GRCC In the News, 10-14-13

Change Ups: GRCC dedicates Meijer Center

Oct. 11, 2013; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Grand Rapids Community College recently unveiled its Meijer Center for Business Studies. Located on the second floor of the college’s Main Building, the center features three computer labs with double projection images and one learn lab with triple projection images and powered tables for laptop use; two break-out small group work spaces and one large collaboration suite; a boardroom for shared use and professional simulation activities; and a business center for faculty.

… GRANTS: Grand Rapids Community College announced it has received a federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant that will provide $99,424 each year for four years to support child-care services to low-income parents enrolled in GRCC’s Occupational Support program.

Students enjoy international flavor

Oct. 11, 2013; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 17, two-member student teams from Grand Rapids, Barbados, Canada, Mexico and Scotland will compete in the Nations Cup, a three-day international culinary competition hosted by Grand Rapids Community Colleges Secchia Institute for Culinary Education.

State Rep. Winnie Brinks to deliver keynote address at GRCC women’s leadership summit

Oct. 12, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – State Rep. Winnie Brinks is to deliver the keynote address Monday at Grand Rapids Community Colleges Women in Leadership Summit, an event that is to touch on topics ranging from civic engagement to education.

No. 1 Express Men’s Golf Dominates NJCAA D-II National Tournament Preview

Oct. 13, 2013; ABC 13

Blaze Hogan (Big Rapids/Big Rapids, MI) led the No. 1 Owens Community College Express men’s golf team to a first place finish at the eight-team National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) D-II National Tournament Preview Tournament this weekend.

… The Express led after each round of the event as they shot a 292 the first 18, a 296 the second 18 and a 293 today. They finished with a team score of 881 for all 54 holes, while No. 5 Grand Rapids Community College’s 892 was good for second place.

Grand Awards Gala to recognize best Grand Rapids theater productions, raise money for Combined Theater Scholarship

Oct. 14, 2013; MLive

Imagine a bubbly blonde, perpetually dressed in pink, doing battle with a deep, dark dysfunctional family, and they’re all being chased by a mad, razor-wielding barber and three color-coordinated airline stewardesses.

(Article doesn’t mention GRCC, but Tom Kaechele, Marcia VanKuiken and Jean Reed Bahle are nominated for awards.)

Ferris State coach Tony Annese: Beating Grand Valley again ‘a nice selling point’ in recruiting

Oct. 14, 2013; MLive

BIG RAPIDS, MI — Ferris State coach Tony Annese saw the victory Saturday against Grand Valley State as helpful on the field, but also a windfall in recruiting.

… “Well, the other thing is, we recruit against that school,” said Annese, who has deep ties to the Grand Rapids area. He was a former successful coach at Grand Rapids Community College and Muskegon High School before that. Locally, he also coached at Jenison during his 27 years.

Jason Vander Laan does it again as Ferris State makes it two in a row against Grand Valley State

Oct. 12, 2013; MLive

BIG RAPIDS, MI – Whatever happened in Saturday’s game between Grand Valley State and Ferris State was largely going to be determined by Jason Vander Laan.

… The option worked well again against Grand Valley. When Vander Laan wasn’t running, his presence opened the run game for others, too. The Bulldogs ran for 465 yards, including 91 from Jamaal Jackson and 79 yards and two touchdowns from Korey Ringer, a former back with Grand Rapids Community College.

Art gallery hosts reception

GRCC’s Collins Art Gallery is hosting the official opening and a reception with artists Rachel Girard Reisert and Tracy Longley-Cook from 5-7 p.m. today.

Both are from the Cincinnati/Dayton area and will talk about their photography-based work. Please join us for the reception, and bring your students! Great food will be served!

