GRCC STEM Conference – Photos/Video

On Saturday, November 5, GRCC hosted 170 young ladies in grades 5-8 for an inaugural STEM Conference. The students were invited to explore the STEM fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics through a set of hands on competitive activities requiring the use of hypothesis, testing, logic, cause and effect and experimentation. The event was a partnership activity with Grand Rapids Community College, West Catholic High School, Catholic Central High School, Kettering University, The Catholic Secondary Foundation for Education, 5/3 Bank and The American Association of University Women.

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Dr. Jennifer Batten (Physical Sciences) and Steve Abid (Social Sciences) helped plan, organize and facilitate the activities. The welcome was given by Provost, Dr. Gilda Gely. The girls were hosted at lunch by several GRCC faculty, staff and leaders including: Gilda Gely, Laurie Chesley, Sandy Andrews, Linda Bramble, Anesa Behrem, Lisa Gloege, Leigh Kleinert, Pam Scott and Leah Van Hartesveldt. Special thanks to Chef Aaron Chew, Becky Yoder, Debbie DeWent, Amy Kirkbride, GVSU WISE (Women In Science & Engineering) for mentoring, and Follett Bookstore for their help and support with door prizes. We extend our appreciation to Provost Gely and Dean Chesley for underwriting the cost of parking. Over 200 girls had to be turned away, so plans are underway for next year to allow for an even larger audience.

Courtesy of the Media Technologies Department, these two videos of presentations at the conference are available:

Tracey Hornbeck, Chief Financial Officer at 5/3 Bank explains how and why she became the CFO at 5/3 Bank.

Mary Gilliam, Assistant Professor at Kettering University explains why and how she became a chemical engineer.

GRCC Holiday Movie – Happy Feet 2 – 11/26/11

GRCC’s Personal Enrichment Team and Staff Development invite employees to attend the GRCC Holiday Movie 2011; Happy Feet 2 (animated/rated G).

The screening will take place Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 10:30 am at Celebration Cinema North.  The cost will be $6 per person and includes admission into movie, popcorn and pop during the movie.  Note: Due to changes with the theatres’ policies weWILL NOT be able to serve pizza after the show.

Tickets are on sale from November 9-18 (sorry – no tickets will be sold AT theater) and are limited to GRCC employees and their families.  To purchase tickets see one of these great people:

• Tracy Payne (Sneeden)
• Nanci Gigue (ATC)
• Janis Qualls (Science bldg)
• Tammy Mosley (Tassell M-TEC)
• Mary Reed (College Park)
• Amy Kirkbride (Cook 4th Fl)
• Kathy Kolehouse (Music)
• Penni Weninger (Main)
• Julie Lenger (Cook Admin)

ESPs Welcome Bonnie Peterson to GRCC

GRCC ESPs would like to welcome Bonnie Peterson to the college! Bonnie is the new ESP in the Education Department working with the Early Reading First program.

Bonnie is already familiar with GRCC having worked in several different offices here on campus. She began as a child development tutor, then became a student employee in the Office of Admissions and most recently was a contingent employee in Student Employment Services.

Bonnie enjoys reading, watching Food Network, shopping, and photography and hopes to continue working at GRCC for years to come!

Welcome Bonnie!

GRCC Diversity Lecture Series Presents Maziar Bahari Tonight

GRCC’s Diversity Lecture Series will present Journalist, Filmmaker, and Former Political Prisoner Maziar Bahari on November 9, 2011 to speak on “Then They Came for Me: A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival.”

Maziar Bahari, Iranian-Canadian journalist was arrested in Tehran on trumped-up charges of espionage in the aftermath of the contested 2009 election. Held in solitary confinement for 118 days, enduring physical and psychological torture, he chronicles his story in, Then They
Came for Me: A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival.

As a correspondent for Newsweek, Bahari is an expert on Iran yet also embraces a wide range of subjects as a filmmaker, from Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany, to Iraqi child prisoners and Aids in South Africa.

Lecture begins at 7:00 p.m. at Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids, 49503).  The lecture is free and open to all and will be ASL Interpreted.

GRCC International Guitar Series Presents Johannes Johannes Möller 11/10/11

At 7:30 p.m. thursday, November 10, GRCC’s Music Department will present 2011-2010 GFA Winner, Johannes Möller as part of its annual International Guitar Series.

The Swedish guitarist and composer Johannes Möller has captivated audiences throughout the world with charismatic and soulful performances. After playing his first public concerts at the age of 13, his performances now total over 500 and span Europe, Asia, South and North America. In 2010 he was awarded first prize in the GFA Concert Artist Competition, considered by many to be the most prestigious guitar competition in the world, resulting in a 50-concert tour and a recording with the Naxos label.

As a performer, Johannes’s artistry has reached well beyond the usual guitar circles. This was confirmed in 2008 when he won the Dutch Vriendenkrans Concours where he was competing against performers in all instrumental categories. As a part of this award his name has been engraved on a metal plate that can be seen in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Critics have also noted his special qualities, writing of his playing “Guitarist Johannes Möller achieved miracles with his lucid, spacious playing” (London Evening Standard).

The above concert will be held in Room 200 of the Grand Rapids Community College Music Center at the corner of Ransom and Lyon. Admission is $10 General and $7 for students and seniors.  Parking is available in the GRCC student parking ramp with $1.00 guest parking voucher sold at the door.  Call 234-3940 for further information or e-mail: bmorris@grcc.edu

Micro Local Business Enterprise Outreach Presentation – Video

On  October 27, 2011, the Diversity and Inclusion Office for the City of Grand Rapids and GRCC’s Purchasing department offered a valuable learning opportunity for local business titled “Micro Local Business Enterprise Outreach.”  Media Technologies captured the presentation, available here and on the college channel:

United Way Campaign – Day Three and Counting

Our United Way Captains are busy. Remember, the annual GRCC United Way campaign is over in less than 10 days. We have some other smaller fundraisers underway, too. The auction will be held the 17th and here’s just a peek of what you can bid on: A weekend cottage stay, a scenic plane ride for three in a private plane. Keep watching GRCC Today for campaign progress reports and events.

Take a look at the list of agencies that United Way helps support and the team thinks you will find at least one agency where you have volunteered or gotten assistance for yourself or your own family and friends. The list has changed, so check it out.

GRCC in the News – 11/9/11

Grand Rapids city commissioner makes rare offer after defeating opponent
Published: Wednesday, November 09, 2011, 9:30 AM | Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS — Kent Boersema may have lost an election to incumbent 3rd Ward City Commissioner Elias Lumpkins on Tuesday, but he gained the respect of his opponent, who will try to help the 23-year-old Grand Valley State University graduate begin his political career. […] The 71-year-old retired Grand Rapids Community College dean of students said the race was closer than he would have liked because recovery from recent back surgery kept him from knocking on doors.  (More)