GRCC Homecoming 2017 is THIS WEEK!

Homecoming 2017 is taking place RIGHT NOW! There are activities that you can take part in throughout the week. On Thursday, October 19th, faculty, staff, students, and alumni are all invited to a Raider Tailgate. The tailgate will take place in the Raider Grille from 5-6:30 p.m. Food will be provided, and there will be family-friendly activities. Then head on over to the Fold Fieldhouse to cheer on our GRCC Volleyball team as they take on the Lake Michigan Red Hawks.

For more information about all of the Homecoming activities, please visit grcc.edu/homecoming.

GRCC Homecoming 2017

“GRCC has not had a homecoming in a long time. That changes now!”

Homecoming 2017 will take place the week of October 16th. There are activities that you can take part in throughout the week. On Thursday, October 19th, faculty, staff, students, and alumni are all invited to a Raider Tailgate. The tailgate will take place in the Raider Grille from 5-6:30 p.m. Food will be provided, and there will be family-friendly activities. Then head on over to the Fold Fieldhouse to cheer on our GRCC Volleyball team as they take on the Lake Michigan Red Hawks.

For more information about all of the Homecoming activities, please visit grcc.edu/homecoming.

GRCC In the News, 6-8-16

Teaching French not a language but a lifestyle

June 7, 2016; schoolnewsnetwork.org (KISD newsletter)

Wyoming Public Schools, MI — As a Crock-Pot of beef bourguignon simmered, high school students in Amy Wood’s class took time developing their palates for Parisian food.

… The 17-year Wyoming teacher, who attended Grand Rapids Community College and Aquinas College, traveled four times to France during her junior year in high school, and studied abroad through Aquinas and with Wyoming students in 2001 and 2006. She hopes to offer another trip for students someday.

GRCC In the News, 3-12-15

Senior Wellness: Sharing Life Stories

March 10, 2015; WZZM

(Video of Mike Faber, of the Older Learner Center, on the “Senior Wellness” segment.)

Downtown planners will pay for bricks to rebuild historic State Street

March 11, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A project to rebuild a historic stretch of State Street SE will include brick pavement after all.

… The delay also means the State Street project and a related project to repave Bostwick Avenue NE on the campus of Grand Rapids Community College won’t get done this spring, said Assistant City Engineer Rick DeVries.

Murphy promoted to deputy chief for East Lansing Police

March 11, 2015; The Lansing State Journal

EAST LANSING — When Jeff Murphy started with the East Lansing Police Department 28 years ago, his highest aspiration was sergeant.

… Murphy hired on with East Lansing as a police officer in February 1987 after graduating from the Grand Rapids Community College Police Academy. Police jobs were scarce at the time, and so Murphy figured he would go with whoever hired him and eventually work his way back to his home town.

Hebert throws no-hitter for NWF

March 11, 2015; The Daily Iberian (New Iberia, La.)

Former Loreauville High standout pitcher Evan Hebert threw a no-hitter for the Northwest Florida State College this past Thursday in a 12-0 win over Grand Rapids Community College.

GRCC In the News, 3-11-15

Cream of the ice cream crop

March 6, 2015; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Chris McKellar almost didn’t go to the Making It In Michigan Conference and Trade Show in Lansing last November. He was booked as an exhibitor at the National Ice Cream Retailers Association trade show in Kentucky on the same day.

… The Firehouse Guitars job also introduced him to good food. He attended musical instrument trade shows in Nashville and Anaheim and often dined at fine restaurants with reps from well-known guitar companies such as Fender and Taylor. Then began a personal quest to learn where great food comes from; he eventually enrolled at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College.

GRCC motiva a estudiantes latinos durante presentación de Conferencia Latina 2015

March 7, 2015; El Vocero

En el evento tras la presentación de la proyección de cine Underwater Dreams, los panelistas Luis Enrique Aranda, Cristian Alonso Arcega-Rojas y Lorenzo Alberto Santillan Barrera, expusieron a los estudiantes sobre sus vivencias luego de haber ganado competencias robóticas en la NASA y US Navy, y las dificultades que han enfrentado por residir como indocumentados nacidos en México.

