Lake Michigan College welcomes Nygil B. Likely as new Dean of Student Affairs
Lake Michigan College has hired a new dean of student affairs. Nygil B. Likely will be responsible for enhancing LMC’s student experience, from new student onboarding to graduation. He will oversee student outreach and support services, student advising, financial aid, grant programs, athletics and registration. Likely brings 23 years of higher education and non-profit experience to LMC. His former positions include director of college access at Calvin College, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at City Colleges of Chicago, career development manager at Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center, and program director at YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. Likely was selected among 86 candidates largely for his student-centered philosophy and excellent record of accomplishments increasing student satisfaction, retention and enrollment at other colleges. His strategy is to keep students at the center of the work and be deliberate about involving them in decision making. “I’m drawn to serving students and helping them realize their potential to achieve and excel at their chosen careers,” said Likely. He also emphasizes the value of strong teams. “You have to build a team of leaders around you who are empowered at all levels. We have to look for ways to be innovative in our approach and pivot well.” In the past 20 years Likely has observed some changes in what students need. Addressing these changes will require strong partnerships with other community organizations, he said. “We can’t do this work in a vacuum and it’s going to require partnerships and collaboration,” said Likely. “Students are presenting with more challenges. There is a high degree of anxiety found on campuses. We need to have the ability to collaborate well with internal and external partners to provide the best possible wrap-around services and care. We need to be proactive and anticipate challenges ahead for higher education, and pivot early enough in our approach to serve students sustainably and effectively.” Likely holds a Master of Arts in Education/Adult Education, a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management, and a Bachelor of Science. He is currently working on his Doctor of Education. He currently resides in Grand Rapids, MI with his wife and four children and looks forward to becoming part of the southwest Michigan community.
Bariatric Surgeons to discuss weight loss options
The Lakeland Weight Loss Center is offering a free seminar titled, “Lose Weight…Find Health.” The seminar will take place on Wednesday, August 21 in the Community Room at Caring Circle, located at 4025 Health Park Lane in St. Joseph, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Bariatric surgeons Michael Schuhknecht, DO, and Seth Miller, MD, will discuss programs available for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for years to come. The Lakeland Weight Loss Center specializes in working with each person to create a customized lifestyle plan through bariatric surgery, diet and nutrition counseling, and monthly support groups. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 190 million adults in the United States are overweight and obese. Individuals more than 40 percent overweight are twice as likely to die prematurely as someone of average weight. However, the good news is that losing as little as five to 15 percent of your initial body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes and other illnesses and can even eliminate your need for some medications. For more information or to register for the seminar, visit www.lakelandweightlosscenter.com/events or call (269) 927-5361.
65th birthday party for WHS Class of 1972
On Saturday, August 24, members of the Watervliet High School Class of 1972 are getting together to celebrate their 65th birthdays. The plan is for a casual cookout starting at 1 p.m. at the home of Freda Foster, 67828 Red Arrow Hwy. in Hartford. Entertainment will include live music and outdoor games. Classmates are asked to send $10 per person to Freda by July 31 to cover the cost of meat, plates, etc. Those attending should take their own beverage plus a dish to pass. See WHS Class of 72 Facebook page or call Freda at 269-921-4128.
Watervliet residents on Grand Valley State University Graduate List
More than 3,200 Grand Valley State University students participated in commencement ceremonies this past April at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Students from Watervliet who graduated at the conclusion of the Winter 2019 semester in April include: Matthew D. Kaley, Bachelor of Science; Taylor M. Krieger, Bachelor of Science; and Alexandra L. Smith, Bachelor of Science. Grand Valley is dedicated to providing a rich learning environment for students, offering a wide range of majors and hands-on research opportunities. Highly credentialed and responsive faculty and individual advisors and mentors promote a liberal arts emphasis that teaches students critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Central Michigan University reports on local students
Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant reports local students on honors and graduation lists for Spring 2019. Making the Honors List for Spring 2019 semester are Mikayla Lee and Karlee Liles from Watervliet. Ryan Preciado of Coloma received a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University during Commencement exercises at the completion of the Spring 2019 semester. Central Michigan University is a community committed to the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, discovery, and creativity. They provide student-centered education and foster personal and intellectual growth to prepare students for productive careers, meaningful lives, and responsible citizenship in a global society.
