Professor Assists in Biographical Research about Inventor Grandfather

Betty DeRamus

Claude Harvard

Veteran, award winning journalist, author and biographer, Betty DeRamus, explains the following about her writing: “Usually somebody tells me a story. That’s where some of my best ideas have come from, I’ve heard something and it caught my attention.” The life of Professor Mursalata Muhammad’s inventor grandfather, Claude Harvard, is the subject of Deramus’ latest biography. DeRamus visits campus this week for their first in-person meeting since DeRamus secured a publisher for the biography tentatively titled: The African American Inventor Who “Educated” Henry Ford.

Mursalata Muhammad receives Leadership Skill Champion award

Congratulations to Mursalata Muhammad (LGR ’08), Grand Rapids Community College, the 2013 CCL Leadership Skill Champion.

Please join the Center for Community Leadership on June 26 to celebrate all of this year’s recipients at the 2013 CCL Annual Fundraiser on the beautiful grounds at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Complete list of this year’s recipients:

• Uncommon Greatness Award – Celebration! Cinema
• Distinguished Community Trustee – Carol Paine-McGovern (LGR ’96)
• Community Connections Champion – Ben Wickstrom (LGR ’10), Erhardt Construction
• Leadership Skill Champion – Mursalata Muhammad (LGR ’08), Grand Rapids Community College
• Diversity Champion – Carlos Sanchez (LGR ’02, LA ’12), Ferris State University
• Systems Thinking Champion – Mary Buikema (LGR ’12), Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

Each year, this event raises funds to benefit scholarships that enable many to participate in CCL’s various community leadership and skill-building programs. In 2012, the Center for Community Leadership granted over $27,000 in scholarships for individuals to participate in our programs.

Event Details
Date | Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Location | Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Time | 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Cost | $60
Click here to register.

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.

Maryann Lesert to work on novels during sabbatical

Maryann Lesert

Grand Rapids Community College’s Sabbatical Committee is excited to endorse Associate Professor Maryann Lesert’s Sabbatical application for winter semester 2014.

Professor Lesert’s application represents an exemplary level of scholarly endeavor for which we should all aim. The committee found many strengths and no weaknesses in her application, not only as a well written document but also meeting all the requirements of what is expected.  Her proposal deserves the College’s most prestigious professional development opportunity.

She plans to work on writing two novels, both of which center around local environmental issues. Her work on these critical issues will directly benefit her students, the College, and the community as she has already become a well-known resource on the subject.

The enthusiastic support of Dean Chesley and Department Head Balyeat reinforced our opinion of the worthiness of her proposal.

Construction Update: Pardon Our Dust

This summer begins a busy construction season as phase one of Cook Hall renovations begin this summer. We ask for your flexibility with noise and construction traffic, and we will give as much forewarning and accommodation as we are able. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Vicki Janowiak at extension 3565 or vjanowia@grcc.edu

Both Cook Hall and Main Building renovations are considered the first phase of two phase projects. Fall 2013 and winter 2014 construction phases will include Sneden Hall and the Learning Resource Center.

Here is the construction schedule, much of which begins today:

Cook Hall Capital Outlay Project:

• G2 and G1 parking ramps are unavailable (effective May 1).
• Contractors will begin placing Dumpsters for demolition on Bostwick Commons and in Winchester Alley today.
• Staging equipment is being placed on Bostwick Commons, Winchester Alley and in Cook Hall.
• Evacuation of the fourth and fifth floors of Cook will be completed this week of May 6; two Dumpsters will be placed on Bostwick Avenue and several in Winchester Alley.
• Demolition and material deliveries for the fourth and fifth floors begin May 8; double shifts will allow demolition to be complete in five days.
• The third floor will be retained for dental programs only the first seven weeks of summer, then the demolition and construction cycle begins.
• The Cool Hall elevator will be dedicated to construction use beginning May 13; pedestrian traffic will be directed to the Main Building elevators.

Main Building Bond Funded Project:

• Demolition and construction preparations begin today.
• Will receive fire suppressant and new windows throughout.
• The second and fourth floors will be construction zones and off limits.
• The Lake Michigan Credit Union will be closed July 22 through Aug. 9; otherwise, access will be maintained though the construction zone.
• Winchester Alley will be closed behind Cook Hall, although open for GRCCePrint, AT&T and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Moves:

• The English department has moved to CPP; you’ll find its offices on fhe fourth and fifth floors.
• The health tutoring lab has moved to CSC 103.
• Language arts and math tutoring labs have all moved to the Learning Resource Center.
• The business tutoring lab is in the Applied Technology Center.

