Category Archives: Criminal Justice

GRCC In the News, 10-6-17

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In brief
10/6/17  Herald Palladium
COLOMA An Illinois man was treated at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, after accidentally shooting himself in the leg Wednesday at the Coloma Rod and Gun Club.
… Sheriff’s deputies complete training: Two Berrien County Sheriff’s deputies, Timothy Morris and Derrick Allred, graduated recently from the first Local Corrections Officer Academy at Grand Rapids Community College.

Five years of high school can net East Kentwood students a college degree
10/5/17  MLive
KENTWOOD, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is expected to sign an agreement Monday, Oct. 9, with Kentwood Public Schools for its sixth tuition-free Early/Middle College program.

MI bill targets loophole allowing felons into police academies
10/5/17  WoodTV.com
LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) Felons are being accepted into Michigan police academies and receiving weapons training because of a loophole, according to Republican Sen. Rick Jones of Grand Ledge.
… Former Flint officer Jermain Reese, who is now a professor of criminal justice at Grand Rapids Community College, says he fully supports the proposed change.

GRCC In the News, 3-12-15

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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.

Campus Police to hold training exercise today

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The GRCC Police Department will be conducting a training exercise on Thursday March 5 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at the Administration building on the Devos campus. There will be a large police presence at and near the building. The building and part of the parking lot will roped off during the exercise. Police officers as well as police academy students will be in the parking lot to help facilitate parking needs. All cars will need to enter and exit through the north driveway off of Prospect Ave. That driveway will remain open during the exercise. Staff needing to access the Sneden lot through the Admin parking lot will still be able to do so. From 10:00 am to 11:00 pm there will be limited access to the administration building. Please work with the police officers and the academy students during this time if you need to access the building.

Please contact Officer Tom Stasiak (ext 2320) with any questions.

Campus Police training exercise to affect DeVos parking

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The GRCC Police Department will be conducting a training exercise on Thursday March 5 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at the Administration building on the Devos campus. There will be a large police presence at and near the building. The building and part of the parking lot will roped off during the exercise. Police officers as well as police academy students will be in the parking lot to help facilitate parking needs. All cars will need to enter and exit through the north driveway off of Prospect Ave. That driveway will remain open during the exercise. Staff needing to access the Sneden lot through the Admin parking lot will still be able to do so. From 10:00 am to 11:00 pm there will be limited access to the administration building. Please work with the police officers and the academy students during this time if you need to access the building.

Please contact Officer Tom Stasiak (ext 2320) with any questions.

DeVos campus to be site of training exercise

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The GRCC Police Department will be conducting a training exercise on Thursday March 5 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at the Administration building on the DeVos campus. There will be a large police presence at and near the building. The building and part of the parking lot will roped off during the exercise. Police officers as well as police academy students will be in the parking lot to help facilitate parking needs. All cars will need to enter and exit through the north driveway off of Prospect Ave. That driveway will remain open during the exercise. Staff needing to access the Sneden lot through the Admin parking lot will still be able to do so. From 10:00 am to 11:00 pm there will be limited access to the administration building. Please work with the police officers and the academy students during this time if you need to access the building.

Please contact Officer Tom Stasiak (ext 2320) with any questions.

Campus Police to conduct training exercise on March 5

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The GRCC Police Department will be conducting a training exercise on Thursday March 5 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at the Administration building on the Devos campus. There will be a large police presence at and near the building. The building and part of the parking lot will roped off during the exercise. Police officers as well as police academy students will be in the parking lot to help facilitate parking needs. All cars will need to enter and exit through the north driveway off of Prospect Ave. That driveway will remain open during the exercise. Staff needing to access the Sneden lot through the Admin parking lot will still be able to do so. From 10:00 am to 11:00 pm there will be limited access to the administration building. Please work with the police officers and the academy students during this time if you need to access the building.

Please contact Officer Tom Stasiak (ext 2320) with any questions.

Campus Police to conduct training exercise on March 5

Posted on by

The GRCC Police Department will be conducting a training exercise on Thursday March 5 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at the Administration building on the Devos campus. There will be a large police presence at and near the building. The building and part of the parking lot will roped off during the exercise. Police officers as well as police academy students will be in the parking lot to help facilitate parking needs. All cars will need to enter and exit through the north driveway off of Prospect Ave. That driveway will remain open during the exercise. Staff needing to access the Sneden lot through the Admin parking lot will still be able to do so. From 10:00 am to 11:00 pm there will be limited access to the administration building. Please work with the police officers and the academy students during this time if you need to access the building.

Please contact Officer Tom Stasiak (ext 2320) with any questions.

GRCC In the News, 1-12-15

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GRCC president says Obama’s free community college proposal a ‘great thing for this country’

Jan. 10, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College President Steven Ender said a proposal that would make the nation’s two-year colleges tuition free would be “a great thing for this country,” and would help build the educated and skilled workforce West Michigan needs to thrive.

