Charles Chanter, GRCC and statewide athletic leader, dies
June 26, 2019; MLive
Charles Chanter, an athletic and teaching leader at Grand Rapids Community College for more than 40 years, has died.
Tag Archives: business department
Meet the ambassadors: Zach White
Zach White
Let’s meet this summer’s orientation ambassadors:
Zach White is completing his Associate of Business with a special interest in marketing. He enjoys playing basketball and hockey, and loves to hang out with his friends!
Favorite movie: “Talladega Nights”
Favorite color: Black, because it contains all colors
Best piece of advice he’s ever heard: “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” — Ricky Bobby (“Talladega Nights”)
GRCC In the News, 6-4-19
Saugatuck’s Brad Dunn to play baseball at Grand Rapids Community College
June 3, 2019; The Holland Sentinel
SAUGATUCK — Brad Dunn won two, individual state hurdle championships on Saturday to conclude his high school career as a four-sport star.
… The Saugatuck senior signed with Grand Rapids Community College in late May.
Graduation 2019: Holland VR Tech
June 3, 2019; The Holland Sentinel
What are you looking forward to now that you’ve graduated?
… “I’m going to college at Grand Rapids Community College to be an ultrasound tech.” — Caroline Pannyasee
… “I’m planning on going to Grand Rapids Community College.” — Happin Waguk
New SingularityU chapter fosters “Exponential Technologies for Good”
June 3, 2019; rapidgrowthmedia.com
Thanks to local futurist, Mary Brown, Singularity University (SU) is establishing a chapter in Grand Rapids, one of 142 chapters in 66 world locations recognized as up-and-coming technology centers. SU had been on Brown’s radar for some time. After attending its Global Summit, she submitted an application in hopes of starting a Grand Rapids chapter. Because Grand Rapids is recognized as an emerging center of innovation, the chapter application was approved.
… SingularityU Grand Rapids team members include Brown, the chapter ambassador, and Jan Mathorne, owner of HUCAPA – Human Capital Partners, an executive search consulting firm based in Denmark, Michigan, and California. Brown, a futurist, focuses on ethical adoption of AI in healthcare and society via human-centered design and organizational change and learning. A former senior digital experience analyst at Priority Health, she currently serves as senior consultant for learning and development in Spectrum Health’s Inclusion and Diversity department and as adjunct faculty at Grand Rapids Community College in the psychology and business departments.
GRCC In the News, 5-14-19
Morning News
5/14/19 WZZM
Leaders from Grand Rapids Community College want more students to be able to get scholarships to go to GRCC and they also want to improve their facilities. Today, we’ll learn how the school plans on doing that. They’ll tell us about their new campaign during a news conference at 10 o’clock this morning.
Street Talk: Let’s talk streets
5/10/19 Grand Rapids Business Journal
… Grand Rapids Community College has identified nearly 300 students who met all of the requirements for an associate degree but never claimed it.
Change Ups: WMU Cooley Law School taps McGrath as president, dean
5/10/19 Grand Rapids Business Journal
… EDUCATION
Grand Rapids Community College student Jake Dabkowski teamed up with Kendall College of Art and Design students Aiden Wysocki, Matthew Veenhoven and Jonathan Moroney, winning first place and $4,000 from MWest Challenge, a student venture competition for pitching a business that would help summer camps handle medications.
Grand Rapids Community College geology students Maegan Bouwens and Madison Jones will spend four weeks doing fieldwork through a fully funded research experience at the University of Texas-El Paso to study 34- to 56-million-year-old igneous rocks in El Paso. The students will continue their research in Michigan.
Record-breaking season shows what heart and hard work can do
5/10/19 schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)
Now that the gold dust has settled on the Godfrey-Lee wrestling season, coach James Maxim has some time to think about the team’s record-breaking accomplishments.
… As for team leader Enrique (Moreno-Martinez), he will never forget the adversity and experiences he had with Lee wrestling, even as he moves on to study culinary arts at Grand Rapids Community College next fall.
