Category Archives: Diversity Lecture Series

Diversity Lecture Series continues with clinical psychologist Mary Pipher

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Mary Pipher

Mary Pipher

GRCC’s Diversity Lecture Series continues on February 11 with author and clinical psychologist Mary Pipher.

Dr. Pipher, author of  The Green Boat: Sustaining Our Planet and Each Other, is concerned with how American culture influences the mental health of its people. In her talk “The Green Boat: Reviving Ourselves in Our Capsized Culture,” she considers how easily we are disconnected from our emotions, our bodies, each other and the truth, as we are engulfed in devastating information about the fate of Mother Earth. Dr. Pipher suggests we must reconnect our inner and outer lives to respond to this trauma with an awareness that leads to resilient coping and for many a transcendent response.

The lecture starts at 7 p.m. in Fountain Street Church. To see the entire lineup of speakers, click here.

 

Diversity Lecture Series continues with Elaine Richardson

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dlc2014

GRCC’s 2014-2015 Diversity Lecture Series continues November 12 with author, professor and recording artist Elaine Richardson.

“Dr. E” is a professor in Ohio State University’s department of education and human ecology. Her one-woman show, “HD (Po H# on Dope) to Ph.D.: How Education Saved My Life,” features expressive performance, storytelling and music. She turned away from a life of drug addiction, abusive controlling pimps and short stints in jail by returning to school. Her motto is: “Ignorance, low self-esteem and shame are killers. When you know who you are, nobody can control you.”

Richardson’s free, ASL-interpreted lecture starts at 7 p.m. in Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE. A book signing will follow. Parking costs $5 (with a discount pass). For details, call 234-3390. To see the other speakers in this year’s series, click here.

GRCC In the News, 10-28-14

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Jimmy Carter Flip-Flops On Nationwide Same-Sex Marriage

Oct. 27, 2014; huffingtonpost.com

Former President Jimmy Carter said in an interview published Sunday that decisions on same-sex marriage should be left up to the states.

… In September, while speaking at Michigan’s Grand Rapids Community College, Carter said, “I never knew of any word or action of Jesus Christ that discriminated against anyone.”

Term limits vote in Grand Rapids: See who’s funding the campaigns

Oct. 27, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Two construction companies top the list of donors to a campaign opposing city term limits, while an assortment of libertarian-minded conservatives are giving money to support the ballot proposal.

… (Bonnie) Burke and Rina Baker, who’s also spearheading the campaign, each have contributed about $1,500 of their own money. Among other donors: Dr. Ruggero Battan, $220; former Grand Rapids city comptroller Stan Milanowski, $50; Grand Rapids Community College trustee Richard Ryskamp, $50; frequent City Commission critics Tom Grego and Don Zerial each donated $20.

Five seeking to fill three CAPS board seats

Oct. 28, 2014; Cadillac News

… CAPS BOE challenger Michael Bengelink

1. Tell us about yourself. (Age, party affiliation, education, children, approach to government, etc.)

I am 66 years old. I have been employed in the packaging industry for over 45 years. My party affiliation is Republican. I have three children, two of which graduated from Cadillac High School. I graduated from South High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport Business College. I moved to Cadillac in 1977.

4 vie for 3 Ionia Public Schools Board of Education seats

Oct. 27, 2014; Ionia Sentinel-Standard

Ionia, Mich. — Four candidates are running to fill three open seats on the Ionia Public Schools Board of Education.

… Name: Karen Balice-Gregory

Age: 62

Education: Graduated from SSPP in 1969, and had some classes at LCC and GRCC, mostly during my years working with the State of Michigan.

GRCC In the News, 10-6-14

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Jimmy Carter to take part in China Town Hall hosted at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Oct. 6, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is coming back to Grand Rapids this month, sort of.

The country’s 39th president, who spoke last month at Grand Rapids Community College as part of the school’s Diversity Lecture Series, will take part via webcast in a China Town Hall from 6:50 to 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 303 Pearl St. NW, in Grand Rapids.

Art of war at ArtPrize 2014

Oct. 3, 2014; therapidian.org

ArtPrize 2014 goers will notice works scattered throughout the exhibition venues addressing the experiences of war. These artists have given their Grand Rapids audiences a reminder that we live in a nation currently involved in military action and with a history of military engagement around the globe.

