Impact of landmark Brown v. Board of Education case is focus of 2022 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Day keynote

Cheryl Brown Henderson will talk about the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case and its impact as the keynote speaker for the 36th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration.

Henderson is one of the three daughters of the late Rev. Oliver L. Brown, who, in 1950 along with 12 other parents and attorneys for the NAACP, filed suit on behalf of their children against the local Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was the 1954 Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. Brown v. Board of Education was one of the cornerstones of the civil rights movement.

Grand Rapids Community College, Davenport University, and Grand Valley State University collaborate annually on events for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Commemoration Day. The 2022 keynote is planned for 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE in Grand Rapids.

The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5 p.m. Attendees can register at davenport.edu/DEI/MLK.

“Our annual celebration amplifies Dr. King’s historical reflections and philosophies of attaining a fair and just society,” said Latoya Booker, Davenport’s executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion. “Cheryl’s presentation – ‘Brown v. The Board of Education: The Legacy Continues,’ will inspire attendees to take on persistent barriers to advancing educational equity. We are proud to bring Cheryl to Grand Rapids to share her message with our greater community.”

Henderson is the founding president of The Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research, and owner of Brown & Associates, an educational consulting firm.

Henderson founded the Brown Foundation in 1988. It has provided scholarships to more than 100 students of color; presented awards to local, state and national leaders; established libraries for children in low-income communities; developed curriculum on Brown for educators across the country; and sponsored programs on diversity and educational issue.  

The Foundation in 1990 successfully worked with Congress to establish the Brown v. Board of Education National Park in Topeka, Kan., which opened in May 2004. The Foundation in 2001 successfully worked with Congress to establish the Brown v. Board of Education 50th Anniversary Presidential Commission, which served to provide a federal presence in the 2004 anniversary of the Brown decision.

Henderson has an extensive background in education, business and civic leadership, having served on and chaired local, state and national boards. She also has two decades of experience in political advocacy, public policy and federal legislative affairs.

Henderson has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan., a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Emporia State University in Kansas. She has an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Washburn University and an honorary doctorate of Education from the University of South Florida.

To request accommodations to attend this event, please contact the Davenport Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at diversityis@davenport.edu. This event will be held in accordance with local, state and/or federal COVID-19 guidelines.

For more information or to RSVP for the event visit davenport.edu/DEI/MLK.

Tech Tip: Group Vacation Responder

Google has been working on updating various applications to make them more accessible for users no matter where they are working.

The latest update is the ability to add a vacation auto-response to group emails, this must be completed by group managers, with holiday break right around the corner now might be the perfect time to try it out!

1. Sign in to Google Groups.
2. Click the name of a group you wish to add an auto reply to.
3. On the left, go to Group settings and then Email options.
4. In the Auto replies section, check the boxes next to the replies that you want to turn on and then enter a message. 
5. Check “Enable auto-reply to non-members outside the organization” to set up an auto reply for senders outside of GRCC
6. Check “Enable auto-reply to non-members inside the organization.” to set up an auto-reply for senders with a GRCC email address.
7. Click Save changes.

For more information and helpful tips, please visit the IT Customer Support Portal or contact the IT Customer Support Desk at x4357.

If you have a suggestion or a Technology Tip you think can be useful, you can submit them by emailing techtips@grcc.edu 

Wellness Champion: GRCC’s pool offers opportunities for low-impact exercise

Be a champion! GRCC is helping students and employees focus on all areas of health and wellness as we emerge together from the pandemic.

Wellness is a full integration of physical, mental and spiritual health. That includes physical health, but so much more. During the next year we’re also looking at emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental and occupational health, and how we all can work to help ourselves and each other.

There are many resources at GRCC to help all of these types of wellness. Each week, we’ll introduce you to people and places here on campus ready to support you on your wellness journey.

Swimming isn’t just for summer at the beach. It’s a great, low-impact form of exercise that is available free to employees right here on the GRCC campus.

The GRCC natatorium is located on the northeast side of the Gerald R. Ford Field House and is available for lap swimming and water exercise once we return from break.

