Kalamazoo College

Weekly news publication Business Review West Michigan has bestowed its first annual Green Design award to architectural firm TowerPinkster for its innovative design of the Weimer K. Hicks Student Center at Kalamazoo College.

Hicks is the first LEED Silver project in Southwest Michigan and has received numerous local, regional, and national awards for its sustainability features. Renovations of the 75,000-square-foot facility, built over several decades beginning in the 1930s, had to preserve historic features while addressing student sustainability concerns.

TowerPinkster credits construction firm Miller-Davis and the College for managing construction waste—more than 90 percent was diverted from landfills—during the two-year renovation project completed in spring 2009.

Known as “the heart and hearth” of the “K” campus, Hicks is home to numerous Student Development departments including the Student Health and Counseling centers, Dining Services, Campus Security, and more. The Index student newspaper, WJMD radio station, and dozens of other student organizations use Hicks extensively.

As a rising senior political science major, Jillian McLaughlin wants justice…and a little less chaos. This summer, along with working for Facilities Management, keeping in running shape for the upcoming cross country running season, (she’s a three-year varsity letter winner) and having a social life, Jillian is gathering the research she needs for a Senior Individualized Project (SIP) on international justice. “I am looking at how different countries have used international law techniques outside of their territories to claim jurisdiction over international war crimes.” said Jillian. “For example, Spain has taken steps to open a criminal investigation against six former Bush administration officials for torture and mistreatment of prisoners in its so-called war on terror.” She has high hopes to present her SIP at the Women’s SIP Symposium in the spring of 2010. Currently, there are about 90 students on campus this summer, many of whom are seniors balancing the stress of work and SIP research in preparation for deadlines in the fall. (Text and photo by Katy Sly ’12)

A joint program between Kalamazoo College and Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) was a finalist for the 2009 Governor's Service Awards, an annual statewide recognition acknowledging contributions made by Michigan volunteers. “Keeping the Doors Open” (KDO) was one of 39 finalists selected from nearly 120 individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations from across the state nominated for their commitment to volunteer service. Governor Jennifer Granholm honored the finalists during an awards ceremony at the Governor's Residence in Lansing. Attendees included Provost Mickey McDonald, Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Institute for Service-Learning Associate Director Teresa Denton, Stryker Institute Director Alison Geist, KPS consultant Jenny Dozema (who coordinates the KDO program), and KPS Superintendent Michael Rice. Keeping the Doors Open began in 2006 as a partnership between KPS and “K” College to support the academic achievement and college access of KPS students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, particularly in the math and science fields. Each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon during the school year, a group of students from all three of the district’s middle schools gather together for this enrichment program. Since 2006, 94 KPS students have participated in KDO. Each year, more than 20 Kalamazoo College students – working through the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Institute for Service-Learning – serve as KDO mentors while four students serve as Civic Engagement Scholars/Program Coordinators. KPS students who participate in the program have been able to maintain or excel in their courses at school and gain much needed peer support as they work together to advance their academic options.

https://reason.kzoo.edu/servicelearning/programs/keepingthedoorsopen/