo Valley Community College features a ceramic tile mural, designed by Kalamazoo Valley ceramics instructor Francis Granzotto. The tiles were purchased by community members to honor their loved one's military service. Each tile inscription was hand engraved by Granzotto and his lab technician Elijah Potter and depicts an eagle, an American flag and military jets on a colorful landscape backdrop. A flagpole with the seals representing the five branches of the military, two benches for visitor reflection and a concrete sidewalk complete the garden. Located on a wall north of the Student Commons, the mural is 20 feet long and five feet high.

The Veterans Tribute Garden was initiated by the College's Student Veterans Association (SVA) in 2011 with support from the Veteran Support Committee comprised of faculty and staff. In addition to contributions from the community, the Veterans Tribute Garden received funding and support from the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Foundation, The Jim Gilmore Jr. Foundation and the SVA.

With the help of College's facilities and grounds departments, the project was completed in November of 2015. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Veterans Day.