Work of world-renowned artist and GRCC alumnus Peter Fink on display in renovated Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall

Grand Rapids Community College is sharing a generous gift it received with West Michigan: a collection of photographs by world-renowned artist and alumnus Peter Fink.

Mort and Peg Finkelstein, archivists for the Finkelstein family, are allowing the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation to keep the collection with a permanent bequest in the future.

“It is with great honor and pride that we are able to loan, from our personal family collection, many of these works by Peter Fink,” Mort Finkelstein said. “This photography collection was all originally sent to our parents by Peter during his many years of travel throughout the world.”

The public can view the photos — which have been exhibited in more than 60 institutions in the United States, Israel, Cuba, France and England — starting Aug. 24 in GRCC’s Paul Collins Art Gallery. The gallery, which is on the fourth floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall at 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, is open 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; admission is free.

“We’re so proud not only to accept this wonderful gift, but to be able to share it with our community starting with this exhibition,” said Dr. Kathryn K. Mullins, GRCC vice president for Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation. “GRCC, our students, and our community continue to benefit from the generosity of the Finkelstein family. Current and future students can learn about Peter Fink, his roots here at GRCC and be inspired to follow their own dreams.”

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Ice Cream Social with Ohana Ice Aug. 24 & Aug. 25

Reconnect with your GRCC Family and enjoy a frozen tasty treat!

The Ohana Hawaiian Shaved Ice truck is visiting the Tassell MTEC, DeVos Campus, and the Main Campus, so be sure to save the date on your calendar!

Tuesday August 24

11:30am-1:00pm at the Tassell MTEC (near front entrance)

2:00-4:00pm at the DeVos Campus (Admin. Bldg parking lot)

Wednesday August 25

12:30-3:00pm at Main Campus (at the South end of the Commons)

Volunteers STILL needed for Information Station Aug. 30-Sept. 1

It’s that time: We are looking for volunteers to help with the Information Stations! As you may know, volunteers at the Information Stations help our students feel welcome and find their way around campus. This will be especially important this semester!

This year, we are holding an information table outside of the new Enrollment Center prior to Fall start. The first three days of Fall start will be the stations set up around campus like in the recent past.

As you look at the volunteer sign-up sheet, please take note of the three different tabs to sign up accordingly!

• Semester Start Stations: August 30-September 1 from 7:00am-6:30pm

Sign up here

Details about Information Stations that may look a bit different this semester:
We are inviting two volunteers to each station, but please prioritize filling each station so we can guarantee coverage for the 2-hour commitments.

1. Please follow the current campus protocols while working at the information station to minimize contact and germ spreading.
2. Each station will have two tables and 2 chairs in addition to plexiglass barriers and signs indicating wayfinding.
3. Instead of having a binder of information that everyone thumbs through, a Google doc. will have all relevant information. This will allow us to keep information up-to-date as things change.
4. Please bring your GRCC-issued laptop or tablet to access the Google doc. of information (again, to minimize the spread of germs).
5. Handouts at each station will include campus maps, Sneden shuttle flyers and GetHelp cards.
6. Please plan on bringing your own water and snacks as these will not be provided.

There will be hand sanitizer at each table. We will also have antibacterial wipes so the table can be wiped down at the end of each shift.

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Fox, Student Resources Coordinator, at (616) 234-2543 or ashleyfox1@grcc.edu.

Let’s celebrate Shipping/Receiving & Facilities retirees!

Please join us Tuesday, August 24, 2021, any time from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., in the Raider Grille and Terrace to congratulate this group of great GRCC retiring employees!  Thank you for delivering our packages, making sure the campus was clean and operational, and so many other things!  

Congratulations and best wishes to all of you!

• Dale Betts
• Essie McGhee
• Bryan Wible
• Dale Young
• Joe Milito
• Aaron Brooks
• Bruce Walski 

Please remember that COVID protocol, including social distancing and masks are still in place.

Raider Rally is BACK – volunteers needed!

We are very excited to announce that Raider Rally will be back for Fall 2021 kick off on Saturday, August 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza

We are looking for volunteers to help us pull off this wonderful event. Help is needed to greet and direct students, check them in, hand out goodies, and more. Please sign up here. 

If you have any questions, please email Lori Cook at lcook@grcc.edu.

Student Organization renewal/activation window is open

All new and returning student organizations must be registered or re-registered to benefit from being a student organization. Any students looking to renew a student organization or form a new one can look up the requirements on the Student Life webpage.

To renew or create a new student organization, you can log in to Raider Connect, then navigate to the student organization registration page. There is no longer a deadline to renew/create a student organization, but all student organization related activity requires annual renewal/activation. Your student organization must renew in order to take advantage of the benefits of being a registered student organization!

Perks of being a registered student organization:

• Reserve space on campus for meetings and events
• Table to recruit students to your organization
• Post flyers up of your student organization
• Travel as a student organization
• Ask for funding for meetings, events, and conferences
• Fundraise on campus (use of cash box, and RaiderCard readers)
• Use of storage space

If you have questions, please let us know by calling 616-234-4160, emailing studentlife@grcc.edu or stopping by our office; first floor of the Student Center! We’re excited to see you.

Raider Rally, Involvement Day signups due

We are excited to be hosting Raider Rally and Involvement Day in person again this year! These two events are awesome opportunities to welcome new and returning students back to campus and to recruit them to your organizations:

• Raider Rally will be hosted on Saturday, August 28, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on the Olivarez Plaza. Sign up for a table online.
• Involvement Day will be hosted Wednesday, September 8, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on the Olivarez Plaza. Sign up for a table online.

If you have questions, please let us know by calling 616-234-4160, emailing studentlife@grcc.edu or stopping by our office; first floor of the Student Center! We’re excited to see you.

GRCC In the News, 08/24/2021

Almost 400 in-person classes at GRCC still have openings

August 23, 2021; FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Community College still has openings in almost 400 on-campus classes as of Monday, with time remaining to enroll before the Aug. 30 start of the Fall 2021 semester.

Seats in on-campus classes still available in final week before GRCC’s fall 2021 semester starts

August 23, 2021; secondwavemedia.com

If you want to be among the first students to take classes at Grand Rapids Community College’s new Lakeshore Campus, it’s not too late to sign up. 

GRCC opens new Lakeshore Campus

August 23, 2021; Grand Rapids Magazine

Grand Rapids Community College officially opened a new 52,000-square-foot Lakeshore Campus at the former JCPenney store in The Shops at Westshore Mall, 12331 James St. in Holland.

From department store to college, GRCC’s new Lakeshore Campus opens

August 23, 2021; secondwavemedia.com

Calling it a historic day for the more-than-century-old educational institution, Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink joined Ottawa County leaders in celebrating the opening of the new Lakeshore Campus. Its new home is a former shuttered department store that has been transformed into a vibrant learning hub for students of all ages.

GRCC Lakeshore Campus celebrates opening in Holland

August 23, 2021; WGVU

Grand Rapids Community College is celebrating the opening of its Lakeshore Campus.

Pulitzer Prize and Emmy winners headlining GRCC speakers series

August 23, 2021; secondwavemedia.com

Grand Rapids Community College is bringing in some high-profile speakers for a series designed to explore issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.