Things to do on Sunday, March 15

March 10, 2015; MLive

… Mar. 15

Instrumental Ensembles Concerts: St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids. 2-4 pm. $5/adults, $3/students and seniors. www.grcc.edu/music/performance-calendar

GRCC In the News, 3-6-15

GRCC readies to tap into craft beer industry with new certificate program

March 5, 2015; rapidgrowthmedia.com

Every vibrant city needs a great school to train the next generation of leaders and innovators. Beer City is no different.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has awarded a $2.9 million grant that will allow Grand Rapids Community College to purchase equipment for its machine tool, welding, HVAC, and automotive programs — as well as a new craft beer program.

Chef Angus

March 5, 2015; FOX 17

(Video of Chef Angus’ appearance on “Morning Mix”)

Local pro football hopefuls prepare for tryouts in Chicago and at Grand Valley State

March 5, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Area college football players looking to impress and land a job – maybe not in the NFL, but somewhere as a pro – will be involved in upcoming pro camps.

… Two others are scheduled to perform at the Chicago combine in Corey Stone, a defensive lineman from Ferris State and former member of Grand Rapids Community College team, and running back Bronson Hill, a Grand Rapids Catholic Central grad from Eastern Michigan.

Preview: Chipola travels to play State College of Florida

March 5, 2015; Jackson County Floridan

The Chipola baseball team puts its nine-game winning streak on the line when they head to No. 2 state ranked State College of Florida for a three-game set this weekend.

No. 4 state ranked Chipola (17-5) is coming off a five-game sweep at home vs. Grand Rapids and Alabama Southern. Chipola plays State College of Florida (18-4) on Friday at 5 p.m. then a doubleheader (12/2:30 p.m.) on Saturday in Manatee-Sarasota.

GRCC In the News, 3-5-15

1 adjunct, 3 colleges and a look inside the life of part-time professors

March 5, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – For Michael Miller, every minute counts.

… He’s teaching seven courses this semester – three at Grand Rapids Community College, two at Aquinas and two at Kendall College of Art and Design. Between the classwork, there’s lesson plans to craft, meetings to attend and lots of papers to grade.

10 events at LaughFest 2015 you don’t want to miss

March 4, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever, community-wide festival of laughter opens Thursday for 10 days of mirth and merriment in West Michigan.

… FUNderwear Run – Victoria’s Secrets are secrets no longer at LaughFest’s FUNderwear Run through the streets of downtown wearing your underwear as outerwear over your running clothes. The 3.1 mile trek, at 10 a.m. March 8, is a fundraiser for Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and ends with LaughFest’s “People and Pets” at Grand Rapids Community College’s Ford Fieldhouse.

Aquinas indoor track & field ready for Nationals

March 4, 2015; MLive

Geneva, OH- The Aquinas College indoor track & field team’s are ready to compete at this weekend’s NAIA Indoor National Championships, held in Geneva, Ohio. Coach Dave Wood will lead a group of 28 student-athletes down to the Spire Institute. The Saints will look for strong performances and personal bests in a variety of events.

… On the women’s side, Erika Heston (Haslett/Haslett) and Tori DeSira (Dewitt/GRCC) will compete in the 60 Meter Hurdles.

GRCC In the News, 3-2-15

The state of American well-being

Feb. 27, 2015; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Although a number of factors such as the rate of uninsured and life evaluation have improved across the country, Gallup-Healthway’s latest State of American Well-Being places Michigan among the bottom 10 states.

… Laura Kennett, assistant professor of exercise science at Grand Rapids Community College, said although she would like to see more detail regarding the design of the survey, she was not surprised by Michigan’s results.

“Unfortunately, Michigan has ranked low for awhile, and part of the reason it doesn’t surprise me is because the information we have around chronic disease in Michigan — what are called preventive health behaviors among Michigan adults — is lower than many other states,” said Kennett. “If people are not engaging in these preventive health measures, then obviously their health is not going to be well.”

Michigan: a state of impoverishment

Feb. 27, 2015; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Grand Rapids Business Journal reports in depth this week on Gallup-Healthway’s latest State of American Well-Being, a study that ranks Michigan in the bottom 10 among all states.

… Laura Kennett, assistant professor of exercise science at Grand Rapids Community College, is quoted in the Business Journal’s page one article: “People don’t realize there are more people in Michigan living at or below the poverty line than other states. Unfortunately, there is plenty of research, plenty of data that shows we can predict people’s health outcomes based on how much money they make and their education.”

