Tornado Drills Scheduled for Next Week

Given the unseasonably warm – and unpredictable – weather we’ve been experiencing, the emergency response is planning a series of tornado drills in preparation for inclement spring weather. These will take place April 4-5; below is the schedule for your review and for your planning purposes:

Tentative Tornado Drill Schedule:

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

• Spectrum Theater 8:15 AM
• ATC 8:45 AM
• LRC 9:15 AM
• Music Building 9:45 AM

Thursday, April 5

• Calkins Science Center 8:45 AM
• Ford Field House 9:15 AM
• Student Center 9:45 AM
• Cook & College Park Plaza 10:15 AM
• Main 10:45 AM
• DeVos Campus | Sneden, White Hall & Admin Building 11:30 AM
• Tassell MTEC 2:00 PM

Thank you in advance for your participation. Please contact the Communications Department with your questions.

Mayor Heartwell to speak at Poet’s Conference Monday

Mayor Heartwell will preside at the opening of the Grand Rapids Poets’ Conference on Monday, April 2, 1:00-1:25 p.m. at 108 Sneden Hall, delivering remarks on the citywide importance of poetry as a cultural art form. This conference, featuring all of the past and present Grand Rapids Poet Laureates along with several other established local poets, is a first.

GRCC’s own David Cope is the current Poet Laureate and our event’s organizer. For the full story and a schedule of events, go to grcc.edu/grpoetsconference. The conference runs April 2-5.

Student-Organized Camfed Even to Provide Education to Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa

A group of Grand Rapids Community College students have organized an event to raise money to help send African girls to school. Camfed is an organization that strives to educate and empower sub-Saharan African females. $300.00 is all it takes to send a girl to school for an entire year in Africa, ultimately changing her life for the better.

The benefit show at Billy’s Lounge in East town will feature six different acts: Maniacal, Maurice Clark, Venson, March Forth, #LOMOBB, and Dean Martian will be Djing all night! 616 teknique break dance crew will be performing to amp up the party!These acts will be providing entertainment to those who wish to join in and show support for this great cause. All of these acts are from Michigan and have been a part of the Grand Rapids hip hop scene for a while. The line up consists of both individual artists and groups, all with hopes of providing unique, audience engaging performances to attendants. Along with these acts, a silent auction will take place. Artwork will also be created live by local artists, giving guests the opportunity to observe them perform their work.

The money raised will be used for school-related costs for the girls and women in Africa. Uniforms, books, supplies, transportation, exam fees, and room and board are some of the expenses that Camfed aims to cover for girls seeking education. Over 1.4 million children have been helped by this organization and the goal is to help them touch the lives of even more.

The benefit will be held Saturday, March 31st at Billy’s Lounge, 1437 Wealthy St. here in East town Grand Rapids. Doors will open at 9pm. All guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend. A donation of $5.00 will be collected at the door. All proceeds will be donated to Camfed. Come join us for a night filled with great music, art, and an opportunity to change a girl’s life. For more information about the organization please visit www.camfed.org.

Baking and Pastry Arts Students Working in Sugar – Photos

Check out this amazing work by Chef Marcia Rango’s bakery class.  All the works you see are done in sugar, if you can believe it:

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Sixth Annual Teaching, Learning, and Technology Showcase a Success

On Thursday, March 22 GRCC held it’s 6th Annual Teaching, Learning, and Technology Showcase.

The event was kicked off by a presentation of GRCC’s first ever “Excellence in Teaching with Technology Award”. Professor Grace Schwanda, an adjunct in the Music Department received her award at the event! Congratulations to Grace!

Over 50 faculty, administrators, staff, and students attended this event along with 13 sessions presented. Thank you to the follow presenters for taking the time to present to your colleagues:

• Mashups in Your Online Class (Grace Schwanda, Music)
• Communicating Online (Kate Byerwalter, Psychology)
• SubjectGuides: Digital Curation of Specialized Information (Lisa Rabey, Library)
• Blackboard’s “Project Ocho” – More Powerful AND Easier to Use! (Garry Brand, Business)
• Online Office Hours (Luann Keizer, Computer Applications)
• Reading, Writing, and Rubrics (Ann Alexander, Business)
• Occupy Facebook (Gary Ebels, Criminal Justice)
• Increase Interaction and Engagement with Blackboard Collaborate (Meegan Willi, DLIT)
• Student Tutorials in Physical Science (Joe Hesse, Physical Science)
• Flipping the Classroom with Lecture Video (Szymon Machajewski, Computer Applications)
• Advancing Online Learning @ GRCC (Eric Kunnen, DLIT)
• Blackboard Mashups (Tim Koets, Computer Applications)
• Facebook Groups for Content Sharing & Review (Shelly Richter, Nursing)

Thank you also to the DLIT staff, food services, facilities, IT, and Media Technologies for helping to support this campus wide event. Than you to YOU to for coming to this event to share with your colleagues.

More information including photos from the event are here.

Global Experience Festival 3/30/12

GRCC’s Hispanic Student Organization and International Student Organization are organizing the 2012 Global Experience Festival: “Raiders of the World.” Food this year will represent Italy, India, Egypt & Australia and the event takes place Friday, March 30, 2012 in the GRCC Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse from 6pm-11pm. Tickets are $5 and are available from the Student Life Office.

Schedule of Events:

• 6:00 p.m. (Doors Open)
• Food served until 7:30 p.m
• 7:00-9:00 p.m. (Global Entertainment Show)
• 9:00-11:00 p.m. (World Music Dance)

Global Experience Menu

This year’s menu features “street food”, traditionally found being sold in cities by venders in our featured countries. Enjoy!

Italy

Panino de Porchetta | Traditional roasted pork with wine, garlic, rosemary, fennel, and other aromatics. Served on crusty bread with oil marinated peppers.
Struffoli | Small Italian fried doughnuts covered in honey and festive sprinkles
Italian Soda | Chilled club soda with a variety of flavors

Egypt

Fuul Medames | Thick fava bean stew served with copped egg and warm pita bread.
Koshary | Layers of pasta, rice, chick peas, onion, garlic, and tomato
Ghorayebah
Melt in your mouth almond cookie
Sugar Cane Juice

Australia

Sausage Sizzles
Grilled sausages, fried onions, bar-b-que sauce on white bread
Aussie Sliders | Fried burger topped with shredded lettuce, tomato sauce, bacon, cheese, and a pineapple slice
Lamingtons | Squares of sponge cake dipped in chocolate and coated in dried coconut
Fish n’ Chips | Lightly battered fish deep fried with hot French fries.
Ginger Beer

India

Chicken Waling | Fried chicken with traditional curry dipping sauce and assorted fruit chutneys
Paneer Pudding | Creamy pudding with cashews and almonds
Mango Lassi |The Indian version of a smoothie