Schools

A community college in southwestern Michigan is expanding its nursing and health education building in an attempt to combat a growing shortage of nurses that seems particularly acute in the area. Southwestern Michigan College has launched a $9.6 million initiative to more than double the size of the nearly 50-year-old building. Work is expected to begin this summer to update …

Keith Lang has tendered his resignation at Sturgis Public Schools. Early this year, the former Sturgis High School teacher was charged with multiple counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and other offenses. At that time, a police investigation showed he allegedly had a sexual relationship with a minor student. He initially was charged with single counts of distributing or promoting …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced a new associate and certificate program in Agricultural Equipment Technology that will launch this fall. The two-year, daytime associate degree program will train students to diagnose, service, repair, maintain and overhaul farm equipment. Students will receive state-of-the-art technical training on the latest major brand equipment through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory activities …

I have reported in the recent past about some of the successes of Glen Oaks Community College in serving our region’s students and communities. Here I will provide greater detail concerning the breadth and depth of the good work being carried out. The previous reports outlined the significant numbers of dual enrollment and early middle students the college is serving.  …

The Exchange Club of Sturgis held its 33rd annual youth awards program earlier this month at Sturges-Young Auditorium. Among those honored was Sturgis High School senior Sara Trine, who was named Exchange Club’s “Student of the Year.” She read from an essay she wrote about the topic of community service. Exchange Club of Sturgis also presented the 2017 Young Citizenship …

High school graduations in four of the county’s eight public school districts have taken place. Seniors in Burr Oak were graduated May 21, the first school to stage its commencement. Meanwhile, Centreville, White Pigeon and Constantine high schools held their ceremonies Friday last week. Colon High School’s graduation will be Friday, followed by Sturgis and Mendon high schools on Sunday. …

Three Rivers Community Schools is looking for a new principal for one of its elementary buildings. Board of education members accepted the resignation of Allison Taylor, who has served as principal at Hoppin Elementary since September. She has accepted a job with Portage Public Schools. Board members said the Hoppin position has been posted and they hope to fill the …

Jeremy Gooch has been awarded the Professor Emeritus B. Swartz Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a Glen Oaks student with an outstanding record in mathematics courses. Gooch was recommended for the scholarship by Glen Oaks mathematics instructors. Gooch, a Sturgis resident, graduated this month from Glen Oaks with an Associate of General Studies. He …

Glen Oaks Community College last week held its inaugural ceremony inducting 18 members into the newly established Delta Rho Chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau, the International Honor Society for Professions in Technology. Epsilon Pi Tau is 81 years old and promotes excellence in academics, service, and research. As with all honor societies, EPT is dedicated to honoring high academic performance, …

Three Rivers High School recently received accolades from the U.S. News and World Report. The 747-student school was ranked 125th out of 245 Michigan high schools included in the survey. To be eligible for a state ranking, a school has to have been awarded a national gold, silver or bronze medal. According to its website, U.S. News ranks schools based …