Page 555 – Second Wave

New degree adds to growing line up offered by Southwestern Michigan College

By Newsroom

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April 15, 2010

The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees has added a new bachelor's degree in Computer Information Technology.The degree will be offered in fall 2010 at the Dowagiac campus in a partnership between SWC and Ferris State University.The addition of the bachelor's degree in Computer Information Technology brings to seven the number of bachelor's degrees that can be earned without having to leave Southwestern Michigan College. Last month, SMC added three new associate degree programs and four certificate programs, bringing the total number of associate degree programs it offers to 24, and the school's number of certificate programs to 22.Considered leading edge, the CIT program prepares students for several industry computer certifications, including: CompTIA's A+, Network+, Linux+, Security+, and Microsoft's Systems Administration Certification (MCSA). The degree was developed through direct consultation with future employers in an effort to provide students with a strong core business understanding combined with industry certification. "The need for affordable access to high quality college education has never been greater. SMC will continue to expand academic offerings to serve the students and workers of this region," says Southwestern Michigan College President Dr. David Mathews."The bachelor's degree in Computer Information Technology will be offered in SMC's state-of-the-art Information Technology Center in the Barbara Wood Building on the Dowagiac campus. Like each of the other programs approved last month, this program will provide students with the skills they need to get some of the best jobs available today."Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: David Mathews, Southwestern Michigan College

Bank builds second branch in Kalamazoo area

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Development News

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April 15, 2010

First National Bank of Michigan has broken ground on its second branch in the Kalamazoo area.Heavy equipment is at the site at 5313 West Main in Oshtemo Township in preparation excavation needed before laying of the foundation, says John Schreuder, First National Bank of Michigan Chairman and CEO.The bank branch will be a 3,200-square-foot office and will employ up to six people, Schreuder says. Some of the positions will be new and other employees will come from the bank's other locations. Schreuder anticipates the new branch office will open by Labor Day.First National Bank was encouraged to pursue a second branch based in part on its success with its Portage office, Schreuder says."When we expanded into Portage we found a good reception in the south county market. We thought the west side would be another good spot to expand."The decision to build the new branch was clinched when Martha Betke agreed to lead the new office, Schreuder says. "Buildings are nice, but the real indicator of success is people. Especially in banking. People like to bank with people they know and Martha Betke is well-known. People have worked with her for years."Before joining First National Bank, Betke was a senior vice president for National City Bank.First National Bank of Michigan also celebrated its fourth year in business this week."April 13, 2006, we opened our office downtown and we've had a good response from opening day."Schreuder attributes that to the bank's willingness to work closely with local small business owners."We got into this business because individual small business owners wanted to know the people who were making the decisions at the bank. Then if their request is denied they have someone to talk to, someone who can help them understand why the decision was made."Four years later, we're still convinced it's good business to serve the small business owner. We work with individuals in a way that they know we understand their business." Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: John Schreuder, First National Bank of Michigan

Promising companies aim to pair up with funders

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Development News

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April 15, 2010

Two Kalamazoo companies will soon pitch products and plans to venture capitalists looking to invest their money.RealBio Technology, Inc., a company working to develop a better system for growing cell cultures, and Vestaron Corp., a developer of innovative pesticides from snake venom, have been asked to be part of the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium, May 11-12, in Ypsilanti, Mich. The symposium invites leaders in the venture capital investment world to connect with entrepreneurs, startups and emerging growth companies that are actively searching for partners and funding. The event will host more than 400 attendees and 65 investment firms. The 32 emerging and growth business ventures slated to present made it through a rigorous screening process. The businesses seeking capital that would take them to the next level come from the areas of life sciences, energy, IT and technology.At Vestaron, scientists are unlocking the mystery of how spiders kill insects -- work that is leading to a new generation of insecticides. So far, more than 50 unique insecticidal spider peptides have been identified. A patented technology, exclusively licensed to Vestaron, has proven highly effective against insects and related pests and harmless to non-target species, including humans. Target markets include agriculture, animal health and specialty non-crop uses such as household insects. RealBio has developed a new cell culture that allows human stems cells to grow and be maintained for more than a year. Stem cells also can be harvested for the same amount of time without adverse affects. RealBio's technology can be tailored to culture numerous tissue types.Overall, RealBio's Culture System promotes the growth, function, and harvest of a variety of human and animal cells for use in a range of research, study and production applications.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jean Serra, Michigan Growth Capital Symposium

