Josh Engwall (IT Desktop Support Technician), and his wife Rachael, welcomed their first son on Saturday, August 20 at 5:45 AM.
Kyler Engwall joined this world weighing 8 lbs 1 oz and is so far very active, eating and sleeping well.
Both mom, dad and baby are doing great!
So much has changed this past summer! The Web and Digital Strategy Department wanted to share a reminder to check your webpages to make sure they are reflecting those changes with up-to-date information.
This may include updating:
We know you are all busy gearing up for the fall semester. If you need help with any of these updates, please submit a ticket to webhelp@grcc.edu and we would be happy to assist you.
Thank you for helping us provide the best information and user experience for our students.
Thanks!
The Web Team
Student Life will host Involvement Day 2022 on Wednesday, September 7 from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on the Dr. Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza.
This event is designed to pull together our campus student organizations, departments and programs as well as community organizations to build community and inspire involvement!
We will provide tables and chairs as well as any other accommodations.
Welcome Week Involvement Day Tabling sign up
Photos from Involvement Day 2021
Corbin Jensen’s life-changing moment came in a GRCC classroom: a cell biology course taught by Todd Tiano, a professor in the Biological Sciences Department.
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.
“I was able to do DNA extraction and other really cool science experiments for the first time in my life,” Jensen said. “Being able to visualize what had previously been an abstract concept, like DNA, changed the way I viewed science.
“I have done countless DNA extractions and gel-electrophoresis experiments since then, and I still think it is fascinating and cool. The exposure to hands-on science is one of my favorite things about my time at GRCC.”
That moment changed more lives than just Jensen’s. The interest in biology sparked in that class led him to study it further after he left GRCC in 2014. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Michigan State University and a doctorate in cancer biology from the University of Arizona, where he received the Jim Cockrum Innovation Award.
He is now doing a research fellowship studying childhood cancers at St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Jensen, who was born in Romania, credits his “underdog mentality” and the support he received at GRCC with setting him on his career path. Tiano and professor Greg Forbes encouraged him to apply for the Meijer internship program at the Van Andel Institute, and Jensen did research under the mentorship of Physical Sciences professors Jennifer Batten and Tom Neils.
“Without the help of GRCC faculty, I would not have pursued my internship at the VAI,” Jensen said. “Not only did they expose me to opportunities that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise, but they were also invaluable resources after I graduated.”
Preparation can lead GRCC students to exciting opportunities, he said.
“GRCC is what you make it,” he said. “If you seek the stars, it can be a launchpad as you reach for the moon, or it can be a building with four walls and a chalkboard – the choice is up to you.”
Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply
The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team picked up its first two wins of the season on Saturday, bouncing back after dropping the team’s first two matches in the McHenry College Invitational Tournament.
“I think for it being our first real outing we came out pretty strong,” sophomore outside Audrey Torres said. “Obviously it would have been great to defeat Iowa Central in the first game, but I loved that we were able to incorporate every player this weekend. We have lots to improve on, but everyone played a huge role so I’m really proud of everyone’s performance.”
GRCC faced Carl Sandburg College in its first match, scoring the first five points, including three aces by Torres. Carl Sandburg had a six-point run late to get back in the game, but GRCC held on to win 25-22.
GRCC dominated set two by winning 25-17, but the opponent from Galesburg, Ill., took the third set 25-22. The Raiders responded in the fourth, and picked up their first win of 2022 after a 25-18 victory.
Sophomore outside hitter Kara Hecht had a match-high 15 kills and added 11 digs and a block. Torres finished with 13 kills and a match-high 17 digs. Eliza Thelen had a career-best 14 kills and hit .367 while Karissa Ferry hit a match-high .467 with eight kills and just one error.
GRCC concluded the tournament by defeating State College of Florida in straight sets, 25-18, 25-23, 25-22.
Torres had a double-double, with 14 kills and 10 digs. Thelen, Hecht, and Ferry all added eight kills.
Alena Visnovsky, GRCC’s leading blocker, led the team with four blocks. The sophomore middle now has 17 blocks.
GRCC on Saturday travels to Perrysburg, Ohio to participate in the Owens Express Invitational Tournament. The Raiders are scheduled to take on three teams, including two matches against top-ten teams.
The matches will be streamed on the team’s Facebook site.
Grand Rapids Community College baseball players Ryan Dykstra and Jerad Berkenpas played big roles in the Kalamazoo Growlers’ Northwoods League Championship victory Thursday.
The Growlers defeated the Duluth Huskies 8-3 to become the champions of the summer, wood-bat league for elite college players.
Ryan Dykstra, who graduated from GRCC and is headed to Oakland University, drove home two runs, had two hits and a walk in the championship game.
Dykstra’s .422 batting average led the GRCC team last season, and he also had the most runs, hits, doubles, home runs, and runs batted in. That performance earned him four postseason honors from the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. He was named All-Region, All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference. He also was named to the All-Tournament team at the regionals after batting .588 in five games.
He plans to enter the teaching or business world after graduating from Oakland.
Jerad Berkenpas, who pitches for GRCC and is returning this season, started the game and threw six innings with two strikeouts allowing only one run to score.
Berkenpas was also named All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and to the All-Tournament team at regionals after tallying two wins.