Madeline Dyer, GRCC’s aquatics director, has been with the college for five years. She was a member of the Grandville swim and water polo teams, and is working on a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ferris State University.

She oversees a team of lifeguards and a six-lane, 25-yard pool that is a comfortable 81 degrees at all times.

The facility has an aquatic lift to ensure accessibility and has equipment available including kickboards, fins, pull buoys, water weights, and aqua-joggers.

There are many physical and mental benefits of swimming. Author Jenny McCoy’s Nov. 17 2021 article on the Self website notes swimming is great for people who are just starting their exercise routines or those looking for advanced cardio workouts.

McCoy notes swimming is an accessible, lifelong activity that helps with heart and lung health in addition to building muscles from head to toe. The low-impact nature of the activity is easier on joints than running.

GRCC’s pool offers lap swimming, water exercise, youth competitive swimming, U.S. Masters Swimming and American Red Cross Lifeguard training to all members of the Grand Rapids community. 

GRCC’s pool serves as a classroom during the academic year, as GRCC’s Exercise Science Department hosts Water Aerobics classes.

If you have questions about our hours of operation, please call our pool deck phone (616) 234-3505 or the main office (616) 234-3990. Additional details are here.

GRCC In the News 12/22/2021

Western Michigan professors secure $29.5M grant to support Grand Rapids-area children

12/21/21 MLive

KALAMAZOO, MI — Two Western Michigan University professors are expanding educational opportunities for Grand Rapids-area children with the help of a nearly $30 million grant.

… The program is a partnership between WMU and Baxter Community Center, Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, Family Futures, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kent Intermediate School District and LINC UP, the release said.

Ferris State president: ‘Isn’t this fabulous?’

12/21/21 The Pioneer (Big Rapids)

BIG RAPIDS – When Ferris football fans welcomed the Bulldogs back to Big Rapids on Sunday, following the 58-17 clobbering of Valdosta State, among the greeters was a very happy university president David Eisler.

… Eisler was president when a decision was made in 2012 to make a coaching change. Tony Annese, who had success on the high school and junior college level (at Grand Rapids CC) was picked by Weisenburger, who was hired by vice president Jerry Scoby with one of his assignments being to re-evaluate the football program.

My GRCC Story: Morgan Brink says Michigan Reconnect provided ‘launchpad’ to earn a college degree, reinvent herself

School was never Morgan Brink’s thing.

“Honestly, I barely graduated from high school,” said Brink, now 32. “But today, I’m taking Honors classes at Grand Rapids Community College — and I’m actually on the Dean’s List!”

So, why the turnaround? Brink credits her new love of learning to three things: maturity, a strict homework schedule and Michigan Reconnect.

Michigan Reconnect is a state scholarship program that provides free in-district tuition for those 25 and older who don’t already have a college degree. This fall, 998 students enrolled at GRCC through Reconnect.

The scholarships are changing the lives of people all over the state.

“After my husband and I lost our screen-printing business during the pandemic, I knew I had to reinvent myself,” said Brink, who lives in Wyoming with her husband, Brandon, and their two children, 5-year-old Thea and 2-year-old Beau.

“As a mom, you really don’t want to take away resources from your kids. But thanks to Reconnect, I can get my degree for free, and it won’t be a financial burden on my family.”

See Full Article

GRCC projecting 5% enrollment increase for Winter 2022 classes; there’s still time to enroll

Grand Rapids Community College enrollment is expected to increase nearly 5% from a year ago, and students still have time to enroll before Winter 2022 classes start on Jan. 10.

As of this week, 10,186 students have enrolled for the Winter 2022 semester, up 4.8% from the 9,715 students a year ago.

About 50% of GRCC’s almost 2,000 available courses are being offered in person, in Grand Rapids and at the new Lakeshore Campus in Holland Township.

Two state programs covering the cost of in-district tuition continue to have an impact, helping students start — or restart – a transformational college education.

