Hall of famer: GRCC’s Mansfield Matthewson honored by West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum for his extraordinary contributions

Posted on November 1, 2022 by grcctoday

Mansfield Matthewson, Grand Rapids Community College’s former purchasing director, was inducted into West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum’s Sustainable Business Hall of Fame earlier this month.

Hall of Fame inductees are recognized for their individual contributions in the workplace for their sustainability efforts and results.

Matthewson was joined by the late Amy Butler, who was the director of sustainability for Michigan State University. Luis Chen, founder of Wormies Vermicompost, was honored as this year’s Future Hall of Fame Award winner.

The Sustainable Business Hall of Fame is a lifetime achievement award recognizing extraordinary contributions to the growth of sustainable business in West Michigan over the course of a career. The Future Hall of Fame award honors an emerging professional whose work deserves wider recognition.

Under Matthewson’s leadership, GRCC made every reasonable opportunity for minority, women, disabled persons and micro business enterprises to participate in GRCC’s contracts as suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors performing work for the college.

“I am very thankful for this lifetime achievement honor,” said Matthewson, who retired from GRCC earlier this year. “As director of purchasing, I thought it was crucial that GRCC’s spend mirror the demographics of the student body and the community we serve.”

Six local businesses also were recognized, including Sustainable Business of the Year South East Market. These organizations and institutions are recognized as best representing the region’s commitment to the triple-bottom line and its efforts to advance climate leadership, social justice and the creation of a circular economy. The other businesses were the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Hope College, Meijer, PADNOS, and Volta Power Systems.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize the important work that local businesses and institutions are doing to advance sustainability outcomes,” said Daniel Schoonmaker, WMSBF executive director. “Our honorees are representative of West Michigan’s leadership within the state and country.”

The honors were bestowed at the organization’s ninth-annual Triple Bottom Line Bash at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre.

GRCC Players present ‘A Doll’s House, Part 2,’ a modern play that follows Ibsen’s 1879 classic

Posted on November 1, 2022 by grcctoday

The GRCC Players will reopen a famously shut door with their production of “A Doll’s House, Part 2,” next month.

Lucas Hnath’s “A Doll’s House, Part 2,” picks up years after the events of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” written in 1879. The original story ended with Nora Helmer deciding to leave her husband and children, slamming the door on everything in her life. “Part 2” starts with a knock on the door and the return of Nora.

The play runs at 8 p.m. Nov. 10 through 12 at Grand Rapids Community College’s Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. A live audio description for the blind or visually impaired will be provided at the Nov. 11 performance. Those who require a headset should reserve it when purchasing tickets. Tickets, which can be purchased online, are $5 for students, $10 for GRCC faculty and staff, and $14 for the public. For more information, call 616-234-3387.

Adjunct instructor Jason Flannery directs the play and notes that audience members don’t have to be familiar with Ibsen’s original in order to appreciate Hnath’s sequel, which he calls “a modern play for a modern audience.”

“The script is very straightforward, with no distractions from the characters and the difficult conversations they’re having on relationships, society, sexism, philosophy and autonomy,” Flannery said.

“This show scrutinizes our values, asking us what truly has meaning to us – be it our independence, our legacy, our duties or our chosen relationships. It’s a play where viewpoints clash, but no character is wrong for thinking the way they do.”

Student Lila Sweet will portray Nora, with Jase Harris as Torvald. Jac Hulst is Anne Marie, and Joanna Kwantes portrays Emmy.

Go Beyond – October 2022

Posted on November 1, 2022 by grcctoday

Student Employment Services sponsors the “Go Beyond” recognition program for Student Employees.

This program recognizes Student Employees who go beyond their normal job responsibilities to provide extraordinary service while working at GRCC.

Nominated student employees receive a special GRCC T-shirt and a gift card.

Congratulations to our “Go Beyond” recipients for October 2022!

Evodie Djunga – Enrollment Center
Jakob Kohsel – Enrollment Center
Robert Jansen – Student Life & Conduct
Latoya Seymour – Student Life & Conduct

GRCC In the News 11/01/2022

Posted on November 1, 2022 by grcctoday

Mansfield Matthewson Inducted into Hall of Fame

10/24/22 West Michigan Sustainable Business Form

Mansfield Matthewson, retired director of purchasing for Grand Rapids Community College, was inducted by members of the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum to the Sustainable Business Hall of Fame during the ninth annual Triple Bottom Line Bash on October 5 at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre.

Morning Buzz: October 31

10/31/22 FOX 17

The 13th annual Restaurant Week GR kicks off on Friday for a nine-day culinary celebration.

… The digital pass is also back and for every check-in through the pass, Experience Grand Rapids donates $1 to a scholarship fund through the Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education.

Best Lunch in Grand Rapids, MI — 15 Top Places!

11/1/22 Family Destinations Guide

Natural parks, gardens, and the local art scene are what you’ll find in Grand Rapids when you visit.

… 14. The Heritage Restaurant

Jim and Donna Brooks support GRCC Lakeshore Campus to strengthen community

Posted on November 1, 2022 by grcctoday