KCC ALUMNI
The Kellogg Community College Foundation takes great pride in the many KCC alumni who have benefited from their studies here at the College. Want to share your KCC pride? Alumni wear is in the bookstore now! You can purchase an Always a Bruin T-shirt or sweatshirt at the Bruin Bookstore, and $5 from each item sold will go towards the KCC Alumni Scholarship Fund through the KCC Foundation. Always a Bruin wear can also be purchased by clicking on clothing under the merchandise tab at www.kellogg.edu/bookstore.
BruIN Magazine
BruIN is a quarterly magazine published by KCC to share news and information with alumni, community partners and fans of KCC. View the latest edition of the magazine below (click to view full screen). To request a complementary print copy of the magazine, email your full name and mailing address to kcccommunication@kellogg.edu.
View the magazine online at kellogg.edu/bruinmagazine.
KCC Alumni Awards
The KCC Alumni Awards recognize former Kellogg Community College students who have made outstanding strides in their professional field, enriched their community and supported KCC.
While alums may not self-nominate, there is no limit on the number of nominations one can submit. Once a nomination has been received, the KCC Foundation will reach out to the nominee to gather additional information. The recipient(s) are announced at the Kellogg Community College annual Outstanding Bruin Awards.
Award Criteria
Nominee must have earned a minimum of 12 credits from Kellogg Community College.
Nominee must show outstanding service or enrichment to their community.
Nominee must provide support for Kellogg Community College, while a student and beyond.
To nominate someone for an Alumni Award, please click here.
Congratulations to the 2024 Recipients of a KCC Alumni Award!
Susan Clark
Susan Clark of Battle Creek attended KCC as a single mom of three children from 2010 to 2012, earned an Associate in General Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Robert B. Miller College and a Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University. Susan is currently the Director of Early Childhood Services for the Calhoun Intermediate School District, coordinator of the Calhoun Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition, and an adjunct instructor for Early Childhood and Teacher Education at KCC. For more than 25 years, she has passionately served children and families in southwest Michigan in a multitude of roles, including evaluator, advocate, trainer, consultant, coordinator, specialist and leader. Susan has shared with us that she is grateful for KCC, which gave her a wonderful start to her dream career.
Eric McClure
Eric McClure of Athens attended KCC from 2013 to 2015 and earned an Associate in General Studies with a concentration in political science and communications. At KCC, he was a Board of Trustees Scholar, recipient of the Robert B. Hites Transfer Scholarship, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and an active participant in many KCC activities. He also was a star student in my own journalism class when I started teaching in 2014. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and American Public Policy from Western Michigan University, where he received numerous honors and awards. Eric started his career with the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi and is currently a Communications Specialist for the City of Battle Creek. He is involved in the Athens community, serving as a trustee for the Athens Area Community Foundation and a long-time member of the Athens Area Schools Board of Education. Eric said KCC helped him define what he was passionate about, and that you don’t need to move far away to find a career that fulfills your dreams.
Christopher Stafford
Christopher Stafford of Hastings attended KCC from 1994 to 1997 and earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Law Enforcement. After spending more than 20 years as Principal Design Engineer at Bradford White Corporation, Chris holds four patents in the United States for the design of parts and products used in the water heater industry. Chris is now an engineering consultant and is founder, developer and operator of the HUB of Barry County, a nonprofit that provides an innovative space for career exploration and vital skill development for high school students and adults. He is an unparalleled force in advancing educational opportunities in Barry County, using his time, talent and financial resources, including coordinating Barry County Workforce Connections, a unique public/private collaborative that seeks to develop career opportunities for young people, especially in the trades. Chris continues to be a regular volunteer coach and mentor to Hastings High School students in multiple, intensive extracurricular activities such as First Robotics, Marching Band and Theater productions and has recently joined the Barry Community Foundation Board of Directors.
Tiffany Thatcher
Tiffany Thatcher of Homer attended KCC from 2011 to 2014, earning two associate degrees, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in English, Journalism and Global Studies from Western Michigan University. She received an interim teaching certification and completed applied behavioral analysis therapy training for autistic children. Tiffany is currently a middle school special education teacher for Homer Community Schools. She also has been a reporter for the Homer Index, written four plays, co-created and co-hosts a podcast called That’s So Original, and has starred in more than a dozen plays at the Sauk Theater since 2018. In addition to this, she is a trustee on the Homer Public Library Board, a YAK Advisor, on the Sauk Theater Board of Directors, and raised three awesome boys. Tiffany told us it was the love and care she received from her instructors at KCC that led her down the path of teaching, and she tells anyone who will listen that KCC is the best path after high school.
2023 Alumni Awardees:
Teresa Allen, Class of 1997
Bobby Holley, Class of 1974
Tom Rose, Class of 2003
Bernie Stankewicz, Class of 1969
2022 Alumni Awardees:
Joe Blythe, Class of 1969
Ross Dingwall, Class of 1961
Nicole Finkbeiner, Class of 2002
Dr. Kay Keck, Class of 1977
Alumni Spotlight
We would love to hear what you’ve been up to since your time at KCC. Please join our Kellogg Community College Alumni Facebook page. Also, take a moment to fill out the questionnaire below and help us celebrate our Bruins past and present.