As part of the celebration of National Community College Month in April, the Mayor
of Ann Arbor, Mich., Christopher Taylor, issued a proclamation urging all citizens
to recognize and appreciate the outstanding contributions Washtenaw Community College
makes to the community.
The proclamation noted that for more than 50 years, Washtenaw Community College has offered services that benefit the Washtenaw community including: training for job seekers and retraining for those already employed; more than 137 programs that can culminate in 55 associate degrees or 83 different certificates; GED preparation courses for adults seeking their high school diploma; customized training for local companies; scholarships grants and other sources of assistance for students who need financial aid to complete their education; and free classes for residents over the age of 65.
WCC has 132 transfer agreements with colleges and universities across the country.
The proclamation also recognized the college’s estimated overall economic impact of $373.4 million on the city of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County.
President Ronald Reagan, in 1986, penned the first National Community College Month proclamation, commending the enormous contributions two-year colleges make “to the strength, vitality, and prosperity of our Nation” by providing “educational opportunities at costs and locations accessible to all who are qualified.”
WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca will present the proclamation to the WCC Board of Trustees at its April meeting.
The text of the proclamation in its entirety:
PROCLAMATION
Honoring the value of Washtenaw Community During National Community College Month
April 2017
WHEREAS, President Ronald Reagan, in 1986, penned the first National Community College Month proclamation, commending the enormous contributions two-year colleges make “to the strength, vitality, and prosperity of our Nation” by providing “educational opportunities at costs and locations accessible to all who are qualified”; and
WHEREAS, More than 12 million students are today enrolled in credit and non-credit programs at 1,108 affordable and accessible community colleges; including more than 12,000 students at Washtenaw Community College, which offers members of this community more than 137 programs of study that can culminate in 55 different associate degrees or 82 different certificates; and
WHEREAS, Washtenaw Community College is helping to make Ann Arbor the epicenter for automated and connected vehicles by establishing an Advanced Transportation Center that will train the workforce of the future, and help fill the 11,000 jobs currently available in Michigan’s advanced transportation sector; and
WHEREAS, For more than 50 years, Washtenaw Community College has offered services that benefit our entire community, including: training for job seekers and retraining for those already employed; courses that transfer to more than 39 colleges and universities; GED preparation courses for adults seeking their high school diploma; reading and math support; customized training for local companies, an important contribution to the local economy; scholarships, grants and other sources of assistance for students who need financial aid to complete their education; support services that help students stay in school; and free classes for city residents over the age of 65; and
WHEREAS, Washtenaw Community College has an estimated overall economic impact of $373.4 million on our city and county.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Christopher Taylor, Mayor of Ann Arbor, Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 25, 2017 the day on which we celebrate Washtenaw Community College, and urge all citizens to recognize and appreciate the outstanding contributions to our community made by this extraordinary institution.
Media contact: Susan Ferraro, snferraro@wccnet.edu, 734-677-5295.