KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo has had its share of nicknames over the years – The Celery City, The Paper City and The Mall City. More recent nominees include Beer City U.S.A. and even the City of The Promise.
Last evening the three local college presidents made a strong case for naming it the “Education City.”
Western Michigan University President Edward Montgomery says the three schools are just part of the reason.
Kalamazoo College’s Jorge Gonzalez, Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s L. Marshall Washington, and WMU’s Montgomery met with the Kalamazoo City Commission to talk about the institutions they run and their relation to the community.
Dr. Gonzalez says often the private college’s contributions are often overlooked.
Dr. Washington says the KVCC plays an integral role in training the community’s workforce.
WMU’s Dr. Montgomery says Western contributes to the community in a multitude of ways, and has a major impact, creating jobs, educational opportunities, sports and cultural enhancement.
In fact the three presidents talked about it for so long that there was little time left to discuss how they could work closer in the future with the city to achieve mutual goals.
Mayor Dave Anderson hopes that discussion can be revisited.
All three presidents said they have had long and collaborative relations with the community, and they plan to continue them.
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