… Other contributions call attention to the trauma experienced by soldiers and their families, including”The Walking Art Project” by Roger Carlson, at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital and Janice Haringsma’s “Color is the Universe” at GRCC Spectrum Theater Lobby. Sales of these works will benefit the Disabled American Veterans, and the Lakota People of the Pine Ridge Reservation via Re-Member organization, respectively.

Photos from President and Mrs. Carter’s dinner at GRCC

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President and Mrs. Carter dined with GRCC faculty, trustees, students and the community at the Heritage restaurant after his presentation at the Diversity Lecture Series.

More than 60 students, faculty and staff came together to pull off the evening, with a nearly one-to-one ratio of food service personnel to guests. The menu included African Braised Goat, Panzanella “Georgia Style” and a Michigan peach tart.

President Carter said that between the service, menu and food selections — and the fact that it was all performed by students — it was an extremely impressive meal, “one that I will always remember!” He reminisced to the guests that it all took him back to when he was 6 years old on his father’s farm because goat was something of comfort food for him.

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GRCC In the News, 9-25-14

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Former President Jimmy Carter On Gay Rights: Jesus Christ Never Discriminated Against Anyone

Sept. 24, 2014; huffingtonpost.com

A packed college auditorium roared with applause when former President Jimmy Carter took a stand for gay rights.

When asked about his views on human rights and the LGBT community, Carter schooled the crowd at Michigan’s Grand Rapids Community College with some of his Christian theology.

Seasoned chemist on the staff at Grayling High School

Sept. 24, 2014 Crawford County Avalanche

As a chemist who reached commercial success at the top of his field, Dr. Greg Schmidt could have punched his ticket to anywhere in the world to take a step up the career ladder, but there is no other place he’d rather be than in high school.

… Schmidt served as adjunct professor at Grand Rapids Community College, where he learned the gap between what students are taught in high school and what they are expected to know in college is huge for various reasons.

Five local galleries showcase ArtPrize entries

Sept. 24, 2014; therapidian.org

With over 174 venues participating in ArtPrize this year, five of them exist as exhibiting galleries year round within the ArtPrize boundaries.

… GRCC Collins Art Gallery (143 Bostwick N.E.) has been a venue since the first ArtPrize and is hosting seven ArtPrize entries this year encompassing mixed media pieces, video, surrealist and archival photography, paintings, ceramics and pottery.

School district surveying community about superintendent, district

Sept. 24, 2014; MLive

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI – Northview Public Schools is surveying district residents on the performance of Superintendent Mike Paskewicz.

… The annual survey announced Tuesday, Sept. 23, will remain open for approximately three weeks. Results of the survey will be shared in December 2014. Paskewicz, hired in July 2009, is a candidate for the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees but intends to remain superintendent if elected on Nov. 4.

GRCC In the News, 9-24-14

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Watch Jimmy Carter discuss Gerald R. Ford, U.S. being ‘constantly at war,’ bombing ISIS

Sept. 23, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Former President Jimmy Carter spoke to a packed house Monday at Grand Rapids Community College, touching on topics ranging from his relationship with Gerald R. Ford, women’s rights and U.S. military intervention in Iraq.

Julie Bulson preaches emergency preparedness

Sept. 23, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

At Spectrum Health, Julie Bulson brings a host of insights and leadership governance gathered during her 30 years in health care, 20 of which are in emergency preparedness.

… Bulson has co-authored several professional articles and teaches senior-level nursing students as a guest lecturer at Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing.

Exercise for older adults

Sept. 23, 2014; WZZM

Regular exercise can make a big difference in the quality of life as we get older. Mike Faber from the Older Learner Center at Grand Rapids Community College visited the WZZM13 News at Noon to share ways to stay active during aging.

Howell’s Samples has first Cleary ace

Sept. 23, 2014; Livingston Daily

SOUTHFIELD — Hogan Samples hit the first hole-in-one in the history of Cleary University golf on Tuesday as the Cougars finished fourth at the Lawrence Tech Invitational.

… The Cougars finished fourth overall out of the 14 teams competing. Grand Rapids Community College and Wayne State tied for first at 608, followed by Mott Community College (612) and Cleary (615).

