GRCC In the News, 2-28-14

GRCC wellness professor receives state recognition for service learning

Feb. 27, 2014; News International

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A state coalition has recognized a Grand Rapids Community College wellness professor for her contributions to service learning.

Here’s what’s sold out for LaughFest 2014 opening one week from today

Feb. 27, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — If you’re a last-minute ticket buyer coming to LaughFest, don’t get your hopes up on seeing Jim Gaffigan or Free Beer & Hot Wings.

… Gaffigan’s return to LaughFest on Friday, March 7 has sold out the event’s biggest venue, Grand Rapids Community College’s Ford Field House, seating 3,300.

Saginaw Sting prep for championship rematch with Erie Explosion, aim for big game from Omari Humes

Feb. 27, 2014; MLive

SAGINAW, MI — The Saginaw Sting are angry. They’re amped up, and they’re ready.

… Humes starred for the Lumberjacks in high school, helping lead them to the playoffs against Midland High in 2007, before moving on to college where he won a National Championship with Grand Rapids Community College. However, a bout of yearning for familiarity brought Humes back to Saginaw after a year.

Changes to drug and alcohol policy

Changes include the following:

• Expanded to cover volunteers.
• Addresses use as well as abuse of controlled substances.
• Provides clear investigatory procedures for incidents involving both students and staff.
• Penalties are consistent with GRCC’s Misconduct policy re: zero tolerance offenses.
• Removed language related to evaluation of Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program from the policy. This will be incorporated into the annual DAPP document that will be shared with all students and staff as required by law.

To see the policy, follow this link: 6-24_drug_and_alcohol_policy

 

Final speaker in Psychology series covers stress management March 12

Stress can destroy a 66 ton bridge; imagine what it might do to you? Understanding and managing stress
Steven L. Pastyrnak, Ph.D.
Wednesday, March 12th, 1:00 – 2:30
Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, Room 168
Free and open to the public.

Dr. Pastyrnak is Division Chief of Pediatric Psychology at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. In this presentation he will provide an overview of stress, including aspects of anxiety and depression. Participants will be introduced to ways to recognize stress as well as the short and long term effect of this common condition. Recent research on stress and the impact on performance as well as evidence based strategies for management will be shared.  Dr. Pastrnak’s presentation will be practical and somewhat hands-on, at times with audience participation.  This presentation will be beneficial to for individuals currently struggling with too much stress in their lives while equally useful for a person simply curious about the subject.

Spring break dining hours

During the week of March 3-7 all retail operations (Raider Grille, Quiet Cafe, & Sneden Cafe) will be closed. Normal business hours will resume on March 10th at all locations.

Catering services are still offered during spring break.

ATC construction update

The installation of the new cooling tower and chiller equipment will occur during spring break. A very large crane will be positioned near the ATC on Friday evening and will be there all day Saturday. Ransom Street will be closed to thru traffic during this time and the pedestrian walkway from the parking ramp, as well as the ATC entrance near Art & Bev’s will be closed.

Monday – Wednesday (March 3 – 6), Ransom Street will be closed periodically as they deliver, unload and install additional equipment and a flagman will be on site. The ATC parking level will remain closed for these three days.

Thank you for your cooperation!

 

SICE instructor, alumnus win chocolate honors

Doug Orr, Executive Pastry Chef at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and SICE Adjunct Instructor placed 3rd in the Great Lakes Gourmet 2014 Chocolate Competition. Chef Orr has been the past Pastry Chef of the Year winner in this competition.

Sean Newhouse Assistant Pastry Chef at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and 2009 Graduate of the SICE placed 2nd. Chef Newhouse has competed over the past several years while working his way up to the Masterpiece last year. His hard work, tenacity and enthusiasm has paid off this year resulting in his first medal. It’s quite something when you can beat the “Boss”, as Chef Orr well knows, since he placed over his boss, Chef Scott Hunter, in the past. (Quote from Great Lakes Gourmet Orders email notification from Tom Chaput)

In the attached picture, on bottom right: Chef Doug Orr on the left and Chef Sean Newhouse on the right.

GRCC In the News, 2-27-14

GRCC job fair hosting nearly 60 companies looking for 600 employees

Feb. 26, 2014; MLive

Employers will be trying to fill at least 600 job openings during Grand Rapids Community College’s spring job fair on March 11.

