“Genocide Prevention” and “Kurdistan” Highlight World Affairs Council Great Decisions Lectures

Gordan Vurusic deserves special praise for playing a critical role in arranging last night’s World Affairs Council Great Decisions lecture. Gordan’s former colleague at DePauw University, Dr. Brett O’Bannon, gave a talk that was considered by some to be the most important Great Decisions lecture delivered in Grand Rapids since the series began: Never Again: The UN’s Role in Genocide Prevention. If you were unable to attend the lecture, a filmed version will soon be broadcast on GRCC TV.

Next week, Dr. Jessie Clark, Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Nevada-Reno, will discuss: Our Allies in the Middle East: The Future of Kurdistan. Her talk will take place at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center at 6:00 pm on Monday, 29 February. All GRCC faculty and students are able to attend for free. Parking is also free.

GRCC In the News, 2-23-16

Winners of 45th Annual George London Foundation Awards Competition Announced

Feb. 20, 2016; Broadway World

The winners of the 45th annual George London Foundation Awards Competition for young American and Canadian opera singers were announced at the conclusion of the competition’s final round this evening, which took place in a front of an audience at Gilder Lehrman Hall at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City.

… GEORGE LONDON AWARDS ($10,000 each):

Antonina Chehovska, soprano (29, Ukrainian-born) – George London-Leonie Rysanek Award

(Article doesn’t mention it, but Antonina Chehovska is a GRCC alumna.)

LaughFest Central opens doors

Feb. 22, 2016; Grand Rapids Business Journal

LaughFest Central opens today inside the Grand Rapids Art Museum, ahead of the 10-day comedy festival next month.

… Seriously Funny Family Adventure Challenge is a fun-filled race open to teams of two or four that features a series of obstacles and challenges spanning across downtown Grand Rapids. This event is free, and pre-registration online is encouraged. The event will take place on March 20 at 1 p.m. at GRCC Ford Fieldhouse.

Raider Salute to Bayard Brooks, Becky Yoder

Ann Sandberg, from the School of Workforce Development, has a Raider Salute to Bayard Brooks and Becky Yoder:

I would like to give a shout out to Bayard and Becky for all the times their professionalism and can-do attitude go the extra mile to help pull off our events, which is exactly what they did the morning of February 23. Thank you so much, Becky & Bayard! Appreciate it so much!

Mathematics Seminar set for February 24

The Grand Rapids Community College Mathematics Department is pleased to announce that it will host its next Mathematics Seminar on Wednesday, February 24, 3:00-4:00 PM in 101 Cook.  Our speaker, former GRCC student and current adjunct faculty member Brian Hadley, will discuss the Galton Board and the Central Limit Theorem.  The title and abstract of his talk are below.

In addition to Brian’s talk being accessible to a wide range of students and faculty, it will feature a working Galton Board…you don’t want to miss that!  Those with a little background in Statistics are especially encouraged to attend, but, as always, all are welcome.

Pop and cookies will be served at 2:45 PM.

The Bean Machine, Sir Francis Galton, and the Central Limit Theorem in action!

English statistician Sir Francis Galton invented the Galton Board, also known as the Bean Machine, to demonstrate the Central Limit Theorem.  This mechanical device drops balls onto a series of pegs.  At each level, as the ball hits a peg, the ball must bounce left or right creating an exciting visual display.   This experiment in binomial probabilities gives us insight into how seemingly random events are actually tied to the normal distribution.

Save the Date for the 2016 GRCC Great Teachers Seminar

Wednesday May, 4 – Friday May, 6

The Center for Teaching Excellence will begin accepting applications for the 2016 Grand Rapids Community College Great Teachers Seminar on Monday March 14, 2016. The seminar is a three-day retreat that brings together teachers from a variety of disciplines to learn from each other, exchange ideas around teaching, and build community.  The seminar is built on the belief that practicing teachers are the experts in teaching, and that they learn best from one another.  There are no keynote speakers or outside experts — you learn from your colleagues, and do so in a relaxed environment that fosters sharing and learning. This year’s event will be held at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings, MI.

Contact Deb Vilmont with any questions at dvilmont@grcc.edu or 616-234-4889.

Alumnus Salvador Lopez to speak on February 24

The Latino Student Support Team will be hosting “La Platica” (The Talk) featuring GRCC alumnus Salvador Lopez. “La Platica” is a series on what it takes to be successful featuring positive leaders in the community

Please join us on Wednesday, February 24th, from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. at room 108 Sneden Hall as Salvador highlights important ways to develop student success and what it took for him to be successful.

Appetizers and beverages will be served.

For more information, please contact Rafael Pastrano at 616-234-3103 or Rolando Bocanegra 616-234-3162

We look forward to seeing you!

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