Education

ICYMI: Ground broken for Glen Oaks residence hall By Michael Patrick Sturgis Journal Glen Oaks Community College officially broke ground Wednesday for a 108-bed student housing project. The ceremony follows the recent vote by the college's board of trustees to approve a $5.3 million bid, submitted by Frederick Construction of Vicksburg, to construct a new dormitory on the Glen Oaks campus. Construction is expected begin in the coming weeks, weather permitting, with plans for the project to be co... Read more

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, wants to remind students who are interested in applying for nominations to U.S. Service Academies that the deadline for turning in applications is 5 p.m. Nov. 1. Students interested in an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy (West Point), or the U.S. Naval Academy must receive a nomination from an official nominating source, such as the applicant’s Congressional Representative, U.S. Senators, and Vice P... Read more

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today took to the House Floor to recognize Suicide Prevention Month. Upton highlighted his personal experiences with suicide, the third annual Gryphon Place Suicide Prevention Walk that takes place in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as well as the bipartisan mental health reform legislation the House advanced in July. “Last week, I was in Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park for the Gryphon Place Suicide Prevention Walk,” said Upton. “A beautiful young woman named Kait stood before ... Read more

The Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade on Wednesday held a bipartisan hearing focused on advanced robots, and specifically the success of the STEM education program, FIRST Robotics. FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” The program has grown from 20 to more than 45,000 teams nationwide since it was founded in 1989. Michigan has by far the highest number of FIRST teams per capita in the country. The hearing br... Read more

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, on Tuesday joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives in voting to advance H.R. 5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act by a 405 to 5 vote. This bipartisan legislation reforms, modernizes, and reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Act. Since 1984, the Carl D. Perkins Act has provided federal support to state and local career and technical education (CTE) programs. These innovative programs – spearheaded at the stat... Read more

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, on Monday was awarded the Outstanding Legislative Leader Award from the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Development Disability Directors and the National Association for Rural Mental Health. The prestigious award is given to honor federal legislators who demonstrate outstanding courage and leadership in advancing legislation that promotes the well-being of those with mental health, substance use, and intellectual development/developmental ... Read more

Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today released the following statement on the news that Western Michigan University President John Dunn had announced his retirement date: “Over the past nine years, John Dunn has been a trusted friend and advisor. From the launch of the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, to his work on behalf of military veterans and foster care youth – our entire community is stronger thanks to his passion and work ethic. President Dunn’s obvious commitment and res... Read more

The coin of the robotics realm By Louise Wrege Herald Palladium WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, and Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, are working to raise money for FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics through the sale of a commemorative coin to honor Christa McAuliffe. McAuliffe is a science teacher who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster Jan. 28, 1986. The bipartisan legislation, HR 5168, seeks to issue the coin to support FIRST’s... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, and Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, last week introduced bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that will champion the FIRST Robotics program. Upton and Dingell were joined by original cosponsors, Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Illinois, and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon. The bipartisan legislation, H.R. 5168, will issue a commemorative coin to honor Christa McAuliffe, the science teacher who tragically perished on the Space ... Read more

Two Michigan lawmakers are hoping a new dollar coin can mean big money for high school robotics teams. Congressman Fred Upton has signed onto a proposed bill to mint a one dollar coin in honor of teacher and astronaut Christa McAuliffe. She and six others were killed in the 1986 space shuttle Challenger explosion. Upton says sales of the coins would help fund "FIRST" high school robotics programs. Michigan Republican Fred Upton says, “Once the money is recouped by the Treasury for the cost of mi... Read more