Flathead Valley Community College is kicking off its 50th anniversary this week with the first in a series of commemorative events, publications and exhibits honoring the college’s early advocates.

This Thursday, FVCC will host a presentation by boxer, entrepreneur and international speaker Garret Garrels, who will discuss how ordinary people can change lives by taking action on their extraordinary ideas.

Free and open to the public, Garrels’ presentation will begin at noon in the large community room of the Arts and Technology Building on campus.

“We’re very excited to kick off our 50th anniversary,” FVCC President Jane Karas said. “We invite the public (because) this is your college. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate all the accomplishments of the last five decades.”

FVCC was founded on April 1, 1967, after Flathead County voters approved a ballot initiative to create a community college in Northwest Montana.

Despite struggling with a stammer all of his childhood, Garrels has finished in the semi-finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking twice. In 2011, he finished 18th out of 35,000 contestants. He is a published author and frequently speaks at events and engagements around the world.

Garrels founded Pink Gloves Boxing in 2006 while he was a student and football player at Carroll College. Pink Gloves Boxing, a physical and emotional empowerment program designed for women, has been recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 100 Innovative Businesses.”

Pink Gloves Boxing clubs are scattered throughout eight states, as well as in Norway, Sweden and pending in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. A collegiate program that started at Montana State University in 2010 has been implemented at universities and colleges across the country.

In addition to hearing Garrels speak, participants of the Feb. 2 event will receive a complimentary copy of FVCC’s 50th anniversary commemorative publication. The 40-page book includes historic photographs, testimonials from alumni and faculty, a timeline of major milestones of the past 50 years and other information. Complimentary copies of the publication can also be obtained at the FVCC Foundation office in Blake Hall.

The event leads up to FVCC’s Founder’s Day celebration for the community on April 7. For more information, visit www.fvcc.edu/50.