“We’re excited to see more people are coming back and enrolling in their first college semester to take advantage of opportunities for a GRCC degree or certificate program to advance in their careers,” said Tina Hoxie, GRCC’s associate provost and dean of Student Affairs. “Students can take as few as two classes a semester to access state financial aid programs and keep moving forward, working around their busy schedules. There is still time to look at courses that are available, and take those next steps.”

Enrollment in Fall 2021 semester credit-seeking classes was up 4.4%.

GRCC has 903 Winter Semester students enrolled through Michigan Reconnect, which is available to residents ages 25 and older who do not already have a college degree. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/reconnect, by emailing reconnect@grcc.edu or by calling (616) 234-3366.

So far, 1,477 students have enrolled through Futures for Frontliners, which was available to residents who worked in essential fields during the state’s 2020 COVID-19 shutdown.

See Full Article

Tech Tip: Google Calendar Focus Time

Google has been working on updating various applications to make them more accessible for users no matter where they are working. The latest update is the ability to add focus time in your calendar. This allows you to add a block in your calendar where no one can schedule a meeting with you and indicates to people who have access to your calendar that you would like to work uninterrupted to focus. 

Instructions to Block off Focus Time:

1. Navigate to calendar.google.com
2. Select the Create + button in the left corner
3. Add a title for your focus time
4. Below the title, select Focus Time 
5. Add in the dates and time
6. Select the check box if you choose to automatically decline any meeting requests that come in during your focus time. 
   1. Choose to either Only new meeting invitations or New and existing meetings
   1. Enter a message that will be sent to anyone trying to set up an appointment to you during this block
7. Add any other details such as location, calendar, or description.
8. Select Save

       As Google updates more of our applications, we will communicate the changes as quickly as possible to allow for our customers!

GRCC In the News 12/21/2021

News 8 at 5:30 p.m.

12/20/21 WOOD TV

(Beverly Drake’s passing.)

WMU education professors receive $29.5M grant to support Grand Rapids children, families

12/20/21 Western Michigan University press release

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A $29.5 million grant will help two Western Michigan University faculty members expand educational opportunities for thousands of children and their families. Drs. Patricia Reeves and Jianping Shen were awarded the grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods Program. One of the largest federal grants in University history, it will fund the Grand Rapids Southeast Promise Neighborhood Project.

… Western along with a group of partners, including Baxter Community Center, Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, Family Futures, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kent Intermediate School District and LINC UP, will create a complete continuum of cradle-to-career solutions for both educational programs and family and community supports, with great schools at the center. 

Annese: “The catalyst of our greatness is love”

12/20/21 The Pioneer (Big Rapids)

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State’s national championship in football was rewarding for so many reasons for head coach Tony Annese.

… Annese recorded a 195-41 (.826) mark as a head coach in four stops at the high school level before totaling a 30-4 (.882) record in three years as the head coach at Grand Rapids Community College.  His overall career mark at all levels is 325-61 (.842) to date and includes three prep state championships and two national JUCO crowns. He claimed his 300th win in 2018 with the national semifinal victory at Minnesota State.

State issues $2M in grants to build talent pipeline with training centers, employers

12/20/21 mibiz.com

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has issued more than $2 million in grants designed to build a more robust pipeline between adult education and workforce training programs and local businesses that are looking to hire.

(This article is illustrated with a courtesy photo from GRCC.)

The GRCC family extends condolences to Vicki Janowiak

Condolences to Vicki Janowiak, GRCC’s executive director for operational planning, on the loss of her mother.

Janice “Jan” Vollink, 84, of Holland passed away on Saturday, Dec. 18.

Mrs. Vollink was proud to have been a charter member of Haven Christian Reformed Church and a current member of First Reformed Church of Zeeland. She married Bob Vollink in 1959 and after being a stay-at-home mom for nearly 15 years, Jan re-entered the workforce. She enjoyed working at the Dutchess shop in Zeeland, and then spent 20-plus years as a successful travel agent, allowing her to travel the world with her husband and extended family.

Mrs. Vollink always said “work is what I do best,” and when the travel agency closed she worked for another 20 years at Michigan West Shore nursery and became part of a new work family there. A funeral honoring Mrs. Vollink is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Visitation is planned for 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be given to Zeeland Christian Schools.

