3rd Annual GRCC Foundation’s Creating Connections Event

The GRCC Foundation hosted the third annual event, bringing donors and scholarship recipients together. During the breakfast meeting, scholarship recipients had a chance to meet their donors, and donors got to meet the students who have benefited from their generosity.

Fifth Third Bank announced a $25,000 endowed scholarship for first generation students with a 3.0 gpa. A video was shared that told the story of four of our scholarship recipients. Gwendolyn Childs-Gridiron shared her story about how scholarships are helping her pursue her passion for creating good housing options for foster children in West Michigan.

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Happy Veterans Day!

The new and improved GRCC veteran student website (www.grcc.edu/veterans) will be launched on Veteran’s Day (Thursday November 11, 2010) the content on the site now has helpful links and details about applying for VA educational benefits and much more.

Angela Zainea, Admissions, compiled content with assistance from Charles Oudhoff and David Krenz (VA Work Study students in the Student Records Office), Bryan Vliem, Diane Patrick, and technical help from Patrick Lapenna and banner design by Matt Coullard.

Bob Partridge’s Retirement

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 15 from 2 – 4 pm for Bob Partridge’s Retirement gathering. The event is free in the ATC banquet rooms. Let’s celebrate the nearly 40 years of amazing work Bob has given to GRCC!

 

25 Rules for 25 Weeks

GRCC is proud to launch 25 rules for 25 weeks of Civility on Campus.   Join in the conversation as we post weekly updates focusing on the “25 rules of considerate conduct” from Dr. P.M. Forni’s book Choosing Civility. It’s all a part of the One Book, One College, One Community project. Our first rule this week is Pay Attention. Let us hear fromyou about ways you are seeing Civility in action. Post on our blog at www.grcc.edu/25rules.

For more information, visit the Center for Teaching Excellence site.

Local Tasters Guild Event at GRCC Tonight Benefits Students Two Ways

Over 120 West Michigan foodies are expected tonight when GRCC hosts the Tasters’ Guild 28th annual Scholarship, Auction and Food Fest. Over the years, members have raised over $350,000 for GRCC’s Culinary program which is now known as The Secchia Institute for Culinary Education (SICE).

The guild creates scholarships and has also supplied every culinary student with their very first chef’s coat, a “badge of honor that students wear throughout their classes and often save for years to come,” says Randy Sahajdack, SICE Director. “That was a wonderful gesture when we were a small school, but to continue at out current level of enrollment is spectacular,” he added. “It is a really generous way to help our students with their educational expenses.”

The event begins at 6:30 PM in the Applied Technology Center, 150 Fountain St. NE. Media are welcome.

Grand Rapids Community College, established in 1914, offers opportunities for nearly 30,000 students annually in degree courses, certification and training programs, workshops and personal enrichment classes. GRCC holds classes on the downtown Grand Rapids campus as well as several additional locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.

Library Launches New Catalog

The Library & Learning Commons (LLC) announces the launch of our new online catalog, scheduled for December 13th. The streamlined search screens improve discovery options and offer more interactivity. In addition to print items, you can find digital articles, and media files. It will also be possible to check your library record, read news feeds, leave suggestions, rate books, or review new or featured items. We do not anticipate down time for this upgrade.

New Library Catalog Screen Shot

GRCC in the News: 11/11/10

GRCC expands to east
By Staff reports | The Holland Sentinel | Posted Nov 10, 2010 @ 03:29 PM

Holland, MI — Grand Rapids Community College is now holding open enrollment for Winter 2011 semester and, for the first time, classes will be offered in Lowell, Mich. “We are very excited to offer greater access to GRCC’s students in Lowell and our surrounding communities,” said Dan Clark, GRCC’s Dean of the Lakeshore Campus and Academic Outreach.  (More)

Grand Rapids Community College moves closer to national football title game
Published: Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 9:00 AM | Dean Holzwarth | The Grand Rapids Press

The Grand Rapids Community College football team’s national championship aspirations got a major boost in the latest national rankings. A pair of losses by top-five teams in the National Junior College Athletic Association poll helped the Raiders move up two spots to No. 3.  (More)

Grand Rapids Community College aims to increase number of minority employees
Published: Thursday, November 11, 2010, 8:12 AM | Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids Community College officials say they have done a good job adding minority employees over the years, but need to do better to approach the diversity of the student population.  (More)

Mott Community College basketball team claims ‘intense’ road win over fifth-ranked Grand Rapids
Published: Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 10:50 PM | Adam Biggers | The Flint Journal