Free Adult Mental Health First Aid course offered
Community members are invited to attend a free mental health first aid training course on Tuesday, August 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Consortium for Community Development, located at 175 West Main Street in Benton Harbor. Adult Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based public education and prevention tool which works to improve the public’s knowledge of mental health and substance use problems, help adults take the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, and connects people with care. Studies show one in five Americans has a mental illness, but many are reluctant to seek help or might not know where to turn for care. When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they may need. A training manual and certification is provided upon completion. Preregistration is required; call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.
Free pre-diabetes class in Watervliet
Spectrum Health Lakeland is offering a free program designed to help anyone with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels learn about lifestyle changes which may help them avoid or delay the onset of diabetes. The class will take place on Thursday, August 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Classroom B at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet, located at 400 Medical Park Drive. During the first hour of the program, a registered nurse will guide attendees through the disease process of diabetes and introduce healthy lifestyle changes. The final hour will be spent with a registered dietitian who will suggest meal selections that can help you maintain health and manage weight. This program does not require a physician referral. Pre-registration for this free class is required, and class size is limited. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-2868.
Community Calendar
Thursday, July 25, 3 p.m. “TURTLES OF SARETT” naturalist program at Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor. Adult nonmembers cost is $5 and children are free. Friday, July 26, 4:30-7 p.m. “SALAD & DESSERT SUPPER” at the Van Buren County Historical Museum, 58471 Red Arrow Highway in Hartford. Free will donation. Saturday, July 27, 4-9 p.m. “WHS CLASS OF 1977 60TH BIRTHDAY PARTY” in the banquet room at Chief’s Bar, 4790 Territorial Road, Benton Harbor. More details may be found on the “WHS Class of 1977 Reunion” page on Facebook; by contacting Greg Krell at thekrell59@yahoo.com, or by calling Greg at 269-876-8260. Sunday, July 28, 1 p.m. “KAYAK TRIP FOR ADULTS” with Sarett Nature Center naturalist. Meet at Sarett to be shuttled to Jasper Dairy boat launch in Berrien Springs. $20/person; call 927-4832 to register. Tuesday, July 30, 6 p.m. “BRAT & CORN ROAST” annual fundraiser for Berrien County Shrine Club at Berrien Springs Sportsman’s Club, 2985 E. Linco Rd. Tickets are $10 each (children under 10 eat for free). Call Jim Cobianco at 269-214-4646 for tickets and more information. Saturday, Aug. 3, 8:30 a.m. “GLAD-PEACH 5K RUN/WALK” in Coloma. Sign up at www.runsignup.com August 2-4 “COLOMA GLAD-PEACH FESTIVAL” See Page 9 Sunday, Aug. 4, 2 p.m. “PAW PAW LAKE WATER SKI SHOW” at the Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club. Hot dogs, brats, chips and drinks available from 1:30-3 p.m. for donation. Cash bar August 5-9, 9 a.m.