International Keyboard Festival tunes up Southwest Michigan

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Development News

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April 15, 2010

The Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival opens the piano lid April 17 and doesn't close it again until May 8.In between, Kalamazoo becomes the place for all things piano. There's classical, jazz, chamber music, the ever unpredictable fringe events (a harpsichord performance and piano improv are two this year) and the many collaborations between pianists and a variety of vocalists.Concerts and recitals are the main attraction during the 22-day event, but there also are keyboard education master classes and pre-concert talks where the music is illuminated for the audience. Plus there are piano-themed films.The festival brings music lovers from across the nation and the world to Kalamazoo and shines a spotlight on the depth of the area's cultural offerings.Keyboard Festival events also take place in Allegan, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Richland, Three Rivers, Vicksburg and Zeeland. Ticket prices vary depending upon the event and range form $12 to $50.One of the most prestigious honors for pianists, the Gilmore Artist Award, is presented every four years on a non-competitive basis. Pianists never know that they are being considered for the award and all observations of a pianist's performances leading up to their selection are conducted in secret.The 2010 Gilmore Artist Kirill Gerstein takes the stage at 8 p.m. May 3 in Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Ave., in Kalamazoo, and again for the festival's closing May 8 at the Festival Gala Concert for a performance with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, also at Chenery Auditorium.Born in Voronezh, in southwestern Russia, Kirill Gerstein studied piano at a special music school for gifted children and taught himself to play jazz. He came to the U.S. at 14 to continue his studies in jazz piano at Boston's Berklee College of Music. He also continued to study classical piano repertoire. Following two summers at the Boston University Young Artist program at Tanglewood, Gerstein moved to New York City. There he studied with Solomon Mikowsky at the Manhattan School of Music. By the age of 20 he earned both his Bachelors and Masters of Music degrees. Now 30 years old, he peforms with esteemed orchestras and conductors and in recitals throughout the world.The Gilmore Artist receives a $50,000 cash grant to be used at the artist's discretion and $250,000 typically disbursed over a four-year period for projects and activities that will enhance the artist's musicianship and career."Over the past ten years we have observed Kirill Gerstein develop into one of the most compelling and profound musical artists of his generation," said Daniel Gustin, festival director. "He is the epitome of what we seek in the Gilmore Artist -- a musical thinker and performer who will continue growing and who can, and we believe will, attain a career as a major concert pianist for the 21st Century."Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Daniel R. Gustin, festival director

MBA business center opening celebrated at WMU

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Development News

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April 15, 2010

As business becomes increasingly global Western Michigan wants its students to be prepared.WMU's Haworth College of Business celebrated the opening of the new Master's in Business Administration Program Office and Global Business Center Tuesday, April 13. Members of the University community were there for a ribbon cutting ceremony and to hear remarks from President John M. Dunn.The center, under construction for months, occupies an area in the northeast corner of the large student study lounge on the main floor."Global business is the norm rather than the exception," says Dr. Ajay Samant, interim dean of the Haworth College of Business. "The primary focus of the Global Business Center," Samant continues, "is to facilitate and enhance the internationalization of the curriculum, faculty and students through multiple opportunities, including international internships, study abroad programs, competitions, conferences, partnerships and speaker series."In addition, the suite provides a permanent presence for our MBA program, which has been in existence for more than 50 years," Samant says. "Our graduate students are encouraged to use the space as a meeting place to interact with one another, work on team projects or hold networking events."The goals of the Haworth College of Business include:-- providing an environment supportive of student learning and achievement and faculty scholarship, development and achievement.-- being a strong partner with communities and business.-- advancing diversity and providing a positive work climate for students, staff and faculty.Dr. Zahir Quraeshi, professor of marketing, is director of the Global Business Center, while Dr. Jack Ruhl, acting associate dean for the Haworth College, is program director. Barb Caras-Tomczak is the center's academic advisor.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Valorie Juergens, WMU

Finding a solution in the cloud

By Kathy Jennings

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General

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April 15, 2010

As the computer titans clash for control of the cloud, a small Kalamazoo company quietly works with Google Apps to find the right solution for a business in need of a computer solution right now. Newmind Group Inc. likes Google because its customers like Google.

