GRCC In the News, 2-18-14

GRCC uses $250,000 to plug deficit from enrollment drop; staff criticizes board’s diversity discussions

Feb. 17, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College will use $250,000 in savings to help balance its budget after a 7.5 percent drop in enrollment left the school with less revenue than needed.

Promise Pacts designed to keep GRPS’ Class of 2020 on track for college

Feb. 17, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Sixth graders in the Class of 2020 attending two Grand Rapids schools are being asked along with their parents to enter into an agreement committing to do their part to capitalize on available college scholarships.

… In addition, the presidents of Aquinas College, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, and Grand Rapids Community College also announced in November 2013 they each have created special scholarships for the 2020 graduates of the program.

Grand Rapids Community College alumnus next on the list to perform at guitar series

Feb. 17, 2014; MLive

Grand Rapids Community College alumnus, guitarist Gideon Whitehead will be the featured GRCC International Guitar Series performer on February 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 200 of the Music Center.

Bust a move: Dancing with the Local Stars to be ‘more laid-back’ with island theme

Feb. 17, 2014; MLive

MUSKEGON, MI — Dancing with the Local Stars attendees will have a few hours to escape the winter doldrums when the event returns to the Muskegon Harbor Holiday Inn for its sixth year from Feb. 20 to 22.

… Dancing with the Local Stars 2014 Participants

… Heather Sandberg (star), deputy chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, with Patrick Johnson (pro), a Grand Rapids Community College dance faculty instructor, co-owner of PT Arts, LLC Consulting and director of West MI Flight Academy

Larry Oberst hired as GRPS’ new chief financial officer

Feb. 17, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids school board Monday, Feb. 17, unanimously approved Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal’s pick to be the district’s new Chief Financial Officer – Larry Oberst.

… The district hasn’t had a CFO since Lisa Freiburger left the district in 2011 to become vice president of finance and administration at Grand Rapids Community College.

Muskegon Community College sports recap: 9 wrestlers qualify for NJCAA national championships

Feb. 17, 2014; MLive

… MENS BASKETBALL: The Jayhawks (10-15) lost two of the three games they played last week.

… MCC played its fifth game in 10 days against Grand Rapids Community College on Feb. 12 and lost 99-63. The Jayhawks led at halftime, but struggled in the second half for the second-straight game. Tyiwan Jones scored 19 points to lead MCC. Hatter added 15 points.