West Michigan’s first Middle College students graduate
April 29, 2015; MLive
WALKER, MI — Fourteen of the Kenowa Hills High School juniors who embarked on a new journey in 2012 as the first students in the Middle College program with Davenport University have graduated with a tuition-free associate’s degree the first in the region.
Middle College is a five-year high school program in which students are dual-enrolled in high school and local colleges. Successful students graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. Grand Rapids Community College has programs with Wyoming and Cedar Springs school districts.
Why Opera Grand Rapids’ Duane Davis is departing after 31 years as chorus master
April 30, 2015; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Duane Davis, music teacher, conductor and director, has held more musical posts over a 45-year career in West Michigan than even he can easily count.
… The native of Cleveland, who came to Grand Rapids in 1969 to teach vocal music, first at Northeast Middle School, then at Creston High School, was appointed in 1982 as director of vocal and choral music at the former Grand Rapids Junior College, now Grand Rapids Community College.
NASCAR radio announcer will emcee 1st annual Construction Alliance Rally
April 29, 2015; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Jeff Striegle, a long-time NASCAR radio announcer and co-founder and president of Racing Awareness will host the first annual Construction Alliance Rally on May 7.
… The rally will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the M-TEC Center of Grand Rapids Community College, 622 Godfrey Ave SW.
Griffins 5, Marlies 2: Fiesty performance tightens playoff battle
April 29, 2015; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Grand Rapids Griffins played like a desperate team against Toronto on Wednesday as they avoided elimination and provided a lot more intrigue to the Calder Cup playoff series.
… Game Four is 7 p.m.Saturday. Why not Friday? Grand Rapids Community College has commencement.
Michigan’s Best Winery: 42 nominees and counting
April 30, 2015; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Michigan loves its wine!
… This year Michigan will be just behind California and New York for the number of entries in this weekend’s competition (International Wine Judging), which takes place at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College.