2013 GRAHEN Outstanding Adult Learner Award Ceremony

On April 10, 2103, Grand Rapids Area Higher Education Network hosted the 13th annual Outstanding Adult Learner Award ceremony and reception celebrating the accomplishments and achievements of adult and nontraditional students at colleges and universities throughout the Grand Rapids area. There were 11 award recipients from the 11 member schools of GRAHEN. These students have the extraordinary ability and determination to successfully balance jobs, classes, families, and community involvement. A winner from each school is selected with the help of nominations from faculty and staff.

The 2013 OAL award recipient from Grand Rapids Community College is Paul Drenth.

Paul Drenth has made himself into a successful adult learner in a short amount of time. He has remained focused on his goal of securing a highly coveted spot in the Ferris State University Doctor of Pharmacy program, which he achieved and will undertake this upcoming fall. After enduring the effects of the automotive industry’s downsizing measures, Paul made the bold decision to return to school and begin a new journey in life which ultimately resulted in a great personal and academic achievement. His commitment to his family strongly motivated him to accomplish his goals.

Paul has remained connected and involved in the community throughout his busy time as a student at GRCC. He gives back to the community by participating in Habitat for Humanity endeavors, volunteering his electrical expertise for his fellow church members, assisting with youth sports and career days as well as supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Society charity through fund raising and care of those with the disease.

Paul’s hard work in his classes has earned him all A’s for the past 11 semesters at GRCC. Peers often look to Paul for academic support and guidance and follow his example in the classroom. One of Paul’s professors, Dr. Jennifer Batten, commented that Paul “is easily in the top 5 percent of all the students that I have taught at GRCC.”

This year also brought additional pride to GRCC as one of our own staff members won the Outstanding Adult Learner Award as well.

Miguel Espinoza, who works at GRCC’s Lakeshore Campus in Holland, is in the Master of Social Work graduate program at Western Michigan University-Grand Rapids. He has worked hard to maintain a high grade-point average in this program, while remained devoted to community involvement and certainly his commitment to excellent customer service and student support at GRCC. “Miguel feels that through social work he will best be able to utilize his bilingual and bicultural skills assisting those who most need the help, empowering them to bring out their creative talents to live truly meaningful lives, while making a positive impact and contribution to society.”

Congratulations, Paul and Miguel!

The latest from GRCC TV on YouTube: Social Science, Economics awards; guitar, saxophone samples

“GRCC Social Science Awards”

“GRCC Economics Award”

“Musical Moods Sample: Guitar”

“Musical Moods Sample: Saxophone”

The latest from GRCC TV on YouTube: ‘Confronting Mechanisms of Control’

“Confronting Mechanisms of Control: Race, Gender and Religion in Colonial Mexico”

Keith St. Clair to present talk, slide show on Cuba

Keith St. Clair will give a presentation and slide show on his IIPD grant to Cuba last Summer. Cuba is a fascinating country that is witnessing a historic changing of the guard away from the Castro regime. Keith had a unique opportunity to witness one of the last communist regimes from the Cold War era before this page of history had fully turned. He learned a lot about the politics, culture, and history of this island and its relationship with the United States. Come and share in some of his insights on all things Cuban.

Wednesday April 3rd 9:30-10:30am in the ATC Auditorium Rm 168.

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Photos from Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference

GRCC’s Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference, sponsored by the Social Sciences Department and the International Geographical Honor Society, continues through March 28. For a schedule of events, click here.

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Karen Devine to attend reception, give guest lecture in Irish History Class

Karen Devine, Ph.D., a longtime friend of the GRCC Irish Foreign Studies Program, is on campus this week as part of the Social Science Department’s Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference.  For many years, Dr. Devine has given lectures to GRCC students during their summer program in Ireland, but this year, a prestigious Fulbright grant has taken her from Dublin City University to Columbia University in New York.  Having been able to visit our campus and speak to the community as part of the 2010 GRCC Peace Studies Conference, she was pleased to be able to return to west Michigan again this year to help maintain the link between our campus and Ireland.

Dr. Devine’s keynote address will take place this Tuesday (March 26) from 7:00 to 8:30pm in room 108 of Sneden Hall.  She will be presenting a portion of her recent research in a presentation titled, “Patriotism and its Effects on Public Opinion on Foreign Policy: Comparing the Cases of the USA and Ireland.”  Like all the sessions in this year’s Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference, her presentation is free and open to the public.  All are welcome to attend.

Also while on campus this week, Dr. Devine will be attending a special reception to share information with students about America’s Fulbright Program and her continuing research, as well as providing a guest lecture to students enrolled in the college’s Irish History Class (HS240).

