Representative for Michigan’s 75th district in the state House Brandon Dillon was on campus this morning holding a press conference for the “Hire Michigan First” initiative that aims to refocus tax incentives on businesses that hire Michigan employees.
Giant Awards 2011: T.A. El-Amin, Phyllis Scott Activist Award
Published: Sunday, January 30, 2011, 5:00 AM | Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press
T.A. El-Amin has taught at Grand Valley, Davenport and Grand Rapids Community College, was the President’s Club Sales Manager at Ameritech Advertising Services. He also has served in a volunteer role with the Kent, Kalamazoo, Muskegon Michigan National Black Nurses Association and managed five health clinics in low-income neighborhoods. (More)
Giant Awards 2011: Ursula and Randall Sandifer, of Sandmann’s, Milo Brown Business Award
Published: Sunday, January 30, 2011, 5:00 AM | Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press
The Sandifers have been operating Sandmann’s, 1200 Wealthy St. SE, since 2000. The restaurant, which specializes in ribs, has been voted Best BBQ by On The Town magazine. […] Doing that seems to come easy for the 12 African-Americans who received the award Saturday at the annual Giants awards banquet. The honorees were selected by representatives from Grand Rapids Community College and the community. (More)
Muskegon Community College initiative aims to cut dropout rates, improve student success
Published: Sunday, January 30, 2011, 6:11 AM | Brian McVicar | The Muskegon Chronicle
MUSKEGON — Enrollment at Muskegon Community College boomed last decade as Michigan’s economy tanked and more people recognized that a college degree often is needed to land a good job. […] Part of the Achieving the Dream initiative involves coordination among the 130 community colleges across the nation participating in the effort. In Michigan, there are 17 schools participating, including Grand Rapids Community College, Lansing Community College, Jackson Community College, and the Wayne County Community College District. (More)
Gabe Rivera’s second-half surge leads GRCC men past Lake Michigan College
Published: Friday, January 28, 2011, 11:45 PM | Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS — Upon graduating from Ludington High School, two-sport standout Gabe Rivera enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College because he still planned to pursue both football and basketball. (More)
GLIAC college basketball crowds dwindle between men’s and women’s games
Published: Friday, January 28, 2011, 11:30 AM | Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids Press
It isn’t just the crowds at local high school basketball doubleheaders that are scattering at the conclusion of the boys’ games and not bothering to stick around for the girls’ contests due to changing the game times. […] Grand Rapids Community College has felt no pressure to change. GRCC athletic director Doug Wabeke continues to schedule the women first and men second because it’s a format that seems to work for participants and spectators alike. (More)
Couple who met at GRCC library eight years ago have an unusual wedding
Published: Saturday, January 29, 2011, 3:45 PM | Kaitlin Shawgo | The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS – With 10 pages left to go in the book she was reading, Grand Rapids Community College library assistant Christine Marfia had no time for a young tutor who walked up to her desk and asked if she’d like a cup of coffee. (More)
Longtime Grand Rapids educator Reuben Smartt wins the 2011 Giant Among Giants award
Published: Saturday, January 29, 2011, 10:45 PM | Paul R. Kopenkoskey | The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS — Reuben Smartt is known in educational circles as the traveling disciple. His wayfaring ways have made it possible for hundreds of children in Grand Rapids to build a better future. (More)
GRCC Receives $20 Million to Train West Michigan Workers
January 27, 2011 by Colin Hoogerwerf
Grand Rapids Community College is partnering with LG Chem as part of a Michigan New Jobs Training Program that offers $20 Million to train potential battery plant employees. (More)
Actor’s Theatre received high praise for its run of “Opus” which runs through February fifth at GRCC’s Spectrum Theater. From the review:
“Beautifully orchestrated by Grand Award-winning director Jeralyn Pinsky and an ensemble cast of four Grand-winning actors and a talented newcomer, this one is a solid winner.”
Think about how many times you have gone to a meeting or a conference on GRCC business, only to arrive and realize someone else from GRCC is there, too!
On our GroupWise Post-It board you will now find an entry called Ride Share. If you are traveling to a meeting, just post where and when you are going so others can contact you about riding. The names of interested riders would come directly to you so you can make all decisions.
Earn $5.00! When you post and find at least one rider, email Sara Yob at syob@grcc.edu , give her your name, the name of the person riding along and where you went, and we’ll forward you a 5 dollar bill! You can do this up to three times.
The $5 incentive is funded by the team’s 1st round prize money ($100) and will expire when we give you all of the money! The second round, and this test run, end on March 1.
This effort is a “proof of concept” trial for GRCC’s Innovation Challenge team focused on reducing reimbursable mileage, so that that money can be transferred to student-oriented programs here at GRCC. Here’s an example of how easy the savings could be accrued: Just two people sharing one round trip to Cadillac, approx. 190 miles, would save about $100 and 200 lbs of CO2.
This pilot program is part of the innovation challenge, and now you are being challenged to participate!
On Thursday, January 27, Shanna Goff, Mathematics Faculty, was presented with the January GRCC Spirit Award while teaching a class. Here is a quote from her nomination form:
“Shanna has completed her Kellogg Certification in Developmental Education and has supplemented her professional development with on-going research in the field of developmental education and mathematics. She has designed an innovative developmental math program through a Structured Learning Assistance approach. Shanna also frames her teaching around an action research model utilizing journals and feedback from her students. Shanna devotes enormous energy to her students and their learning, making sure that each student has the optimal opportunity to succeed.”
Condolences to Nancy VanStrien and family, on the passing of her father; Mr. Robert R. Scraver. The obituary is available here.
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