KCAD Alum, Faculty Member Tara McCrackin Named Interim President
5/10/19 ferris.edu (Ferris State University press release)
GRAND RAPIDS — Ferris State University President David Eisler announced today the appointment of Tara McCrackin, associate professor of Interior Design at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) as the interim president of the college.
… McCrackin serves on the Grand Rapids Community College Interior Design Advisory Board and as president of the Michigan chapter of the International Interior Design Association. She donates her time to Kids’ Food Basket in Grand Rapids, and most recently completed the interior design for their new facility opening this summer.
Condolences to friends, family of Jacob ‘Jac’ Bajema
We extend our condolences to the family, friends and former colleagues of Jacob “Jac” Bajema, who died earlier this month.
GRCC student part of winning MWest Challenge team
The MWest Challenge is a student venture competition designed to create cross collaboration between students that span across several universities from West Michigan. Through MWest, entrepreneurially minded students are able to develop and grow new ventures based on their own ideas.
MWest involves nine West Michigan colleges and universities, representing 75,000 students from: Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Kendall College of Art and Design, Davenport University, Aquinas College, Calvin College, Cornerstone University, Kuyper College, and Hope College.
In this year’s competition, GRCC student Jake Dabkowski was part of the three-student team that won.
Pictured below are Felix Pierero (GRCC), Aiden Wysocki (Kendall), Jake Dabkowski (GRCC), Matthew Veenhoven (Kendall), and Jonathan Moroney (Kendall):
Raider Salute to Kim Zinger
A Raider Salute from the Business Department to Kim Zinger:
Raider Salute to Kim Zinger from all of us in the Business Dept. Kim is always there to help us when needed. Kim is amazing!
GRAHEN adult learner award nominations due Thursday
Do you know of an outstanding adult learner at GRCC?
Last year, GRCC celebrated it’s 2018 The Grand Rapids Area Higher Education Network (GRAHEN) Outstanding Adult Learner award recipient, Drewyn Talley:
This year, GRAHEN is again looking for outstanding adult learners whose accomplishments in higher education and contributions in the community merit recognition. GRAHEN defines an adult learner as a college age student in their mid to late 20’s and older. The student should be currently enrolled. The winner will be invited to an awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, held to honor and recognize the student with a Certificate of Achievement and cash award.
Please send your nominations, no later than February 28, to Lori Cook (lcook@grcc.edu) and Francisco Ramirez (framirez@grcc.edu). They will follow up with the nominee on the application process, which consists of submitting an application, writing and essay, and two letters of recommendation.
Please contact Lori or Francisco with any questions. Thank you!
GRCC In the News, 1-14-19
Jan. 12, 2019; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College has funding to train 60 people for an initiative to help increase the diversity of the health care workforce, according to Julie Parks, executive director of GRCC Workforce Training.
Jan. 11, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal
A local college has created a new program to prepare students for supply chain management.
Grand Rapids Community College said last month it is now offering the 30-week program Supply Chain Operations Management Certificate to prepare people to manage the transport and storage of raw materials, inventory and finished goods from where they are made to where they are used.
Jan. 11, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal
… Mike Ford, son of former President Gerald R. Ford and first lady Betty Ford, will speak during a rededication of the renovated Grand Rapids Community College building named for his father.
News 8 Daybreak
Jan. 14, 2019; WOOD TV
A former first son will be in West Michigan today for a rededication ceremony. Grand Rapids Community College will celebrate the renovations at the Ford Fieldhouse. Mike Ford, President Gerald R. Ford’s son, will speak at the ceremony for the building named after his father. It will start at 3:30 today. GRCC spent $8 million on upgrades and new facilities for their student-athletes.
Jan. 11, 2019; schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)
Days before the start of second semester, volleyball players Dani Johnston, Jamie Wellet and Jasmine Wellet, stopped in to see the newly renovated Ford Fieldhouse, which hosts the teams home games and other athletic events.
… Grand Rapids Community College officials say upgrading the fieldhouse, 111 Lyon St. NE, provides a state-of-the-art facility for athletes and students.
Jan. 12, 2019; The Arab American News
DEARBORN — Late last year, former Gov. Snyder appointed Henry Ford College President Russell Kavalhuna to a two-year term on the state’s 21st Century Talent Creation Subcommittee.