The GRCC family extends condolences to Vicki Janowiak

Condolences to Vicki Janowiak, GRCC’s executive director for operational planning, on the loss of her mother.

Janice “Jan” Vollink, 84, of Holland passed away on Saturday, Dec. 18.

Mrs. Vollink was proud to have been a charter member of Haven Christian Reformed Church and a current member of First Reformed Church of Zeeland. She married Bob Vollink in 1959 and after being a stay-at-home mom for nearly 15 years, Jan re-entered the workforce. She enjoyed working at the Dutchess shop in Zeeland, and then spent 20-plus years as a successful travel agent, allowing her to travel the world with her husband and extended family.

Mrs. Vollink always said “work is what I do best,” and when the travel agency closed she worked for another 20 years at Michigan West Shore nursery and became part of a new work family there. A funeral honoring Mrs. Vollink is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Visitation is planned for 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be given to Zeeland Christian Schools.

GRCC Foundation board member Bev Drake remembered as a champion for those in need

Beverly A. Drake is being remembered as a champion for those in need and a mentor to community leaders across West Michigan.

Drake, a Grand Rapids Junior College alumna and a member of the GRCC Foundation board of directors for 27 years, passed away Saturday. She was 80.

“Bev was such a phenomenal person,” said Dr. Kathryn K. Mullins, GRCC’s vice president for College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation. “She devoted her life to helping others, caring deeply about helping people overcome obstacles to success, especially through education – and GRCC. So many people in our community respected her, and sought out her friendship and wisdom. She touched the lives of many and will be missed.”

Drake was the executive director of Area Community Services Employment and Training from 1985 to 2011. The organization creates opportunities for economic self-sufficiency for low-income, economically disadvantaged, elderly, disabled, unemployed and underemployed people and dislocated workers.

“My life’s work reflects helping those who were not ordinarily able to access opportunities, be that education, training or jobs,” she said in a 2015 interview. “I like to think that I was able to open doors for people and to help others because I had been helped.”

Prior to working with ACSTC, Drake served in various positions with the Grand Rapids government and Grand Rapids Area Employment and Training Council.

Drake was a graduate of Grand Rapids’ South High School, attended GRJC, and Michigan State and Grand Valley State universities.

She served on the GRCC Foundation board starting in 1994. Among her many honors is being named GRCC’s Distinguished Alumna in 1995.

“We will miss Bev tremendously,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “But her influence on this community will long be felt through the people she helped. She was all about helping others as seen through her work with the workforce investment board as well as her commitment to our GRCC Foundation. She created opportunities that changed lives, and inspired many others to do the same. That’s a legacy they will be with us for many years to come.”

My Story Started at GRCC: Walker Mayor Gary Carey says GRCC prepared him for careers in business, public service

Start at GRCC and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful.

Gary Carey has two professions – and his GRCC experience has helped him with both.

An Introduction to Marketing class taught by Mark Mulder helped him find one career.

“Mark was a retired business executive and passionate teacher who challenged us to be inquisitive and understand the ‘why’ behind things,” Carey said. “My class experience was why I changed my career path and went into business for sales and marketing.”

After getting his associate degree, he earned a bachelor’s degree in integrative studies with a leadership emphasis from Grand Valley State University. His 30-year business career has taken him to positions at IKON Business Solutions, Canon Business Solutions and Paycor. Currently, he is the Michigan market leader for Gibson Insurance.

Public service is Carey’s other career: He has served on boards and committees in Walker since 1999. He was elected to represent the 2nd Ward on the City Commission in 2013 and became mayor in 2019.

GRCC has helped Carey with that calling as well.

“Just as our community has residents and businesses that come from diverse backgrounds and have different plans and goals in life, my time at GRCC was no different,” he said. “My experience in understanding that everyone has a story – and no one story is more important than another – has helped prepare me for a successful business career and serving in elected office.”

Carey appreciated how his GRCC instructors helped him “connect dots” from the course materials to the real world.