Air traffic control training approved for lift off at WMU

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In The News

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April 15, 2010

Western Michigan University is one of five new colleges and universities that will be part of the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI), reports the aviation magazine Avstop.com.The story says the five schools were chosen from 21 institutions that submitted applications early last year. They were evaluated based on schools' organizational foundations and resources, organization credibility, air traffic basic curriculum and facilities. Excerpt:CTI institutions are not given federal funds to teach air traffic control courses, however, the FAA does provide curriculum and instructor notes on air traffic basics. The institutions independently incorporate the material into their aviation programs.The AT-CTI curriculum provides appropriate education, experience, and training which meet the basic requirements for the terminal and en route air traffic occupations. As a result, AT-CTI graduates may be permitted to bypass the initial five-week air traffic basics training when they report to the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. No jobs are promised to students, but from fiscal years 2005 until 2009 over 3,000, or 41 percent, of the air traffic controllers hired graduated from an AT-CTI school. To find out what other schools will offer the program, read the entire story.Source: Avstop.com

New business picture calls for new way of thinking

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In The News

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April 15, 2010

Collaboration is bringing out the best of two area businesses, the Kalamazoo Gazette reports.Evan Eichhorn's Kalamazoo Screw Products is working with Pinto Products' owner Matthew Pinto to produce parts for a tank that holds disinfectant used to fog large areas, such as class rooms or hospital rooms. The tank design itself was developed by Altapure Health LLC, based in Carmel, Ind.One reason the collaboration works is small manufacturers like Kalamazoo Screw Products and Pinto Products can produce specialized parts quickly, a huge advantage for both, Eichhorn says in the story.Excerpt:Pinto said he signed on with Eichhorn because they have a relationship built on trust.He said he remembers a time when manufacturing companies didn't need to do anything special or out of the box to turn a profit. But, he said the downturn in the automotive industry shook up that sense of complacency and paved the way for an era of cooperation among businesses of all sizes."The fact that things are tight makes it a no-brainer and we're doing whatever we can to survive," Pinto said. "If we get this (Altapure business) it will see us through the next couple of months."Eichhorn said he lost about $2.5 million "almost overnight" when production of Volvo and Lincoln automobiles went overseas. He said his staff of 19 has decreased to six within the last three years.For more on how the businesses are collaborating, read the entire story.Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

Kalamazoo’s Larry Bell gets a cheer from his peers

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Economic Development

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April 15, 2010

The Brewers Association has recognized Larry Bell of Bell's Brewery for his dedication and service to the industry, reports Draft Magazine. The magazine that ranks the best beers of the year says the industry recognition came at the opening session of the Brewers Association's annual Craft Brewers Conference April 7 in Boulder, Colo. Excerpt: The Brewers Association Recognition Award went to Larry Bell, Founder and Owner of Bell's Brewery, Inc. Bell started the Kalamazoo Brewing Company and Bell's Brewery, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1985, the earliest craft brewery in the eastern half of the United States. Larry's dedication to the industry includes serving as a former chair of the Brewers Association's predecessor organization and acting as a driving force with current Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper for the creation of American Beer Month (which evolved into American Craft Beer Week). "Larry is a leader in our industry known for his innovative beers and the passion he brings to craft brewing," said Brewers Association Board of Directors Chair Nick Matt, CEO of Matt Brewing Company. Mountain West Brewery Supply's David Edgar noted in documents supporting Bell's nomination that "Larry is continually pushing the envelope with experimenting with different grains, different yeast strains and plenty of hops." For a look a who else was recognized, read the entire story. Source: Draft magazine

Think of them as highways for bikes

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In The News

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April 15, 2010

Plans are under way to put more miles of bikeways along Lake Michigan's shoreline, reports the Allegan County News.Already, the paths are in place to take bikers from South Haven to Saugatuck. With the bike routes proposed, bikers, hikers, runners and rollerbladers will be able to trek from Saugatuck city limits more than 37 miles northward on paved trails -- and plans are under way for a southern option.Excerpt:A Saugatuck-South Haven Bike Trail Committee is studying right-of-ways, routes and funding for a 23-mile trail from where the current path ends to downtown South Haven, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission program assistant Suzann Flowers said."This, in turn, is part of an AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) long-range plan for a nationwide set of corridors to be developed as U.S. bike routes," Flowers added."One of these is U.S. Bicycle Route 35, a 50-mile band which would follow the shore of Lake Michigan from New Buffalo to the Mackinac Bridge, then north to Sault Ste. Marie," she said.The story goes on to say the Van Buren County portion of the path, consisting of one mile in the City of South Haven and 2.36 miles in South Haven Township, would involve a 4-foot-wide bike lane extension of the existing Blue Star Highway, costing $15,000 to $20,000 per mile to construct.Blue Star's extra-wide Allegan County right-of-ways make possible a 10-foot path separate from the roadway, costing $150,000 to $300,000 per mile depending on the need to acquire land, price of asphalt, tree removal, engineering and more factors.Funding sources still are being worked out, but federal transportaion dollars through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program and Michigan Department of Transportation are among those being pursued.For more on the proposals, read the rest of the story.Source: Allegan County News