… In addition to Kavalhuna, Snyder appointed Grand Rapids Community College President Dr. Bill Pink; Alpena Public Schools Supt. Dr. John VanWagoner; Dr. Joseph Lubig, associate dean of the School of Education at Northern Michigan University; Megan Schrauben, executive director of the MiSTEM Network for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget; Alycia Meriweather, deputy superintendent of external partnerships, enrollment & specialty programming at the Detroit Public Schools Community District and Dr. Mark Pogliano, principal at the Jackson Area Career Center.
Fall 2018 Sessions for the Business Café
The following sessions are on the books for the Business Café this fall:
- Wednesday, 9/26, 3 p.m. – Building a Better Resume
- Thursday, 9/27, 1:30 p.m. – Who Wants to be a CPA
- Tuesday, 10/2, 10:30 a.m. – Davenport 3+1
- Monday, 10/8, 12 p.m. – Careers in Marketing & Management – Unlimited Earning Potential and Adventure!
- Monday, 10/15, 11:30 a.m. – Entrepreneurship & Starting Your Own Business – The Incredible Journey Starts with You!
- Wednesday, 11/7 – Transfer Resource Fair
- Wednesday, 11/14, 11 a.m. – Careers in Accounting
- Thursday, 11/15, 9 a.m. – Guided Pathways
- Wednesday, 12/5, 12 p.m. – One Scholarship Application: Hundreds of Opportunities
Contact Myriah Williams in the Business Department for more information: myriahwilliams@grcc.edu.
GRCC In the News, 4-27-18
Accelerated technical training program graduates 15
April 26, 2018; Allegan News
Fifteen Allegan County students in a program that pairs a second chance to complete a high school education while arming them with skilled labor credentials, celebrated completion on Wednesday, April 18, at Allegan Public Schools administration building.
… The partners involved include Allegan Alternative Education, Allegan Adult Education, Plainwell Renaissance Adult Education, West Michigan Works, Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan Career & Technical Institute, Lake Michigan College, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Allegan County Community Action, Love INC, the Linking Center, 70×7 Life Recovery, Bridges of Hope Allegan County, area employers, and other community based organizations.
Teen scholarship recipient credits mentor with turning his life around
April 26, 2018; FOX 17
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Eben Gardner is one of 15 students who received a $2,000 scholarship from Lake Michigan Credit Union to help pay for higher education. However, the Cedar Springs High School senior said the road wasn’t easy.
… Gardner is headed to Grand Rapids Community College to study business. Lake Michigan Credit Union said it’s been able to award $361,500 to 222 students over the years through its Hutt Scholarships.
Kidney Walk celebró caminata sobre prevención de enfermedad renal crónica
April 26, 2018; El Vocero
Kidney Walks han sido una parte integral en la recaudación de fondos desde 1996 y se presentan en todo el estado Michigan.
… La misma fue dedicada en honor al doctor Bill Pink, presidente de Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) quién realizó el corte del listón para dejar oficialmente iniciado el recorrido de la caminata, que abarcó tres millas dentro del área verde del parque.
(Kidney Walks have been an integral part of the fundraising since 1996 and are presented throughout the state of Michigan.
… It was dedicated in honor of Dr. Bill Pink, president of Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) who made the cut of the ribbon to officially start the walk, which covered three miles within the green area of the park.)
Jayhawks baseball team splits doubleheader with Grand Rapids Community College
April 26, 2018; Local Sports Journal (Muskegon)
The Muskegon Community College baseball team split a doubleheader against Grand Rapids Community College on Thursday.
Jayhawks take two tight softball wins, top Grand Rapids Community College
April 26, 2018; Local Sports Journal
Muskegon Community College eked out a pair of one-run wins over Grand Rapids Community College in Western Conference softball action on Wednesday.
Drewyn Talley wins Outstanding Adult Learner Award
GRCC is one of the 12 participating schools in the Grand Rapids Area Higher Education Network. Last week, GRAHEN held its annual Outstanding Adult Learner (OAL) awards ceremony. GRCC student and employee Drewyn Talley won this year’s OAL award. Drewyn could not attend the event, but our colleague and his nominator, Myriah Williams (Business Department) accepted the award on his behalf.
