Andre Fields receives national service award from Boy Scouts of America

Andre Fields talks to students at Raider Nation Day.

Congratulations to Associate Professor Andre Fields, director of Alpha Beta Omega, for receiving the national Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America.

The award, which was given today during the organization’s annual “Fulfilling the Dream” luncheon, recognizes outstanding service in demonstrating and implementing Scouting ideals for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds.

Fields is being honored for his work with ABO, GRCC’s leadership development program for inner-city men. Members of ABO, which is funded by the Wege Foundation, work with mentors on strategies for success in college, career and life. They also have access to one-on-one tutoring, workshops, study tables, and math and writing groups.

The other recipient of the award, Autocam Medical CEO and President John Kennedy, also has strong GRCC ties. Autocam teamed up with GRCC and other area companies to form the Advanced Manufacturing Program in 2012. Participating companies work with GRCC to determine the AMP curriculum and schedule. All the AMP “classes” are run in a cohort fashion, with classes scheduled and reserved specifically for students in the program.

Kennedy is being recognized today for his work in starting a reading initiative in the Grand Rapids Public Schools.

“Dr. Fields and Mr. Kennedy are powerful examples of what outstanding service looks like,” Aaron Gach, Scout executive and CEO of the President Ford Field Service Council, said in a press release. “They have each championed initiatives that will have a positive and lasting impact on our community’s youth.”

 

GRCC In the News, 2-26-18

Fraternity helps black male students succeed

Feb. 23, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

After Jesse William Krewson Jr. got back from Afghanistan, he wanted to get an education in an effort to better help people.

But when the Grand Rapids Community College student would do homework, he would just get stuck and felt like he had a lack of resources.

Change Ups: Clark is electrical craft competition’s top finisher

Feb. 23, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Calvin Clark is the top finisher for the first annual ABC WMC Electrical Craft Competition. The competition was hosted by the Associated Builders & Contractors, Western Michigan Chapter, which partnered with Grand Rapids Community College to showcase the skills of six top electrical apprentices from ABC WMC member companies who are enrolled in the GRCC apprenticeship program. Clark from HighPoint Electric now qualifies to represent ABC WMC and GRCC at the ABC National Craft Championship, scheduled March 20-22, in Long Beach, California.

… AWARDS

… Grand Rapids Community College Police Academy students Tracy Harrell and Yamel Marmolejos-Tolentino are the first recipients of the $1,500 Bragg, Harvard, MuhammadSmith Why We Can’t Wait scholarship for students in criminal justice, education or health care who plan a career in public service.

Holland-area schools, businesses form manufacturing partnerships

Feb. 25, 2018; The Holland Sentinel

At a time when manufacturers are left scrambling for employees, local manufacturing companies have taken to forming partnerships   with local schools to serve as pipelines into the industry.

… In 2016, Careerline Tech Center, Grand Rapids Community College and Herman Miller joined forces to launch the Early College Program.

GR woman who inspired thousands shares how she got clean

Feb. 24, 2018; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Kelly Galbraith never had a problem revealing the rock-bottom depths from which she clawed her way back.

… Meanwhile, Galbraith is attending Grand Rapids Community College and working as a peer support specialist at Sanford House, a drug rehabilitation program in Grand Rapids.

31 Days of March Fun for Kids in Grand Rapids

Feb. 24, 2018; grkids.com

… March 17 — Kid friendly music, games, special guests, and so many fun carnival style activities await you at Super Saturday Kids Zone being held at the GRCC Ford Fieldhouse. Tickets are $7, under 1 are free.

Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids presents: ‘Torch Song Trilogy: Act III Widows and Children First’

Feb. 25, 2018; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Our friends from Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids joined the Weekend Morning team on Sunday to share about their next show taking the stage on Thursday night. It’s called Torch Song Trilogy: Act III: Widows and Children First.

… The show takes the stage March 1, 3, 8, 10, 2018 at 8 p.m. March 4 & 11, 2018 at 3 p.m.
at Spectrum Theater, downtown on the GRCC campus at 160 Fountain St. NE

 

GRCC In the News, 7-17-17

GVSU, GRCC announce campus expansions in Grand Rapids

July 14, 2017; mibiz.com

GRAND RAPIDS — Two higher educational institutions plan to spend more than $82 million combined to expand their downtown campuses.

The state’s 2018 fiscal year budget, signed today by Gov. Rick Snyder, includes allocations for expansions at both Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College.

Change Ups: Blandford Nature Center founder receives inaugural award

July 14, 2017; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… GRANTS

Grand Rapids Community College received a $50,000 grant from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation to create more health care career opportunities for minorities. The grant will fund a 10-day Health Care Scrubs Camp for Grand Rapids Public Schools students. High school juniors and seniors will learn in GRCC simulation labs, work in a decontamination unit at St. Mary’s Hospital, participate in a culinary medicine workshop at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, and take part in a disaster drill.

Chef Clark introduces new take on Italian cuisine

July 11, 2017; Grand Rapids Magazine

Chef Clark Frain is excited to bring contemporary Italian cuisine, including crudo offerings, which means raw in Italian, to downtown Grand Rapids.

… After a stint at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College he landed at Gibsons. “I had a great experience there,” he said. “I started refining my technique and learning about high quality ingredients.”

Inside Track: Building a brotherhood

July 14, 2017; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Andre Fields knows firsthand the painful combination of poverty, fatherlessness and systemic racism that haunts many of his black male students.

