GRCC In the News, 5-13-13

Departing GRCC board member Terri Handlin reflects on GRCC’s growth, mission

May 10, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – When Terri Handlin was first elected to the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees in 1991, both the college’s student body and its campus were a fraction of its current size.

Mother’s irreplaceable keepsakes destroyed in Grand Rapids fire

May 11, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — As fire spread through her Southeast Side apartment, Kylie Sylvester understood that she and her 2-year-old son, Alexander, would loss possessions that could be easily replaced.

… Sylvester, who is a student at Grand Rapids Community College, said this is the second time that fire has left her out of a home. Seven years ago, when Sylvester used to live in Arizona, an electrical fire started from inside the walls in the apartment she was living in at the time.

GRIL U participants teens graduate from college

May 10, 2013; therapidian.org

In a time where many of our urban teens are known to drop out of high school, GRIL (Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders) is proud to announce the college graduations of three of our GRIL U teen leadership program graduates!

… Terrill Charleston graduated from GRCC with an Associate’s degree in Business Education. Charleston plans to work towards his Bachelor’s at Davenport University in the fall. Charleston graduated from the GRIL U program in 2008 through Jubilee Jobs, Inc.

Fracking comes to West Michigan

May 10, 2013; therapidian.org

Perhaps you’ve seen them: billboards that aim to educate the public about horizontal hydraulic fracturing or fracking, a relatively new process of oil and gas extraction from deep shale layers.

(Article is by Maryann Lesert, of GRCC’s English Department.)

West MI Fractivist Sarah Barker sings for a silent spring

May 10, 2013; therapidian.org

Sarah Barker, who performs as Sairuhnade, wrote the song “Silent Spring” in honor of Rachel Carson’s book by the same title, the book often referred to as marking the start of the modern environmental movement, and one that Barker read in an EcoLit and Activism class at GRCC.

(Article is by Austin Stadler, a student in GRCC’s Writing for Publication class.)

West MI Fractivist: Jeff Smith and the ‘People’s EPA’ indict the oil & gas industry

May 10, 2013; therapidian.org

With a welcoming smile and laid back attitude its difficult to imagine that a few short months ago Jeff Smith, founder of Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID), was in jail for occupying the downtown office of Wolverine Oil and Gas.

(Article is by Tiffany Szakal, a student in GRCC’s Writing for Publication class.)

West MI Fractivist Nicole Berens-Capizzi puts compassion and action up against injustices

May 10, 2013; therapidian.org

Try to imagine living your life without cash. The work you put forth helping other people is paid for in goods or services you need. If you have an extra microwave oven and need a blender, you simply swap items with a member of your community, and neither item goes to waste. This is part of what a Grand Rapids-based organization, Mutual Aid GR is trying to achieve. In addition to their Barter Board, Mutual Aid also assists in planting community gardens and focuses on direct action to help citizens of Grand Rapids who are in need.

(Article is by Martin Simons, a student in GRCC’s Writing for Publication class.)

West MI Fractivist Steve Losher: “We’ve got every right to be here!”

May 10, 2013; therapidian.org

The past year was an exciting one for Steve Losher, president of Michigan Land Air Water Defense (MLAWD), and he has no plans of slowing down in 2013. Carpenter by trade, Losher is finally putting his 25 years of pent up environmental angst to work. Losher has recognized, researched and taken a stand against hydraulic fracking as a founding member of MLAWD, a non-profit organization composed of citizens from all types of backgrounds, in the hopes that people become involved and educated on the dangers of fracking.

(Article is by Noel Fleming, a student in GRCC’s Writing for Publication class.)

Dow grad Allen finishes collegiate baseball career on high note

May 10, 2013; Midland Daily News

Midland’s Michael Allen certainly ended his college playing days on a high note.

… After graduating from Dow High, Allen attended Saginaw Valley State University, then transferred to Grand Rapids Community College, where he played under head coach Mike Cupples, a former minor league catcher in the Oakland Athletics system during the mid-1980s.