GRCC In the News, 3-22-18
Witnesses say mutual fight led to man’s death; mother in doubt
March 21, 2018; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — After almost a year of investigation, police and prosecutors found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing in the April 2017 death of a 25-year-old Grand Rapids man.
… (Julius Melvin) Vinson’s family described the 25-year-old as a “jokester” who was well-loved by his family and others. He studied business at Grand Rapids Community College, and wanted to be a real estate agent.
Grand Rapids Community College raises tuition $1
March 21, 2018; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College students will see their tuition increase by $1 this fall – the lowest hike in nearly two decades, officials say.
‘He’s a fighter’ 2-year-old diagnosed with rare Vanishing Bone disease
March 21, 2018; FOX 17
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — An Ottawa County boy is battling a disease so rare, less than 300 cases have been reported in the entire world.
… Antonio (Aguillon) has been at the hospital nonstop, getting a lot of help from friends and family. A coworker of his at Grand Rapids Community College started a GoFundMe page to help with the family’s medical expenses.
Collegiate Men’s Basketball: SUNY Ulster eliminated from national tourney with loss to Grand Rapids
March 21, 2018; Daily Freeman (Kingston, N.Y.)
DANVILLE, ILL. — SUNY Ulster was eliminated from the NJCAA Division 2 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday as Grand Rapids Community College (Michigan) held off the Senators 98-88.
Battle Creek’s Best Bracket – Today’s Boys Elite Eight Region
March 21, 2018; Battle Creek Enquirer
So your bracket is busted and you don’t have any reason to pay attention to March Madness any longer. Well, you are in luck.
… No. 3 Jeremiah Davis vs. No. 6: Khylen Watkins
No. 3: Jeremiah Davis Harper Creek Class of 2017: As a senior, Davis led Harper Creek in scoring with 18.9 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds a contest in his final year on a 15-9 team. He finished his career as a two-time All-City player and an honorable mention All-State selection. Davis played his freshman year at Grand Rapids Community College.
UIX: Offstage engineering makes a big difference in local music
March 22, 2018; rapidgrowthmedia.com
Making music takes talent. Making a record takes commitment. But making it all sound good, takes experience.
… A sound engineer of 25 years, and currently Associate Professor of Recording Technology at Grand Rapids Community College, (Tim) Heldt was working with cutting edge equipment that few outside of his profession could afford, or understand.
Southwest Michigan slates 2018 Chávez awards dinner
March 21, 2018; La Prensa
KALAMAZOO: Southwest Michigan will celebrate the life and work of civil rights leader César E. Chávez on Saturday, March 24, 2018 during an annual scholarship fundraising dinner that includes the presentation of regional awards and scholarships.
… He (Juan Olivarez) served as the seventh president of Aquinas College from 2011 to 2017 and eighth president of Grand Rapids Community College from 1999 to 2008. In addition, he was a GRCC dean for 20 years; president and CEO of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation for three years; and a teacher, school psychologist and administrator with the Grand Rapids Public Schools system for many years.
Kent County considers early childhood tax for November ballot
March 21, 2018; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Early childhood education advocates in Kent County are once again working to place a county tax millage request on the ballot.
… There are also additional millages levied by the Kent Intermediate School District, Grand Rapids Community College, Kent District Library and the Inter Urban Transit Partnership — better known as The Rapid — and by local school districts and local units of government.
GRCC In the News, 3-5-18
Grant Gives Students Welding Skills, Virtual-style
Feb. 9, 2018; schoolnewsnetwork.org (KISD newsletter)
Whether you are in high school attempting to settle on a career, an adult back to school to upgrade skills or a young child dreaming of what to be when you grow up, equipment coming soon to Kent Career Tech Center should be on your must-investigate list.
… John Doneth, a welding instructor at Grand Rapids Community College, agrees.
“We have had a shortage in all skills trades for the last number of years,” he said. “For 20 years or more education has been focused on getting kids to college, but this type of work requires high tech and high skill.”
