Monthly Archives: July 2013

GRCC In the News, 7-31-13

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GRCC announces closing of men’s and women’s tennis programs

July 30, 2013; The Holland Sentinel

Grand Rapids — Grand Rapids Community College will close its men’s and women’s tennis programs due to low participation.

Local siblings part of new CW7 show

July 30, 2013; WWMT

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) The popular Hunger Games books have inspired a new cut-throat reality show and a brother and sister from West Michigan are right in the thick of it.

… Brother and sister James and Rebecca Wallington of Grand Rapids are one of those teams.

(Article doesn’t mention it, but James Wallington is a GRCC alumnus.)

Restaurant Week Grand Rapids 2013 unveils 30-plus cocktails featuring Woodford Reserve Bourbon

July 30, 2013; MLive

What’s dinner without a cocktail or two? Or 30?

… I was part of a judging crew at the Secchia Institute at Grand Rapids Community College that sampled finalists in two categories: “Best Manhattan” cocktail and “Best Creative” cocktail.

Paddling Grand Rapids: So much water, so many choices

July 30, 2013; experiencegr.com

Jeff Neumann likes to take the guesswork out of paddling by eliminating complications that can muddy waters for some, particularly if they are new to the sport. Finding still-water bays full of turtles and ducks, or swift-water riffles for a little excitement, are just part and parcel of what he does for a living.

… “We’ve met some really interesting people,” said (Jeff) Neumann, who launched his venture this spring after retiring from a 25-year teaching position at Grand Rapids Community College. “People like knowing we are picking them up and dropping them off at their door.”

COLUMN: Could redshirt freshman QB Cooper Rush be the guy?

July 31, 2013; Central Michigan Life

It was a simple question, one trying to separate the three possible candidates for starting quarterback into two categories.

… Keep in mind, (Cody) Kater has been around the CMU program for a while now. Recruited by Butch Jones in 2009, he was redshirted his freshman season. Then Jones left for Cincinnati and Kater willingly followed, much to his detriment (he later admitted he went to Cincy for all the wrong reasons). Since then, he’s started at Grand Rapids Community College and served as backup to Ryan Radcliff.

Construction Update – Cook and Main!

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We’re starting to move back in! Furniture and equipment installs are scheduled to begin Monday, August 5. Please be aware that we will need to share elevators with students, staff, construction crews and installers. Employees and students can still utilize the elevators, however, we want you to be aware of the multi-use during this time.

If there are any physical or health concerns for staff or students who are unable to use the elevator during this time, please contact Disability Support at 234-4140 or Campus Police at 234-4010.

There’s still time to learn a language online

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Learn a language online, on your own time, with your own instructor!

Whether you need help with English as a second language, or need to learn a language for business travel or travel for fun, GRCC’s partnership with Ed2Go can get you talking! Classes begin every month and are completely online! Each class is only $109!

We offer special courses for specific occupations like, Spanish for Law Enforcement, or Spanish for Medical Professionals. And just for teachers: Spanish in the Classroom, An Introduction to Teaching ESL/EFL, Enhancing Language Development in Childhood, Practical Ideas for the Adult ESL/EFL Classroom, Teaching ESL/EFL Grammar, Teaching ESL/EFL Reading, and Teaching ESL/EFL Vocabulary.

Other course titles include:

  • Beginning Conversational French.
  • Conversational Japanese.
  • Easy English 1, 2, 3.
  • Grammar for ESL.
  • Instant Italian.
  • Speed Spanish 1, 2, 3.
  • Writing for ESL.

To register, click here.

Main Building Construction Update

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Phase 1 of the Main Building project includes fire suppression, HVAC work and a more significant renovation of the second floor to support Business Department instruction. The window replacement project is also well under way around the building!

  • Interior work on the third through fifth floors will be complete by the start of the fall semester.
  • A portion of the second floor, which includes three new computer labs for the Business Department, will be ready by the start of the fall semester.  The west wing will still be closed for a few weeks, and we will move classes into those spaces as soon as possible!
  • Window and fire protection work will continue throughout the school year and will be coordinated for evening and weekend activity.

 

GRCC In the News, 7-30-13

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GRCC instructor wins award for course design

July 29, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A Grand Rapids Community College instructor has been recognized for using technology in outstanding course design, the college said in a news release.

GRCC professor receives two global awards for design

July 26, 2013; The Holland Sentinel

Grand Rapids — A Grand Rapids Community College professor received two global awards for outstanding course design.

Change Ups: Bank earns diversity lender award

July 19, 2013; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… AWARDS

Grand Rapids Community College English professor Mursalata Muhammad was recognized with Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s Champion Leadership Skills Award. Associate professor of English Katrina Katie Kalisz was honored for her piece “Viewing of the 14-Year-Old Girl’s Wake.”

Two more sports programs dropped by GRCC

July 29, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College announced Monday it will eliminate its men’s and women’s tennis programs.

Central Michigan QB job wide open heading into preseason camp, coach Dan Enos says

July 30, 2013; Central Michigan Life

Preseason camp kicks off on Monday and, for the first time in recent memory, the Central Michigan football is without a clear-cut leader at quarterback.

… At first glance, junior Cody Kater appears to be the obvious choice, a fifth-year journeyman who came to CMU in 2009. He has the most experience of the three, playing in two games last season as a backup to Ryan Radcliff and leading Grand Rapids Community College to a perfect 11-0 record in 2011 while throwing for 2,218 yards and 19 touchdowns in 10 games (GRCC won a game via forfeit).

