GRCC Geography Alumna Wins Award!

On the 17th of October at the regional meeting of the Association of American Geographers in Kalamazoo, Alyson Mabie, a GRCC graduate and past-president of the College’s chapter of the International Geographical Honor Society (GTU), took first place in the undergraduate student paper competition. She began her research last year with funding from the GRCC GEOGRAPHY LIVES! Field Studies Award. Her paper, “Claiming Turf: The Spatial Distribution of Three Discrete Types of Graffiti/Street Art in Southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan,” is considered one of the most comprehensive explorations of urban graffiti in academic geography. One distinguished geographer commented, “It’s the best.” Ms. Mabie is currently a geography major at Grand Valley State University, intending to graduate in 2015 and subsequently pursue graduate studies. She is the fourth GRCC alumnus to win an award for an outstanding paper presentation at this annual regional geography conference in recent years.

 

GRCC In the News, 10-20-14

Why 2012 public masturbation incident doesn’t appear in GRCC’s annual crime report

Oct. 20, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Scan through Grand Rapids Community College’s 2014 annual security report and you’ll see lots of stats on campus crime sexual assault, robbery, motor vehicle theft and aggravated assault, to name a few.

GRCC hosting forum for Board of Trustees candidates

Oct. 17, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is hosting a forum for the four candidates seeking two seats on the school’s Board of Trustees.

Business leaders in the news

Oct. 19, 2014; The Detroit Free Press

… John Cameron Jr., a lawyer with Dickinson Wright in Grand Rapids, was installed as the public director for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, Albion College, and graduated from Wayne State University Law School. He is a former instructor at Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College. He has written several books, including “A Practitioner’s Guide to Construction Law.”

Actors’ Theatre names veteran thespian as its next managing director

Oct. 17, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Actors’ Theatre is welcoming a new managing director in November.

… Ben Boerkoel, president of Actors’ Theatre’s board, said he’s excited to put Los’ abilities and passion to work for the company that operates out of Grand Rapids Community College’s Spectrum Theatre.

Second session of Employee Wellness starts today

The second session of Employee Wellness starts today! We’d love to have you join us – no charge!

Here is the schedule – if you have questions call or email Julie Otte x3490:

http://www.grcc.edu/staffdevelopment/employeewellnessenrichment/fall2014groupexercisewellnessofferings

 

Employee wellness newsletter includes cold weather exercise tips

View this document on Scribd

Visual arts students take part in Portfolio Day

The Visual Arts Department hosted the 2^nd Annual GRCC Portfolio Day for art majors.  Representatives from seven colleges in Michigan traveled to GRCC to review our students’ artwork. The day included 9 college representatives, 40 GRCC art students and 157 portfolio reviews.

This was a great opportunity for students to learn about college art programs in Michigan, learn the importance of professional feedback of their art, and showcase their hard work to potential transfer institutions.

Students received great feedback. At least one student was offered a substantial scholarship at the event, and many others were told they would be accepted to the college with potential scholarships as soon as they formally apply.

Through our students’ hard work and strong faculty instruction, the GRCC Visual Arts Department is developing a reputation as one of the strongest community college art departments in Michigan.

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Governor appoints LaTarro Traylor to state commission

LaTarro Traylor, Music Department Practice Room Assistant, was recently appointed by Governor Snyder to the 12-member Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity. The Commission works to reduce the causes, conditions and effects of poverty and promotes social and economic opportunities to foster self-sufficiency for low-income residents. Join us in congratulating LaTarro.

To read more about this, click here.

GRCC hosts Transfer Fair on October 22

GRCC College Transfer Fair

sponsored by the Counseling and Career Center

Wednesday, October 22 – 1-5pm

3rd Floor Student Lounge Area, Student Center

• Learn about transfer requirements
• Obtain catalogs and other transfer requirements
• Meet with college/university representatives

grcc.edu/TransferFair

Professors Rozema, Vander Meer attend GrrCon

Assistant Professor Rozema and Professor Vander Meer attended GrrCon last Thursday and Friday. GrrCON is an information security and hacking conference that provides the Midwest Infosec community with a fun atmosphere and engages like minded people. Not only did they see many current and former students, but they also made great contacts and touched based with many potential students. Additionally, they were able to send a few GRCC students to this conference for free. A good, productive time was had by all!

