Van Buren Tech Celebrates 50 Years of Opportunity, Innovation, and Impact
For 50 years, Van Buren Tech has transformed lives, created opportunities, and built lasting connections for students across Van Buren County and beyond. On May 27, Van Buren Tech proudly celebrated its 50th Anniversary with an evening honoring five decades of Career & Technical Education excellence and the generations of students, educators, and community members who have shaped its legacy.
As part of the celebration, Van Buren Tech was honored to receive a proclamation from South Haven Mayor Annie Brown recognizing the school’s lasting impact and contributions to education, workforce development, and the broader Van Buren County community over the past five decades.
The celebration brought together alumni and supporters from the Skills Center, Vo-Tech, Technology Center, and Van Buren Tech eras, alongside current students, staff, community members, the Van Buren Intermediate School District (VBISD) Board of Education, and district leadership.
Throughout the evening, one word stood out repeatedly: opportunity.
For 50 years, Van Buren Tech has remained committed to providing meaningful opportunities for every student, regardless of the path they choose after graduation. Through hands-on learning experiences and industry-connected programs, students gain the skills, certifications, and confidence needed to succeed in college, careers, military service, and beyond.
Van Buren Tech is the Career & Technical Education (CTE) center operated by the Van Buren Intermediate School District. Career & Technical Education combines traditional academics with real-world, hands-on training that prepares students for high-demand careers. Programs at Van Buren Tech allow students to explore interests, develop technical and professional skills, earn industry-recognized credentials, and connect directly with local businesses and workforce opportunities.
CTE plays a critical role in strengthening the local economy by helping students become career-ready while supporting the workforce needs of businesses throughout Van Buren County and Southwest Michigan. From healthcare and education to skilled trades, agriculture, public safety, culinary arts, technology, and manufacturing, Van Buren Tech helps develop the next generation of skilled professionals who will continue contributing to the region’s growth and success.
The evening also highlighted the relationships and sense of community built through Van Buren Tech over the last 50 years. Former staff members traveled from across the country to attend the celebration, reflecting the meaningful and lasting impact the school has had on countless individuals throughout its history.
Guests had the opportunity to tour the building, reconnect with former classmates and colleagues, and witness the continued growth and evolution of Van Buren Tech programs and facilities.
The celebration concluded with an exclusive Staff Legacy Hour, where former and current staff members shared memories, reflected on the history of Van Buren Tech, and celebrated the relationships and contributions built over the last five decades. Speakers emphasized the important role educators have played in shaping student success and expressed pride in how Van Buren Tech has evolved while looking ahead with excitement toward the next 50 years.
A special thank you goes to Kurbside Food Truck, The Mobile Crave, and Sweet Stacks & Sodas Locas for being part of this milestone celebration, as well as the Van Buren Tech Culinary Arts & Catering Management program team for preparing desserts for the Staff Legacy Hour.
Van Buren Tech extends its gratitude to everyone who helped make the 50th Anniversary celebration memorable as the school honored its rich history, celebrated its present impact, and looked forward to continuing to create opportunities for generations of students to come.
About Van Buren Tech
Van Buren Tech, operated by the Van Buren Intermediate School District (VBISD), provides Career & Technical Education opportunities for high school students across Van Buren County. Through hands-on, industry-focused programs, students gain technical skills, workplace experience, certifications, and career readiness that prepare them for success in college, careers, and life.