[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4583-S4584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING 100 YEARS OF MOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mott 
Community College located in Flint, MI. Over the past 100 years, MCC 
has become a steadfast partner for local industry, providing high-
quality, accessible, and affordable education opportunities. It is a 
privilege and honor to recognize the centennial milestone of the 
college on September 23, 2023.
  Founded in 1923 by the Flint Board of Education, the institution was 
originally known as Flint Junior College. Tuition for the first year 
was a mere $20, and students could choose to study general literacy, 
pre-engineering, pre-dental, pre-medicine, pre-law, or business 
administration, as the college was initially designed to prepare 
students to transfer to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
  In 1950, Charles Stewart Mott donated $1 million to develop Flint 
Junior College into a 4-year institution in collaboration with the 
University of Michigan, a move that created the college and cultural 
center. C.S. Mott endowed the college with 32 acres of land and 
additional money for the establishment of an entirely new campus. In 
1951, William Ballenger, Sr., left a trust of several million dollars, 
allowing the college to hire well-qualified instructors and elevate 
Flint Junior College into a true community college. Ballenger also 
gifted the college $200,000 for the construction of an athletic field 
house. The Ballenger Field House would become the first new building on 
the new campus.
  In 1969, the college was successful in securing a millage, 
transforming it into a countywide institution, becoming Genesee 
Community College. After the passing of C.S. Mott, the institution 
received its name known by the community today, the Charles Stewart 
Mott Community College.
  The college has a rich athletic history as well. Coach Steven Schmidt 
has led the men's basketball team to 753 victories over 30 seasons, the 
most by any men's coach in Michigan college basketball history. The 
program finished fifth in the Nation in 2021 and has won three national 
titles since 2007. The college is also where Justus Thigpen, Sr., the 
first athlete from Flint to play in the NBA, got his start as the 
basketball team's starting guard in 1965. Mott currently hosts five 
varsity men's sports teams, four varsity women's teams, and a co-ed e-
sports team.
  Today, MCC serves over 8,000 students seeking to gain knowledge and 
skills in a wide variety of occupational programs. Mott Community 
College continues to be a key partner that delivers on the workforce 
development

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needs of the region through continual innovation and investment in 
their students' success. By creating programs such as the Mobile 
Learning Lab, Workforce Promise, and the operation of Applewood Cafe, 
the college has seized every opportunity to support the economic 
development in Flint by providing workforce training and experience to 
students and workers.
  The college is also a leader in expanding diversity, equity, and 
inclusion in higher education. From the hiring of Dr. Beverly Walker-
Griffea in 2014, its first African-American female president, to the 
building of the Lenore Croudy Family Life Center, which is focused on 
providing support to students and families experiencing housing and 
food insecurity, the college continually works to reduce barriers and 
challenges by investing in their students. MCC has also been chosen for 
the Aspen Institute Award six times as one of the top 150 community 
colleges in the Nation dedicated to excellence and equitable student 
success.
  Mott Community College has greatly impacted the lives of generations 
of students and has positively shaped the city of Flint as we know it 
today. I ask you to join me in recognizing the college as they 
commemorate their centennial celebration.

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