GRCC’s Pre – Information Security Degree is completely online and we have established contacts with people and students throughout the Midwest. Additionally, this event brought more awareness to our current students who did not know of this great online degree!

For more information about this program, click here or contact Professor Rozema or Professor Vander Meer.

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GRCC anniversary book available at library

GRCC’s 100th anniversary book, Open Door: Grand Rapids Junior/Community College 1914-2014, is now available for purchase at the GRCC Library.

One hundred years of GRCC’s distinct history is presented in 10 full-color chapters, each highlighting significant events and people who contributed to the college’s inception, growth and success. An extensive timeline and sidebar story accents each chapter. Several appendices of boards, award recipients, program accreditation and full-time employees, along with a bibliography and index, complete this book.

The book was researched, written and produced by current and former employees. Author Walt Lockwood, a retired GRCC English professor, interviewed dozens of GRCC/GRJC retirees over the last year while conducting research with Mike Klawitter, GRCC reference librarian/archivist. Mike, who managed the project, also provided the archived images, timeline and half of the sidebar stories. As each chapter was completed, it was passed to Jan Ensing, GRCC graphic designer, who provided the layout and design. Mike and Jan each relied on their co-workers and colleagues from across campus to assist in bringing this huge undertaking to completion.

Copies of the book that are pre-signed by Walt are also available. The cost is $40, including tax, and cash, check, credit cards and RaiderCard will be accepted for payment.

 

Raider Salute from former trustee Jan Maggini

Former Board of Trustee member Jan Maggini, who graduated from Grand Rapids Junior College in 1956,  served on the centennial committee and is a member of the Foundation board:

I would personally like to thank all the students, volunteers, staff, faculty and committee members who have worked so diligently this centennial year to give meaning to the word “community” in Grand Rapids Community College. Every event this year exemplifies your passion and dedication. The thrill of being at the Gala and walking along the timeline is only matched by the evening the voters of Kent County voted to redistrict GRJC to GRCC in 1991. It was an honor to be associated with the college then as it still is in 2014. When I left the Board of Trustees three years ago, I expressed my feeling, ” You may leave the college, but the college will never leave you!” That surely was evident at the Gala.

Sto Lat! (May the college live another hundred years).

Volleyball game to raise awareness of pediatric cancer

Brady Bustrum

GRCC’s volleyball team wants to see a fieldhouse full of yellow on Tuesday!

The team is holding its Pediatric Cancer Awareness game during its match against Lake Michigan College at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the fieldhouse. Brady Bustrum, a 5-year-old from Rockford who is battling a brain tumor, will be the honorary captain.

Admission to the game is FREE, and volleyball team members want to see packed stands to show Brady that the Raider Nation has his back!

Tickets still available for ‘Open Door’

GRCC is taking everyone on a time-twisting adventure through 100 years of its history with its production of Open Door.

Performances of Open Door are 8 p.m. November 7 and 8 at the Spectrum Theater. Prices are $25 for employees, $20 for GRCC retirees, and $15 for students with a valid student ID. A complimentary dessert reception will be held in the theater lobby following each performance. Call extension 3946 to purchase your tickets.

 

GRCC hosts forum for Board of Trustee candidates

On Tuesday, October 21 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in 108 Sneden (multi-purpose room), the Academic Governing Council is hosting a forum for the GRCC Board of Trustees candidates. All four candidates, Debra Bailey, Cynthia Bristol, Jim Harvey, and Mike Paskewicz, have been invited to attend and Mike Light will serve as our moderator.

United Way campaign runs through November 3

Our United Way campaign runs through November 3 — and don’t forget about our campaign incentives:

• Employees who return their United Way pledge form by November 3 will be entered to win a GRCC centennial sweatshirt. There is no donation required to be part of this raffle.
• However, employees who donate $100 or more to this year’s campaign are eligible for two more prizes! The first four winners will receive two tickets to the GRCC’s 100^th anniversary performance, “Open Door,” on November 7 and 8. The fifth winner will receive a $100 Meijer gift card.
• If you are thinking it may be time for a new car, any Heart of West Michigan United Way donor who makes a new undesignated gift of $50 or more, or increases his or her total 2013 gift by $50 or more will be automatically entered for a chance to win a new car from Fox Honda!