Signing day is not just for athletes anymore.
Western Michigan University hosted close to 1,500 graduating seniors May 2 who were there to announce the colleges and universities to which they have committed for fall 2016.
The president of the areas' three colleges--WMU's John M. Dunn, Kalamazoo College's Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran and Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Marilyn Schlack--were all on hand to congratulate the graduating seniors. So were Michigan State Superintendent Brian J. Whiston
, Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell, and representatives of 10 other Michigan and out-of-state colleges.
During the two-hour event, students were entertained by a WMU Greek organization, the Loy Norrix Drumline, Portage Central Choir, local D.J. Chuck Welch and a surprise guest artist, Matt Giraud, the musician who achieved national recognition and acclaim for his performances on American Idol and finished 5th on Season 8 of the musical competition television show. Dr. D.F. Arnold, a motivational speaker who specializes in personal and professional development, delivered a keynote address to the high school seniors.
Kalamazoo County College Signing Day, was organized by Western Michigan University and the College and Career Action Network of Kalamazoo County, for all graduating seniors in the county.
This was the second major College Signing Day in Michigan. The first was took place in May 2015 at Detroit's Wayne State University. First Lady Michele Obama launched the initiative and presided over a citywide signing day. The May date for the local event was chosen to reflect the traditional May 1 deadline for students to accept admissions offers.
Source: Cheryl Roland, Western Michigan University
Photos: Amanda Lozier, Western Michigan University
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