Lake Michigan College Recognizes Five Honorees at 2026 Alumni and Radde Achievement Awards
Lake Michigan College honored three alumni and two longtime community supporters Saturday, Oct. 10, at the 2026 Alumni and Radde Achievement Awards. The ceremony took place at 6 p.m. in Grand Upton Hall at the Mendel Center. Dr. Kenneth Flowers, ‘91, LMC president, opened the evening, and Board of Trustees Chair and Alumni Association President John Grover, ‘01, presented the alumni achievement and Gladys Peeples-Burks alumni serviceawards. “Their stories are our stories,” said Grover. “This college is
Lake Michigan College Marketing & Communications Team Earns Four Medallion Awards at NCMPR District
Lake Michigan College’s Marketing & Communications team has been recognized with four Medallion Awards at the recent National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) District 3 & 5 regional conference, including two gold awards. The NCMPR Medallion Awards are the premier regional competition recognizing outstanding marketing, communications, and public relations achievements at community and technical colleges within each of NCMPR’s seven districts. The awards honor innovative work across all
Lake Michigan College Theater Program to Present a Bold, Futuristic Romeo & Juliet
The Lake Michigan College Theater program will present a stark, near-future reimagining of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet Nov. 12-15 at the LMC Mendel Center Hanson Theatre on the College’s Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. Performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 12-14 and 2 p.m. Nov. 15. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students under 18. Tickets are available at www.TheMendelCenter.com/events. Shakespeare's most famous love story collides with a fractured America in the not-too-distant future,
Lake Michigan College to Offer Two AI-Focused Extended Education Courses for Area Professionals
Lake Michigan College is offering two non-credit Extended Education courses in November and December to help area professionals use artificial intelligence with more confidence and clarity in their daily work. Kathleen Curtis Wolf, a consultant, facilitator, and AI strategist, will lead each session at the Todd Center on LMC's Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. Artificial intelligence has moved quickly from a niche technical tool to a resource used across nearly every profession. Still, many workers
2027 LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Victoria Kostecki Program Manager Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Vkostecki@smrchamber.com smrchamber.com 2027 Leadership Accelerator Applications NOW OPEN! October, 15th,2026 St. Joseph, MI – The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, in partnership with Lake Michigan College and The Purpose Partners, is proud to announce that its Leadership Academy program, Leadership Accelerator, is now accepting applications for the 2027 Cohort. Designed for
Lake Michigan College Receives Gold-Level Certification for Serving Michigan Veterans
For the third consecutive year, Lake Michigan College has received Gold-Level certification as a Michigan Veteran-Friendly School from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Office, earning the top mark from the state agency. Colleges and universities are graded on seven important criteria for serving veterans, and the Gold standard is the highest certification available. Schools must offer services in at least six of the seven areas to qualify. "This designation recognizes your school’s commitment to creating
Job Seekers and Prospective College Students Invited to Future Fair 2026
Lake Michigan College invites job seekers and prospective college students from the community to attend Future Fair 2026: Taking Flight. The free career fair and university expo will take place at the LMC Benton Harbor Campus on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Room L310/311, above the library. Attendees are encouraged to bring a resume if they have one, though it is not required. Employers looking to fill open positions and make connections for future openings will be available to answer
Honor Credit Union Gives $20,000 to Michigan Educators Through 2026 Teacher Awards
Honor Credit Union Gives $20,000 to Michigan Educators Through 2026 Teacher Awards BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN – October 14, 2026 – Honor Credit Union is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Annual Teacher Awards, marking 17 years of celebrating exceptional educators. This year, Honor recognized 40 teachers from its 27 branch communities across Michigan, awarding each a $500 digital gift card to enhance their classrooms, for a combined total of $20,000 invested in local education. Honor’s
Rivers & Roots Choir Concert to Feature LMC Concert Choir and MSVMA District 6 Middle School Honors
On Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., the Lake Michigan College Concert Choir, directed by Rebecca Derbas-Selvidge, will be joined by the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) District 6 Middle School Honors Choir, directed by Matthew W. Smith, for the Rivers & Roots Choir Concert. The program will celebrate through song the connection between the natural world and humanity. It will take place in the LMC Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre on the College’s Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. Tickets
Lake Michigan College Names Dr. Kim Hodges Dean of Health Sciences
Lake Michigan College (LMC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Kim Hodges, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC, has joined the College as Dean of Health Sciences. Hodges brings academic leadership, clinical practice, nursing professional development, and healthcare administration experience to LMC. She joins the College from Indiana University (IU), where she most recently served as Assistant Dean in the School of Nursing. Before that, she served as Clinical Assistant Professor in the IU Department of Community and
Lakeshore Excellence Foundation Announces $750,000 in Major Projects for Lakeshore Public Schools
The Lakeshore Excellence Foundation (LEF) and Lakeshore Public Schools Superintendent Greg Eding announced plans for $750,000 in major projects to expand robotics opportunities, strengthen teaching, launch inclusive athletics and improve classroom emergency preparedness across the district. Eding and LEF Chairman J.C. Anderson shared the four-project investment Tuesday evening during the foundation’s Lancer Leader celebration at Solarium by Watermark. The reception honored current and new Lancer Leaders,
Lake Michigan College’s Red Hawk Jazz Collective to Perform Oct. 21
An evening of jazz standards will fill the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, when the LMC music program presents the Red Hawk Jazz Collective under the direction of LMC adjunct faculty member Danny Lopez. This immersive concert experience seats the audience on the Jenkins Theatre stage with the performers. Tickets are not required for this free general admission event. Among the planned selections are “Computer” composed and arranged by Bob Mintzer, “Fun Time”
Upcoming Extended Education Classes at Lake Michigan College
Lake Michigan College is offering several non-credit Extended Education courses designed for career advancement and skill building. Courses are offered at the Todd Center on LMC's Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. Registration is required for all classes, and space is limited. Professionalism & Soft Skills Bootcamp Monday, Oct. 12 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Registration deadline: Oct. 8Monday, Dec. 7 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Registration deadline: Dec. 3$185 chamber members, $225 non-membersThis one-day
80th Anniversary Series - Sam Monte: From Benton Harbor Junior College to a Lifetime of Success
During Lake Michigan College’s year-long 80th Anniversary celebration, the College is featuring stories about some of the people who have been part of that history, and who, in the process, have been shaped by their connection to Lake Michigan College (1964 to present), and its predecessors Benton Harbor Junior College (1946-1954) and Community College and Technical Institute (1954-1964). Doors Opened: From Benton Harbor Junior College to a Lifetime of SuccessSam Monte remembers how Benton Harbor Junior
Wine & Roses Vocal Concert to feature LMC choral groups Oct. 14
Romantic ballads and familiar standards will fill the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, when the LMC music program presents the Wine & Roses Vocal Concert. This free event will feature two student choral ensembles, Vox LMC and LMC Vocal Chamber, under the direction of LMC choral music faculty member Rebecca Derbas-Selvidge.This immersive concert experience seats the audience on the Jenkins Theatre stage with the performers. A cash bar featuring Lake Michigan
Regional Chamber Honors and Celebrates the 2025 HYPE Winners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Jasmine Hansen Events Director jhansen@smrchamber.com 269-932-4605 Regional Chamber Honors and Celebrates the 2025 HYPE Winners November 20, 2025 Stevensville, MI – Southwest Michigan’s brightest entrepreneurial talent gathered at the Watermark Solarium last night for the second annual HYPE – Highlighting Young Professional Excellence. Hosted by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber in partnership with the Emerge Innovation Hub, this dynamic event
