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 service awards.
“Their stories are our stories,” said Grover. “This college is more than a place to earn a credential. It is where potential is discovered, confidence is built, and futures take shape.”
Alumni Achievement Awards
The Alumni Achievement Award recognizes recent alumni who attended LMC within the past 15 years and have distinguished themselves in their careers, education, or community.
Shelby Charles, ‘22, began at LMC in fall 2019, drawn by the accounting program and the flexibility to work full time while staying close to family in Eau Claire. She earned an Associate in Applied Science in accounting in May 2022 and a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Siena Heights University in December 2025, working full time throughout. She is now a staff accountant at Lounsbury Excavating Inc. in Paw Paw. Charles has taken part in St. Joseph’s Chalk the Block festival every year since 2021, placing second in 2025, and her mural and community art projects include a mural for her church.
Nicholas Miller, ‘16, graduated with an Associate in Applied Business in computer information systems. A first-generation student, he chose LMC for its affordability, accessibility, and hands-on learning. The work-study program launched an IT career that continues at the College, where he is an infrastructure and cybersecurity engineer protecting student, faculty, and staff data. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller 3D-printed hundreds of mask guards for hospitals and essential workers nationwide. He also volunteers with the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition and builds Little Free Library structures for underserved communities.
Gladys Peeples-Burks Alumni Service Award
This award honors alumni who have made important contributions, personally or professionally, to their community or to LMC.
Cathy Yates, ‘87, graduated with an associate degree in sociology and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in human services from Spring Arbor University and a master’s degree from Siena Heights University. She spent 30 years as a social worker with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Today she is supervisor of Benton Charter Township, leading a team of about 90 employees, and has championed housing for seniors. Yates is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the LMC Alumni Association, and the Southwest Michigan Chamber, and a trustee at Second Baptist Church.
Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Awards
Named for the late Dr. Bernard C. Radde, who served on the LMC Board of Trustees for 25 years, the award is presented annually by the Board to individuals who have advanced the cause of LMC and higher education.
Bob Burch, Community President of Sturgis Bank, has spent more than four decades strengthening Southwest Michigan businesses and communities. He joined the LMC Foundation in 2013, chaired three successful LMC millage campaigns, helped cultivate well over $100,000 in philanthropic support, and sponsored major College events. Dr. Flowers presented his award.
“I am humbled to receive this award and want to thank my team at Sturgis Bank as we work together to help our community grow and prosper,” Burch said.
Carole (1944–2024) and Don Hodgman were honored for more than five decades of volunteerism and philanthropy in the South Haven area. Carole spent 33 years teaching elementary and special education in Bangor Public Schools, and Don taught biology in the district. Together they established the Carole & Don Hodgman Endowed Scholarship at LMC to help South Haven-area students overcome financial barriers, and they are Legacy Donors of the Mendel Center, supporting the Jenkins Theatre. Don was named 2012 South Haven Rotarian of the Year, and after Carole’s passing, the Rotary Club established the Carole Hodgman Memorial Grant in her honor. Doug Schaffer presented their award.
Following the ceremony, guests attended a performance by Southern California’s Hotel California, “A Salute to the Eagles” in the Jenkins Theatre at the LMC Mendel Center.
Nominate a Future Honoree
LMC’s Alumni Awards recognize alumni who have completed at least 30 semester hours and have distinguished themselves in their careers, in service to their communities, or to the College. Nominations are accepted at lakemichigancollege.edu/form/