Undrafted linebacker getting close look by Bengals

May 12, 2013; Lancaster Eagle Gazette

CINCINNATI — When trying to assess if an undrafted rookie will make the Bengals 53-man roster in September, the first place to look would be linebacker. Of the six linebackers who were on the roster when last season ended, four were undrafted players including Vontaze Burfict and Emmanuel Lamur.

… (Nick) Truesdell, a former Anderson High standout, has not played since 2011 at Grand Rapids Community College after he tore his ACL. Before that he played briefly at UC in 2008, lasting eight games before being kicked off the team due to some legal incidents.

Baseball season ends with regional loss for Muskegon Community College

May 11, 2013; MLive

MUSKEGON, MI — The baseball season came to an end for the Muskegon Community College baseball team.

The Jayhawks finished 34-15 after dropping a 6-3 decision to Grand Rapids Community College in a losers bracket game Friday in the regional tournament in Battle Creek.

Delta College’s stunning tournament roll halted one win shy of World Series

May 11, 2013; MLive

BATTLE CREEK — Delta College delivered a magical run.

But the Pioneers couldn’t complete the fairy-tale finish.

After knocking off the top three seeds to reach the championship game of the NJCAA Regional baseball tournament, the underdog Pioneers ran out of magic one win from the World Series. Grand Rapids Community College came out of the losers bracket to score 8-3 and 3-0 victories Saturday to make Delta’s dreams disappear.

KVCC softball team advances to NJCAA national tournament for first time since 2006 with 8-1 win over Owens CC

May 10, 2013; MLive

Kalamazoo Valley Community College softball coach Mike Clark said he had a feeling this could be a special season for the Cougars softball team on the first day of practice.

… Clark said a pair of losses to Grand Rapids Community College on April 9 seemed to change the tide for his team this season.

Kellogg CC baseball ousted from regional

May 10, 2013; The Battle Creek Enquirer

Kellogg Community College saw their season end with two tough losses on Friday in the NJCAA Division II Region XII Tournament.

The Bruins lost a 5-3 heartbreaker to Delta College in the semifinals early on Friday afternoon and were bounced from the double-elimination tournament by Grand Rapids Community College with an 8-4 loss on Friday night.

Delta baseball one win away from World Series

May 11, 2013; Midland Daily News

BATTLE CREEK– In just its second season as a varsity program, coach Dan Smith’s Delta College baseball team is now one win away from the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series.

The Pioneers, the No. 8 seed in the eight-team double-elimination regional, will play in today’s noon championship game at C.O. Brown Stadium against either Grand Rapids Community College or Kellogg Community College. If Delta loses, there will be a second championship game at 4 p.m.

GRCC In the News, 4-17-13

Ottawa sheriff department, Hope-UW to participate in GRCC fair

April 16, 2013; The Holland Sentinel

Grand Rapids — The Grand Rapids Community College’s State and Local Criminal Justice Career/Internship Fair will be held on April 18.

State board adds more public forums to discuss education

April 16, 2013; The Holland Sentinel

Lansing — The State Board of Education is announcing additional community public forums to discuss public education.

… The following forums currently planned are:

• 3 to 6 p.m. May 9 Grand Rapids; Grand Rapids Community College, location TBD.

Bach’s St. John Passion and more: The 2013 Grand Rapids Bach Festival lineup

April 17, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The 2013 Grand Rapids Bach Festival returns next week with daily events in churches and coffee houses in Grand Rapids, Sunday, April 21 through Saturday, April 26, 2013.

… Here’s the 2013 Grand Rapids Bach Festival schedule

Young Keyboard Artists Competition Winners Recital 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21, Grand Rapids Community College Music Center Auditorium, Ransom Avenue at Lyon Street, Room 200. Free admission.

Misfit MMA/Boxing Center reaching area youth

April 16, 2013; The Holland Sentinel

Holland — Rich Miller could feel the goosebumps rising up and down his forearm.

… It’s that training and that camaraderie that Miller and boxing trainer Frankie Cisneros are working toward every afternoon and evening as they try to pull more and more young men and young women off the streets.

(Frank Cisneros is majoring in Business at GRCC.)

Hope College rewind: Baseball takes two from Aquinas College

April 16, 2013; The Holland Sentinel

Holland — The Hope College baseball team beat Aquinas College 4-2 and 6-3 on Tuesday at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park.

