August 28, 2002

LMC's New Campus in South Haven
Tops Board Agenda

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI -- During the August Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees meeting held at South Haven City Hall, LMC officials announced the appointment of Janice Varney as executive dean of the college's planned campus in South Haven.

Varney, who has been with LMC for five years and lives in South Haven, is currently dean of Student Services at the Napier Avenue Campus. She will continue in that capacity as well as begin to assume planning duties in her new role during the next year as the design and construction process continues on the facility.

According to LMC president Dr. Richard J. Pappas, "Janice has demonstrated great leadership as dean of Student Services and will continue to do so in this new, important role. Her strong advocacy for LMC students and the mission of the college coupled with her personal commitment to the South Haven community is going to put this campus on a direct path to success."

In other business related to the new campus in South Haven, LMC Board chairman Steve Silcox and Dr. Pappas presented South Haven School Board president Ed Bocock and school superintendent J. David Myers with a $25,000 check for upgrading technology at L.C. Mohr High School. The payment fulfills one of the college's commitments to South Haven voters who passed the proposal in January to join the LMC district.

"When we brought the proposal to voters, we understood the importance of being able to bring LMC classes to the community not only through the new campus but directly into the high school," stated Silcox. "This partnership will expose more students to the potentials of a college education earlier in their schooling. It is our expectation this exposure will encourage a greater number of South Haven students to pursue higher education after graduation."

In a planning update to the board, LMC vice president of Institutional Advancement and Planning, Greg Koroch, and LMC vice president of Administrative Services, Anne Erdman, discussed the progress of the architectural design and curriculum planning process which are currently underway. The 42,000 square feet campus will include 14 classrooms, a computer lab, a two-way interactive classroom, and space for a childcare center that can accommodate up to 35 children.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held this fall, leading to the opening of the facility in the fall of 2003.