Happy Birthday to Jan Benham

GRCC’s Organizational Development department had this birthday message for Jan Benham in Human Resources:

“Happy Birthday Jan!  You don’t look a day over 25!”

Tactical Communication Training

GRCC’s Continuing Education and Professional Development department is offering a session called “Tactical Communication:Your First Line of Defense – Tools for Handling Dangerous Situations” on October 23, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm or November 4, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The training is $50 public or $30 for GRCC employees and the workshop aims to supply one with the tactical tools necessary to successfully manage not only one’s routine assignments, but also the extraordinary confrontations in which one may find oneself. 

Raider Salute to Check Distribution Volunteers

This raider salute comes from Jane Mohr & Jill Nutt in Financial Aid:

“Raider salute to the nearly 75 volunteers from all areas of the College who assisted with refund check disbtribution on September 17. We served 3,225 students that day! This certainly would not be possible without the assistance of so many people who are always willing to help. You are truly appreciated!”

Energy-Efficient Suggestions for Keeping Warm

During this Fall season, GRCC is trying to refrain from mechanical heating and cooling whenever possible. At times the temperature in your area may feel cooler if you are not moving around or are directly under an air duct.  GRCC’s Energy Manager Dorothy Burns has some suggestions if you are feeling a bit chilly:

• Dress in layers
• Keep office and classroom doors closed
• Know where the thermostat is in your area and make sure that it is not being blocked or that an electrical appliance is affecting it.
• If you have windows in your area, open the blinds on sunny days and be sure to close them at night

Be Healthy, Be Fit: Walking in October

The Be Healthy Be Fit program is hosting a walking program for the month of October. It starts this Sunday (10/2) and ends on Halloween (10/31). October is an ideal time to walk. The temperatures are moderate and the fall colors are spectacular. Walking can be done anyplace at any time and is a great way of reducing stress in addition to being a low-impact form of exercise.  As an added incentive, for every 50 miles you walk you will receive an entry in a drawing for a $50 gift card from MC Sports, Meijer, or the GRCC Bookstore.

Register at learningacademy@grcc.edu .  Once your registration is received, a Mile Tracking form will be sent to you.

GRCC in the News: 9/30/09

Grand Rapids Community College sees success in class teaching students how to be students
By Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press | September 30, 2009, 5:54AM

GRAND RAPIDS — Professor Amy Koning had students tally all their expenses and figure out what it costs them, per hour, to attend Grand Rapids Community College. Then she asked them how much they make per hour at their jobs.  (More)

[Video] Fox 17 Interview With GRCC Adjunct Professor Dennis Grantz About ArtPrize
Fox 17 | September 30, 2009

GRCC Adjunct Professor Dennis Grantz is interviewed by Fox 17 about the 23 ArtPrize exhibits being displayed at the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology (WMCAT).  (More)

Diversity Lecture Series Presents: Eric Alva (10/14)

GRCC’s Diversity Lecture Series will kick off with its opening speaker Eric Alva, Iraq War Veteran and LGBT Rights Activist with the presentation “Ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Fountain Street Church.  The event is free and open to all.

Eric Alva was the first American wounded in Iraq, and the war’s first Purple Heart recipient.  He is also the national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign fight to repeal the military’s discriminatory GLBT policy.  Alva joined Congressman Martin Meehan in introducing the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, designed to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.  With this step, he openly admitted to the military and the world that he is a gay man who served and proudly sacrificed for his country.

For more information on this and other lectures in the series, visit www.grcc.edu/lecture or contact the Woodrick Diversity Learning Center, 234-3390.

ArtPrize Panel Discussion Tonight (9/30)

As part of the ArtPrize Celebration, GRCC is hosting a panel discussion with moderator and Visual Arts Department Chair Nick Antonakis, exhibiting ArtPrize artists Fisher Stolz, Charles Thompson, and Richard Burns, and Aquinas College Art Professor Ron Pederson – who will be showing his work in the GRCC Collins Art Gallery later this year.

Join fellow employees, students and community members in the Spectrum Theater tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. for an intriguing discussion on the arts, followed by a coffee and dessert reception with the panelists.  For more information on ArtPrize at GRCC, visit www.grcc.edu/artprize

Wellness Challenge Make-up

Anyone who missed having a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA – a safe, accurate and non-invasive body composition assessment technique) done last week may still have one done by contacting Jean VanCovering (from the YMCA) at 855-9677 or jvancoevering@grymca.org to schedule a time to meet with her at the Huntington YMCA.  The opportunity is available until Friday, October 9.

Visit www.grcc.edu/behealthybefit and scroll down to “Wellness Challenge” for complete details and costs.

Move It or Lose It Winners

The winners of the Move It or Lose It drawing for a $25 gift card are Janice Holton (Payroll/Benefits) and Merrilie Benthing (English).  Employees may participate in the Move It or Lose It program anytime.  Go to www.grcc.edu/moveit for complete details.

Lake Michigan Credit Union Branch Moving to 4th Floor Main (10/1)

The Lyon St. Branch at Grand Rapids Community College is moving this week to its new location on campus: the 4th floor of the Main Building (formerly occupied by the GRCC Campus Police Department).  The schedule of events is as follows:

• Wednesday, Sept. 30 – Lyon St. Branch closes at 2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 1 – GRCC Campus Branch opens at 9:00 a.m.
• The ATM located on Lyon St. outside of the old branch will remain there

The new hours for this branch are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Phone extensions and fax numbers will remain the same.

History of Gender and Sexuality Symposium (10/12-14)

GRCC’s Social Science Department will present its inaugural History of Gender and Sexuality Symposium from October 12-14, 2009 in room 348 of the Science Building.

Dr. Maria Cotera, Associate Professor and Director of Latina/o Studies at the University of Michigan, will deliver the keynote address on October 13. The conference will commence with the Diversity Lecture Series presentation by Eric Alva on October 14th. Other symposium speakers will present their research and analysis of how gender and sexuality have shaped human interaction and experiences. For more information, visit www.grcc.edu/gendersymposium

Kudos to Professor Mary Bayer on Publication

GRCC professor of English Mary Bayer’s paper, titled “Down the Rabbit Hole, out of the Wardrobe, and into the Light” that was presented at Oxford University in March is to be published in their journal, “Forum on Public Policy” in the issue, “Children’s Literature: Allusions to Culture and Religion since 1850.”

Leadership Formation 2009-2010

For the sixth time since 2001, GRCC is pleased to offer Leadership Formation: a unique form of professional development for its leaders. This retreat series offers a space to pose questions, seek answers, examine motives, and explore new ideas about leading and learning in today’s world. In addition, this time serves to help community college leaders sustain and renew their passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to college leadership and to the communities they serve.

The 3rd Annual GRCC Foundation Fundraising Event (10/15)

GRCC employees are invited to join the GRCC Foundation for their annual fundraising event on October 15, 2009.

The GRCC Foundation has the prescription for a healthy, fun party and all you have to do is have a good time. With all the great healthy (no sprouts, they promise) food, beverages, and entertainment.  Tickets are $150 each and proceeds will benefit the GRCC Nursing Progams.  Click here to view the invitation.