Kellogg Community College this spring will name the art wing of the Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center on campus after longtime patrons Sherman and Kimiko Petersen.
The existing wing – which houses drawing, painting, ceramics and photography courses on the College’s North Avenue campus in Battle Creek – will officially be christened the Sherman & Kimiko Petersen Art Wing during a ceremony starting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in the Davidson Center.
Kimiko Petersen, who passed away in 2024, is a former art student at KCC who established a successful artistic career contributing meaningfully to the cultural landscape and enhancing the College’s reputation through her many professional achievements. Her husband, Sherman Peterson, who passed away in 2021, was an accountant at Kellogg Company and was Accounting instructor at KCC both before and after his professional retirement.
The Petersons over the years made substantial philanthropic contributions to the College totaling more than $5.2 million to date, with an additional distribution anticipated this year. These funds continue to support student scholarships and provide resources for both the Art and Business departments, including funding for projects and equipment that enhance the overall student experience.
In addition to naming the existing art wing, the College plans to commission and install a sculpture to honor the Petersens that will serve as a visible, lasting expression of gratitude for their philanthropic support. The College also is exploring additional naming opportunities within the Business areas of the College in honor of Sherman’s chosen field.
“Naming the Art Wing in honor of Sherman and Kimiko Petersen recognizes Kimiko Petersen’s significant contributions to the College community, as well as her wish to acknowledge Sherman Petersen’s success in the business world,” Michelle Williamson, executive director of the KCC Foundation, said. “These recognition efforts will serve as a lasting source of inspiration for current and future students, particularly those pursuing creative and business pathways.”
KCC offers a robust curriculum of arts programming spanning multiple disciplines, from drawing, painting and ceramics to graphic design and photography/multimedia to music, theatre and creative writing. Among the offerings are new Associate in Fine Arts degrees in Music and Visual Arts, which launched this past fall.
For more information about the Petersens or their gift or to donate to support student initiatives at KCC, contact Williamson at 269-965-4161 or visit kellogg.edu/foundation. For more information about KCC’s new AFA degrees, visit kellogg.edu/afa.
Pictured above is Kimiko Peterson at the opening reception for her art exhibit held in KCC’s Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center in November 2022.
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