MCC Unveils Recipients of Its Prestigious Alumni Awards
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Muskegon Community College (MCC) is proud to announce the recipients of its prestigious 2025 alumni awards: Scott Blease has been selected for the Distinguished Alumnus Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor that Muskegon Community College bestows upon an outstanding graduate. The award salutes the achievements of exceptional alumni whose personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the goals of their alma mater.
Michael VanBemmelen will receive this year’s Alumni Achievement Award, which celebrates the same achievements of an alumnus who graduated within the previous 15 years.
(Pictured right) Scott Blease: 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient
A 1991 graduate of Muskegon Community College, Scott Blease went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Grand Valley State University. He currently resides in Spring Lake and serves as the Vice President of Sales at Acrisure, overseeing the Great Lakes region.
Blease’s distinguished career is complemented by his leadership in local government and community organizations. He was elected Mayor of Ferrysburg from November 2021 to 2023 and previously served on the Ferrysburg City Council. He has also contributed to various boards and committees, including the Police Commission, Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee, North Ottawa Recreational Authority, and the Ottawa County Solid Waste Planning Committee.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Blease is a dedicated volunteer with the Michigan Edge Mountain Bike Association and Velo Bike Kids. He has also served as a Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for 20 years and as a DECA Alumni volunteer.
Reflecting on his time at MCC, Blease shared, “The ability to learn. I was able to get professional instruction from most all my educators. I was taught critical thinking, time management, good listening skills and a variety of knowledge. All of those are key attributes that I still use today. One of my favorite instructors was Rich Oman, a theatre professor who was just awesome! He made the class fun, educational and told us about his real-life experiences. I met an array of students locally and out of the area.”
Michael VanBemmelen, a 2015 MCC graduate, continued his education at Michigan State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Today, he works as a machine design engineer at a local design shop, where he designs production equipment for area manufacturers.
Outside of his professional life, VanBemmelen is active in his church, where he leads the music for Sunday services and other special events.
When asked about the impact MCC had on his life, VanBemmelen stated,
“I look back at my time at MCC with fond memories. This was a great way to transition from living at home, being in high school, etc. into higher education and eventually, full-blown adult life.’ The quality of education was as good if not better than that at MSU because of the smaller class sizes. MCC set me up for success and was a great launching point into my career.”
Both Blease and VanBemmelen will be honored at MCC’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony, where Blease will share his insights and experiences with the next generation of MCC graduates.
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