Awarding Our Alumni For Excellence
The purpose of the Lake Michigan College alumni award program is to recognize LMC alumni who have graduated from LMC or 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. Awards are announced each fall.
The Alumni Awards and award criteria are as follows:
- The Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award
This award is named in honor of the first President of Lake Michigan College, and is to be given to an LMC alumnus who has accomplished significant success in his/her personal or professional endeavors. - Alumni Achievement Award
This is presented to a recent alumnus (attended LMC within the last 15 years) who has demonstrated significant achievement and distinguished themselves in their career, education or community such that they would be role models to LMC students. - Gladys Peeples-Burks Alumni Service Award
This award is given to an alumnus who has offered significant personal or professional contributions to Lake Michigan College or the community. Community may be broadly interpreted as the state of Michigan or the nation.
Nominate
To nominate someone for a Lake Michigan College Alumni Award, please complete and submit the Alumni Award Program Nomination Form.
For best consideration, nominations must be received by July 1 to be considered for the current year. Nominations received after July 1 will be held for consideration the following year. All nominations will be kept in the pool for 3 years.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Rita Whise
(269) 927-6278
rwhise@lakemichigancollege.edu
Previous Award Winners
Hannah Kusaka Gorenflo estimates that she sent 150 job applications to Apple before receiving a return email from the global technology giant. That one reply, however, turned what seemed like an unattainable dream job into reality. The 2015 Lake Michigan College graduate has been working as a product design engineer for Apple since 2021.
The Alumni Achievement Award is presented to alumni who demonstrate significant achievement and distinguish themselves in their career, education, or community.
The Alumni Achievement Award is presented to alumni who demonstrate significant achievement and distinguish themselves in their career, education, or community.
The Alumni Achievement Award is presented to alumni who demonstrate significant achievement and distinguish themselves in their career, education, or community.
Lynne Christiano says that there is nothing traditional about her, which is why she decided that it was time to pursue a college degree even though
Cindy Reuss considers Lake Michigan College part of the fabric of who she is.
Lake Michigan College alumna Melanie Owen developed, co-owns and manages Lazy Ballerina Winery, the only women-owned winery in southwest Michigan.
Brittnee Carter’s academic inclinations became apparent early when she chose as a sophomore at South Haven High School to expand her educational ho
Brian Doak infuses positive energy and a high level of commitment into all areas of his life - work, family, and community.
Stephenie Henderson chose to attend LMC because of the opportunity to pursue a degree along with playing softball and volleyball at the collegiate
Steve Fairbanks was the president and CEO of Iowa Mold Tooling Co. (IMT) in Garner, Iowa, where he was hired by Private Equity in 2004 to develop a
Brad Gorman is a communications specialist at Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor.
An HIV prevention specialist for the Berrien County Health Department, Melissa Zmyslo provides HIV testing and counseling, works on case reporting
Dana Harris Slagle is an associate editor at Jet magazine in Chicago where she researches and writes on topics ranging from education and entertain
- 2003 C. Jesse Green, Director of Communications, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association
- 2002 Melissa Ruth Garland Hawk - Attorney, Hunt Suedhoff Kalamaros LLP
- 1999 Mary Jo Tomasini, Owner - Competitive Edge
- 1997 Jetta M. Masters, Probation Officer, Berrien County 5th District Court
- 1996 Gloria A. Pollack, RN/OCN, Lakeland Home Infusion Services
- 1995 Lisa Jones-Williams, St. Andrew United Methodist Church
- 1993 Dr. Abe F. Goldbaum, Medical College of Wisconsin
- 1993 Lorilyn Von Koenig, Lakeshore Public Schools
- 1991 Jeanne Jarvis, Hastings High School
- 1990 Birgit M. Klohs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
- 1988 Patrick Grounds, Lake Superior State College
- 1987 Terry S. Poindexter, 3M Corporation
- 1986 Mary Simko, WSBT
Steve Zaban’s civic work started as a favor for a neighbor. Steve was elected as a Board Trustee for Williamstown Township, Mich., serving four four-year terms. He also served one term as clerk for the community just east of Lansing. During his tenure, Steve served on the fire board, planning commission and handled all aspects of elections.
