Celebrating Scholarfest 2022

Celebrating careers of service! The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation on Tuesday honored Dr. Juan R. Olivarez and Mary Olivarez at the 2022 Scholarfest, the first event in the Secchia Piazza.

As GRCC’s eighth president, Juan Olivarez forged community partnerships and increased educational opportunities for underserved populations. Mary Olivarez is equally committed to education, spending 24 years with Grand Rapids Public Schools, teaching kindergarten and early childhood education, and working with students with multiple impairments.

It was an evening of wonderful stories, fabulous meals — and a special brew — created by students in the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, and increased financial support for GRCC students. Steve Jessmore captured the moments.

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GRCC Stuff the Sled 2022

There are a lot of great ways you can help make someone’s holiday a little brighter this year.

One way is to join the GRCC United Way campaign and Stuff the Sled — formerly Adopt a Family. This program provides holiday gift bags to children in Kent County Head Start.

Donations can be made November 1 through December 7. 

How to Donate:

Go to the GRCC Holiday Helpers page, click on the Donate Now button top right, add items you would like to purchase to your cart and check out. It is that easy!  

Thank YOU in advance!

GRCC volleyball players Audrey Gower and Eliza Thelen earn Player of the Week honors for play in MCCAA championship

Audrey Gower and Eliza Thelen of the MCCAA champion Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team were named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Northern Conference Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week.

Gower, a third-year libero from Dimondale, compiled 41 digs and 10 assists in victories over Lake Michigan College and Mott Community College in the MCCAA championship on Saturday.

Gower recorded a career-high 33 digs to reach the 800-dig milestone in the championship match against Mott.

Thelen, a sophomore middle from Grand Rapids, scored 34 points on 31 kills and three blocks, including 21 in the championship match, while hitting over .400 on the day.

Thelen ranks second on the team in kills this season with 223 and is second with 48 blocks. She also ranks in the top five of the MCCAA in hitting percentage.

GRCC, ranked No. 13 in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association Division II poll, are 20-3 overall, and now await its opening match opponent in this week’s Region XII-Great Lakes A Tournament.

The team will play against the winner of the match between Schoolcraft College and Southwestern Michigan College on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. 

GRCC In the News 11/02/2022

LIST: Veterans Day 2022 events, deals in West Michigan

11/1/22 WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — West Michigan will honor its veterans with parades, ceremonies and other events this Veterans Day.

• … Grand Rapids Community College Veterans Day Ceremony | Nov. 11 from 2 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Details

Restaurant Week celebrates local culinary scene

11/1/22 Grand Rapids Business Journal

One of the best opportunities to try Grand Rapids restaurants kicks off this week.

… Each check-in to the digital pass also results in Experience Grand Rapids donating $1 to the Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. Since Restaurant Week GR began in 2010, it has contributed more than $150,000 to the local culinary education program.

Beverly Jewell Sutton, MD, a Psychiatrist Who is Retired from Practice

11/1/22 The Buzz Reporters

Get to know Psychiatrist Dr. Beverly Jewell Sutton, who served patients in Texas.

… When Dr. Sutton was in grade school, she already knew she wanted to be a child psychiatrist. She was fascinated by what children do and why they do it, so her family doctor encouraged her to pursue it in a professional setting. Intrigued by his suggestion, she proceeded to earn an Associate of Science degree from Grand Rapids Junior College (now Grand Rapids Community College) in 1952 and her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1957. She found she really enjoyed her studies and knew she was in the right field.

Student Life seeking Student Organization advisors

Looking to get more involved on campus? Ever considered advising a student organization? 

The Office of Student Life and Conduct values and promotes student engagement opportunities, and we believe student involvement increases the chance of completion, persistence and the number of students transferring from our college to a four-year university.

We are looking to collect a list of potential candidates for student organization leaders in need of an advisor!

Curious? Let us know by submitting your interest on Raider Connect. 

Go to Raider Connect , login using your GRCC credentials, go to forms and click Student Organization Advisor Interest.