Highlights for the month of March

Feb. 27, 2015; MLive

… 26. Wrapping up Grand Rapids Community College’s International Guitar Series is the acclaimed Canadian Guitar Quartet, which is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. The performance will be in the Recital Hall at GRCC’s Music Center, located on the corner of Ransom Avenue and Lyon Street.

FIU Panthers outfielder Brian Portelli caps weekend blitz

March 1, 2015; The Miami Herald

Whenever an FIU Panther hits a home run, he is greeted at the plate not with a high-five or a head-bump, but a standard handshake. The uniquely understated celebration seems to say “Nice to meet you, Gentleman Slugger.”

… Thomas plucked (Brian) Portelli out of baseball obscurity while working a winter camp in Detroit as a visiting instructor. Fat chance an unknown out of Division II Grand Rapids Community College would develop into a contributor, never mind a star. But Thomas took that chance anyway.

MSU Democrats travel to D.C. for retreat

Feb. 27, 2015; The State News (MSU’s student newspaper)

After a Republican sweep in the 2014 midterm elections, MSU College Democrats are reevaluating some strategies to increase membership.

… (Brianna) Shamsuddoha said MSU College Democrats had eight representatives at the retreat. Central Michigan University, Grand Rapids Community College and Northern Michigan University’s College Democrats chapters also sent delegates to the retreat.

GRCC In the News, 2-24-15

KVCC basketball coach Ron Welch honored by former players, hundreds of fans during final home game

Feb. 23, 2015; MLive

KALAMAZOO, MI – With his arms folded and a look of focus on his face, Kalamazoo Valley Community College women’s basketball coach Ron Welch paced the sidelines Monday just the way Tracy Little remembered from 20 years ago.

… Wearing her dark blue and white KVCC windbreaker from her playing days, Little spoke highly of her former coach and colleague – she formerly coached at Grand Rapids Community College and her first game was against Welch’s Cougars.

Spotlight on human trafficking

2/23/15 WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Human trafficking is a real problem, but it’s not confined to far-away places. A panel discussion on Monday aims to educate the public and break some myths about human trafficking.

… The World Affairs Council of West Michigan is addressing human trafficking in its Great Decisions Discussion Series on Monday, February 23 at 6 p.m. The panel discussion will include Becky McDonald of Women at Risk International and Amanda Colegrove of Crime Victim Advocacy Center. It will be moderated by Michigan Senator Judy Emmons.

(The article doesn’t mention it, but Amanda Colegrove is a GRCC alumna.)

GRCC In the News, 2-6-15

College notes: Jenison’s Kyle Hoek big man on small campus at Kuyper College

Feb. 5, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Kyle Hoek is the biggest guy at the area’s smallest college.

… “I went to GRCC for three years and I was in between schools,” he said. “One of my friends came out here for an open gym, so I tagged along. After the first three shots I took, the coach said he wanted to recruit me since I am big and I can shoot, too.”

Lady Vikings fall on the road

Feb. 5, 2015; Three Rivers Commercial-News

GRAND RAPIDS — The Glen Oaks Community College women’s basketball team dropped a 55-51 decision Wednesday at Grand Rapids Community College.

LaughFest 2015 brings free family fun downtown with return of adventure challenge race

Feb. 5, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Gilda’s LaughFest has announced the return of a popular family-friendly event with the Seriously Funny Family Adventure Challenge.

… Teams register and begin racing at GRCC Ford Fieldhouse, 111 Lyon St. NE. Those wishing to preregister can do so online.

GRCC In the News, 1-30-15

Former Grand Haven man goes missing in Grand Rapids

Jan. 29, 2015; The Grand Haven Tribune

Timothy Groenhout, a graduate of Grand Haven High School in the early 1990s, was last seen in downtown Grand Rapids at about 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21.

… Tim graduated from the Culinary Arts School at Grand Rapids Community College, worked as a chef in downtown Grand Rapids and then headed to Seattle to also work as a chef. He recently moved back to Grand Rapids from Washington, and was living with his girlfriend and looking for a job.

More than 250 positions open at job fair in GR

Jan. 30, 2015; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Michigan Works! is hosting a job fair Friday on the campus of Grand Rapids Community College.