The Alumni Service Award is presented to alumni who offer significant personal or professional contributions to Lake Michigan College and beyond.
The Alumni Service Award is presented to alumni who offer significant personal or professional contributions to Lake Michigan College and beyond.
Whether it was in a restaurant, a hotel, or in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Larry Wozniak has spent a life dedicated to service.
While studying speech at Lake Michigan College, Craig Stilwell landed his childhood dream job. He wanted to be in radio since the third grade and i
Joseph DeFrance, Jr. graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1949 and attended LMC before transferring to Western Michigan University.
Rick Smiedendorf retired from his position as a police officer for the City of St. Joseph, Michigan in 2009 after 30 years.
Edward J. Todd was born and spent his early childhood years in Muskegon, Michigan, moving to St. Joseph in 1947. He was a member of the 1953 St.
Donald C. Mitchell’s family has lived in the St.
Brenda Kniebes, a lifelong resident of the area who grew up in Coloma, has taught elementary school at Decatur Public Schools for more than thirty
Great teachers inspired Colleen Cullitan to want to learn and explore subjects that she did not realize interested her.
For Barbara Lane, being a nurse and the executive director for the Berrien County Cancer Service has been more than “just a job.” She has devoted h
Diane Curry chose LMC twice in her life.
Patrick Lynch is a registered pharmacist and has been the proud operator, for the last 24 years, of Hill’s Prescription Shop in Paw Paw.
Karen (Kolberg) Kietzer journey toward a life in education began when she enrolled at Lake Michigan College after graduation from Lakeshore High Sc
Nancy Conybeare attended Benton Harbor Junior College, a predecessor of LMC, after graduation from St. Joseph High School.
Melissa Stolfo’s avocation has been to support those in need of assistance in achieving their personal and professional goals.
Paula Wygonik is the executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Competitive Edge in Stevensville, where she oversees the company’s or
Gloria Ender is president of Freedom Finishing in Benton Harbor.
Neldine Edwards is executive director of We Can Make a Difference, a non-profit organization through which she delivers parenting and life skills t
Mary Goff has served on the St. Joseph City Commission since 1986. She was elected by the Commission as the first female mayor of St.
Barbara Peeples influenced generations of students during her 40-year career as a teacher in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.
Lt. Michael Bradley is the Emergency Management Homeland Security Coordinator for the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.
- 2008 Paul Landeck, Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant
- 2007 Sharon Tyler, SW Michigan Economic Growth Alliance
- 2003 Daniel A. Shelton, Shelton Construction Company
- 2002 Mary Ann Pater, V.P. Legal & Risk Management, Lakeland Regional Health System
- 2002 Cathy Yates, Retired, Manager, Berrien County Family Independence Agency
- 2000 Dr. Marilynn Stanard, Center for Performance Development
- 2000 Marge VanVleet, M.S.N., R.N., L.S., P.N.P., Baptist School of Nursing
- 1999 Dan Holt, Writing Teacher, St. Joseph High School
- 1998 Jerry Reimann, Superintendent, Berrien County Intermediate School District
- 1997 Elijah Burton, Technical Assistance Consultant, Whirlpool Corporation
- 1996 Katherine Mitchell, Retired, B.H.A.S. Teacher Kathy Leitke, Lake Michigan College
- 1995 Esther Shoemaker, Whirlpool Corporation
- 1994 Brenda Layne, WSJM/WIRX Radio Station
- 1993 Dr. Charles T. Williams, National Education Association
- 1992 Sylvia Coleman, Lake Michigan College
- 1992 Jeff McAlvey, Office of the Governor, State of Michigan
- 1991 Dr. Gladys Peeples Burks, Benton Harbor Area Schools
- 1990 Bertha M. Carson-King, Benton Harbor Area Schools
- 1989 Gloria Vanderbeck, Pan American University
- 1988 Steven C. Silcox, Modern Plastics Corp.
