BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – During a ceremony at the Mendel Center on Saturday, Oct. 25, Lake Michigan College recognized its annual alumni and supporter award recipients.
Three alumni awards are given annually: the Alumni Achievement Award, the Gladys Peeples-Burks Alumni Service Award, and the Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition, the LMC Board of Trustees recognizes friends of the college who have championed the role of higher education in southwest Michigan with the Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award.
The 2025 award recipients include:
- Rick Blake – Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award
- Philip and Becky Laney – Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award
- Patrick Elzinga – Alumni Achievement Award
- Mary Spear – Glady Peeples-Burk Alumni Service Award
- Dr. John Marcelletti – Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award
Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Awards
The Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award is named in honor of the late Dr. Bernard C. Radde, who served as a member of the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees for 25 years. It is presented annually by the Board of Trustees to an individual or individuals who have advanced the cause of Lake Michigan College and higher education.
Rick Blake
After starting his small manufacturing company in St. Joseph in 2001, Rick Blake has grown Edgewater Automation into a thriving enterprise spanning multiple locations including Buchanan, South Carolina, and expanded operations in St. Joseph. Blake, who is CEO of the company, and his team consistently deliver innovative automation and manufacturing solutions.
Blake’s journey in higher education began at Lake Michigan College. This early foundation proved to be the beginning of a lasting partnership.
“I think I ended up at five schools and got my master’s degree at Cornerstone University, but LMC was part of my journey,” Blake reflected.
His relationship with LMC has flourished, driven by his commitment to developing local talent. He credits much of his company’s success to the College’s delivery of career-technical education, its apprenticeship program, and the ability of Lake Michigan College to train people in the fundamentals.
His dedication to education has earned him the Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award for significantly advancing LMC’s mission. Through Edgewater Automation and his LMC collaboration, Blake exemplifies how business leadership and educational partnership create meaningful career opportunities throughout Southwest Michigan.
“I am humbled by this honor,” Rick said. “I want to find ways to continue to do more good work with the College in the future.”
Philip and Becky Laney
From its Bridgman headquarters, B&L Information Systems established itself as the global leader in cloud-based ERP solutions for foundries and die casters under the Laney family’s leadership.
Founded by Dick Laney in 1975, the company became a family legacy when Phil Laney joined a decade later following a successful “90-day trial” to ensure father and son could collaborate effectively. Phil assumed CEO leadership in 1999 and guided unprecedented growth over 25 years before the family’s ownership concluded in 2024.
“We wanted to be the absolute best in the world in a niche market, and we still are,” Laney reflects.
Phil and Becky Laney’s connection to LMC began through attending the annual Winners Circle auction (now the Student Benefit Auction), where student stories of perseverance moved them deeply. As servant leaders, they became catalysts for transformative change, spearheading two landmark projects: The Phil and Becky Laney IT Education Wing at the Todd Center and the Welch Center for Wine and Viticulture.
Their extraordinary commitment earned them the Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award for significantly advancing LMC and regional higher education.
“We were speechless and tremendously honored,” Laney shared. “We see a bright future for LMC. It’s a shining star for people who need an opportunity to succeed.”
Alumni Achievement Award
The Alumni Achievement Award is presented to recent alums who have attended LMC within the past 15 years, demonstrated significant achievement, and distinguished themselves in their careers, education, or community.
Patrick Elzinga
From Lake Michigan College student-athlete to healthcare leader, Patrick Elzinga’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of education and service. A 2013 graduate with an Associate of Arts in General Studies, Elzinga chose LMC for its affordability, academic quality, and opportunity to play collegiate baseball. At LMC, he served as team captain and earned academic honors including Phi Theta Kappa and NJCAA Academic All-American.
His achievements at LMC led him to Berea College in Kentucky, where he again captained the baseball team, helped launch a service fraternity supporting a local food bank, and completed internships while serving on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2015, Elzinga pursued a Master of Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University, earning Pi Sigma Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi honors.
