GRCC In the News, 8-5-19

Change Ups: Wierich appointed to separate art positions

Aug. 2, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… EDUCATION

Grand Rapids Community College launched a new degree in pre-sports management. Students who complete the associate program can then transfer to complete a Bachelor of Science in sports management at Grand Valley State University.

Jets Sign TE Nick Truesdell, Waive OL Tyler Jones

Aug. 4, 2019; newyorkjets.com

The Jets made a pair of moves Sunday, signing TE Nick Truesdell and waiving OL Tyler Jones.

The well-traveled Truesdell, who played collegiately at Cincinnati and also attended Grand Rapids Community College, had a couple of stints in the Indoor Football League (IFL) and multiple stops in the Arena Football League (AFL). He also had brief stays with the Colts and the Vikings and most recently played with the Salt Lake Stallions in the Alliance for American Football. The 6’5”, 246-pounder combined to catch 127 balls for 1,527 yards with 38 touchdowns in the AFL.

Tough spring took a toll, but mid-Michigan generational farmer hopeful

Aug. 4, 2019; The Hastings Banner

Tim Stuart is a 36-year-old farmer who manages approximately 750 acres that he shares with his dad.

… Stuart attended Grand Rapids Community College and earned an associate’s degree in automotive technology, but he returned to the farm with his father.

Memorial tourney going strong in 14th year

Aug, 4, 2019; The Hastings Banner

It has been long enough now that the young men and women chosen to receive the Emily Duits Memorial Scholarship Award, for a graduating senior at Lakewood High School each spring, don’t have their own memories of Duits.

… She’ll (Savannah Stoepker) use the award towards her coming years at Grand Rapids Community College, where she will be a member of the women’s softball team. She has plans right now to study towards a degree in secondary education, eventually moving on to a school like Grand Valley State University.

GRCC In the News, 7-23-19

GRCC has transfer agreement with Grand Valley for Pre-Sports Management program

July 22, 2019; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Professional and college sports are big business.

Grand Rapids Community College has entered into a new articulation or transfer agreement with Grand Valley State University for the 2019-20 academic year regarding its Pre-Sports Management program.

The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division names new officers

July 22, 2019; The Oakland Press

Majors Timothy and Lori Meyer, husband and wife, were recently appointed to The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division, based in Southfield. Timothy was named as general secretary and metro Detroit area commander, and Lori will serve in a newly created role as spiritual life development secretary. They replace officers, Majors Russ and Jan Sjögren who retired at the end of June after a combined 86 years of service to The Salvation Army.

… Lori has an associate of applied science in early childhood education and training from Grand Rapids Community College.

GRCC In the News, 7-11-19

Wreath-laying ceremony to mark President Ford’s 106th birthday

July 10, 2019; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – To commemorate the life of the late President Gerald R. Ford, a wreath-laying ceremony will be held next week marking the late president’s 106th birthday.

… Presenters at the ceremony will include Susan Ford Bales, the Fords’ daughter; Dr. Stephen Barton, Grand Rapids Community College director of choral activities, to sing the National Anthem; Rev. Stephen Holmgren, from Grace Episcopal Church, for invocation; and Major Glen Caddy, to offer benediction.

Salvation Army names new commander for metro Detroit

July 10, 2019; Crain’s Detroit Business

The Southfield-based Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division has named Maj. Timothy Meyer as its new general secretary and metro Detroit area commander.

… She (Maj. Lori Meyer) holds an Associate of Applied Science in early childhood education and training from Grand Rapids Community College.