Comic book store builds community
March 2, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal
The Myers family always has backed Don Myers’ 40-year passion for comic books. Now, he is entering his third year of passing it on to Grand Rapids fans.
… Michelle Kastanek is secretary to the principal and founder of the drama program at East Grand Rapids Middle School, Cody Kastanek is a nerve conduction technologist at Spectrum Health Medical Group, and Derek (Myers) is attending Grand Rapids Community College and soon will transfer to Grand Valley State University for accounting.
March 2, 2018; Women’s Lifestyle magazine
Every time she steps into the spotlight, Megan Elaine, member of Grand Rapids improv comedy group Funny Girls and co-founder of Inaccurate and Inappropriate, knows that she is about to put her personal business out into the open. The funniest part? She doesn’t mind one bit; in fact, she is at her happiest when the crowd is laughing at her expense.
… After graduating high school in 2012, she took a job as a bartender. A year later, she enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College; however, half way through her first semester, Elaine had a change of heart.
TCC baseball continues to build momentum
March 2, 2018; Tallahassee Democrat (Fla.)
The Florida junior college baseball ranks are arguably the strongest and most competitive in the country.
… TCC (14-7), which opens a three-game series against Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College at 1 p.m. Sunday, features its usual blend of experience and first-year players.
March 2, 2018; Jackson County Floridian
March 2
… Softball
… Chipola beat Wallace Community College, 6-4, and Grand Rapids Community College, 14-3.
Mid Michigan Community College women win share of conference title
March 1, 2018; The Morning Sun (Mount Pleasant)
Champions of the West.
On Wednesday evening the Mid Michigan Community College women’s basketball team wrapped up a share of its first-ever MCCAA West Conference title by topping Grand Rapids Community College 59-47 at Morey Courts.
Architecture firm hires practice leader
March 2, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal
A local architecture firm has named a new practice leader.
… He (Tod Stevens) is also credited with more than 20 award-winning projects: Sangren Hall College of Education at Western Michigan University; Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons at Grand Valley State University; Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory at Grand Rapids Community College; College of Education at Old Dominion University; the Math and Physics Building at University of Texas at Dallas; and more.
Encourage students to sign up for MWest Challenge
Great News! The total MWest Challenge prize money is $10,000 for this year!
MWest Challenge 2018 Registration & Executive Summary Deadline for Students is Monday, Feb. 26, 2018.
The 2018 MWest Challenge is a student venture competition designed to create cross collaboration between students that span across several universities from West Michigan. Through MWest, entrepreneurially minded students are able to develop and grow new ventures based on their own ideas. MWest involves nine West Michigan colleges and universities, representing 75,000 students from: Grand Valley State University, Kendall College of Art and Design, Davenport University, Aquinas College, Calvin College, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Community College, Kuyper College, and Hope College.
In addition to the $10,000 in cash awards, students will have access to resources, mentors, educational workshops, and opportunities to network with angel and venture capital investors.
Please take a few minutes in each of your classes this week and encourage your students to register and submit their executive summaries.
This is great opportunity for our students to take what they have learned from you in your courses and apply it to a real-world opportunity that rewards them for getting in the game.
Again encourage your students to register and participate at MWest Challenge.
The following students won awards last year:
Shelby Rose received $1,500 as the second-place winner of the Innovation Showcase People’s Choice Award. Her proposal, a phone app called Rose’s Place, would allow domestic violence victims to unlock resources, advice and emergency contact help.
Mark Saint Amour and Andrew Johnson won a $750 Impact Award. Their proposal, Tabletop Entertainment, would rent out space and partner with local craft breweries to host tournaments featuring life-size versions of popular board games.
Rebecca Peterman won the $500 Impact Award for Wholesome Eats, a company that would provide healthy and affordable meals created in a client’s home. Services would include meal planning, grocery shopping, food preparation and kitchen cleanup.
MWest Challenge 2018 Registration & Executive Summary Deadline for Students is Monday, Feb. 26, 2018.
We need your help in making this year’s MWest Challenge 2018 Event the Best Ever!
Look forward to seeing you and your students at MWest Challenge!
The daily employee newsletter of Grand Rapids Community College 