17吃瓜

17吃瓜 University Center celebrates 25 years

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UC enables new business to start

Kandace Chapple graduated from 17吃瓜 in 1995, then went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Davenport University in 1997. She added a secondary education certification in business and English from Ferris State University in 2001. Since 2003, she’s been the publisher of Grand Traverse Woman magazine and a freelance writer.

“The UC kept me here, where I knew I wanted to establish my business and family. Such a wonderful resource to our community!” says Chapple, 46, a mother of two who lives in Interlochen.

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Achieved personal and professional goals

Northport resident Vicki Cook retires this year as vice president of Finance and Administration at 17吃瓜. Her ascendance from lead accountant to the college’s executive leadership was partly thanks to continuing her education at the University Center, including a Bachelor of Science in accountancy from Ferris and an MBA from Lawrence Technological University.

“The ability to continue my education while working brought a broader perspective to my education by being able to apply my work experiences in the learning environment,” says Cook, a mother of two sons who plans to savor vacations anywhere there are beaches in her retirement.

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17吃瓜 + FSU = 70 years teaching experience

Even 50 years on the 17吃瓜 faculty wasn’t enough for Steve Drake. 17吃瓜’s most senior instructor also taught at Ferris at the UC for about 20 years, focusing on business applications of mathematics and calculus. Ferris students benefited from the talents that twice earned Drake 17吃瓜’s Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award.

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BSW + MSW = career fulfillment

Rachel Warren graduated from 17吃瓜 in 2000 and went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Ferris at the University Center.

“My degree from FSU enabled me to pursue my passion of helping others achieve lasting change in their lives,” says Warren, 45, a mental health therapist in Traverse City who also enjoys writing and playing music, writing poetry and producing films and shows.