Category Archives: Police Academy

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

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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.

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.

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.

GRCC In the News, 10-14-14

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Man gets probation and suspended jail term for crash that killed Grandville High student, cousin

Oct. 13, 2014; MLive

MECOSTA COUNTY, MI — The driver in a crash that killed two cousins – a Grandville High School student and a Coopersville man – was sentenced to two years probation and a suspended jail term.

… Two passengers in his vehicle, Michael Aguilar, 22, of Coopersville, and Roman Aguilar-Emmons, 18, of Wyoming, were killed in the May 3 crash. Fuentes-Perdomo was seriously injured. The driver of the pickup truck, a 31-year-old Cedar Springs man, suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

(This article does not mention it, but Roman Aguilar-Emmons had enrolled in GRCC’s Police Academy.)

Trayvon Martin’s mom to speak at West Michigan colleges to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy

Oct. 13, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin – whose fatal shooting in 2012 sparked a nationwide debate and protests over racial profiling – will speak in January at programs celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University.

Ask the Community College Presidents

Oct. 9, 2014; WGVU

(Video features President Ender, Robert Ferrentino of Montcalm Community College, and Dale Nesbary of Muskegon Community College.)

Changing lives, one ramp at a time

Oct. 13, 2014; WOOD 8

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich (WOOD) — Recently, a group of students from GRCC’s Tassell M-TEC Construction Trades teamed up with the pros at Home Repair Services to work on a very special project. Every year Home Repair Services teams up with the Grand Rapids Home Builders Association for Community Repair Days. They help to build wheelchair ramps for disabled and low income. For the students, it was a great chance to get out of the classroom and see what happens on a construction site. Home Repair Services tries to build 15 wheelchair ramps a year.

18th Annual GRAND RAPIDS GRAND AWARDS Are Announced

Oct. 14, 2014; broadwayworld.com

For performers and audiences alike, the name on everyone’s tongue this week is “The Grand Awards!”

… Community theatres presently participating in the Grand Awards are Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Jewish Theatre, Actors’ Theatre, Circle Theatre, and Master Arts Theatre. Participating colleges include Grand Rapids Community College, Aquinas College, and Cornerstone University.

Meet the teacher: Kentwood Public Schools welcome 37 new teachers

Oct. 13, 2014; MLive

KENTWOOD, MI — With a little over a month at a new school under their belts, MLive and The Grand Rapids Press asked area school districts to share information about new staff members.

… Stacey Stankewicz, resource room teacher at Explorer Elementary School. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Aquinas College and a Master of Arts degree in special education from Ottawa University. Previously, she taught in London, England, and Grand Rapids Community College.

GR officials see development as next stop for bus rapid transit

Oct. 13, 2014; Crain’s Detroit Business

The first exploration of bus rapid transit in the Grand Rapids area is already halfway to its goal of 5,000 riders a day most weekdays. And although nothing is shovel-ready yet, city officials think developers are starting to get interested in investing along the corridor of the new bus line.

… “We are hearing that we have a lot of Grand Rapids Community College students and a lot of people who are working on Medical Mile, especially Spectrum Health employees,” (Jennifer) Kalczuk said.

 

GRCC In the News, 10-1-14

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50 Healthiest College Towns

Sept. 30, 2014; bestvalueschools.com

There are lots of factors to consider when searching for the best college for you. One such factor to consider is the surrounding town(s). It’s doubtful that you’ll spend 100% of your time on campus, so you’ll probably want to think about what kind of attractions are nearby and what kinds of activities are popular with the local community. And if you’re a health nut, you’ll definitely want to consider towns that will cosign your obsession with an active lifestyle and nutritious eating.

… 45. Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids Community College, Calvin College, Davenport University, Cornerstone University, Aquinas College, Everest Institute, Grand Valley State University, Hope College, Muskegon Community College, Western Michigan University

While Grand Rapids does average about 75 inches of snowfall each year, the snow doesn’t stop 79.9% of residents from staying physically active. Some may train for the Fifth Third Riverbank Run, the country’s largest 25K road race. Some may hit the trails in the Best Town for Mountain Biking, as named by Outside magazine. Some may just enjoy the walkable downtown area as they move to and from activities. Grand Rapids also has the healthy advantage of local farming, as Michigan is the third largest apple producer in the U.S. and is behind only California in agricultural diversity. This may contribute to the city’s high percentage of residents in a normal weight range (38.8%) and its low diabetes rate (9%). An interesting mix, Grand Rapids has been called one of the nation’s Most Exciting Mid-Sized Cities by Movoto but also the #2 Most Secure Large City by Farmers Insurance.

Why This Michigan Manufacturing Company Wants To Hire More Ex-Cons

Sept. 30, 2014; fastcoexist.com

When Jahaun McKinley was released from prison, he ran into a common problem: It’s extremely difficult to get a job after you have a criminal record.

… Today, Cascade (Engineering) has dozens of former prisoners on its roster. It’s not the only company in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area to take up the cause, either. Along with a handful of other organizations, including Butterball Farms and Grand Rapids Community College, Cascade leads something called the 30-2-2 initiative, which aims to work with 30 local organizations that will each hire two individuals with criminal background and track them for two years. The goal is to prove that there is a real business case for hiring formerly incarcerated employees.

‘A dream come true’: Scott Merlo named new chief of WMU Department of Public Safety

Sept. 30, 2014; MLive

KALAMAZOO, MI — A Western Michigan University alumnus and veteran of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety who retired as an executive lieutenant in 2012 has been named the new chief of the WMU Department of Public Safety, school officials said Tuesday.

… Since 2012, (Scott) Merlo has worked as a lieutenant and was second in command for the police department at Grand Rapids Community College, which had a total of 13 sworn officers.

GRCC warns of scam artist claiming to be fundraising

Sept. 30, 2014; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) — A man knocking on doors, claiming to be collecting cash donations for Grand Rapids Community College and the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids, is trying to scam people, according to GRCC.

NAACP offers funding to increase number of black cops in Grand Rapids

Sept. 30, 2014; Aljazeera America

In a move to help correct a deep racial disparity in the demographics of the Grand Rapids police force, a local Michigan chapter of the NAACP announced Monday that it will offer a $2,500 scholarship to assist African-American men and women cover the costs of police training.

… Students can take the courses they need at Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College or Ferris State University. Becoming a GRPD officer requires at least two years of college, and courses can last 10 to 17 months, (interim NAACP President Cle) Jackson said.

College Notebook: WMU’s Beckwith keeps on winning

Sept. 30, 2014; The Battle Creek Enquirer

… The Kellogg Community College volleyball team played their seventh match in as many days on Tuesday, as the Lady Bruins looked to end an 8-match losing streak.

… After a road loss to NJCAA Division II No. 2-ranked Grand Rapids CC on Sept. 23, the Lady Bruins lost at Ancilla and then dropped four matches at the G.R.C.C. Raider Challenge on Sept. 27-28.