GRCC’s new head of workforce development: Our primary focus is let’s get you into work

Jan. 9, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The new head of Grand Rapids Community College’s School of Workforce Development says he wants to forge relationships with businesses and provide the relevant training students and displaced workers need to land a good paying job.

Change Ups: Dickinson recognized for improving naval leadership

Dec. 26, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… EDUCATION

… Grand Rapids Community College announced a third of the 80 students graduating in December from its Job Training program have secured employment.

… GRANTS

Aquinas College, Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University announced they will share a $65,000 grant from Grand Rapids Community Foundation to create and support a two-year Engaged Departments Initiative.

Change Ups: ECCU raises money to benefit Wounded Warriors

Jan. 2, 2015; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… EDUCATION

Grand Rapids Community College, with funding help from JP Morgan Chase & Co., now offers an industrial sewing course that costs students $35. The classes are in response to increased workforce demands. Steepletown Neighborhood Services and Blue Marble Threads provided machines and helped develop the curriculum.

Grand Rapids could drop elective classes required for alternative education students to graduate

Jan. 8, 2015; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Public Schools is reviewing a plan to drop electives from the required course load for alternative education students to keep them in the district and expedite graduation.

… GRPS has a total of 186 alternative students, according to the most recent numbers, in four programs: Grand Rapids Learning Center@Grand Rapids Community College, Southeast Career Pathways, Bethany Christian Services and Kent County Correctional Facility. School leaders say alternative students have been leaving to go to other programs such as in Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, where they are not saddled with electives.

Snow, ice lead to crashes around Michigan; many schools shut

Jan. 9, 2015; Oakland Press

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — Snow and ice-covered roads are blamed for numerous crashes around Michigan and many schools across the state are closed.

… Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College also closed.

Inside Track: Webster whips up ingredients for successful business

Jan. 9, 2015; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Business owner, foster mom and baker extraordinaire Katie Webster adds a sweet creative flair to the Holland community.

Webster’s passion for the culinary arts began at a young age, and after attending Grand Rapids Community College’s culinary school, she discovered she didn’t want to hide in the kitchen. For Webster, owner of Second Floor Bakery in Holland, it is the pairing of food and the emotions that food brings out in people that are important.

Behind the Kitchen Door…with Bar Divani Executive Chef Baird

Dec. 28, 2014; MLive

Inspired to pursue the culinary arts by Jack Tripper from the late 1970s, early 1980s TV show “Three’s Company,” Jeff Baird began his training in high school before completing the culinary arts program at Grand Rapids Community College. His favorite restaurant is Fricano’s, which should come as no surprise since he is a Grand Haven native. When he’s not maintaining a “positive attitude” in the kitchen as the executive chef at Bar Divani, Baird is blowing off steam playing guitar with punk band The Bitters. This chef is “hardcore” when it comes to food and music.

Rockford welcomes new police officers

Jan. 5, 2015; MLive

The city of Rockford is beginning 2015 with four new additions to its Police Department.

… William Burnett and Braden Myers were hired after graduating from the Police Academy program at Grand Rapids Community College earlier last year. Tyler Glass graduated from the police program at Ferris State University and was hired in August, Jones said.

The curious story of Jenison’s Gus Penning, whose football dream led to a spot on Baylor’s team

Jan. 1, 2015; MLive

DALLAS — Baylor tight end Gus Penning has the sort of story that will get every current or recently finished high school football player’s heart beating faster.

… So Penning, whose only camp exposure was at Purdue one summer, decided to play football at Grand Rapids Community College in 2011 and redshirted that first season with the program.

Area high school grads making an impact on college sports scene

Jan. 11, 2015; MLive

The fall season has come to an end and the winter season is well underway for local college athletes. Following is a look at some area high school graduates who have been making news both in the fall and winter seasons on the collegiate level.

… A pair of former Rockford basketball players are playing key roles for the Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team. Sophomore forward Sara Karamol is averaging a double-double for the Raiders with 12 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Karamol is also shooting 50.8% from the field and adding 3.6 assists per game. Karamol scored a season-high 15 points in two different games this season and also pulled down 17 rebounds in two other games. Sophomore point guard Andrea Straw leads the Raiders in assists with 5.7 per game and is adding 1.1 steals. Straw is averaging 10.9 points per game, is shooting 48.5% from the field, and is averaging 4 rebounds per game.

… The Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team is getting a strong effort from freshman forward Kevin Brower. Brower is averaging 9.3 points per game, along with 9 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Brower is shooting 46.3% from the field.

College notes: Emily Spencer caps volleyball career with second Player of Year award at IPFW

Dec. 25, 2014; MLive

… DeMarkus Stuckey, Grand Rapids Community College: Stuckey, a sophomore guard, has been on fire this season. He score 24 points in a win over Schoolcraft CC on Dec. 17 and is averaging 23.4 points per game. Stuckey (GR Catholic Central) had a season-high 39 points on 17-of-32 shooting against Alma College JV on Nov. 24.

