Daily Archives: May 6, 2010

Michigan House Subcommittee Restores Community College Funding

Posted on by

Michigan House Appropriations subcommittee has restored funding that had been proposed to be cut from the state budget for community colleges.  From the press release circulated by the Michigan Community College Association:

“After the Senate had sent over a budget plan that would cut community colleges by 3.1%, the House subcommittee restored the funding, citing the essential services provided by Michigan’s 28 community colleges.

“Community colleges are economic engines throughout Michigan. They deserve as much support as the state can give,” said Representative Fred Miller, who chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee. “Though times are tight in this state budget, we must fight for this most crucial of state services.”

Heritage Restaurant Summer Menus Now Available – Updated

Posted on by

Heritage Restaurant

UPDATED: GRCC’s Heritage Restaurant, which serves as a classroom for the students of the college’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, now has its special summer menus available.  This semester will feature a special roster of desserts hearkening back to this continent’s roots.  To whet your appetite – here’s a description of one of the creations the restaurant will be serving:  “A popular Latin American dessert, a vanilla sponge cake , soaked with three warmed milks, surrounded with fresh blackberries, raspberries and blueberries , fresh mint, finished with a sweet 7 minute icing , a tossed tuille and salted caramel stick.”

For more information, visit www.grcc.edu/heritage

GRCC in the News: 5/6/10

Posted on by

Volunteers inspired by National Women Build Week help refurbish a Habitat for Humanity home
By The Grand Rapids Press staff | May 05, 2010, 8:17PM

GRAND RAPIDS — Women volunteered from Lowe’s and Grand Rapids Community College Wednesday, to celebrate National Women Build Week and to help refurbish a Habitat for Humanity home at 635 Olympia St. SW. Developed by Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity, the week-long effort challenges women to devote at least one day to help eliminate poverty housing. The Mother’s Day timeframe is significant, because more than 12 million children — one in six — live in poverty in the U.S. Five homes in Kent County are Women Build projects.  (More)

Erik Prince protesters rally outside Blackwater founder’s luncheon speech
By John Tunison | The Grand Rapids Press | May 05, 2010, 11:41AM

HOLLAND – About 45 protesters carried signs as they walked around the perimeter of DeVos Fieldhouse this morning in a rally against Tulip Time luncheon speaker and Blackwater founder Erik Prince. […] Natalie Rodriguez, a 19-year-old Grand Rapids Community College student, was among a few younger people participating in the protest. She came out to let people know “both sides of the story.”   (More)

Two GRCC TRiO Upward Bound Seniors Win Gates-Millennium Scholarship

Posted on by

GRCC TRiO Upward Bound students Darrartu Ali and Saul Valle have won one of the most prestigious academic scholarships offered to minority students – the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. The seniors were just two of over 20,500 applicants and only 1,000 winners selected across the United States. As a reward, Ali and Valle will receive funding to any U.S. accredited college or university of their choice, including tuition, room and board, food, books, etc. for the next 8 years of their higher educational career. As both students aspire to achieve careers in the medical field, they hope to pursue education through their Ph.D., which will be entirely paid for by the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, saving the students’ families over $200,000.

All eligible seniors of the GRCC TRiO Upward Bound Program are encouraged to apply if they meet the criteria. Students must be of minority decent and hold a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA, with various other requirements. While the application is lengthy, students are assessed on their high school course grades, written essays, as well as how they have shown leadership through extracurricular and service activities within their schools and communities. The GRCC TRiO UB program also provides recommendations for the scholarships, speaking to the academic, social, and leadership capabilities of any UB student who applies to the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.

In the fall, both Ali and Valle plan to attend the University of Michigan. They had each already earned the Michigan Tradition Scholarship, providing them with a $40,000 scholarship to the U of M. For both students, winning the Gates Millennium Scholars Program has been the highlight of their academic career. Says Valle “I wanted to win this award to prove to myself that I really am capable. Winning this scholarship means so much to me. I am so appreciative of everything Upward Bound has done to help me get where I am.” Ali also states that she is “so excited and honored to have won this scholarship! I can’t wait to attend the University of Michigan!”

These high achieving students have accomplished outstanding feats during their high school careers. Ali currently holds a 3.6 GPA, is active in Upward Bound and Grand Rapids Pre-College Engineering Program (GRAPCEP), as well as National Honor Society and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). She also completed a summer internship with the Van Andel Institute, which helped spark her interest in medicine. Ali has also qualified for the Wade McCree Scholarship Program which covers full tuition at GVSU. Valle has maintained a 3.98 cumulative GPA during his high school career and is ranked 2nd in his senior class. He is also an active member of the Upward Bound Program, GRAPCEP, and the Rotary Club. Valle also completed a summer internship with the Van Andel Institute, helping him choose a career in the field of medicine. In addition to the Gates Millennium Scholars Program and the Michigan Tradition Scholarship, Valle earned the Wade McCree Scholarship through GVSU.