GOCC

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 …

Glen Oaks Community College Current has announced former students, staff and community members are invited to nominate a full-time faculty member for the E. J. Shaheen Chair for Teaching Excellence award for 2013. The award is presented annually to an outstanding faculty member who exemplifies high professional standards, demonstrates excellence in teaching and whose position as a faculty member reflects …

Glen Oaks Community College recently recognized 21 employees who reached milestone years of employment with the Centreville-area school. Topping the list were James and Anne Cook, each for reaching the 35-year mark of employment. Nursing faculty member Janell Lederman was honored for three decades of employment, while Beverly Andrews, Larry Hass, Lynne Holtz and Barbara Thole were honored for reaching …

A lifelong Sturgis resident, described as a pillar of the community, died last week of cancer. Ray Dresser Jr., 81, was a philanthropist and driving force behind the creation of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation in 1962. His contributions to the city included generous endowments to Sturgis Hospital and Glen Oaks Community College. An attorney, Dresser also served as co-chairman …

Students in Glen Oaks Community College’s Electrical Technologies program are better able to gain hands-on experience with a supply of donated equipment thanks to Armstrong International. Thirteen skids of materials, including pumps, controller motors and parts, were delivered to the college last week. The equipment is the nuts and bolts of what is used in boiler systems, according to Charles …

Union faculty members at Glen Oaks Community College have issued a vote of no confidence in school president Gary Wheeler. The 23-4 vote was taken last week, with four of the college’s 31 union faculty members abstaining. The vote was brought to the attention of Glen Oaks’ board of trustees at its meeting Wednesday. Faculty union president Chad Worthington presented …

Glen Oaks Community College is one of four Kalamazoo-area junior colleges to reach a reverse-transfer agreement with Western Michigan University. Signed earlier this month, the arrangement allows students who obtain credits at Glen Oaks and Western to combine credits from both schools and apply them toward an associate’s degree. In most cases, the agreement will benefit students who attend one …