Time Traveler

Feb. 26, 2014; WZZM

Professor Ronald Mallett Wants to Build a Time Machine in this Century … and He’s Not Kidding.

… You can see him Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the GRCC Applied Technology Center 1st Floor at 7pm. This is free and open to the public. Contact GRCC at 616-234-3390 for more information.

Showgirls Galleria adult night club is on the market for $6 million

Feb. 26, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Adult night club operator Mark London said he’s ready to cash in on downtown’s resurgent real estate market and sell Showgirls Galleria, his adult entertainment complex at 234 Market Avenue SW.

… “Sensations was a true gold mine in the topless days,” said London, a former Detroit police officer and instructor at Grand Rapids Community College. “Those days are over for everybody. The adult entertainment changed just overnight.”

Win tickets: LaughFest offers family-friendly funny business in 2014 lineup

Feb. 26, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — LaughFest brings more than entertainment for adults. The annual Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids fundraiser includes family-friendly events as well. From toddler to teenager, LaughFest helps kids enjoy comedy and even take the stage.

… LaughFest’s Seriously Funny Family Adventure Challenge invites teams of two or four to start at GRCC’s Ford Fieldhouse, 111 Lyon St. NE, and race across downtown Grand Rapids stopping for about a dozen wacky and fun timed challenges that require fast thinking, fast action and a little bit of daring.

KVCC women’s basketball defeats GRCC, claims share of MCCAA Western Conference crown

Feb. 27, 2014; MLive

Defense wins, particularly when the offense is not clicking on all cylinders.

Important Drug and Alcohol Policy and DAAPP Annual Report

The GRCC Drug and Alcohol Policy and Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program (DAAPP) Annual Report 2013 have recently been updated and are available for your review online by clicking here.

GRCC prohibits the use of alcohol and recreational drugs on campus.  The alcohol and drug related health risks, prevention and intervention resources, college discipline, and legal sanctions are outlined in these two documents.

BioDiversity Club marks Darwin Day

On February 15 2014, the GRCC BioDiversity Club celebrated Darwin Day 2014 by co-sponsoring a community event which featured hands-on science activities for all ages.  Forty-eight children and their families attended the three-hour event.  Dr. Matt Douglas and Dr. Pam Laureto, GRCC biology faculty and co-advisors for the Club, worked with the Center for Inquiry and 15 GRCC student volunteers to organize and host the event.  The students lead exhibits that featured such topics as a fossil hunt, exploring human evolution, the diversity of plant life and animal life, the pros of bacteria in yogurt, extracting DNA, the unifying molecule of life, from wheat germ, and exploring plant-insect interactions.  Dr. Bob Luenk and Laurie Foster, GRCC biology faculty, helped to oversee the event.

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Fire drills planned for March 1

As required by the State Fire Code, GRCC Campus Police and Facilities personnel will conduct fire drills on Saturday March 1st beginning by 7am. We are aware of several events taking place on campus this weekend and will do our best to be in and out of the buildings before those get started. However, everyone present in the buildings will need to evacuate when the alarms are activated. If you have something going on that you would like Campus Police to be aware of please advise Chief Whitman by Friday, February 28th.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate everyone’s cooperation.

GRCC In the News, 2-26-14

GRCC, Michigan community colleges partner on automotive technology programs

Feb. 25, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A new agreement will enable students pursuing certificates or degrees in automotive technology to transfer between five community colleges without losing credit for past courses.

The pilot program aims to make it easier for students who move to another part of Michigan to finish their education. The community colleges participating in the program are: Grand Rapids; Delta, near Bay City; Lansing; Montcalm, near Stanton; and Mott, in Flint.

Triumph Music Academy passionate about people

Feb. 25, 2014; therapidian.org

James Hughes, the soft spoken proprietor and unofficial face of Triumph Music Academy, has a passion for teaching and the collaborative spirit which the Academy embraces. His vast knowledge of music, both theory and practice, represents the entire staff of 10, three of which co-founded the Academy with him.