- 1987 Rodney S. Krieger, Jr., Cook Nuclear Power Plant
- 1987 Roy Shoemaker, Heath-Zenith
Gregory Vaughn spent 25 years at Cornerstone Alliance before retiring as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Business Development in 2019.
The Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni who accomplish significant success in their personal or professional endeavors.
The Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni who accomplish significant success in their personal or professional endeavors.
Wilce L. Cooke has been a nurse for nearly 50 years, most recently in the emergency room of Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph.
Cynthia Joseph-Keller is Assistant Vice President at DexYP with an extensive background in real estate, facilities and sourcing.
Gloria Ender is a successful business owner with an international customer base, but she is still able to donate time and energy to many causes aro
Andrew Bauer has served with distinction as a Conservation Officer for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for 23 years.
Dr. Mark A. Kuriata is an osteopathic dermatologist who owns and practices at Advanced Dermatology in St. Joseph.
Valerie Dell Huber says that when she was taking courses at Lake Michigan College in comprehensive social science, she may have been daunted to thi
Becky Kliss’s path to becoming an environmental steward started when she opened her own cleaning business, Great Lakes Cleaning, Inc., following gr
“If I had an X-ray done today, the doctor would find a picture of LMC in my heart,” is how Captain James F.A.
It’s hard to draw the line between Richard Schinkel’s work life and personal life. They appear to blend seamlessly.
Dr. William E.
Mamiella Chavis-Brown graduated with an Associate in Arts degree from LMC in 1977, followed by a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College.
John Miller is the tribal chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. As the highest elected official of the sovereign nation, he presides
Dr. Gyl Kasewurm owns and operates one of the top audiology practices in the country. Professional Hearing Services, Ltd.
Clifton C. Turner was a mentor to the young people of the Flint area for more than 30 years as a teacher, coach and school administrator.
Richard H. Smart worked for aerospace giant McDonnell Douglas Corporation for 37 years.
Theresa Orlaske-Rich is an attorney and human resource professional who has worked for General Motors Corporation since the mid-1980s.
Professor Richard L. Bishop is professor emeritus of Mathematics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Monte of Riverside is president and owner of Monte Package Company, a company that he has taken from being a local agricultural supplier to a natio
Roger Kullenberg of Kalamazoo is a journalist whose career has included being a reporter, editor, and assistant to the publisher.
Leo “Joe” Berger is the retired co-founder of Finite Filter Corporation in Oxford, Michigan, a company he helped to grow from a workshop- and basem
- 2009 Jennifer Hoover, Operations Executive for the financial institutions group at Crowe Horwath LLP
- 2003 Roger Frank Marquardt, Retired, Lockheed-Martin
- 2003 Steven C. Silcox, Modern Plastics Corporation
- 2002 Dwight "Pete" Mitchell, Community Leader
- 2001 Dean S. Jennings, Attorney-at-Law Dr. William E. Rhode, Retired-National Institutes of Health
- 2000 Wyn Craig Wade, Writer
- 1999 Dr. Olaf Lieberg, Orthopedic Surgeon
- 1998 Dr. Michael T. Allkins, President, Bay de Noc Community College
- 1997 Renee' R. Williams, Superintendent, Benton Harbor Area Schools
- 1996 Dr. Douglas H. Lape, Northwestern Michigan College
- 1995 Sharon L. Sarris, General Motors
- 1994 Dr. Roger L. Rosentreter, State of Michigan
- 1993 The Reverend Dr. Donald B. Adkins, Second Baptist Church
- 1992 Judge John Iwaniuk, Berrien County
- 1990 Myron A. Roeder, Tropicana Products, Inc.
- 1989 Sandra N. Bate, Bate's Rent-A-Motor Home
- 1989 Kenneth Summerer, State of Connecticut
- 1988 Sandra Bruce, Berrien General Hospital
- 1987 Patricia A. Skinner, Ph.D., Ohio Board of Regents
- 1986 Dr. Peter Dual, San Diego State University
- 1986 Carol Sizer, Whirlpool Corporation
- 1988 Cullen and Mildred Child