GRCC In the News, 6-20-17

Grand Rapids Restaurant Week expands to include lunch

June 19, 2017; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Restaurant Week Grand Rapids is expanding to include lunch, organizers announced Monday, June 19.

… Since 2010, Restaurant Week participating restaurants and sponsors have contributed over $110,000 to the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education’s Student Scholarship Fund at Grand Rapids Community College.

East Grand Rapids elects new chair, vice chair for Parks Commission

June 19, 2017; MLive

The East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Commission has named two longtime residents as their new chair and vice chair for 2017-2018.

… (Rick) Sprague, who received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University, works as a transportation planner for the Kent County Road Commission and as an adjunct professor at Grand Rapids Community College.

Carlos Sanchez to fill vacant board seat

Carlos Sanchez

During a June 19 meeting, the board of trustees selected Carlos Sanchez to fill a vacant seat.

Sanchez is director of the Latino Business and Economic Development Center at Ferris State University. He previously was program coordinator for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, diversity specialist at Spectrum Health, executive director of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and interim executive director of the Hispanic Center of West Michigan. He has served on the boards of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, the Center for Community Leadership and the Dyer-Yves and Grand Rapids Community foundations.

GRCC retiree biography: Jim Peterson

Jim Peterson has worked at GRCC since 2005 as the executive director of Financial Services. Jim had the following information to share about his experiences at GRCC and plans for retirement:

I have been at GRCC for over 12 years, serving as executive director of Financial Services. In January 2005, I was hired by then VP Bob Partridge. Prior to joining GRCC, I served in a similar role at Muskegon Community College for about 15 years, and prior to that worked for a CPA firm.

I got to know Bob, as well as Todd Hurley, Sharon Gates, Cherry Scaturro and others through the Michigan Community College Business Officers Association. They were a fun group and really seemed to enjoy working at GRCC. I felt fortunate to have the opportunity to join them.  GRCC is a much larger place than MCC, and, at first, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. I guess I realized I belonged at GRCC when I learned that many others also found PeopleSoft to be a bit frustrating!

However, GRCC challenged me and gave me the opportunity to work in areas such as labor negotiations, insurance and risk management and with the Foundation.  During it all, I had the pleasure and privilege to work, learn and laugh with a great group of colleagues, not only in Finance and Administration, but throughout the college. Deciding to retire has been difficult. I will miss much about my day to day work and interactions at GRCC

My interests outside of work include cycling (I even started bike commuting to work last summer), skiing and traveling. My wife and I have had the opportunity to participate in medical mission trips to Central America in recent years, and hope to do so again in the future. We also have a small condo in the Petoskey area, where I hope to be able to spend some more time overseeing (I’m no DIY’er!) some much needed updates.

Jim, on behalf of your GRCC community, we all wish you the very best in retirement. Thank you so much for your service to GRCC!

As a reminder, Jim’s retirement reception will be held June 21 from 3-5 p.m. on the first floor of White Hall on the Devos campus.

Retirement reception for Jamie Hitchings on June 29

The retirement reception for IT analyst Jamie Hitchings will be held on Thursday, June 29, from 2- 4 p.m. in the IT lobby, room 130 in Sneden Hall.  Weather permitting, we might also celebrate on the garden of the Sneden patio, which is just down the hall from the IT office.  Please join us in saying “thank you” and “happy retirement” to Jamie.

New location for Jamie Washington’s presentation on June 22

The Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion and the College Action Project 1.1.3-Inclusion Team are bringing Dr. Jamie Washington to campus on June 22 to talk with faculty and staff about their role in creating a culture of belonging.

Here’s the schedule for his visit — note the new location for his talk:

• 9-10:30 a.m. — breakfast in ATC rooms 120-122.
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — lunch in ATC room 124.
• 1:30-3 p.m. — discussion in the Spectrum Theater.

More information and a registration link is available here. If you have questions, please let CAP co-chairs Sophia Brewer, sbrewer@grcc.edu, or Tamber Bustance, tbustance@grcc.edu, know.