Montcalm Community College celebrating 60 years

Montcalm Community College celebrating 60 years with Gary Haulk

Montcalm Community College has played a vital role in shaping education, workforce development, and community life in Montcalm County for six decades. In Episode 164 of the Discover Montcalm Podcast, host Duane Weed sits down with Gary Haulk, Dean Emeritus of Montcalm Community College and author of Montcalm Community College: Creating Futures—Then, Now, and Always, to explore the rich and fascinating history of MCC.

Gary was asked to write the official history of MCC as the college approached its 50th anniversary. What began as a research project turned into a multi-year journey through archives, interviews, and firsthand accounts from the people who helped build MCC from the ground up. The result is a deeply human story—one that blends facts, milestones, and personal narratives.

From Feasibility Study to Community Anchor

The story begins in the early 1960s, when Montcalm County leaders explored whether a community college could succeed locally. After town hall meetings and community outreach, voters approved the creation of Montcalm Community College on March 2, 1965.

With no campus at first, MCC classes were held in churches, libraries, schools—and even unused cells at the county jail. The first students enrolled in vocational and nursing programs, laying the foundation for what would become a thriving institution.

By 1967, MCC opened its permanent campus on the former Anderson farm, strategically located near the geographic center of the county. The Centurion mascot, inspired by Roman history and the campus atrium, soon followed—along with athletics, music programs, and a growing academic footprint.

Leadership Through the Decades

Gary walks listeners through the eras of MCC leadership, highlighting how each president shaped the college during their tenure:

• Don Fink – MCC’s founding president

• Cliff Badour – Expansion of academic and vocational programs

• Herb Stoutenberg – Creation of the MCC Foundation

• Don Burns – Community outreach, Heritage Village, Crystal the Mastodon, and the pivotal 1996 millage

• Bob Ferrantino – Student success, study abroad, and cultural enrichment

• Stacey Young – Leadership through COVID and the launch of student housing

• Dr. Bradley Barrick – Enrollment growth, housing expansion, and a bold new strategic vision

Each era reflects the evolving needs of students and the community—demonstrating how MCC continues to adapt while staying true to it