Check out list of U.S. foreign policy topics for Great Decisions series

Jan. 29, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Asia, check. Africa, check. Europe, South America and the Middle East: check, check, check.

… Admission is $15, or $10 for members of the World Affairs Council. Students from Aquinas College, Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids and Montcalm community colleges, and Davenport, Grand Valley State, Ferris State and Western Michigan universities get in free.

College notes: Heart surgery as youth leads GVSU’s Taylor Wiercinski to become great diver

Jan. 29, 2015; MLive

… MEN’S BASKETBALL

… Michael Miller, Grand Rapids Community College: Miller (Caledonia/Grace Bible) had a season-high 21 points against Lansing CC on Jan. 21. He drained five 3-pointers and is averaging 8.9 points per game.

DeMarcus Stuckey, Grand Rapids Community College: Stuckey (GR Catholic Central) had back-to-back 27-point games against Jackson CC and Lansing CC last week. Stuckey leads the Raiders (10-7) in scoring with 21.3 points per game.

… WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

… Jayla Branch, Grand Rapids Community College: Branch has become a dominant scorer for the Raiders. The freshman guard (Wyoming) had 31 points in a 66-61 loss to Glen Oaks CC on Jan. 21. She was 10-of-26 from the field and drained six 3-pointers. She is averaging 14.6 points per game.

Area high school grads making an impact on college sports scene

Jan. 29, 2015; MLive

Following is a look at some area high school graduates who have been making news both in the winter season on the collegiate level.

… Jayla Branch is making a big impact with the Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team. A freshman from Wyoming High School, Branch is second on the team in scoring with 14.6 points per game and leads the team in steals with 3.6 per game. Branch is also averaging 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Branch scored a season-best 31 points in a game against Glen Oaks Community College and recorded seven steals against Schoolcraft.

Ferris States Tony Annese has interviewed for CMU head coach job, still on radar

Jan. 29, 2015; The Morning Sun (Mount Pleasant)

Multiple sources this week have confirmed Ferris State head coach Tony Annese has interviewed for the open head coach job at Central Michigan.

… Annese proceeded to take over a program at Grand Rapids Community College that had gone a combined 7-11 the previous two seasons.

GRCC In the News, 1-29-15

GRCC’s winter enrollment drops for fourth consecutive year

Jan. 28, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College’s winter enrollment is down 6.4 percent from last year, a drop administrators attribute to an improving economy, a reduction in job training dollars and fewer high school graduates.

New goalie starts 2-0 for GVSU hockey club

Jan. 28, 2015; The Lanthorn (Grand Valley State University’s student newspaper)

All the way over in Baltimore, Md., and then again in East Lansing, Mich., Spencer Craig got his first college starts between the pipes for Grand Valley State’s Division II mens hockey club.

… So, putting hockey briefly on the back burner, Craig decided to play pick-up hockey here and there while he took classes and focused on his education at Grand Rapids Community College. Then he transferred to GVSU to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

GRCC In the News, 1-26-15

Same-sex benefits: Grand Rapids Community College considers adding coverage

Jan. 24, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – When John Cowles first came to Grand Rapids Community College in 1999, he was glad to learn there was an equal employment policy in place aimed at ensuring students and employees were treated equally, regardless of sexual orientation.

Local seamstress teams up with GRCC to offer affordable industrial sewing classes in effort to meet industry demand

Jan. 25, 2015; MLive

The industrial sewing machine before her is whirring and in roughly a minute Marisbel Ramos zips around the edge of the fabric, completing the piece that will soon be fitted over the arm of a chair and shipped out the door of Irwin Seating Company.

… A short time later, Metzger connected with Grand Rapids Community College’s Workforce Training program through a contact at Steepletown Neighborhood Services. GRCC administrators were responding to a need identified by local economic development agencies and employers requesting an industrial sewing training program and they needed a sewing instructor.

GRCC conmemora con marcha y actividades el día de Martin Luther King

Jan. 25, 2015; El Vocero

La actividad estuvo encabezada por el Board of Trustees de Grand Rapids Community College, Bert Bleke, y el director de Grand Rapids Community College Black Student Union, Jaedah Pickens.

