GRCC’s Limitless Reach Through Distance Learning

GRCC Business Professor Garry Brand is one of the many faculty who (with the help of dedicated staff like Eric Kunnen, Klaas Kwant and the media technologies team) make their course content available online through the web to supplement the learning that takes place in the classroom.  Much of this content (like the example video below) is published through social media platforms like YouTube, making it available to the general public where all may benefit.  Professor Brand was recently contacted by one of the many learners who benefit from GRCC’s distance learning opportunities:

Mr. Brand,

If I’m not mistaken, I believe I found several videos of your lectures on Business Law posted on YouTube. I will be completing my final exam today for Business Law I at South Piedmont Community College in Monroe, NC. I wanted to send you a note to thank you for giving me the tools to become more confident in my knowledge for the exam, today.

I am a 34-year-old mother of two, and […] I lost my job in February, and had tremendous difficulty finding employment. In August, I decided to take the educational step I should have taken after high school, and I registered for six online classes through the local community college. As you can imagine, the combination of a heavy course load, my family responsibilities, and my difficulty with detailed readings has posed a problem for me in Business Law. Through persistency and determination, I have been able to end the semester with either an A- or a B+ (depending upon my final exam grade). If I do well on this exam, I will complete this semester with a 4.0 GPA! I only wish I had found your videos earlier in the semester!

With greatest appreciation from North Carolina,
Marsha Burkette

This video is an example of the sorts of opportunities GRCC makes available to the public freely through YouTube:

Colleagues on the Move: 11/30/09 – 12/11/09

Welcome to GRCC

• Benjamin Hecksel, Police Officer, Campus Police
• Levi Guppy, Police Officer, Campus Police
• Mary Gunderson, Education Support Professional, Business

Congratulations on Your New Assignment:

• Ed Sosa, Associate Director, New Student Orientations & First Year Experience, Counseling Advising & Retention Services

HVAC Students Tour Meijer

GRCC HVAC faculty Don Steeby’s Commercial Refrigeration Class (ER-275) had the opportunity last week to tour the Refrigeration Facilities at the Knapp’s Corner Meijer store.  The tour was hosted by Chuck Schoenborn who is in charge of the refrigeration equipment for 23 Meijer stores and is also a former GRCC student.

The complex refrigeration system that Meijer uses has to have the capability to be able to cool fresh produce to 45 deg. F and the capacity to keep ice cream frozen at -15 deg. F.  The ER-275 class studies operating systems and components used in commercial refrigeration systems with an emphasis on supermarket applications.

GRCC in the News: 12/12/09-12/14/09

Dickinson Elementary fifth-graders star in yoga broadcasts
By Kym Reinstadler | The Grand Rapids Press | December 14, 2009, 12:22AM

GRAND RAPIDS — Fifth-graders in Jen McFarlane’s Dickinson Elementary class recently filmed two 40-minute yoga workouts to be broadcast on Tuesdays and Thursdays on Channel 27, the school district’s education station.  Melanie Schiele-Gaty, Grand Rapids Community College‘s director of yoga and aerobics, led the workouts. The exercise video grew out of a grant Dickinson got to incorporate 30 minutes of physical activity into the school day, plus teach other healthy habits.   (More)

Good to Go serves 500 free meals
By Myron Kukla | The Grand Rapids Press | December 13, 2009, 1:00AM

HOLLAND TOWNSHIP – To Lance Sonnevelt, there is such a thing as a free lunch. The owner of Good To Go restaurant, 2825 West Shore Drive, donated 500 free hot meals to anyone stopping in during his Good To Give holiday event Dec. 5. […] Park Township resident Laurie Ver Hey, who moved to Holland from Florida to study construction management at Grand Rapids Community College, saw the free meal as an opportunity to get to know her new locale.  “I was surprised that a restaurant would be doing this,” she said. “I think it’s a great idea in keeping with the season. “It was also a nice welcome for me to the community.”  (More)

Grand Rapids school kids record TV show of workout
Jessica Puchala  Bob Brenzing |  Updated:12/11/2009 1:23:58 PM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM)- Grand Rapids Public Schools is teaming up with Grand Rapids Community College to improve kids’ health.   A GRCC Physical Education and Wellness Professor led Dickinson Elementary School students in a workout this morning. Their routines were taped and will air on the Grand Rapids Public School K-12 channel so other students can join in the workout from home.  (More)