… Fields, an associate professor and counselor at Grand Rapids Community College, started a leadership development fraternity for black male students at GRCC called Alpha Beta Omega (ABO) in 2012.

 

 

Raider Salute to Sophia Brewer, Chris Sain, Raydale Bonivel

A Raider Salute from Tamber Bustance, of the Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion:

A special thanks to Sophia Brewer (Library and Learning Commons), Chris Sain (Counseling, Advising and Retention) and Raydale Bonivel (Alpha Beta Omega) for presenting at the Diversity Youth Partnership Youth Summit on Friday, March 10, 2017.  More than 250 8th grade students at Northview’s Crossroads Middle School attended the Summit, which was coordinated by GRCC’s Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion.  Sophia, Chris and Raydale inspired the students and represented GRCC very well! 

GRCC In the News, 9-12-16

Hookah lounge shooting victim identified as a 22-year-old Muskegon man

Sept. 11, 2016; MLive

HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, MI — The 22-year-old man found dead in a parking lot Sunday morning has been identified by police as Muskegon resident Anthony Lamb.

… Police arrived to find Lamb lying in the parking lot outside the Hookah Lounge, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Lamb graduated from Holland High School in 2012 and went on to attend Grand Rapids Community College.

Help available for students of shuttered ITT Tech

Sept. 9, 2016; WOOD TV

MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The phones are ringing at college admissions offices all over West Michigan.

… Grand Rapids Community College is also looking for ways to help ITT Tech students.

Rees Scholarship Foundation awards $63,000

Sept. 11, 2016; mechanical-hub.com

Arlington, Va. — The Clifford H. Ted Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation, a charitable foundation of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), announced scholarship awards totaling $63,000 to 37 students, including four veterans, studying to become technicians in the HVACR and water heating industry.

… HVACR and Water Heating Technician Program Recipients:

… Pragnesh Patel, Grand Rapids Community College (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

What’s Cooking: Flourless chocolate torte recipe

Sept. 9, 2016; WZZM

Pastry Chef Abby Metz came to the WZZM 13 Studio from Red Water Restaurants, with a recipe for flourless chocolate torte.

(This article doesn’t mention it, but Abby Metz is a SICE alumna.)

2 Young Black Educators. 100 Students of Color: From Worst-to-First

Sept. 6, 2016; Huffington Post

Even in 2016, it is still rare to see two men of color who do what they do, working in higher education. Although the two couldn’t be more different, there are many things Chris & Dre have in common. For instance, they both come from humble beginnings. They both graduated from Ottawa Hills High School, located in Grand Rapids, Mich. and they both have humble, laid back personalities. Nearly ten years apart in age, they are two professionals who have become more like brothers due to a shared focus and passion for helping students achieve.

… In 2012, after data indicated that African American males attending Grand Rapids Community College were statistical leaders in every category of failure, Alpha Beta Omega (ABO) was birthed as a response to the stark reality. ABO, a leadership development program was spearheaded by Dr. Andre Fields, Eric Williams and Chris Sain Jr.

Five local leaders to host joint mayors’ coffee

Sept. 9, 2016; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS — Five local leaders are hosting a joint mayors’ coffee for residents on Sept. 22 with public transit the topic of discussion.

Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, Grandville Mayor Steve Maas, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, Walker Mayor Mark Huizenga and Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll will lead the mayors’ coffee, set for 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Applied Technology Center at Grand Rapids Community College, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE.

Alpha Beta Omega seeks support

Please consider making a financial contribution via the GRCC Foundations to support Alpha Beta Omega (ABO) and its meaningful endeavors. ABO exists to provide much needed support to GRCC’s highest risk and highest need students. Beginning today, you will have an opportunity to allocate some of your Foundations donation to the ABO leadership development program. Any size donation will be appreciated! Please know that 100% of your donation will go directly to funding the various resources, activities, events, and incentives that strategically build into ABO members the knowledge-base and skill-set they will need to accomplish their educational goals and evolve into the relevant and capable leaders our community needs. If you have any questions please contact Eric Williams (ext. 3720) or Andre Fields (ext. 4635). As an incentive, all donors who contribute $100 or more will receive a free signed copy of Andre Fields’ book The Psychology of Racism. ABO thanks you for your continued support. Have a great academic year!

Support Alpha Beta Omega

Please consider making a financial contribution via the GRCC Foundations to support Alpha Beta Omega (ABO) and its meaningful endeavors. ABO exists to provide much needed support to GRCC’s highest risk and highest need students. Beginning today, you will have an opportunity to allocate some of your Foundations donation to the ABO leadership development program. Any size donation will be appreciated! Please know that 100% of your donation will go directly to funding the various resources, activities, events, and incentives that strategically build into ABO members the knowledge-base and skill-set they will need to accomplish their educational goals and evolve into the relevant and capable leaders our community needs. If you have any questions please contact Eric Williams (ext. 3720) or Andre Fields (ext. 4635). As an incentive, all donors who contribute $100 or more will receive a free signed copy of Andre Fields’ book The Psychology of Racism. ABO thanks you for your continued support. Have a great academic year!

ABO treats elementary students to day of food, games

The Alpha Beta Omega World Leadership Society of GRCC concluded its 2014-15 community engagement program with MLK Elementary School in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. ABO students provided food and games with lots of fun for all third-graders at the school. One of the primary characteristics of leaders is that they give back to their communities and this is one way that ABO demonstrates that principle. This is the third year that the organization has been actively working with MLK students as tutors and mentors.

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