GRCC In the News, 6-28-17

Rice News Release: OpenStax’s 2016 partner schools expected to save students $8.2M

June 27, 2017; newsroomamerica.com

HOUSTON — (June 27, 2017) — Eleven U.S. colleges and universities that partnered last summer with Rice University-based nonprofit publisher OpenStax (https://openstax.org/) to boost the use of freely available textbooks and learning materials on their campuses expect the program to save their students nearly $8.2 million — about $4 million more than projected — in the coming academic year.

… OpenStax’s other longstanding institutional partners include Auburn University (Alabama), BCcampus (British Columbia), Central New Mexico Community College, Grand Rapids Community College (Michigan), Maricopa Community Colleges (Arizona), Ohio State University, Salt Lake Community College (Utah), Tarrant County College (Texas), the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the University of Idaho, the University of Georgia, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Texas at San Antonio, the University System of Georgia and Virginia Tech.

 

GRCC retiree biography: Paula Termeer

Paula Termeer started to work at GRCC as an adjunct instructor from 1992 to 1997.  In 2007, she returned as an adjunct instructor for the Psychology Department at GRCC.

Here’s what Paula shared with us about her teaching experience at GRCC:

I began at GRCC (then GRJC!) in 1992, teaching in the Public Service Department, basically criminal justice classes, while working for 61st District Court. The position was discontinued with the hiring of fulltime faculty about 1997. I was invited to return about 2006 to teach in the Psychology Department while working at Pine Rest. All positions have been as adjuncts.

Some of my favorite student stories have revolved around those who struggled the most. One in particular was a young man from Africa, who didn’t think he needed to take “remedial” classes (foundations) and failed his first semester. By the luck of the draw, he had me again the next semester, and we sat down and discussed what he needed to do different. He implemented the changes, in all of his classes, and passed with flying colors. I was able to help him get a job as a parking attendant for Spectrum Health and as he continued in college, he moved up the ranks of his jobs there. A few years later, he invited me to his graduation at GVSU and announced he was accepted to the Physician Assistant program at GVSU and I attended that graduation as well. Another student I had in my first class at GRJC back in 1992. When she finished undergrad, she happened to contact me about a MSW program and later asked me to supervise her internship, which I did. We worked as colleagues at Pine Rest for several years and this year, I recruited her to teach the class she had me for, in the Public Service Division. So we went full circle in that relationship!

For retirement, my husband and I will be able to do a lot more traveling, seeing the U.S. and Europe, at this point. I also accepted the position of director of women’s ministry at our church and am writing a blog on what to say when you don’t know what to say!

I loved my time at GRCC and look forward to seeing the new trends in college in the future.

Paula, on behalf of your GRCC community, we want to thank you for your commitment and service to GRCC.  Your contributions to our students’ lives can never be measured.  Happy retirement!

Photos and video from Jamie Washington’s presentation

On June 22, Dr. Jamie Washington, president and founder of the Washington Consulting Group, discussed “Belonging: The Heart and the Head of the Matter.”

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Retirement party for Jamie Hitchings to be held 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.