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The Montcalm Community College Board of Trustees inaugurated Dr. Bradley J. Barrick as the college’s seventh president during a celebration Nov. 21 at the college.

“I am honored and humbled to have been selected as MCC’s seventh president,” Dr. Barrick said during his inauguration address to nearly 300 attendees.

“I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for your confidence and trust in me to lead this wonderful institution. It is a privilege to serve as your president, and I understand the responsibility that comes with it. One thing that I can promise you is that I will put in the work to ensure our success,” Dr. Barrick said.

During his address, President Barrick celebrated the college’s past by acknowledging its accomplishments and recognizing its former presidents. He also laid out plans for the college’s future.

“During my first 90 days, I embarked on a Listen and Learn Tour, in order to build relationships with individuals on campus and also members in the community,” he said. “During my Listen and Learn Tour, one of my favorite questions that I was asked was, ‘What is your why?’”

“For me, my why is simple. At the age of eighteen, I enrolled at my local community college, and it changed my life. I did not grow up with a sense of entitlement; to employ a baseball analogy, I was not born on third base. Nothing was given to me. No, I had to hustle and put in the work. I like to say that growing up in our house, we had a lot of love and laughter, but not a lot of money,” President Barrick said.

“The decision to attend my local community college offered me an affordable education,” he said. “I gained confidence in my leadership abilities, and it granted me scholarships that enabled me to pursue further studies at a university. Four years later, I graduated from the University of Oklahoma (Boomer Sooner) debt-free. None of these achievements would have been possible without the foundational experience I obtained at a community college.”

“Consequently, I have committed the remainder of my professional career to serving students at community colleges. Each day, I am motivated by the goal of helping students achieve success stories similar to my own. One student at a time, community colleges are still changing lives,” President Barrick said.

Moving forward, President Barrick said MCC will adhere to its mission by focusing on creating opportunity through education in order to fulfill its vision of fostering an employed, educated and thriving community, living out its five core values:

“MCC, it’s time to dream big!” President Barrick said. “We may be a somewhat small community college in rural Michigan, but we are going to make a big impact.”

“I can’t do this alone, nor do I even want to try. So, to every single person in this room, I kindly ask for your support, your encouragement, your effort, your resources, your connections and your prayers,” he said.

During the ceremony, MCC Board of Trustees Chairperson Karen Carbonelli presented Dr. Barrick the college’s presidential medallion. The medallion is a formal symbol of the Office of President at the college. It features the MCC seal. The images on the seal reflect the area’s agricultural, industrial and educational heritage.

In her remarks, Carbonelli said, “Dr. Barrick exhibits several qualities that make him an exceptional leader and the right person to guide our institution, including integrity, passion and fostering relationships."

“Dr. Barrick’s passion for community colleges is evident in his actions,” Carbonelli said. “He approaches his work with purpose, enthusiasm and a vision for the future.”

Board Vice Chairperson Carol Deuling-Ravell assisted with the presentation of the presidential medallion.

“Thank you for joining us on such a momentous and significant day,” Carbonelli said. “In our college’s 59-year history, we have installed a president on only six previous occasions.

“Dr. Barrick, the Board of Trustees has selected you as President of Montcalm Community College. Yours will be the privilege and responsibility of leading the college to the fulfillment of its great promise and mission for years to come,” Carbonelli said. “Now, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Board of Trustees, I present to you the Montcalm Community College presidential medallion, the symbol of the distinguished office which you now hold.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the employees and the greater community, I welcome you as the seventh president of Montcalm Community College. I assure you of our confidence in you and pledge our support to you as you strive to continue the mission of this college,” Carbonelli said.

In addition to the formal investiture, seven speakers delivered remarks in support of President Barrick, including: Laura Montoye, Director of Community Investment with the Greenville Area Community Foundation; Penny Dora, Director of Communications with the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District; Kristie Smith, Chief Operating Officer with Corewell Health Greenville Hospital; Mrs. Brandy Johnson, President of the Michigan Community College Association; Representative Pat Outman; MCC Emeritus Director of Workforce Development Leslie Anne Wood; and MCC Faculty Council President and Student Success Counselor Tore Skogseth.

A series of toasts to celebrate the occasion were delivered by: Senator Rick Outman; Rachel Gray, Executive Director of Hello West Michigan; Robert J. Byram, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sidney State Bank; Tracy Zamarron, Dean of Health and Human Services at Montcalm Community College; and Kurt Peterson, Treasurer of Montcalm Community College’s Board of Trustees.

MCC Emeritus Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr. Gary Hauck served as emcee, and retired pastor Bob Braman led attendees in the invocation.

Media inquiries, please contact:

Shelly Springborn
Director of Communications and Public Relations
shellys@montcalm.edu
989-560-0833