GRCC In the News, 8-28-13

Why $18M renovation at GRCC has students geeked

Aug. 27, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Eric Thwaites noticed the change almost immediately.

As he prepared for his first day of microeconomics Tuesday at Grand Rapids Community College, he saw that a series of renovation projects had remade the second floor of the school’s main building, transforming a portion of the aging structure into a modern learning environment.

Byron Center Graduate Won’t Let A Stroke Slow Him Down

Aug. 27, 2013; schoolnewsnetwork.org (KISD newsletter)

Byron Center Public Schools, MI — Byron Center High School Class of 2013 senior Chris Schmitt wrote a quote for the senior yearbook. “You can’t alter the past, but you can change the future.”

… By attending summer school and taking online classes, he achieved his goal of graduating with his class and plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College in the fall to pursue a criminal justice degree.

‘Dubs’ are coming: Menna’s Joint chain opening downtown Grand Rapids location

Aug. 27, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Brace yourselves: Dubs are coming.

… Ansara said the company, which started in East Lansing in 2003, was drawn to downtown Grand Rapids due to the population of college students living in the city attending schools like Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Kendall College of Art & Design.

College Notebook: CMU’s Latta set to play in ‘Big House’

Aug. 27, 2013; The Battle Creek Enquirer

Officially, it’s Michigan Stadium. But to most, it can only be called “The Big House.”

… Ferris State University hopes that brothers Jamar and James Wimberly can help guide it to a title the way they led Marshall High School to a state championship in 2009. Jamar is a senior defensive back who played in 10 games last season with five starts, finishing seventh on the team with 46 tackles. He also forced a fumble while registering a team-high nine pass breakups. James joins his brother after playing collegiately at Grand Rapids Community College following a stop at Independence (Kan.) Community College. The Bulldogs begin the season on Sept. 7 against North Dakota State.

Congratulations to 2013 Excellence in Education award recipients

GRCC recently presented Excellence in Education awards to three outstanding people: psychology Professor Judy A. Jankowski; Nanci Guigue, an ESP in the School of Workforce Development; and adjunct faculty member Cheryl Kautz. Congratulations!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

‘Information Roamers’ helped students navigate

In addition to volunteering as “Information Roamers” this week, we have caught three GRCC employees going above and beyond to help our students. Becky Yoder, Casey Cornelius and Vicki Janowiak all saw a “need” and filled it. Each employee found a spot where students needed more direction, were having issues, etc. and planted themselves in those areas to assist as needed. They all made helping our students a top priority in their day, providing a wonderful service to our community.

We know many of you have been doing this the last couple of days without being “caught.” We thank each of you for living out the GRCC service values in this way!

SSPD Grants: September Funding Opportunity

The deadline for the submission of grant applications for the Support Staff Professional Development (SSPD) program is 4:30 p.m., September 27, 2013. The SSPD application packet and SSPD Guidelines are available in the Professional Development Grants area of the Grants Department website at www.grcc.edu/sspdgrants. Please note that applications must include a Supervisor’s Approval form, a budget form and budget documentation. If you have any questions about SSPD grants, please contact Lisa Dopke, Associate Director of Grants and Resource Development at 234-3340 or ldopke@grcc.edu. Good luck!

GRCC schedules Construction Trades courses

GRCC has a year of Construction Trades courses lined up:

• MIOSHA 10-Hour, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on October 8 and 9, 2013.
• MIOSHA Construction – Part 32 Aerial Work Platforms & Devices, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. January 14, 2014.
• Excavations / The Grave Danger, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 4.
• MIOSHA Construction – Part 2 Masonry Wall Bracing, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 30.

CPR certification and re-certification classes also have been scheduled. Click here for more information and to register.

Students host blood pressure clinic

The start of the semester can be stressful! Stop by the 4th floor of the Main building and let our Medical Assistant students take your blood pressure! This free blood pressure clinic runs from 2:45p from to 4:30p Wednesday. Thanks for giving our students the opportunity to practice!