GRCC basketball coach Luke Bronkema leaves the program
3/25/19 MLive
Luke Bronkema, coach of the Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team the past three seasons, has left the team to focus on his family, according to a release from the school.
San Diego Chef Tim Kolanko Leaves Blue Bridge Hospitality For New Role At Urban Kitchen Group
3/25/19 sandiegoville.com
We announced earlier this year that longtime Urban Kitchen Group Corporate Executive Chef Joe Magnanelli was leaving the hospitality company to take the helm at Brian Malarkey’s incoming Animae luxury Asian fusion restaurant. We now know that the restaurant collective behind Cucina Urbana and others has hired Tim Kolanko to fill the open position. Kolanko has been leading the culinary operations for more than 6 years at Blue Bridge Hospitality (Stake Chophouse, Leroy’s Kitchen, Liberty Public Market).
Chef Tim Kolanko boasts more than two decades of culinary experience working under some of the most respected chefs in San Diego and beyond. A graduate of the Culinary Arts program of Grand Rapids Community College, Kolanko spent months backpacking throughout Europe before joining the kitchen at the highly-acclaimed Tapawingo restaurant in Michigan in 2000. Kolanko went on to move to Aspen for a short stint before relocating to San Diego in 2002 to cook under The Lodge at Torrey Pines referred Executive Chef Jeff Jackson. In 2005, Kolanko was promoted to Chef de Cuisine of A.R. Valentien where he spent seven years honing his skills in Califoria [sic] cuisine. In 2013, Kolanko was named Executive Chef of Blue Bridge Hospitality, where he managed the kitchens at the companies many concepts, including Leroys Kitchen + Lounge, MooTime Creamery, Village Pizzeria, Lil Piggys Bar-B-Q, Coronado Coffee Company, Liberty Public Market, Stake Chophouse, West Pac Noodle Bar, Maretalia, and El Roy’s.
Employment Expertise: Learning new skills for second career
3/25/19 Hillsdale Daily News
Gina Mancha was displaced from a long career in automotive manufacturing and needed to find a new career.
… Gina attended classes at Grand Rapids Community College while working as an apprentice at Spectrum Health.
WTMC cultivates college success, personal growth
3/25/19 The Washtenaw Voice
Washtenaw Technical Middle College (WTMC) was established in 1997 and gives high school students a unique learning experience that allows them to graduate with up to 80 college credits.
… Although the concept of a technical middle college — commonly referred to as an early middle college — is relatively new, similar programs are seen throughout the state of Michigan. Eastern Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Grand Rapids Community College and Kalamazoo Valley Community College are a few examples of colleges in Michigan with resources available to high school students extending beyond dual enrollment.
Ryan Brady takes 20-year detour to Saginaw Valley State football program
3/26/19 MLive
SAGINAW, MI — After 20 years, Ryan Brady can finally call himself a Cardinal.
… He jumped into coaching, with high school stops at Muskegon, Chesaning, Montrose and Perry and working on college staffs at Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley and Ferris, where he has coached the past seven seasons.
Saginaw Valley State picks Ryan Brady, ex-GVSU quarterback, as new head coach
3/25/19 The Detroit News
Saginaw Valley State has a new head football coach.
… (Ryan) Brady also has worked on the staffs at Grand Valley State, as QBs coach in 2003, aside from several high-school positions (Perry High, Montrose High, Chesaning High, Muskegon High), and three years as the offensive coordinator at Grand Rapids Community College, which had the nation’s highest-scoring offense during his tenure.
Laikyn Pait Solid For Southeastern Softball
3/25/19 bladenonline.com
West Bladen grad Laikyn Pait batted 2-4 and slugged her third home run of the season Tuesday, but her Southeastern Community College Lady Ram softball team dropped an 11-7 decision to Louisburg.
… The sophmore [sic] catcher slammed 2 doubles, drove in 2 runs and scored a run in a 5-3 loss to Florence-Darlington Technical. Pait doubled and scored twice in an 11-2 win over Grand Rapids Community College.
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