John V. Phares Memorial Scholarship
John Victor Phares was born on August 25, 1925, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to Blanch and Edgar Phares. He grew up in Benton Harbor and attended school there during his early school years.
In high school he participated in the high school band, basketball, and tennis. In 1943 John graduated from Bay City Central High School and immediately enlisted in the V-12 Program of the United States Navy as the country was then involved in World War II.
John was sent to Alma College in Alma, Michigan, for one year and then was sent to the University of Minnesota in the NROTC Program. In 1945 John graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was also then commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. While attending the University of Minnesota, he participated in tennis, was on the swimming and rifle teams and yearbook staff, and played on season in the marching band. He also participated in the science club and assisted in basketball. John spent the next twenty years in the United States Navy, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During a tour of duty at Great Lakes, Illinois, John completed the requirements for a Master of Arts from Roosevelt University, in Chicago, Illinois. During his naval career he also met the requirements for various courses of study in electronics, engineering and education.
Upon retiring from the Navy in 1963, John came to Kellogg Community College, where he developed the Electronics Program in the Engineering and Technology Department. He was also involved in student organizations, the Tech Club, and other activities. He retired from Kellogg Community College in 1984. During his retirement, he was involved as a consultant with a partner researching and completing demographic studies for school boards. He did volunteer work in helping seniors prepare tax forms and taught refresher courses in driving for seniors. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and national education associations of the Battle Creek Chapter of Retired School Personnel and Retired Officers Association. At one time he was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. and the former Battle Creek Engineers Club.
Impact
This scholarship was created in memory of John. He is remembered by fellow instructors at KCC as “John did his share on earth in serving his country and family and for being a great father and teacher.”