Cook Academic Hall Phase 1 Construction Update

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The fourth and fifth floors of Cook are being completely renovated, and the project is nearing completion! Furniture and equipment installation is scheduled for August 5 through 14, with finishing touches scheduled for the week of August 19. These floors will both be complete for the start of the fall semester!

The fourth floor will now support Nursing, the Occupational Therapy Assistant program and Workforce Training instruction with new bed labs, general-purpose learning environments and a state-of-the-art simulation lab. The Health Sciences Resources and Tutoring lab will be located on this floor, with expanded computer resources and study spaces for student use. There is also a secure room for breast feeding activities on the fourth floor available to GRCC students and employees.

The fifth floor will have 12 general-purpose classrooms and several smaller study spaces and breakout rooms for small group use. The Reading, Writing and Language Arts Tutoring Lab will also be located on this floor, with expanded computer lab services for individuals and entire classes. Two new computer labs have been added!

Both floors will now have a business center, providing faculty with access to computers, phone and printing resources close to classrooms!
Restroom facilities on both floors have been completely renovated as well.

GRCC In the News, 7-29-13

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MICHIGAN BRIEFS: Spartan Stores ready to swallow a major deal meal

July 28, 2013; Crain’s Detroit Business

… The Chronicle of Higher Education says the following higher education institutions in Michigan are among the 97 nationwide that are great places to work: Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids-based Davenport University, Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Siena Heights University in Adrian and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Fruit and flames: Grilling brings out smoky sweetness in seasonal bounty

July 28, 2013; pressofatlanticcity.com

Hunks of juicy meat aren’t the only things you can throw on the barbecue this time of year, think about putting some grill marks on peaches, cantaloupe, nectarines and even grapes.

… Jonathon Perkins, executive chef for Erna’s Elderberry House in Oakhurst, Calif., says the hot coals or gas grill caramelize the sugars in the fruit, creating a smoky sweetness.

(Article doesn’t mention it, but Jonathon Perkins is a GRCC alumnus.)

New menu at Elderberry House

July 29, 2013; CBS 47

Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant in Oakhurst is known worldwide by people visiting Yosemite, but they want to invite locals to try their amazing food, too. The new bar bites menu & locals menu are more casual, and for $44 on Tuesdays, you can get a 3-course dinner.

Finalists compete in Grand Cocktail 2013

July 29, 2013; WZZM

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (WZZM)- Local mixologists and bartenders will compete in a live presentation and judging to win the distinction of the Grand Cocktail.

The competition is part of the upcoming Restaurant Week GR which runs August 14th-24th. Monday’s judging will happen at the Heritage Restaurant at GRCC in Grand Rapids.

Area roundup: District 9 Big League softball team sweeps two Central Region games

July 27, 2013; MLive

After a last-second comeback bid Friday night fell short, the District 9 Big League softball team took out its frustrations on two opponents Saturday.

(Article doesn’t mention it, but the team includes GRCC students Megan Lee and Chelsea Zylstra.)

District 9 Big League softball team sees World Series streak come to end

July 28, 2013; MLive

The Big League Softball World Series has a new location this year, and for the first time since 2000 the Central Region will have a new representative.

College Park Plaza Construction Update

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The first major project is nearing completion and all floors are now fully occupied!  What happened while folks were away?  College Park Plaza received:

  • new heating and ventilation systems — this will greatly improve temperature quality and consistency in individual offices!
  • lighting for improved light quality and energy efficiency.
  • ceilings.
  • all new network wiring, switches and wireless routers.
  • a new fire suppression system.
  • new fixtures and porcelain in restroom facilities.
  • new elevators.
  • new carpet and paint in some areas.

The improvements to this building make College Park Plaza our second LEED certified facility!

Not bad for “Plan B”!

College Park Plaza now houses:

  • The Foundation has returned to the first floor and Mezzanine area. Department Secretary – Ann Marie Birr, extension 3939.
  • The Grants Department has returned to the annex area. Department Secretary – Delicia Wilondja, extension 2122.
  • The Math Department has returned to the second floor. Department Secretary – Kimberly Musser, extension 4253.
  • The Business Department is now located on the third floor. Department Secretary – Mary Gunderson, extension 4220.
  • The English Department now occupies the fourth floor and the east side of the fifth floor. Department Secretary – Gail Brown (fourth floor), extension 4243.
  • The Dental, Radiologic Tech and Occupational Therapy Assisting Department returned to the west side of the fifth floor. Department Secretary – Brenda Spratling, extension 3765.
  • The Nursing Department returned to the sixth floor. Department Secretary – Sue Sarniak, extension 4238.
  • Health Admissions is also now located on the sixth floor. Paula Naujalis, extension 4348.

 

GRCC In the News, 7-26-13

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Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards $871,850 in scholarships to Kent County students

July 25, 2013; rapidgrowthmedia.com

‘Tis the season of generosity. Grand Rapids Community Foundation, 185 Oakes St. SW, recently awarded and distributed $871,850 through 552 different scholarship funds. The scholarships range from $300 to $10,000 with over 500 awards of $1,000 or more. GRCF processed over 1,777 scholarship program applications for the 2013-14 academic year.

… Michigan colleges received 76 percent of all the awards, which is $662,550 of the total $871,850 available funds. The top awarded Michigan colleges include: Grand Valley State University with $142,700, Grand Rapids Community College with $71,300, Michigan State University with $63,000, and the University of Michigan with $46,700.

Healthcare information session scheduled for August 14

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You can learn about GRCC’s Healthcare Programs and get your questions answered at an information session from 4-5 p.m. August 14, 2013, at Tassell M-TEC.

Health Certification Programs that will be covered in this information session are:

All information sessions are free, and you are under no obligation to enroll in a course when you attend these sessions. To register, click here.