Sheriff Cole to be honored during WSCC graduation.

VICTORY TOWNSHIP (Mason County) — Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole will receive the West Shore Community College Alumni Achievement Award during the college’s 46th commencement ceremony on Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. Over 150 students are eligible to receive degrees and certificates during the service to be held in the College’s Recreation Center Arena.

Speakers for the event will be Dr. Kenneth Urban, president of the college, James Jensen, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Aubry Healy, president of the Student Senate. Professor of Communications Jennifer Lundberg-Anders, who is the president of the Faculty Association, will provide the faculty address.

The graduates will be presented by Dr. Brooke Portmann, dean of arts and sciences and Christy Christmas, dean of occupational programs. Chairman Jensen and President Urban will award the degrees.

The Rev. Richard “Bud” Murphy, of Peoples Church in Ludington, will deliver the invocation and benediction.

During the ceremony, the college will honor Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole with the Alumni Achievement Award. Cole attended the Ludington Area Schools and is a 1984 graduate of the college, holding an associate degree in criminal justice. He also attended Michigan State University where he studied accident investigation, graduating among the top in each of the classes.

Cole began his career in the Mason County Sheriff’s office in June 1985 as a marine deputy, moved to road patrol in September 1985, and was promoted to sergeant in 1994. He was elected sheriff in November 2012.

As a law officer, Cole was recognized as the deputy of the year in 1985, and was the recipient of a distinguished service award for courage in 2003.  He also received a Red Cross Life Saving Award in 1985, and a number of departmental commendations for actions in the line of duty.

He has been the recipient of many Reader’s Choice Awards as a favorite police officer and is an active member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church and the WSCC Alumni Association. He is currently leading a fund-raising drive to purchase “The Boot,” a security device for area schools.

Music for the event will be provided by the Grand Traverse Pipes and Drums, the WSCC Concert Choir, under the direction of Adjunct Professor Becky Sopha, and the WSCC Wind Symphony which is conducted by Professor of Music Ted Malt.

Following the commencement ceremonies, a reception for the graduates and their families will be held in the Administrative and Conference Building.