FLINT, Michigan — Grand Rapids Community College didn’t open its season — on a new floor, at that — the way it hoped against second-ranked Mott Community College on Wednesday night. The Bears (2-0) never trailed, but held “uncomfortable leads” through the duration of their 78-64 win over the Raiders.  (More)

GRCC Dental Assisting Program Toothbrush Sale

Support GRCC’s Dental Assisting Program by taking advantage of some deals on toothbrushes.  There are toothbrushes available in bulk for both adults and children:

Adults:

• Oral B Advantage Plus – Simple
• Oral B Advantage 1-2-3 – Advanced– Tongue cleaner and gum stimulator

Children:

• Stage 2– Ages 2-4
• Stage 3– Ages 5-7
• Stage 4– Ages 8 and up

Pricing is a half dozen for $6.00,  one Dozen: $10.00.  Please make checks out to: GRCC DA Club.  To place orders, contact Julie Bera (jbera@grcc.edu).

Raider Salute to the Team Behind “Creating Connections” Event

This comes from Andy Bowne in the Foundation:

I would like to recognize Bertha Chivis, Ann Marie Birr, the College Advancement Team, the Media Technologies Team, the Printing & Graphics Team, and Creative Dining Services for their work in holding the Third Annual Creating Connections Scholarship Breakfast.  In particular, Bertha, Klaas Kwaant, and Laurie Schaut did an exceptional job of telling the stories of our scholarship recipients and their appreciation for the support they’ve received from our donors.  Great work!

Raider Salute to Fred Zomer, Katie Geeseman, Marco Trimble, and Fatima Nieves

This Raider Salute came from Lori Cook:

I would like to submit a Raider Salute to Fred Zomer, Katie Geeseman, Marco Trimble, and Fatima Nieves from the Enrollment Center Staff!

The Counseling staff worked all day in the Enrollment Center on Open Enrollment day for Winter 2011 to assist students with registration questions! They advised many, many students throughout the entire day! Thank you for your hard work and collaborative efforts to work in the Enrollment Center on Tuesday.

GRCC [Online] Public Sale Today (11/11/10)

Grand Rapids Community College is having a public sale today from 7 AM to 7 PM

Location: GRCC Online Store – www.grcc.edu/onlinestore (Click here the day of the sale to shop for items that will be available)

Visit our Facebook page to see photo’s of featured items.

Pickup: Items available for pick up beginning Friday, November 12, 2010 from 9AM to 4 PM at GRCC, 133 Winchester Place NE, Grand Rapids, MI. After Friday 11/12, pick up by appointment only @ (616) 234-4198. See www.grcc.edu/onlinestore for pick up details.

This sale will contain limited computers, electronics, technology, books, lost & found, etc.Grand Rapids Community College cannot guarantee complete sets. All items will be sold as is. Purchased items must be removed from the college campus within two weeks from date of sale as indicated above (by appt). Purchased items not picked up will be returned to stock.

Questions should be directed to, Mansfield Matthewson, Director of Purchasing at (616) 234-3850 or email purchasing@grcc.edu.

Grand Rapids Community College has the right to reject any or all bids as deemed necessary in the best interest of the college.

Great American Smokeout (11/18/10) – Effects of Secondhand Smoke on Adults

Repercussions of Secondhand Smoke on Adult Health

• Not only does in utero and childhood secondhand smoke exposure cause decreased lung function and asthma in children, but such exposure is also responsible for poor lung function and respiratory disease in adults. Men who report postnatal secondhand smoke exposure and women who report prenatal exposure are more likely to have respiratory problems as adults.
• Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure raises adolescents’ risk of metabolic syndrome – a disorder associated with excessive belly fat that increases one’s chances of heart disease, stroke, and type II diabetes.
• The level of secondhand smoke a child is exposed to is directly proportional to the likelihood of the child becoming a smoker as an adolescent or an adult.
• Moderate exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with decreased elasticity of the abdominal aorta in healthy 11-year-old children. Altered aortic elasticity is an early marker of atherosclerosis.
• Secondhand smoke exposure in motor vehicles may be associated with nicotine dependence symptoms among young never-smokers.
• Women exposed to six or more hours of secondhand smoke a day as children and as adults have a 68 percent greater chance of having difficulty conceiving and suffering more miscarriages.
• There is an increased risk of failed embryo implantation among women reporting current secondhand tobacco smoke exposure.
• The adverse effects of postnatal smoking on development of airway growth may persist into early adulthood.

(American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation,© 2009)