… Hope fifth at Calvin invite

Josh Cannon and Jared Lehman both shot a 10-over-par 83 at Pilgrims Run to lead Hope to a fifth-place finish at the nine-team Calvin College Spring Invitational. Both tied for 16th place individually.

Hope totaled a team score of 334, as did Albion College and Olivet College. Davenport University (318) won, followed by Cornerstone University (325), Grand Rapids Community College (330) and Calvin College (331).

Facebook photo

Also, The Grand Rapids Press’ Facebook page is using a GRCC photo as its cover today; to see it, click here.

The latest from GRCC TV on YouTube: Diane Penning performance; Biology, Business awards

“Diane Penning Vocal Performance (with Accompanists)”

“GRCC Biology Award”

“GRCC Business Professionals Award”

Video: the latest from GRCC TV on YouTube

“GRCC Business Department Career Showcase — Entrepreneurship”

Faculty in Business, English departments get sneak peek at College Park Plaza renovations

Some GRCC faculty members recently got a look at how College Park Plaza is shaping up.

Business Department faculty members did a walk through of the third floor to preview their new office spaces, and English Department faculty got to see their future area on the fourth and fifth floors.

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Business Department hosts Career Showcase 2013

The Business Department will be hosting a Career Showcase event on February 18 and 19, 2013.  The purpose of this event is to introduce various business career options to students.  The Showcase sessions will help students explore different career options including:

• accounting.
• business administration.
• entrepreneurship.
• fashion merchandising.
• interior decorating and design.
• management and supervision.
• marketing.
• office administration.

Each session will be hosted by a Business Department faculty member, and many will include professionals currently employed in the field of study.  The sessions will cover:

• an overview of the program of study.
• degree opportunities at GRCC and transfer options.
• employment opportunities.
• success stories.
• program projects.
• co-ops, if available.
• questions and answers.

Each career session will last approximately 30 minutes and will be offered at the following times on February 18 and 19, 2013:

• 9:00 a.m.
• 1:30 p.m.
• 6:00 p.m.

All business classes that are ongoing at these times will be suspended so that students can attend the Career Showcase.   Students are encouraged to attend as many of the career sessions as possible to learn about different career options.  To help students understand not only the business program requirements but transfer options, graduation requirements, and their current academic standing the Career Showcase will also host sessions on these topics titled:

• transfers.
• My Degree Path.
• graduation audits.

These sessions will include professions from GRCC Counseling and Career Center and Business Faculty.

All students who attend will be included in a random drawing for prizes including a $500 scholarship at GRCC next semester.

Raider salute to GRCC’s cooperative education, internship faculty

Gov. Snyder has proclaimed February “Cooperative Education and Internship Month.” Cooperative education and internships help train talent as Michigan students gain skills by linking career instruction with supervised training and experience on the job, highlight employment opportunities, and allow students to gain necessary skills that help ease the transition from school to the workplace.

Thanks to the faculty supervising internships and cooperative education this winter semester: Sue Baglien, Jim Muth, Gary Ebels, Nikki Banks, and Scott Lampe work with students in the School of Workforce Development, and Diane Sparks works with students in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Video: the latest from GRCC TV on YouTube

“BA207 Online Orientation”

Condolences to Ann Alexander and family

Condolences to Ann Alexander, a business professor, faculty development coordinator and member of the Executive Committee and Academic Governing Council, on the death of her mother, Mary Ann Steslicki, on December 4, 2012. The obituary may be viewed here.

Alpha Beta Omega forms at GRCC

Introducing  a new leadership group at GRCC: Alpha Beta Omega.

The purpose of the ΑBΩ society is to expose its members to life-changing relationships and leadership experiences that instill the knowledge base and skill set necessary to passionately and effectively serve our world. For more information, contact Andre Fields, assistant professor and counselor in the Counseling and Career Center, at 234-4635.

Alpha Beta Omega members during a recent visit to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

Winners Of GRCC’s Third Idea Pitch Competition

Grand Rapids Community College is proud to present the winners of GRCC’s Third Idea Pitch Competition, held Monday, October 29, 2012. Idea Pitch gives our students and future entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch a well-planned idea to a panel of distinguished judges with passion and in an exciting and professional manner.

