GRCC In the News, 1-8-14

Grand Rapids ‘Lost Boy’ among many fleeing S Sudan violence

Jan. 3, 2014; The Holland Sentinel

AWERIAL, South Sudan — Phillip Madol once studied in America as one of Sudan’s “Lost Boys” who fled bloodshed and famine. This week he was again caught up in a war as he helped his family flee a town that rebels had overrun in South Sudan.

… Madol, who previously studied at Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan, returned to South Sudan a couple of months ago after hearing his mother was sick. Her health problems are worse now: She was shot and broke a leg in this week’s violence in Bor.

Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk announces retirement

Jan. 8, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Police Chief Kevin Belk is retiring Feb. 7 after nearly 34 years working for the city, Grand Rapids City Manager Greg Sundstrom announced Wednesday morning.

(Article doesn’t mention it, but Chief Belk was one of GRCC’s 2013 Distinguished Alumni recipients.)

MTV’s ‘The Real World: Ex-plosion’ new season debuts with Grand Rapids cast members

Jan. 7, 2014; MLive

LOS ANGELES — Grand Rapids native Cory Wharton was barely in diapers when the MTV reality show “The Real World” premiered in 1992.

… Wharton, a Grand Rapids Community College graduate who was born and raised in Grand Rapids, recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in physical fitness training and chase his dream of stardom.

Snowfall, arctic blast prompts GRCC to cancel Tuesday classes

Jan. 6, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College has canceled classes Tuesday, citing the heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures that have descended upon West Michigan.

High-End Homes: Fairy tale mansion in Cascade Township listed for $3.2 million

Jan. 4, 2014; MLive

CASCADE TOWNSHIP, MI — The grand plantation-style mansion at 6801 Burton St. SE is past its glory days of the late 1990s, when philanthropist Leslie Tassell tended zebras and peacocks among the formal gardens and grounds that covered 95 acres.

… The founder of the former auto parts-maker Lescoa, Tassell contributed to the construction of engineering and health professions buildings at Grand Valley State University and was a key contributor to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Grand Rapids Community College also named its Michigan Technical Education Center for Tassell, a major donor.

Things to do on Sunday, January 12

Jan. 7, 2014; MLive

GRCC Student Exhibition (Art/Museums), GRCC Collins Art Gallery, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE. Free. Contact for details. Information: 234-3544

Lakers fall to Grand Rapids Community College

Jan. 4, 2014; The Morning Sun (Mount Pleasant)

The Mid-Michigan Community College men’s basketball team fell to visiting Grand Rapids Community College on Saturday afternoon by a final of 82-75.

Networking workshops start January 30

You probably think you know all there is to know about professional networking to gain employment or career contacts. But do you have a true strategy for building your professional network? Do you know the best ways to sell yourself and your ideas by combining technology tools with face-to-face communication?

GRCC’s Workforce Training is offering a series of workshops to provide you with the skills to build stronger professional relationships, communication, social networking and technology.

Classes start January 30. Click here to learn more.

TRiO/SSS collects books for Cook Library Center

The TRiO/Student Support Program would like to thank all the amazing staff and faculty who helped us make the One Book – One Cook Library Scholar program a success!!!!

Thank-you, you’re awesome and truly made this a special holiday for the Cook Library Scholars – who will be enjoying some happy reading time!!!!   Rosario Montes-Sutton, Sara Dorer, Lynnae Selberg, Jennifer Batten, Paul Phifer, Katie Hughes, Terri Tillman, Molly Maczka, Emily Nisley, Pat Missad, Liz Tyrell, Anne Sherman, Karen Murphy, Bill Faber, Seth King York, Jill Woller-Sullivan, Angela Long, Jennifer Keessen, Teri Dilworth, Sarah Rose, Casey Cornelius, Andre Fields, Magdalena Montes-Spruit, Nicole Marshall, Ron Ralya, Tom Neils, Langston Gant, and Whitney Harper.

The Cook Library Center – located on Grandville Avenue SW – focuses on the intellectual development of children and adults. After-school programs include homework help, computer usage, mind-expanding games such as chess and Scrabble, storytelling events, and field trips to cultural institutions, colleges, and universities.

Cook Library Scholars is designed to engage families as it prepares youth in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood to achieve academic success and to serve as future leaders. The year-round program offers after-school and summer support in reading, writing and math, along with a mentorship program, arts education, leadership and life skills training, and other enrichment activities.

If you want to learn about the Cook Library – go to: http://gaah.org/cooklibraryscholars