Alumni Service Award: Barbara Peeples

Barbara Peeples influenced generations of students during her 40-year career as a teacher in the Benton Harbor Area Schools. A 1961 graduate of Lake Michigan College, Barbara earned her Associate in Science degree. She also holds her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Michigan University. 

Barbara first taught at the high school level and later became a fifth-grade science and math teacher. Barbara was the first minority teacher in the Special Opportunities for Academic Realization program, the forerunner to today’s Gifted and Talented program. 

She has been a dedicated volunteer with many area organizations including the Samaritan Center, the Rho chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, CWCC, the H.O.S.T.S. program, and the Creative Arts/Gifted and Talented school as a volunteer instructor.

Her commitment to the youth has been recognized with the Benton Harbor Area Schools Teacher of the Year Award and the Race Relations Council of Southwest Michigan Community Service Award.

Barbara Peeples received LMC's Alumni Service Award in 2004.