Aquinas track & field sweeps quad meet

Jan. 23, 2015; MLive

Grand Rapids, MI — Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams won tonight at the Aquinas Quad Meet held at the Cook Track in Aquinas’ Alksnis Athletic and Recreation Building. The Saints hosted Hope, Ferris State and Spring Arbor. The men scored 184 points, topping second place Spring Arbor’s 109, while the women scored 194 to top Spring Arbor’s 116.

… The women’s team claimed 12 first place finishes. Freshman Rachel Spreng (Lansing/Okemos) won the pole vault and hit the NAIA “B” standard with a vault of 3.48 meters. Fellow freshman Adri Sigafoose (McBain/Northern Michigan Christian) claimed the top spot in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:18.65. Sigafoose’s time qualifies her at the NAIA “A” standard. Two Aquinas hurdlers hit the NAIA “A” standard, with Tori DeSira (Dewitt/GRCC) and Erika Heston (Haslett/Haslett) finishing in first and second place. DeSira also won the 200 meter dash.

GRCC In the News, 1-15-15

Kent County judge reflects on leadership, shares stories from the bench

Jan. 14, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Kent County District Judge Sara Smolenski has seen a lot during her time on the bench.

… “But I believed in myself,” said Smolenski, a Grand Rapids native who’s an alumna of Grand Rapids Community College, the University of Michigan and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Quick Hits: Laker teams head to U.P.

Jan. 15, 2015; The Lanthorn (GVSU student newspaper)

The Grand Valley State men’s and women’s basketball teams will cross the Mackinac Bridge hoping to improve their road records this week at Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech.

… The transfers, Amanda Glaza (Grand Rapids Community College) and Danielle McCormick (Indiana State), are on campus this semester.

GRCC In the News, 1-14-15

Agreement with GRCC Gives Students a Head Start on College

Jan. 13, 2015; schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)

Cedar Springs Public Schools, MI — Kevin Galloway has every intention of going to college. So he figured, why not start now?

The Cedar Springs High School sophomore is one of 25 students enrolled in Cedar Springs Public Schools Middle College, a collaboration with Grand Rapids Community College.

Laps and Lessons: Coach Guides Students to Become Better Swimmers, People

Jan. 13, 2015; schoolnewsnetwork.org

East Grand Rapids Public Schools, MI — East Grand Rapids High School swim coach Milton “Butch” Briggs has helped many athletes swim their fastest laps and personal best races.

… Never a competitive swimmer, Briggs ran track at Grand Rapids Junior College (now Grand Rapids Community College). His coach, who Briggs said set a great example for him, helped him get a job coaching a summer swim league at Cascade Country Club.

Muskegon Community College sports recap: Men’s basketball returns to winning ways; wrestling struggling with lineup issues

Jan. 13, 2015; MLive

MUSKEGON, MI – Although the weather temporarily delayed the game, it couldn’t delay the Muskegon Community College men’s basketball team from returning to its winning ways.

The Jayhawks (12-3 overall, 2-1 MCCAA Western Conference) defeated Grand Rapids Community College (7-5, 1-1), 92-86, on Saturday, Jan. 10. The game originally was scheduled to be played Jan. 9, but weather pushed the schedule back a day.

Moore leads GOCC women past GRCC

Jan. 13, 2015; Three Rivers Commercial News

CENTREVILLE Captains are expected to lead their basketball team.

… (Courtney) Moore, a 5-foot-11 sophomore forward, scored 18 points and yanked down 21 rebounds in a 66-61 Western Conference win by Glen Oaks at home Monday over Grand Rapids Community College.

Northeast announces 2015 golf schedule

Jan. 13, 2015; WTVA (Tupelo, Miss.)

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WTVA/NEMCC Athletics) – Northeast Mississippi Community Colleges golfers have the chance to experience some of the top courses across the Mid-South during the 2015 campaign.

… Northeast then takes a brief hiatus from its league slate to participate in the 14th annual Ron Marshall Spring Fling Tournament in Scottsboro, Ala., at the Goose Pond Colony Resort from March 12-14. The field includes nationally ranked Mississippi Gulf Coast and Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College, which is receiving votes in the latest countrywide poll.

Things to do on Thursday, January 15

Jan. 13, 2015; MLive

… Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents “One Night with Fanny Brice”: Spectrum Theater at GRCC, 160 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids. 8 pm. 616-234-3946