… Andrea Straw, Grand Rapids Community College: Straw had a season-high 28 points and 11 assists in an 86-78 loss to Davenport JV on Dec. 10. Straw (Rockford) is averaging 10.9 points and 5.7 assists for the Raiders.

Grand Valley State volleyball player heads to Rose Parade after penning essay about losing starting job

Dec. 26, 2014; MLive

ALLENDALE, MI — The disappointment Grand Valley State’s Clair Ruhenkamp felt after she lost her starting job on the Lakers volleyball team has ultimately turned into a positive for her this holiday season.

… But in her junior season, Kaitlyn Wolters, a transfer from Grand Rapids Community College, came in and eventually won the starting job. It’s the routine competition of sports, but it was a new challenge for Ruhenkamp.

GRCC In the News, 12-10-14

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New GRCC board member takes oath of office

Dec. 9, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College has a new board member.

The DanceOff raises $4,500 for Well House, crowns Breah Simpson champion

Dec. 9, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Hundreds of dance fans watched Grand Rapids native Breah Simpson, 21, become the first champion of The DanceOff, a local dance competition held on Saturday, Dec. 6 ,at The Pyramid Scheme.

“My heart dropped when they called my name,” said Simpson, who recently received certification as a personal trainer from Grand Rapids Community College. “Dance is my way of communicating. My dream job is to work at a studio.”

Frontiers: Meeting Student Needs Through Online Programming

Dec. 10, 2014; schoolnewsnetwork.org

Wyoming Public Schools, MI — When her mother died last summer, Wyoming Senior Tashia Sheneman lost a permanent place to live and has since moved several times. One of the few constants in her life is Wyoming’s Frontiers Program, where she receives much more than instruction.

… “I’m good. I’m doing better than I was out there,” said Tashia, referring to the traditional high school program. “I feel like you have more support … and it’s more on your time and it prepares you for college,” she added, sharing plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College before attending Ferris State University to pursue her career goal of becoming a probation officer.

 

Raider Salute to Criminal Justice students, staff, faculty

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Please help provide a warm Raider Salute to any Criminal Justice student, staff and faculty member whom you encounter. In the spirit of giving back, the CJ team donated over 330 lbs of food and bathroom essentials for the student pantry.

A BIG thank you from the Office of Student Life and Conduct!

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GRCC In the News, 12-1-14

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Change Ups: Ike receives WGVU Engage award

Nov. 28, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… EDUCATION

Grand Rapids Community College has selected three finalists in its search for a new provost-executive vice president for academic and student affairs: Laurie Chesley, dean of GRCC’s School of Arts and Sciences; Tony D. Hawkins, instructional dean of humanities at Montgomery College in Maryland; and Bill Pink, vice president of academic affairs at Oklahoma State University.

Walker family proud to have son join police ranks

Nov. 28, 2014; MLive

WALKER — A Walker dad who has served with the Walker Fire Department for years said he couldn’t be prouder of his son who was recently hired by the Walker Police Department.

… (Steven) Ritzenheim was working for the Rockford Police Department when he accepted the Walker position. While he was a senior at Kenowa Hills High School and later while attending the Grand Rapids Community College’s law enforcement academy, Ritzenheim had interned with the Walker Police Department. He said he liked working in Rockford, but being a Walker police officer was always his dream.

Education group purchases pyramid from Steelcase

Nov. 26, 2014; WOOD TV

GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A non-profit education group announced it is purchasing the iconic pyramid building once occupied by Steelcase Inc. for $7.5 million.

… The group has also established a Leadership Council, headed by Grand Rapids Community College Board Chair and former Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Bert Bleke, to focus on developing the educational programs and curriculum.

Former Muskegon High School coach Tony Annese continues success with Ferris State football

Nov. 28, 2014; MLive

MUSKEGON, MI – Even for Tony Annese, this might be a little ahead of the game.

… Annese has won at every other coaching stop along that way — at Montrose, Ann Arbor Pioneer and Jenison in addition to Muskegon in the high school ranks, and at Grand Rapids Community College before taking over at Ferris in 2012.

 

GRCC In the News, 11-25-14

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Timothy Kozal sworn in as Edwardsburg’s new police chief

Nov. 25, 2014; The Elkhart Truth (Ind.)

EDWARDSBURG, Mich. — Timothy Kozal is Edwardsburg’s new police chief and was sworn into the post by Ontwa Township clerk Teri McNaughton during the Ontwa Township’s board meeting Nov. 10.

… Kozal retired from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety with over 23 years of experience. He most recently worked for Spectrum Health Security Police Department and was an adjunct professor for the Grand Rapids Community College Police Academy. While at the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, Kozal was the recipient of a Distinguished Service Medal, two professional excellence awards and four chiefs awards.