… Hughes moved to Grand Rapids in 2004 where he attended GRCC for guitar. From there he went on the GVSU to study guitar and composition under Carlos De la Barrera and Dr. Bill Ryan.

Flint native, Grammy Award winner Dee Dee Bridgewater joins Grand Rapids Symphony on Saturday

Feb. 25, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Billie Holiday was one of the great iconic singers in jazz history, so it takes another to stand in for Lady Day.

… Bridgewater and the orchestra will be joined by the Grand Rapids Community Chorus, a 90-voice ensemble led by Duane Davis, retired director of vocal activities at Grand Rapids Community College.

Steelcase’s landmark pyramid building being donated to mystery nonprofit for educational hub

Feb. 26, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Steelcase is donating its massive, multimillion-dollar pyramid-shaped former research facility to a nonprofit for use as a STEM-focused education hub that would cater to students in preschool through graduate school, according to officials.

… For example, KISD has STEM programming in mechatronics, information technology and health sciences and works closely with Grand Rapids Community College and area universities.

… Grand Rapids Community College has not been contacted yet. Grand Valley State University was briefed on the concept.

It is easy to make LaughFest a family affair

Feb. 25, 2014; MLive

LaughFest organizers have been very good about indicating the age appropriateness of festival events and shows through its content guidelines. For the eighteen and older crowd, there is CLN or Clean Adult Laughs, indicating the show has no vulgarity but RRR or Rated R…Really shows do.

… Meijer is presenting The Family Friendly Series which includes three LaughFest events. On March 8, the GRCC Ford Fieldhouse will be a busy place as the themed children’s carnival for all ages, Super Saturday, kicks off at 10 a.m. Mini golf, ultimate challenge, laser tag, all sports arena, and hoppy horses are all part of the fun along with some special guests. The event runs until 2 p.m. and is $7 per person.

Transfers show potential in GV debuts

Feb. 23, 2014; The Lanthorn (GVSU student newspaper)

A pair of junior transfers turned in a pair of impressive performances on the mound for the Grand Valley State University baseball team over the weekend in its opening series at the University of Southern Indiana.

GVSU pitcher Aaron Jensen, who played two seasons at Grand Rapids Community College, surrendered just four hits and two runs while striking out five in 8.2 innings of work despite being charged with a loss in his first career start as a Laker.

Nursing Department holds blood pressure screenings

Our Nursing Department is holding a free Blood Pressure Screening from 1-2 p.m. today and from 3:30-4:30 p.m. February 27.

Locations:

• Main G2 Corridor by Winchester Alley
• SCC 2nd Floor by Raider Grille Foyer
• Main 1st Floor by the Enrollment Center

Spring Break Dining Hours

During the week of March 3-7 all retail operations (Raider Grille, Quiet Cafe, & Sneden Cafe) will be closed. Normal business hours will resume on March 10th at all locations.

Catering services are still offered during spring break.

Campus Dining Services

As of February 27 our current catering manager, Teresa VanderJagt, will be leaving the campus dining team. Teresa has been with GRCC campus dining since April 2010 and will be missed. Campus Dining is moving forward with all scheduled catering and has since hired a new catering manager scheduled to start on March 3. Our new manager has a vast knowledge of catering operations at GRCC and comes with an enthusiasm to serve the GRCC community to the best of her ability.

Experiential Learning blog looks at GRPS Youth Fair, need for elementary coaches

Experiential Learning Blog is excited to share some amazing stories and opportunities. High lights for the March Blog include:

1. Faculty High light Jodi Gee Wellness Assistant Professor and her Elementary Games course (WE 157). The collaboration is with the WE 157 course and the GRCC Preschool. Check out this awesome partnership. http://grccdel.wordpress.com/

2. Grand Rapids Public Schools Collaborative Youth Fair. Experiential Learning/Service our Community

http://grccdel.wordpress.com/

3. Grand Rapids Public School COIT Elementary in Need of Athletic Coaches. Contact Barbara Reeb at 616-334-8795. (K-5 Athletic Offerings include Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming, Basketball and Track)

The Benefits and focus of K-5 Programming are to:

• Introduce athletic activities to students
• Provide early exposure and early development of knowledge and skills
• Promote and encourage physical activity
• Provide a quality learning experience for students
• Build connections to middle and high schools