Speakers lined up for 2013 Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference

GRCC’s Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference is scheduled for March 25 to 28, 2013.

Here are some highlights:

March 25

Identity, Tourism, and Racialization in New Orlean’s Jackson Square
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Rebecca Sheehan, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University (GTU Visiting Speaker)

March 26

Patriotism and its Effects on Public Opinion on Foreign Policy: Comparing the Cases of the
USA and Ireland
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Karen Devine, Ph.D., Dublin City University (Visiting Fullbright Scholar Speaker – Columbia University)

March 28

The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Saga of Race in America
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Keynote: Edward Blum, Ph.D., San Diego State University

For more information, click here.

‘Showering’ good thoughts on a retired faculty member

Retired Social Sciences faculty member Carolyn Grin is beginning a new cancer treatment, one with increased risks of severe side effects. Her new regimen coincides with her upcoming birthday.

Please bring her some cheer by sending an encouraging birthday card this week or next! Mail to: Carolyn Grin, 2840 Bonnell Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.

You don’t need to have known her or worked with her to send a card. It’s enough that you’re from GRCC.

Video: the latest from GRCC TV on YouTube

“Contemporary Issues 2013: Gun Violence 1, Psychology of Aggression”

Photos from three-day symposium on gun violence in America

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GRCC’s Psychology, Social Sciences, and Criminal Justice departments have collaborated on the Stewart Edward White Hall Symposium on Contemporary Issues, which is focusing on gun violence.

The first session, held February 11, 2013, looked at psychological research on aggression, cultural norms, video games, guns, mental health, and the media.

GRCC Geography Alumnus Selected to Compete in World Geography Bowl

Brian Woodin, a current Geography major at Aquinas College and an alumnus of Grand Rapids Community College, has been selected as part of the Midwestern regional team, which will compete in the World Geography Bowl at the Los Angeles Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting in April. Other members of the team include graduate and undergraduate students from Michigan State and Ohio State Universities. Each prospective team member must pass a rigorous exam devoted to testing geographic knowledge before being selected; six students were chosen from among 23 Geography programs in the region. Mr. Woodin is a former President of the GRCC chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, The International Geographical Society.

GRCC In the News, 2-8-13

GRCC symposium aims to tackle gun violence in America

February 7, 2013; WGVU

The idea for the three day symposium came about shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy. Faculty from Grand Rapids Community Colleges Psychology, Social Sciences, and Criminal Justice departments hope to foster dialogue on a subject that has become, at minimal, contentious.

NPR Counterterrorism Correspondent Honored at GRCC Social Sciences Reception

Dina Temple-Raston Speaks at GRCC Social Sciences Reception.

On February 4, 2013, GRCC Geography Honors Students are seen listening to NPR Counterterrorism Correspondent Dina Temple-Raston deliver comments about transnational crime and terrorism at a reception sponsored by the Social Sciences Department.

Members of the GRCC faculty and staff, as well as representatives from Michigan Public Radio, regional universities, and local corporations also took part in this event. Dina Temple-Raston served as the inaugural speaker of the Great Decisions Lecture Series of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan held annually at Aquinas College. Many GRCC students attend the lectures. The GRCC Social Sciences Department has been actively involved in this initiative for many years.

Steward Edward White Hall Symposium on Contemporary Issues focuses on gun violence

A joint project between the Psychology Department, Social Sciences Department and the Criminal Justice Department has been developed titled: The Stewart Edward White Hall Symposium on Contemporary Issues: Gun Violence in America. This will be held in Room 108 Sneden Hall, DeVos Campus on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday nights, February 11 through 13, 2013, at 7:00pm – 9:00pm. Light refreshments will be included on the Monday night session.

Please make your students and community aware of this event and help us get the word out.

Dr. Hendershot Contributes To Book

Social Science professor Dr. Robert Hendershot has been selected to collaborate in the writing of a book – Anglo-American  Relations: Contemporary Perspectives – to be published on November 29, 2012. Dr. Hendershot was approached by authors Alan Dobson and Steve Marsh, and the publishers at Routledge Press, to write a chapter pertaining to the often controversial examination of contemporary Anglo-American relations.

“This is a major accomplishment not just for Dr. Hendershot, but for all of GRCC,” said Mike Light, head of the college’s Social Sciences Department.  “We’re looking forward to the book’s publication.”

Dr. Hendershot, an Associate Professor of History, has other published works on Anglo-American relations, including Family Spats: Perception, Illusion, and Sentimentality in the Anglo-American Special Relationship (2008).