Honors tied to College’s founding in 1961
Schoolcraft College has received two proclamations in honor of the 60th anniversary of the College’s founding. One was from Wayne County and one was from the Wayne County Commission. Each was presented at the regular Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, October 27.
Assad Turfe, Wayne County Executive Chief of Staff, presented on behalf of Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans.
“We’re happy to have you in Wayne County,” he said. “Schoolcraft College plays an important part in Wayne County. Almost 30,000 students enroll every year and we’re happy to have you. You’re great partners.”
Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki presented on behalf of the Wayne County Commission. Commissioner Marecki, from the 9th District, represents Northville, Northville Township and part of Livonia.
She is also a former Schoolcraft College Student.
“Congratulations on your 60th anniversary – we’re so proud of you,” Commissioner Marecki said. “We’re very proud to have you in this area.”
“We respectfully thank the leadership of Wayne County for their respective proclamations,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “Schoolcraft College has a rich history of serving students in our surrounding communities and throughout Wayne County. We look forward to continuing to deliver transformative learning opportunities to everyone.”
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Photo 2: Assad Turfe, Wayne County Executive Chief of Staff (left), presents the proclamation to Joan A. Gebhardt, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
The honors came just a few days after the 60th anniversary of the founding of what became Schoolcraft College. On October 24, 1961, residents of the Livonia, Plymouth-Canton, Garden City and Clarenceville school districts voted to establish a community college in an effort to create an environment for individuals seeking the opportunity to grow intellectually and strengthen their economic independence. (Northville Public Schools joined the district in 1963.)
“The Board of Trustees is thankful to the Wayne County CEO Warren Evans and the Wayne County Commission for their recognition and anniversary proclamations,” said Joan A. Gebhardt, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Having Chief of Staff Assad Turfe and District 9 Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki to personally attend our meeting to present the proclamation is heartwarming, especially since Ms. Marecki is a former Schoolcraft student. Student success has been our goal since 1961, and it continues to be our main strategic planning initiative as we go ‘Onward and Upward.’”
Originally called Northwest Wayne Community College, the name was changed in February 1963 to Schoolcraft College in honor of Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, a 19th century explorer and scholar who played a part in the early development of Michigan.