The renderings included here show what Cook Hall will look like after two years:

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The latest from GRCC TV on YouTube: Mark Kroos; One Book, One City

“Mark Kroos: Live at Grand Rapids Community College”

“2013 Armen Awards: One Book, One City”

Professors Diane Sparks, Linda Spoelman make ‘Top 25′ list

Professor Diane Sparks, of Education and Child Development, and Professor Linda Spoelman, in the English Department, have been included in onlineschoolsmichigan.com’s list of the Top 25 Women Professors in Michigan. Congratulations, Professors Sparks and Spoelman! To read more, click here.

Grand Rapids Poets Anthology Book Launch this Friday

David Cope cordially invites everyone to the book launch for Song of the Owashtanong: Grand Rapids Poetry in the 21st Century. The event will be held from on Friday, April 5. 7-9 p.m. at the Ryerson Auditorium, Grand Rapids Public Library. The publication of Song is an historic event, the first time that poets have come together to establish a published literary identity for our city in this, the oldest of the arts. The book features 16 poets, and GRCC is well represented: Mursalata Muhammad, Barbara Saunier Kim Wyngarden, and David Cope are all current or former GRCC English profs, and GRCC graduates Carmen Bugan, Eric Greinke, G. F. Korreck, and Azizi Jasper are also represented. Published by Ridgeway Press, the volume contains 192 pages, text, bios, and credits. Song is priced at $12.95, and many of the poets will be on hand to sign copies. Please join us.

Find Your Hidden Poet with David Cope, at Meijer Gardens

Senior English professor and Grand Rapids Poet Laureate David Cope will conduct a workshop entitled “Find Your Hidden Poet” at Meijer Gardens on Saturday, February 16, from 1-3 p.m. Cope’s workshop involves teaching the art of ekphrasis (writing poetry with artwork as the subject or source of inspiration) as part of the Hanneke Beaumont sculpture exhibit at the Gardens. Explore the exhibit with David, then “translate your observations and perceptions into poems using free association, word choice, phrasing and editing.” The fee is $10 for members and $17 for non-members, and there are still openings.

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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Raider Salute to the English Department

A huge thank you to the English Department for donating 74.6 pounds of food to the GRCC Food Pantry. Our students thank you!

The Collegiate seeks news editor

There are only two days left to apply for The Collegiate student newspaper’s paid news editor position.

The news editor will work closely with the editor-in-chief to cover the GRCC community, edit and assign stories, produce the print editions and magazine, and update the website and social media. The news editor will be required to take either Journalism 251 or Journalism 252, both meeting 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Even if the student has taken both classes, his or her presence will still be required in the newsroom during those times.

The student in the position will received two checks of $500 during the semester.

If you know of an interested student, have him or her contact Justin Dawes at collegiate@grcc.edu for an application, which must be turned in by December 13, 2012.

Who Cares? Why Bother? Real Writing for Real People

The English Department is hosting “Who Cares? Why Bother? Real Writing for Real People” on Wednesday, October 24 and Thursday, October 25.  At this event, you will earn how writing relates to your future career, goals and interests.  The workshop presenters come from a variety of backgrounds, and you will walk away with knowledge and tools that support your professional and academic success. Check out grcc.edu/whocares  for the full schedule and workshop descriptions.  This event is free and open to all GRCC students and faculty.

Two Lectures From Author Carmen Burgan

Former GRCC student and onetime adjunct colleague Carmen Bugan recently won the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference Bakeless Prize for “Burying the Typewriter,” her memoir of growing up in Ceaucescu’s Romania, living through years of tyranny and suffering after her dissident father drove to the central square in Bucharest and confronted the regime for the horrors it perpetrated.

Bugan was on campus speaking to GRCC students and the community and GRCC’s Media Technologies department captured both events:

Carmen Bugan – GRCC Alumna and Poet Author

Carmen Bugan – “Burying the Typewriter”

Carmen Bugan Reads From Award-Winning Book “Burying the Typewriter” (Photos)

Last night, Grand Rapids Community College welcomed Honors Graduate and acclaimed poet Carmen Bugan to campus for a free public event that included readings from her award winning non-fiction book, Burying the Typewriter.

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More information available here.