“This was done in smaller class sizes with instructors who are recognized in their field as subject matter experts,” he said. “Even today, I see some of those instructors out in our communities and it still surprises me they remember people and names, and still provide support for our lives outside the classroom.”

 Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply.

Winter 2022 employee exercise class schedule

After holiday break, we’re all going to want and need to move more! During the winter months, lift your spirits, increase your energy, and release stress with these employee exercise classes. 

Please register via this form ahead of time and calendar appointments will be sent and links will be included for the virtual options.

Mondays

RaiderStrong with Lannie

12:00-12:45pm

Room 212 FFH

Tuesdays

Fitness Fusion with Beth

12:00-12:45pm

214 FFH

Virtual option also available

Wednesdays

RaiderStrong with Lannie

12:00-12:45pm

Room 212 FFH

Thursdays

Strength Blast with Lannie

12:00-12:30pm

212 FFH

Virtual option also available

Fridays

Express Yoga with Heather

12:15-12:45pm

Room 212 FFH

*Please bring your own yoga mat*

Virtual option also available

Please direct any questions to angelasalinas@grcc.edu

Tech Tip: Protecting personally identifiable information

As we continue working remotely and in person, IT wants to remind our community about the importance of not storing documents with personally identifiable information (PII) inside your Department’s Google Team Drive.

If this information needs to be stored, it should be stored inside the S: Drive for security purposes. For more information view the Team Drive Guidelines folder inside your Google Team Drive or the below college policy. 

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Policy

For more information and helpful tips, please visit the IT Customer Support Portal or contact the IT Customer Support Desk at x4357.

If you have a suggestion or a Technology Tip you think can be useful, you can submit them by emailing techtips@grcc.edu 

GRCC In the News 12/20/2021

‘Bad’ shooting Hamtramck makes 12 3-pointers in win against Godwin Heights

12/18/21 MLive

GRAND RAPIDS – Hamtramck boys basketball coach Dennis Foster Jr. has a word or two for the way his team shot in Saturday afternoon’s 81-54 win over Godwin Heights.

… Saturday’s game was a homecoming for Foster, who played basketball at Grand Rapids Community College in the mid-1990s.

“It’s great coming home,” Foster said. “I played in Grand Rapids for two years at Grand Rapids Community College for David Selmon, so this is great.

Economic development official seeks a shovel-ready, talent-rich lakeshore

12/19/21 mibiz.com

As the president of Lakeshore Advantage Corp., the economic development organization for Allegan and Ottawa counties, Jennifer Owens is on the frontlines of newly ramped up efforts to land major projects in Michigan. Owens is part of statewide coalitions pushing for more tax incentive tools, which could help in landing new tenants at potential industrial sites on her lakeshore turf. Owens recently discussed these efforts that exploded after Ford’s announcement to invest $11.4 billion outside of Michigan, as well as making the case to lakeshore voters about the need for a local community college.

… (Owens quote) Access and affordability of higher education. In our region right now, we do not have an in-district community college. What we’re seeing is to get higher-paying jobs above the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold, you need education above the high school level, which we’re lacking. We’ve been working with Grand Rapids Community College and are looking at a millage in Holland, Zeeland and West Ottawa. We’ve taken a step back to educate the greater public that we don’t have an in-district community college.

‘A monumental thing’: Ferris State wins first DII national championship in dominating fashion

12/19/21 The Detroit News

Ferris State waited a long time for this moment.

… For (Tony) Annese, this actually is his third national title; he won two at Grand Rapids Community College before he was hired by Ferris State ahead of the 2012 season.

DII football champ Ferris State: This is for those who came back, those who came before us

12/19/21 The Detroit News

In the lead-up to Saturday’s Division II national championship game, the Ferris State football team sat down for a team meeting that lasted about an hour.

… Things have been trending this direction for several years for Ferris State, which in 2012 hired (Tony) Annese away from Grand Rapids Community College, where he won two national championships. Annese went 7-4 his first season and 8-3 his second. He hasn’t had fewer than 10 wins or missed the playoffs (2020’s cancellation notwithstanding) since 2013.