GRCC in the news – 9/1/11

GRCC football team to play West Michigan Tigers instead of Michigan-Flint

Published: Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 9:15 PM     Updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 9:32 PM

By The Grand Rapids Press The Grand Rapids Press

The Grand Rapids Community College football team will not play a scheduled opponent for the second consecutive week.
The Raiders (1-0), ranked No. 13 in the National Junior College Athletic Association, were slated to play University of Michigan-Flint on Saturday, but the team informed GRCC’s athletic department it would be unable to play.
Instead, GRCC will face the West Michigan Tigers, a semi-pro team that is a member of the Great Midwest Football League, at 7 p.m. on Friday at Houseman Field. Tickets will be available for $5 at the gate. The Tigers had an 8-4 overall record this past season and were eliminated in the GMFL playoffs by the Metro Detroit Wolverines. The Raiders opened the season last week with a 52-0 victory against the Grand Rapids Thunder, also a member of the GMFL, after Gattaca Football (N.J.) was unable to travel because of Hurricane Irene.

Smiles all around

Every class of dental hygiene students does fundraisers throughout their two years in the dental hygiene program to give money or other resources to a worthy cause whose goal is to further dental health and wellness. According to program instructor, Christine Dobberstein, the fundraising also creates a valuable bond between first and second year students.

The students’ latest gift was to Operation Smile after hearing about a local surgeon, volunteering his time and talent to help underprivileged children whose lives are devastated by congenital cleft lip and palate.

“The surgeon, Dr. Steven Naum, who does surgeries of the hand and upper extremities to fund volunteer efforts, has told us ‘it is such a blessing to be a part of this work’ and the students felt that same passion after studying the devastating physical and social/cultural effects of being born with cleft palate.”

The students were able to offer the organization enough money to pay for three of the surgeries and presented a certificate to Dr. Naum at their pinning ceremony, where the 31 GRCC graduates of the program were honored.

The students also donated books on oral health to the dental hygiene clinic and other books and toys to the GRCC child development programs.

(Ed. This article missed being published at the end of the semester last May, but this kind of good news never gets old.)

GRCC Leadership Institute – Apply now!

GRCC’s Leadership Institute is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 cohort. The Leadership Institute is designed to strengthen the leadership skills of individuals and unite a community of leaders through two related programs: The Leadership Coaching Institute and The Leaders Institute.

The Leadership Coaching Institute equips experienced leaders to act as coaches for developing leaders. This program consists of 2 workshops in the fall semester that train participants to act as leadership coaches. Participants then coach a developing leader in The Leaders Institute for one year starting in the winter semester.

The Leaders Institute trains up-and-coming leaders by focusing on self-awareness, ingenuity, best practices, experiential learning and coaching. In addition to providing the support of a leadership coach, this program offers a flexible leadership development curriculum and requires participants to complete a Stretch Assignment that is strategically relevant to GRCC. This program begins in the winter semester.

All GRCC faculty and staff are invited to apply. Applications for both of these programs are due by September 21, 2011 Participation is limited. Nominations are also welcome. For application materials and more information, including program guides, please go to www.grcc.edu/leadershipinstitute or contact MaryBeth Beighley, Director of Staff Development by email: mbeighley@grcc.edu;  or phone: 234-3529.

Party over here!

Are you afraid of long-term commitments?  Do you love planning parties?  Do you need an outlet for your creativity?  Well then, we have the PERFECT team for you!  Join the 2011 Holiday Party Planning Team!  Please email Julie Lenger if you would like to be a part of this team! jlenger@grcc.edu

What’s on TV? GRCC

Attached are the listings for the College Channel beginning August 29th.  The College Channel can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 28 and 903 (digital) as well as AT&T U-Verse Channel 99.  Programming is also streamed live at www.grcc.tv and most programming is available on our Youtube Channel at www.youtube.com/grcc.

These listings are also posted at www.grcc.edu/channel28.

Student leaders in the making

During the weekend of August 19-21, Student Life held its 7th annual Student Leadership Retreat at Camp Miniwanca (north of Muskegon on Lake Michigan). Forty five  student leaders attended this event and participated in workshops on how to lead a student organization, achieve his/her personal best, navigate team dynamics, and develop a personal leadership vision. The weekend focused on developing each student’s talents into strengths using the StrengthsQuest assessment and curriculum.

Here is a link to the video, http://youtube/CkSIpu5KcrQ