S drive problems, Carters’ lecture prompt Raider Salutes

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We have two Raider Salutes today!

The first comes from Debra Stout in Workforce Training:  I would like to salute Dale Betts and Dan Guajardo. Both came to our rescue when the S drive went down and we lost all our CNA appointments scheduled in the spreadsheet and stored on the S drive.  

The second was prompted by Monday’s Diversity Lecture Series presentation by President and Mrs. Carter:  It took many hands to pull off Monday’s diversity lecture with President and Mrs. Carter. The president’s office would like to acknowledge that effort, and salute those who took time from their regular work to make the evening a success!

 

 

GRCC In the News, 9-23-14

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Crowd gives Carters a warm welcome in G.R.

Sept. 23, 2014; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) — Hundreds of people waited in line Monday afternoon to see former President Jimmy Carter and the former First Lady Rosalynn Carter talk about their work around the world helping to eliminate disease, hunger, and discrimination against woman and the mentally ill.

Former President Carter on LGBT Rights: Jesus didn’t discriminate

Sept. 23, 2014; MLive (video)

Former President Jimmy Carter talks about fair rights for Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Bisexual people at Grand Rapids Community College.

Why Jimmy Carter wants to ‘shock people into taking action’ to improve women’s rights

Sept. 22, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Speaking Monday at Grand Rapids Community College, former President Jimmy Carter said women’s rights are being ignored around the globe, from income inequality and sexual assault in the U.S. to a lack of education and health care in Third World countries.

Jimmy Carter Speaks In Grand Rapids, Says Civilians At Risk If U.S. Bombs Islamic State

Sept. 22, 2014; CBS Detroit

GRAND RAPIDS (AP) — A U.S. bombing attack against the Islamic State forces in Iraq could end up killing more civilians than militants unless there are American spotters on the ground, former President Jimmy Carter said Monday during an appearance at a community college in western Michigan.

GRCC In the News, 9-22-14

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Former president visits Grand Rapids this week

Sept. 21, 2014; Michigan Radio

Former President Jimmy Carter will be in Grand Rapids on Monday.

President Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter are scheduled to appear at Grand Rapids Community College as part of the school’s diversity lecture series.

GRCC Older Learning Center hosting events in honor of college’s 100th anniversary

Sept. 19, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community Colleges Older Learning Center, which is dedicated to providing outreach and educational opportunities for the region’s elderly residents, is celebrating the institution’s 100th anniversary with two free discussions.

Inside Track: Judo inspires Grand Rapids lawyer in and out of court

Sept. 19, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Whether he’s defending a client inside a courtroom or slamming an opponent on a judo mat, one thing about Eric Richards remains consistent.

… At Grand Rapids Junior College — now Grand Rapids Community College — Richards said he began applying himself after finding wonderful professors who inspired him to study history. He eventually went on to study history at Michigan State University, but found that, like many students are finding today, jobs for someone with his major just weren’t there.

Grand Rapids area mayors team with volunteers in Grand River Cleanup

Sept. 20, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Area mayors and hundreds of volunteers took to the Grand River as part of the annual Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup.

(Article doesn’t mention GRCC, but the photos show A.J. Helmus, Mario Rivera, Hana Christoffersen and other GRCC Biodiversity Club members.)

Expungement Workshop in Grand Rapids

Sept. 19, 2014; FOX 17

As part of the United Way’s annual Day of Caring, Jubilee Jobs teamed up with Cooley Law School and others to hold an Expungement Workshop.

(The segment doesn’t mention it, but GRCC participated in the event.)

Editorial: Press endorses Debra Bailey and Mike Paskewicz, the 2 best candidates for GRCC Board

Sept. 21, 2014; MLive

Four candidates are vying for two, six-year seats on the seven-member Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees in the Nov. 4 election. The best candidates to help guide the college are Debra Bailey and Mike Paskewicz.

 

Story Van volunteers needed tonight

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The GRCC Story Van will be set up to record birthday wishes and GRCC stories at the lecture this evening which is being held in the Ford Fieldhouse.

We are looking for volunteers to work at the van from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m.  If you are available, please contact Liz Timmer at ltimmer1@comcast.net.