Now a Senior Program Services Manager at Vizient Inc., Elzinga leads cost-saving initiatives for more than 30 health systems. His strategic innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic helped hospitals overcome critical shortages while establishing financial sustainability.
“LMC provided the foundations for my personal growth and professional development,” Elzinga said. “My experience as a student athlete instilled core principles of service, discipline, and resilience that remain central to my healthcare career.”
Gladys Peeples-Burk Alumni Service Award
Named in honor of Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burk who was a member of the first graduating class of Benton Harbor Junior College, the predecessor to Lake Michigan College, this award is presented to alums who have made important contributions, personally or professionally, to their community or to Lake Michigan College.
Mary Spear
With more than three decades of service to military personnel and their families, Mary Spear has made a lifelong impact through financial education, counseling, and compassionate leadership. A 1980 graduate of Lake Michigan College with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration, Spear transferred to Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and was nominated for the prestigious Lumen Christi Award.
Today, Spear works as a Remote Personal Financial Educator for Zeiders Enterprises, supporting the U.S. Navy’s Personal Financial Management Program. She has helped service members worldwide navigate budgeting, debt, savings, and financial decision-making which has empowered thousands of service members to build stable futures. In partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project, she has conducted financial counseling sessions for veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
Spear’s dedication extends beyond her career. She has organized and run in ultra-marathons to raise awareness for veterans, volunteered to provide financial education for returning warfighters, and served her church community in countless roles. Her work has earned honors including the AFCPE Financial Counselor of the Year, a Navy Letter of Commendation, and Zeiders’ “Values in Practice” award. At LMC, Mary served as Student Senate President and credits the College with launching her academic and professional journey.
Spear’s career is a testament to the ripple effect of service. Through education and empathy, she has strengthened not only individual lives but entire communities, upholding the highest ideals of leadership and public service.
Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award
Named in honor of the first President of Lake Michigan College, the Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award is given to alums who have accomplished significant success in their personal or professional endeavors.
Dr. John Marcelletti
Dr. John Marcelletti has made substantial contributions to precision medicine, autoimmune disease research, and cancer diagnostics. His groundbreaking work led to FDA approval of Abreva®, an anti-herpes simplex virus therapeutic marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, and advanced regulated drug and biomarker bioanalysis using immunological methods.
A native of Lawrence, Michigan, Marcelletti began his academic journey at Lake Michigan College in 1968, where he was a Phi Kappa Nu fraternity member. He credits LMC with building the educational foundation that prepared him for success at major research institutions and biotechnology companies.
After LMC, Marcelletti earned a B.A. from Wayne State University (WSU), followed by a Ph.D. from WSU School of Medicine’s Department of Immunology and Microbiology, and an M.B.A. from Western Michigan University. Over 35 years, he founded four biotechnology companies and held key positions including Vice President of Large Molecule Bioanalysis at BioAgilytix San Diego.
Marcelletti’s bibliography includes over 80 scientific publications and multiple patents covering biomarker analyses and diagnostic algorithms. His research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, and Leukemia Society of America.
From LMC student to visionary scientist, Marcelletti embodies the curiosity and perseverance he nurtured at LMC.
About the Lake Michigan College Alumni Association
Every person who has attended Lake Michigan College is automatically granted a lifetime membership in the LMC Alumni Association. It is open to people who attended or graduated from Lake Michigan College or Benton Harbor Junior College and provides the opportunity to participate in the progress of the College.
The purpose of the Lake Michigan College alumni award program is to recognize LMC alumni who have taken at least 30 semester hours. These awards are given to alumni who have distinguished themselves in their career, service to their community, or Lake Michigan College. To nominate someone for a Lake Michigan College Alumni Award, submit the Alumni Award Program Nomination Form at lakemichigancollege.edu/form/alumni-award-nomination.
For more information about opportunities to become involved in supporting LMC through the Alumni Association, contact Rita Whise at rwhise@lakemichigancollege.edu or call 269-927-6278.
Lake Michigan College recognized its 2025 Alumni and Radde Achievement Award winners during a ceremony Saturday, Oct. 25.