-noon “SOCCER CAMP” at Midway Baptist Church, 7517 Red Arrow Hwy, Watervliet, for kids ages 5-10. FREE. Pre-register at www.midwayministries.org Saturday, Aug. 10, 12 noon “TRENT MCKINNEY MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING” at Pipestone Creek Golf Course. $65/per person includes carts and steak dinner. Deadline to register is August 4. Contact Travis McKinney, 269-308-1177 or travisc.mckinney@gmail.com; or Nicole McKinney,,269-308-1176 or niki.mckinney@gmail.com. August 8-10 “VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL” at Calvary Pentecostal Church, 13 South Haver St., Hartford. Thursday & Friday 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday Fun Fair 11 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information contact Kerri Archie at (269) 254-5929. Friday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m. “COMMUNITY GOLF MIXER” hosted by NB Community Development & Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce at Paw Paw Golf Club, 4548 Forest Beach Rd., Watervliet. 4-person scramble; $60/person. RSVP to Chana Kniebes at 269-757-2457 or chana@coloma-watervliet.org by Aug. 1 Saturday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. “BACKPACKS FOR GOOD” school readiness event at Midway Baptist Church, 7517 Red Arrow Highway, Watervliet hosted by Berrien Community Foundation. Event includes backpack give away, free vaccinations by Berrien County Health Dept., a mobile food pantry and more. Saturday, Aug. 10, 4 p.m. “CHS CLASS OF 1979 REUNION” at 10023 Rose Hill Rd, Berrien Springs. RSVP required. For more information contact Debbie Becker, debbecker@rocketmail.com or Debbie (Ory) Beckert, debbeckert@gmail.com. Sunday, Aug. 11, 2 p.m. “VB HISTORICAL MUSEUM SPEAKER” is Tyler Sleep presentation on Van Buren County police agencies. Call 269-621-2188 Wed., Fri., or Sunday for more information, noon to 5. Admission is $5 for 12 and up, $2 for 5-11. August 12-17 “BERRIEN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR” Visit www.bcyf.org for more information. Saturday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m. “WATERVLIET ALL CLASS REUNION” at Watervliet Middle School, 450 E. St. Joseph St. Social hour 11 a.m.; lunch served at noon. $15/person registration due Aug. 9. Anyone that graduated from, or attended the Watervliet Public School system is welcome to attend (also current & former employees). More information is available by calling Marsha Stennecke Cole at 269-463-3712, or Donna Gillard Curtis at 269-463-6680. Saturday, Aug. 17, 3:30 p.m. “ARCFEST: BEER RELEASE & MUSIC FESTIVAL” at Arclight Brewery, 544 N. Main St., Watervliet. Tickets are $12; kids under 12 are free. Tickets and more information are available at Arcfest.net. Saturday, Aug. 17, 5:30 p.m. “WHS CLASS OF 1974 REUNION” at Surfari Joe’s Indoor Waterpark at M-140 & I-94. $20/person; RSVP with payment to Penny Sempert, 2620 Friday Rd, Coloma MI 49038; due by Aug. 1 Friday, Aug. 23, 10:30 a.m. “PARCOURSE GRAND OPENING” at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet Saturday, Aug. 24, 1 p.m. “65th BIRTHDAY PARTY” for Watervliet High School Class of 1972. Cookout with live music & games. $10/person. BYOB and dish to pass. Money due July 31 to Freda Foster, 67828 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford 49057 – phone 921-4128 for more info or go to WHS Class of 72 Facebook page. Saturday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m. “50-YEAR CLASS REUNION” for Coloma High School Class of 1969 at Coloma F.O.P. Lodge, 470 Angling Rd. For more information, email nmessal@att.net, call 630-464-8287 or check out the Facebook page of Coloma High School Class of 1969 50th Reunion. RSVP required. Sunday, Aug. 25 “MURDER MYSTERY” at the Van Buren County Historical Museum, 58471 Red Arrow Hwy., Hartford. Clues given out all day. Call 269-621-2188 Wed., Fri., or Sunday for more information, noon to 5. Admission is $5 for 12 and up, $2 for 5-11. Sept. 5-8 “ANTIQUE ENGINE & TRACTOR SHOW” at Michigan Flywheelers Museum, 06285 68th Street, South Haven. Watch for more information on www.michiganflywheelers.org or Facebook. Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. “FESTIVAL OF FAMILIES” hosted by Berrien RESA at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds, Berrien Springs.