Lots of smiles to go around as 'Ms. Ida' celebrates 50 years with Career Center

BATTLE CREEK - When Ida McCray starting working at the Calhoun Area Career Center, she thought she'd be there for six months and then move on.

Fifty years later, McCray was celebrated by family, friends and co-workers at Ms. Ida's Golden Anniversary Luncheon on Wednesday at the Career Center.

"When I first got here, no way I thought I'd still be here," McCray said. "I came here in January of '73 and my game plan was to be gone by June of '73. I wanted to go to work at General Motors and be a factory rat, that's what I wanted to do. But here I am, 50 years later, and I love it."

The Career Center opened in 1971, so McCray has been a part of it almost from the beginning.

"She has always been here, she holds the history of this place," Student Services Academic Consultant Tammy Schiller said.

McCray is an instructional support specialist in the culinary program at CACC, working with students who would like to pursue a career in the culinary field.

Which means, she also helped set up her own luncheon. And even though no one wanted her to work on her special day, her dedication to the school and her students had her still directing some of the action on Wednesday.

"That's what makes her special and why she is being honored for 50 years here," said Mark Gothberg, a student counselor at CACC. "It's the demonstration of the work habits we try to promote to our students every day, showing perseverance, great attendance and sticking to something until the very end. She really personifies that work ethic."

Having helped to guide an estimated 4,000-plus students during her time at CACC, it is that group that has driven her to come to work every day for five decades.

"The kids are what gets me up every morning," McCray said. "They get me to come here, having a chance to change another life, improve the life of these kids."

Having that kind of impact was evident from the smiles on those in attendance when Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke read off a proclamation making Jan. 18, 2023, "Ida McCray Day in Battle Creek."

"It's just great that the community is coming together to celebrate a 50-year experience in teaching," Behnke said prior to his presentation.

Part of the luncheon was a slideshow, highlighting photos of McCray over her 50 years of service, as well as her work with the current students at CACC.

"She does everything with a smile," Schiller said. "She leads with grace in the kitchen, the kids just love her. Before this, we were able to show the kids the slideshow we made for her. The kids said, 'Ms. Ida is going to love this,' and I said, 'I just hope it makes her smile.'

"And the kids said, 'But she doesn't smile very often'," Schiller added, noting McCray takes her duties very seriously. "But she is smiling a lot today."

Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Lots of smiles as 'Ms. Ida' celebrates 50 years with Career Center