First place winner Jeffrey Noel received $800 for his “BookHippie” idea, and Damion Harden earned the $300 award for second place with his “Glow n Walk” concept. Third Place and a $100 award went to Jennifer Vanderploeg for her “ArtMarket” pitch.

The first round of Idea Pitch was open to any GRCC student in any area of study. Noel and Harden emerged from the finalists with their awards and the right to advance to the regional level, where the prizes include $1500 1^st place, $1000 2^nd place, and two 3^rd place prizes of $500 each. The Regional Idea Pitch Competition will be held this year at Aquinas College on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.

The three judges for this year’s competition included: Randy Walter, Chief Engineer – GE Aviation, Tony Bowie, Chief Technologist – GE Aviation, and our very own GRCC alum Justin Williams, CEO & Owner – Affordable Limousine & Party Bus LLC and Progressive Properties.

Felix Pereiro, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Chairman of the Idea Pitch Competition states, “It is our goal at Grand Rapids Community College to help people in our community turn their dreams into reality. It is our goal to explore the possibilities of reimagining a better world. It is our goal to help nurture that creative spirit in every human being. All great businesses start with an idea!”

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Condolences to the Family, Friends and Colleagues of Mary Barnum

GRCC Professor Mary Barnum, who taught Accounting and Business, passed away recently.  A celebration of Mary’s illustrious life will take place on Saturday, April 7th at the Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street, NE, Grand Rapids. Public visitation is from 1-3 p.m. in the Keeler Lounge, followed by an open memorial service at 3 p.m. in the chapel.

From her obituary:

BARNUM, MARY LUCILLE MCDONALD Mary Lucille McDonald Barnum, aged 63, passed away on Monday evening, April 2, 2012. Mary grew up in Cadillac and had lived in Grand Rapids since 1989. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Jerry Barnum; her children, Betsey Barnum (husband Edward Goodall) and Paige Barnum (partner Clay Mallory); her two grandchildren, Isaac Goodall and Beatrix Goodall; her sister Katherine McDonald (family Jess and Steve Challa, grandchildren Logan, Olivia and Elijah), brother Tom McDonald (wife Dawn McDonald, son Brendan McDonald), brother Paul McDonald (wife Sue McDonald). (Full Obituary Available Here)

Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to organizations on whose Boards Mary has served: Planned Parenthood (425 Cherry Street, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503) or Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank (864 W River Center Dr., Comstock Park, MI 49321).

GRCC Preschool Students Visit Interior Design Department

On February 29th the Bear Room children from GRCC’s Laboratory Preschool visited the resource room of the Interior Design Department. The visit was prompted by a topic of interest, homes, being studied by the 4 and 5 year old children. Professor Susan Baglien introduced the children to the concept of design boards and then allowed them the freedom to work with the interior design students to build their own board filled with the colors and furniture that they would like to have in their own room.

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The children loved looking through all of the magazines, wallpaper books, fabric and paint samples to find their favorites! We are hoping to connect with the Architectural Design Program as well as visit the McCabe-Marlowe house soon! Thank you for the great opportunity!!

GRCC Students win Accolades in Michigan College DECA Conference

This past weekend Collin Donnelly a business student from GRCC and Austin Benner former GRCC busines student and now Davenport (3 plus one) student competed at the Michigan College DECA Conference. Collin placed third in the Retail Management Event and was a State Finalist in Sales Manager Meeting. Austin placed first in the International Marketing Event. Both students have qualified to attend the College DECA International Conference at Salt Lake City, Utah the end of April.

They were competing against Students from University of Michigan, Michigan State, Grand Valley, Keddering, Central Michigan, Davenport, Northwood and six other colleges.

Congratulations to Peggy Schoenborn on MBEA Award

GRCC Business Faculty Peggy Schoenborn was recently honored with the 2011 MBEA Emerging Professional Business Educator Award at the recent 2011 Michigan Business Education Association (MBEA) Conference this past week in East Lansing.   Peggy earned the award for her work in the business education programs at Rockford High School and Grand Valley State University’s Teen Entrepreneur Summer Academy.