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

College Democrats host House candidate Lynn Mason

GRCC College Democrats sponsored a presentation on February 25 by state House candidate Lynn Mason. She’s currently a county commissioner who is running for the House seat in District 86.

From left: LaPorscha Miller, Emily Smitter, Danny Eggerding, Brittany Kozakiewicz, Jaedah Pickens, Lynn Mason, Ross L. Pike, Arielle Brown and Alexis Ryans.

 

 

 

Fire drills scheduled 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.

IT Department has moved

The GRCC IT Department has been temporarily relocated due to construction in Sneden. The IT HelpDesk is now located in 118 Sneden Hall. Infrastructure, Enterprise Apps, Security and Project Management are all located in the Lettinga Building on SE corner of the Devos Campus.

Physics professor to give lecture today

GRCC’s Diversity Learning Center and the physical science and math departments are teaming up to present a lecture by Ronald L. Mallett, a physics professor at the University of Connecticut. At 7 p.m. February 26, he will talk lecture on “Time Traveler: A Scientist’s Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality.”

Diversity Lecture Series to feature NPR correspondent

NPR correspondent Michele Norris will talk about America’s hidden conversations about race — including secrets kept by her own family — on March 12 as part of the 2013-2014 Diversity Lecture Series. For details about the series, click here.