The 6-foot, 5-inch righty was GRCC’s top pitcher and led the team with a 9-2 record, 1.41 ERA, 71 strikeouts, .223 opponents’ batting average, and had four complete games.
GRCC touts options ahead of fall semester
8/19/22 WOOD TV
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids Community College says it has options for those who want to get a degree but don’t want to quit working to go to school.
Robert Kozminski Memorial Golf Classic honors legacy of fallen GRPD Officer 15 years later
8/20/22 WZZM
WALKER, Michigan — Dozens of golf carts sat between the tee boxes on the first hole of Gracewil Country Club, full of law enforcement personnel and supporters. They’re not on duty, instead, they’re supporting one another and honoring the memory of one of their own – slain GRPD officer Robert ‘Bobby’ Kozminski.
… “All the money goes to his scholarship at Grand Rapids Community College,” said Richard Kozminski, Robert’s father. “We give out one or two scholarships every year to a young man or woman studying at the GRCC police academy.”
Whitmer Announces Grants for Workforce Training to Get Michiganders Back to Work in Good-Paying Jobs
8/19/22 state press release
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce Michigan Strategic Fund approval of more than $2.8 million in Training Center Equipment Grants to 74 training providers around the state. The funds will be used to provide employer-driven workforce training, skills development, equipment training and more to Michigan workers.
… As one of the grant administrators, Lakeshore Advantage was allocated $105,000 to support the Thompson M-TEC/Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, Grand Rapids Community College, and the Allegan County Area Technical & Education Center. The funds will be used for adult education, community college manufacturing education and vocational training.
Underdog Kalamazoo Growlers capture first Northwoods League championship
8/19/22 MLive
KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Growlers entered the Northwoods League playoffs with the worst record among the eight qualifying teams, but that mattered little when they took the field Thursday in the college summer baseball league’s championship game.
Behind a strong start from Byron Center native and Grand Rapids Community College pitcher Jerad Berkenpas, the Growlers defeated the Duluth Huskies, 8-3, to capture the first Northwoods League World Series title in the franchise’s nine-year history.
Kater’s unique approach brings new attitude, new outlook to Rockets’ football program
8/19/22 Local Sports Journal (Muskegon)
MUSKEGON – The Friday of the first official week of football practice is a big day for many high school football teams, and Reeths-Puffer is certainly no exception.
… (Cody) Kater became familiar with the “Big Red way” of doing things in 2011 at Grand Rapids Community College, where he was the starting quarterback and former Muskegon High coach Tony Annese was the head coach. He learned from Annese how to truly connect with young men on many car rides from GR back to the White Lake area, where both of them lived.
Rapid bus system makes route changes after Byron Township axes contract
8/20/22 MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Rapid bus system is making changes to a route in southern Kent County after Byron Township eliminated its contract with the transportation provider.
… Since the board voted, (Treasurer Robin) Haaksma said she hasn’t heard from any residents who are affected by the elimination of the township’s bus service. However, before the vote she said she was contacted by a mother whose two children used the Go!Bus to get to Grand Rapids Community College.
Come by and have some cake!
We are gathering to say goodbye to Emily Nisley before she moves on, and to congratulate her on a long and successful career at GRCC.
Drop in and say hi while you have the chance.
In SCC 2 Raider Grille Terrace, on August 24, from 2 p.m to 4 p.m.
Please join the GRCC Foundation and Dr. Olivarez for a picnic lunch on Opening Day in the Raider Grille.
Thursday, August 25, 2022
11:30am-1:30pm
Location: Raider Grille
We will be serving food from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and we look forward to welcoming you all back for another amazing academic year!
Please take the time to stop by and say Hi!
Raider Rally 2022 – Save the Date!
Saturday, August 27, 10 a.m – 1 p.m.
Dr. Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza
GRCC’s annual Raider Rally is coming soon. New students enrolled for the fall semester are invited to come to campus to join faculty and staff for a fun, welcoming event.
We will have food and free giveaways. Additionally, students will be able to speak with academic departments and student organizations. Students will also be able to get their RaiderCard and books, and tour campus.
We need your help to pull off this huge event. If your office or department would like to host a table that day, please fill out this form: Department Sign Up
We also need volunteers to help for the day. We need folks to greet students and their guests, check folks in, direct people, and serve as building guides. Volunteer Sign Up
Have questions? Email Lina Blair (linablair@grcc.edu) or Lori Cook (lcook@grcc.edu)
Hi Everyone!
We are looking for volunteers to help with the Information Stations that will be set up for the first three days of the new semester.
Sharing in the excitement of new opportunities, easing nerves, and helping students find their way is a great way to start the semester and show our students that we support them.
As we have in the recent past, we will have stations set up Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, August 29 through August 30 in four locations.
The stations on the north end of the Dr. Juan Olivarez Plaza, the first floor of Sneden Hall and the fourth floor of the Finkelstein (Main) Building will be open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
The station at the second floor entrance of the ATC will be open from 5-6:30 p.m.
Here’s the link to sign up! F22 Info Station Sign up
We’re busy getting ready for an exciting Fall semester with new surprises, expanded services and hours!
The daily employee newsletter of Grand Rapids Community College 