GOCC

Glen Oaks Community College officials have announced the school will expand its distance-learning offerings to include online programs as a result of approval received from the Higher Learning Commission. Patricia Morgenstern, associate dean of learning and workforce development, said the college has been offering distance learning classes for more than 15 years. The Higher Learning Commission’s approval, however, gives the …

Glen Oaks Community College officials voted to accept the retirement of president Gary Wheeler effective June 30, 2014. The date is one year earlier than Wheeler’s originally planned final day as GOCC president. Wheeler, who joined the Centreville-area junior college in 2008, voluntarily moved his retirement date 12 months sooner. The offer was affirmed by board members during a special …

After a ten-year hiatus, Glen Oaks Community College is pleased to announce it has recently completed maintenance and restoration work on three of the six tennis courts on campus and they are now open for public use. “Our maintenance crews patched up quite a few cracks, some of which were pretty severe,” said Bruce Zakrzewski, dean of finance and administrative …

Steve Proefrock, head men’s basketball coach at Glen Oaks Community College, has been awarded the Men’s Junior College Coach of the Year award from the statewide Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. In his 16th season at Glen Oaks, Proefrock led his team to the Western Conference Championship with a conference season record of 15-and-1, and an overall record of 27-and-4. …

Glen Oaks Community College President Gary Wheeler announced Steve Ryno as the recipient of the Shaheen Teaching Excellence Award, which recognizes a faculty member for innovation and quality instruction. A professor of communications, Ryno, 35, is the 29th recipient of the award. Ryno was named the winner of the award during the school’s 45th graduation ceremony, staged Friday in its …

A trio of men who fled from police in Three Rivers earlier this week were arraigned in district court Wednesday. William Powell, 23, Antonio Hearn, 20, and Charles Hearn, 21, face a variety of charges following the Monday night incident in which one of the men held his 6-month-old son while fleeing from police. All three men, originally from Ohio, …

St. Joseph County has renewed a law-enforcement agreement its sheriff’s department has with two governmental entities. County commissioners this week approved contracts between the county and the village of Centreville, and Fabius Township. The village and township receive law enforcement, including routine patrol, from the sheriff’s department rather than establishing their own police agencies. The agreement with Centreville is for …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced registration for the 2013 spring/summer and the fall semesters is underway. Spring/summer semester classes begin May 13 and fall classes start Aug. 26. Students are encouraged to register early to ensure they receive class schedules at times they prefer. Class schedules are available at the college, mailed upon request or online at glenoaks.edu. Financial …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have announced three new associate degree programs in visual arts beginning in the fall. The associate of arts in visual arts degree has emphasis in three areas: graphic design, fine art and commercial photography. Developing the trio of new programs was a two-year process that involved evaluating the market for visual arts, the school’s ability …

Gary Wheeler, the president of Glen Oaks Community College since 2007, said he will not seek a new contract when his current agreement expires in two years. The 61-year-old Wheeler announced at Wednesday’s Glen Oaks Board of Trustees meeting he will retire after his contract ends at the end of June 2015. Wheeler’s request was approved by board members. Wheeler …