I Heart JC 2021

C.J. and Sarah (VanZandt) Finch began their journeys on sports teams at Jackson College. After meeting, they formed a team of their own as husband and wife!

C.J. Finch, originally from Homer, came to Jackson College in 2006 to play baseball. Sarah originally came only for academics but was later persuaded to play softball since she was an All-State 2^nd baseman for Napoleon High after meeting athletic director Steve Bloomfield and athletics coordinator Katie Fall. The two met during practices and had a few classes together. They enjoyed the family atmosphere at Jackson College, especially in athletics. “I went to Jackson College for the baseball program and for coach Rick Smith. I can’t say enough about the athletics staff and the culture there. It’s very welcoming, a real family atmosphere,” C.J. Finch said.

“Their love for the school and their warm, welcoming personalities was what was implanted in athletes that first came to JCC when sports were brought back,” Sarah said. “I will forever cherish those memories. From my relationship with my husband (best friend), professors, counselors and teammates. It was a valued stepping stone in my career.”

Both had an economics class with Professor Jack Dakessian, and they used to joke that they would get married and invite Professor Dakessian to the wedding. When they did get married, they invited the professor, who was unable to attend but did let them know that he remembered them and their story.

Today, C.J. works as sales manager for Pfister Faucet, and Sarah is in sales for DJS in Homer. Team Finch is happy with their start at Jackson College.

Tovah and Nick Sheldon appreciate the start they received at Jackson College.

Tovah knew the College well even before officially enrolling. Her father, Jim Scott, had been a professor and she had audited several courses while still at Lumen Christi High. When she did attend Jackson College, she found faculty who were helpful and caring, going beyond the subject matter to help students find their way in the world.

“I had a lot of great professors, sometimes those who already knew me. I really did not have a professor that I didn’t like. They cared more about the person than the content. They wanted you to be successful not because you’ve memorized some facts, but because you are becoming a better person or citizen.”

She even met her future husband, Nick, at Jackson College. Her dad had mentioned him to her after having Nick in class, but the two didn’t come together until a semester later. They started dating, and the rest is history!

Tovah began her career in teaching and today works with the Jackson County Intermediate School District as director of learning services and instruction, where she oversees the professional learning opportunities of county administrators, teachers and educational staff. Nick is a manager at Consumers Energy, the meter reading senior field leader.

“Looking back, I credit Jackson College for the great foundation that pushed me to become the lifelong learner that I am today,” Nick said. “As a member of the community, I will continue to enjoy and support all that Jackson College has to offer.”

The Sheldons love to visit campus often to walk the new fitness trail or play disc golf. “Jackson College has again been a wonderful place for my husband and me, even our kids,” she said. “I think that the campus is not meant to be elite but to be inclusive. I think Jackson College does a really good job of that.”

For Lexava (White) Smith, Jackson College not only gave her a good start toward her career, but it’s been a family affair as well.

Smith was born to a family of 11 in Jackson and she, along with a majority of her siblings, attended Jackson College. Lexava attended from 1979-1981 and received the JCC Presidential Scholarship and two local club scholarships before graduating with her associate degree. She has worked for the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for more than 30 years, active in leadership among workgroups there. She has been honored with awards for teamwork and service.  

While the College has always been important to her family, it took on a deeper meaning following a tragic accident in 2015. Smith’s son, Montel, died in an accident while working as a delivery driver. He had been attending Lansing Community College studying communications and public relations, a natural fit for his outgoing nature. Lexava and her husband, Jerome, wanted to do something to honor their son’s memory. Because she is from Jackson and a majority of her family had attended Jackson College, establishing a scholarship to help future students made sense.

“Even though we live here in Lansing, we visited Jackson and have family there. Many people remembered him and the impact he had on their lives. That’s why I wanted to do something in his honor.

“We also wanted to make this from the whole family. Continuing one’s education is not always an option because of finances, we realize that. We want to give people an opportunity and hope that there are scholarships available if you are willing to pursue further education.”

Ellen Ewing found not only her future, but also met her husband and lifetime friends at Jackson Junior College.

Named after her grandmother, a teacher, she knew that she, too, wanted a career in education. Ewing attended the junior college after graduating from St. Mary High School, completing her Associate in Arts in 1964. The College was downtown then, and Ewing remembers several classes in the West Intermediate building, where Flagstar Bank is located today.

“It was a great experience. I belonged to a sorority there, Phi Delta Sigma, and this game me some lifetime friends, people I still know and who live in Jackson; you can’t put a price on things like that,” she said. “I also met my husband there, which was a bonus!”

Ewing continued her studies in education, earning a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a Master of Arts from Eastern Michigan University. She began her teaching career at Litchfield Community Schools, first as a teacher and later as elementary principal. From there she went to Saline Area Schools as a building administrator, then coming assistant superintendent in 1988 and superintendent of schools in 1993.

Now retired, she remembers her junior college days fondly and is thankful for the start it gave her.  “I’ve had a wonderful career.”