PRESS RELEASE: GREATER NILES CHAMBER TO HOST 2026 STATE OF THE ECONOMY: NEW FACES, KEY PLACES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Jasmine Hansen Events Director Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber jhansen@smrchamber.comGREATER NILES CHAMBER TO HOST 2026 STATE OF THE ECONOMY: NEW FACES, KEY PLACESAnnual breakfast on December 2 brings together newly appointed leaders in education, county government, and the Chamber to share their outlook for Niles and Berrien County November 9th, 2026 Niles, Michigan — The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce will host its annual State of the Economy
Lake Michigan College Enrolls 14 Percent More First-time Students as Enrollment Shrinks at State Universities
Lake Michigan College (LMC) enrolled 14 percent more first-time college students this fall, while Michigan’s 15 public universities lost more than 5,000 students. LMC welcomed 501 first-time college students from 98 high schools and home-school programs, up from 458 a year ago. New transfer student enrollment rose 21 percent, returning students 11 percent, and students taking individual courses for personal or professional growth 45 percent. Altogether, 1,052 students are new to LMC this fall, up 17
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
Allison Allman Named One of Moody on the Market’s Bold Women of Business
Kruggel Lawton CPAs is proud to announce that Allison Allman, CPA, has been selected as one of Moody on the Market’s Bold Women of Business. The Bold Women of Business award honors 20 women who live or work in the Southwest Michigan counties of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren and are making significant contributions to their communities through growth, leadership, and innovation. The award program is administered by Moody on the Market and Mid-West Family Southwest Michigan. As a Senior Assurance
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
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
