GRCC in the News: 4/7/11

West Michigan college students will participate in the second annual Regional Business Plan Competition
Published: Thursday, April 07, 2011, 10:59 AM | Cami Reister | The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS — Student entrepreneurs from seven local colleges and universities will compete on Tuesday in the second annual Regional Business Plan Competition held at Grand Valley State University’s downtown campus. The free event will feature students from GVSU, Aquinas, Calvin, Cornerstone, Davenport, Grand Rapids Community College and Hope. The students are winners of business plan competitions at their college or university.  (More)

Lt. Mazur retires after 30 years of service
April 7, 2011 | Rockford Squire | by BETH ALTENA

One of Rockford’s longest-serving employees is saying goodbye after 30 years with the Rockford Police Department. Lt. Scott Mazur, who joined the Rockford Police Department April 18, 1981, will leave his position as Rockford’s second-highest ranking officer on April 30. A celebration of his service is open to the public on Friday, April 29 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. […] Mazur attended Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University and Ferris State University.  (More)

3-D cakes fuel Holland Township baker’s move from home to storefront
Published: Thursday, April 07, 2011, 5:34 AM | Myron Kukla | The Grand Rapids Press

HOLLAND TOWNSHIP — The Second Floor Bakery has moved down to the ground floor. Launched by Katie Webster on the second story of her Holland home in 2008, the Second Floor Bakery has grown in popularity in the past two years and moved in March to a storefront in the Railside Center at 48 E. Lakewood Blvd. “We’ve grown so much, it was time to move the bakery to a new larger location,” said Webster, a graduate of Grand Rapids Community College’s culinary program.  (More)

Community colleges report low enrollment numbers despite struggling economy
By LISA ERMAK | The Holland Sentinel | Posted Apr 07, 2011 @ 11:43 PM

Holland, MI — Area community colleges are seeing summer enrollment slip slightly, but school administrators still are unsure as to why fewer students are hitting the books. […] Diane Patrick, interim registrar at Grand Rapids Community College, said the college is seeing a similar trend. The head count for summer enrollment at GRCC is 7,524, a 5 percent decrease from last year’s enrollment at this time.  (More)

GRCC’s Keller Futures Center wins silver at annual Edison awards
By Staff reports | The Holland Sentinel | Posted Apr 06, 2011 @ 10:48 AM

New York, NY — Grand Rapids Community College won a second place award the annual Edison Awards for its Keller Futures Center. GRCC’s award was announced Tuesday night at the Edison Awards 2011 Gala in New York City. GRCC was only one of two educational institutions to be named a finalist in the Edison Awards.  (More)

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson discussing ‘The Warmth of Other Suns’ at GRCC event
Published: Thursday, April 07, 2011, 8:00 AM | Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS – Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson is the planned keynote speaker at tonight’s conclusion to Grand Rapids Community College’s Race and Ethnicity Conference.  (More)

Coverage Change Affecting Employees With Priority Health Care

GRCC was just notified of a change that may impact you and your family. Priority Health advised us that emergency room doctors at six hospitals have refused to join their network. This results in fees that are significantly above market, driving up overall costs. As a result, Priority is going to begin sending payment directly to patients who receive ER services at:

• Holland Hospital (Holland)
• Metro Health Hospital (Grand Rapids)
• MHP Mercy Campus (Muskegon)
• MHP Hackley Campus (Muskegon)
• North Ottawa Community Hospital (Grand Haven)
• St. Mary’s Health Care (Grand Rapids)

This new process began on April 1:

1. Claim is received by Priority Health
2. The check for the full amount (less coinsurance/deductibles) is mailed directly to the employee. If the patient is a dependent of the employee, the check will be made out to both the employee and the dependent.
3. Physician group bills you directly
4. The employee pays the physician group

Priority Health continues to negotiate with these ER provider groups to reach a fair agreement, and will keep us updated on any developments. If you have any questions please contact customer service at 800-446-5674.

Energy Conservation Encourages Earth Day Participation

Here’s a headline for Earth Day: “GRCC Reduces Energy Consumption 17.9 percent, saving $2,107,991.”

While the world celebrates Earth Day this month, GRCC faculty, staff and students are participating as well, by continuing to save energy and resources.

Since GRCC began the program in May of 2008, energy consumption has been reduced by 105,976 MMBTUs. That reduction translates into the equivalent of 10,782 tons of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere, or 1,935 passenger cars removed from the road, or 275,775 trees planted.

This Earth Day, ask yourself, are you doing your part to promote energy conservation on campus? Think about how you might change your energy use habits if the utility companies only provided the college a finite number of kilowatts of electricity and therms of gas per month. Energy conservation does take some effort but think how better our planet will be if we all take a few steps to reduce our energy use every day. You can make a difference. By continuing to change our practices we can save real dollars, reduce our carbon footprint, and be good stewards of the environment.

Paid Research and Summer Academy Opportunities for Students

Paid research opportunities and summer academy experiences for community college students are available at Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, and the University of Michigan.

If you are a current community college student or will be entering a community college in the fall with a program of study in one of the Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) areas, opportunities include:

Summer Undergraduate Research Academy

• Wayne State University (commuter) – 8 weeks
• Michigan State University (residential) – 10 weeks
• 10-15 hours per week
• Stipend awarded to student
• Participants will be invited to participate in the Undergraduate Research Symposium
• Great experience to add to your resume for transfer and graduate school applications!

Apply to the Wayne State academy here.

Apply to the Michigan State University academy here.

Pre-First Year Summer Programs

• Residential programs include housing in the dorms and all meals. Commuter program options are also available.
• Participants will be required to attend the MI-LSAMP All Students Day at Michigan State University on July 16, 2011
• Great preparation for the rigors of the 4-year university!

Wayne State University – Engineering Pre-First Year Program, June 27-July 29, 2011

This is a five-week commuter program with daily classes in engineering, mathematics, technical communications and chemistry. In addition, students will be exposed to career information and personal development workshops that will build skills to facilitate academic success.

Michigan State University – Engineering and Science Summer Academy, June 25-August 6, 2011

Students in this six-week residential academic intensive program will attend daily classes in math, writing, chemistry, design and an Engineering Seminar course to expose students to post graduation and professional opportunities.

Western Michigan University – Science Pre-First Year Program, July 5-29, 2011

This is a four-week residential or commuter program that will feature daily classes in chemistry, biology, mathematics, and technical writing. The students will be exposed to science careers through employer visits and presentations.

University of Michigan – Professionals in Training Program, June 22-July 30, 2011

This six-week residential program will allow participants to hone their skills and experience campus life. The curriculum emphasizes academic, personal, and professional success. Classes will be regularly scheduled in mathematics, computer programming, and communication skills as well as an introduction to engineering.

For more information about the Pre-First Year Summer Programs, contact Fátima Nieves (616-234-4151, fnieves@grcc.edu) at Grand Rapids Community College.

For general information about the MI-LSAMP program, click here.

Retirement Reception for Dick Foster and Chris Foster

[Corrected] A retirement reception to honor Dick Foster and Chris Foster will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 from 2:30pm to 4:30pm in the Multi Purpose room of the Student Center. Between these two individuals they have 80 combined years of service! Dick Foster will be retiring with 50 years of service to the college. The Electronics department  Business departments both hope you will be able to join us in celebrating with them.