Golfers finish 2nd

Congratulations to the 5th ranked GRCC Golf Team as they finished 11 strokes behind the the number one team in the country to finish 2nd at the NJCAA National Preview Tournament featuring some of the best teams in the country. The Raiders had rounds of 306, 297, and the low round of the tournament 289, one over par. The team was led by David Thompson, a sophomore from Davison, who finished 3rd with rounds of 76, 70, 71 and Zach Bialik, a freshman from Manistee, who finished 5th with rounds of 77, 75, 69. The Raiders travel to Jackson this Friday, before finishing their fall season next Monday and Tuesday at Whistling Straits GC in Wisconsin, at the prestigious Kohler Classic Tourney.

Ender to deliver ‘State of the College’ address to students

On Thursday, October 17th, at 2:00 pm in the Student Center, Multi-purpose Room (2nd floor, behind Quiet Cafe), Dr. Ender will present his first “State of the College” address to students. The group re-forming Student Congress intends to bring him in for one meeting per semester to make this address, providing students an overview of areas of key importance at the college.

Please encourage your students to attend this meeting! There will be plenty of time for questions and answers as well!

(Any questions can be directed to the Office of Student Life and Conduct.)

Try a wellness class for free this week

If you are participating in the Fitness Challenge, you already know this, but … all of the Staff Development Wellness Classes are OPEN and FREE this week! It’s the last week of the session, and if you have been wanting to try any of the classes so you know what we are doing — now is the time! Come to one, some or ALL of the 10 classes we offer here at GRCC at no charge and enjoy!

We offer:

• Spinning
• Yoga
• Bootcamp
• Ballet/Core Barre
• Tabata
• Zumba
• Tae Kwon Do
• 30-15-15

For days and times, click here.

GRCC kicks off 2013 United Way campaign

GRCC’s 2013 United Way campaign kicks off today and runs through Oct. 25, so expect to see an information packet from your department captain soon. The packets offer you two ways to donate: a one-time contribution or payroll deduction.

But that packet isn’t the only way you can help this year. In fact, some of you have already contributed! President Ender started GRCC’s campaign a little early this year by volunteering his time in the Welcome Week dunk tank. That fundraiser collected $677 — which President Ender matched to make a grand total of $1,354.

“The United Way is an organization making great and lasting impacts in our community,” Ender said. “I am proud of our campus’s generous and giving nature to once again engage with the efforts of the Heart of West Michigan United Way to make our community a wonderful place to live and work.”

You also have two other fun ways to help out:

• Jeans Days – Most departments will participate in this one. Just give your department captain $1 and wear jeans for the day.
• “United Coins” – Look for the giant containers in 15 locations around campus and get rid of all those heavy coins!

To learn more about the United Way, click here. Find the United Way’s campaign video — featuring board of trustee member Deb Bailey — here.

Kent Philharmonic to present ‘Hansel & Gretel’

The Kent Philharmonic Orchestra, comprised of college and community members, is teaming up with the 2nd Act Opera Company to present “Hansel & Gretel.”

A costume contest at 6:30 p.m. will precede the performance at 7:30 p.m. October 25 in the St. Cecilia Music Center. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for students and seniors; children younger than 10 are free.

 

Libor Ondras to hold viola recital

Dr. Libor Ondras, GRCC’s director of orchestras, will play works by Robert Schumann and Paul Hindesmith during a recital at 7:30 p.m. October 18 in the St. Cecilia Music Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Arts Outreach showcase scheduled for October 17

Arts Outreach music program invites you to attend their Faculty Showcase and Scholarship Fundraiser on October 17 at 7pm.  The concert will be held in the GRCC Music Center Recital Hall, Room 200.  Admission is $10 for adults and free for children.  All proceeds will directly support student scholarships and financial aid.  The program will feature performances by Loretta Cetkovic, Cassandra Kroondyk, Annette Henry, Cameo Elzinga, Robert Fry, Andrew Bergeron and Carmen Maret of Folias and Dr. Yelena Wells, Arts Outreach Coordinator.

Science and Math Advising Days October 14 and 15

Students thinking about, or well on their way to, a degree in math, physical science or biological sciences should plan to attend the
Science and Math Advising Days October 14 and 15, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. both days, on the third floor of the Science Building. Faculty from each department will be on hand to discuss a career in math or science, and provide advice on degree and transfer programs. For more information, click here.