Recap: Teachers of Tomorrow Scholarship Dinner

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On October 17, the annual Teachers of Tomorrow Scholarship Dinner was held to honor 43 scholarship recipients who are pursuing careers in the field of Education. This year’s scholarship recipients are:

• Adam Warners
• Adriana Demaet
• Alexandra Blair
• Amanda Veldheer
• Andrea Snow
• Angelica Lopez
• Averie Allen
• Brianna Deward
• Brittany Blair
• Caleb Pols
• Chelsie Galloway
• Collin Rosendall
• Ellianna Doorn
• Emily Casarez
• Haley Hartman
• Jessie Webb
• June Rayburn
• Kareem Cruz
• Katie Schumann
• Kayla Assink
• Kelsea Hector
• Kendra Veldheer
• Kimberly Averill
• Leah Boerkoel
• Lindsay Mersman
• Mackenzie Scott
• Mariah Rios
• MaryEllen McCarthy
• Matthew Spees
• Rachel Walker
• Raina Malley
• Rodney Van Lagen
• Ronnise Eubanks-Chambliss
• Sabrina Burd
• Sara Skalandis
• Sara Westrate
• Sarah Mckellar
• Shelby Freeman
• Stephanie Cronk
• Sydnee Ellison
• Sydney VandenHout
• Torie Haner
• Trevor Hodges

Sommer Jabbar, a former GRCC student, came to speak about her experiences in the program and working to succeed in the field today. We were also honored to have Dr. Pink and Provost Chesley in attendance to see the students honored. Thank you to all who helped make this event a success!

Raider Salute from Early Childhood Learning Laboratory to Jeff Smoes

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GRCC’s ECLL Marsh room would like to thank Jeff Smoes and his helper for bringing the leaf blowers and making a big leaf pile for our kids to play in. Jeff took it upon himself to do this for our kids, saying “I still like to play in the leaves and figured it would be fun for the kids.”

Our kids had a ball. Thank you!

Nugent Builders Volunteers Work On Preschool Playground

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The Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory’s playground is shaping up to be a true community project, with expert builders sharing their time and expertise to make it a special place.

A team from Nugent Builders was the latest to spend a day on the playground, volunteering to design and build mud tables, fences, and other features. Nugent Builders is a local, family-owned business.

“It’s all about helping kids,” said Mike Miner, the company’s director of commercial construction.

Miner said CEOs Rick and Carol Nugent believe in the importance of community service, and the company has strong ties to Grand Rapids Community College.  Residential Construction Administrator Karen McCambridge and Commercial Superintendent Ben Nugent are GRCC grads – and Karen also is an adjunct professor.

Recap: Michigan map party at the Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory

On Friday, June 15, GRCC family and friends celebrated the arrival of a ‘Michigan and the Great Lakes’ map in our Preschool Outdoor Learning Environment at the Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory.  Participants, including Dr. Pink, brought their favorite rock to help leave a permanent mark on GRCC’s new map.

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The event also celebrated the retirements of learning lab instructors Cheryl Botham, Paula Kunst, and Penny Folsom, who have a combined 99 years of GRCC teaching experience!  Happy retirement, Cheryl, Paula, and Penny!

Celebrate Retirees at GRCC Preschool Open House TOMORROW, 6/15

Join us for a punch and cookie reception to say happy retirement to Cheryl Botham, Paula Kunst, and Penny Folsom — are all retiring this semester from the Laboratory Preschool. Combined they have worked at GRCC for 99 years!

Friday, June 15, from 4-5:30 p.m.

Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory

Celebrate Retirees at GRCC Preschool Open House on Friday, 6/15

Join us for a punch and cookie reception to say happy retirement to Cheryl Botham, Paula Kunst, and Penny Folsom — are all retiring this semester from the Laboratory Preschool. Combined they have worked at GRCC for 99 years!

Friday June 15 from 4-5:30 p.m.

Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory

Raider Salute to Facilities staff

Kathleen Neumann, the Child Development Community Liaison at GRCC, has a Raider Salute for Facilities:

I want to send a shout out to our awesome facility staff who helped move our Early Learning Community Play and Learn Group!
You guys are great!

GRCC In the News, 4-24-18

GRCC Will Be Offering Two Drone Courses

April 21, 2018; Deep Aero Drones

Farmers, construction industry, inspection, survey, search and rescue are some of the areas where drones are majorly being used. Colleges are also showing an interest in the drone technology, and Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) will be offering two drone courses that will increase peoples skill set and offer more economic opportunities.

Grand Rapids Community College offers free laptop vending machine (M Live)

April 23, 2018; avnetwork.com

Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is among higher education institutions providing free laptop vending machines to give students greater access to technology and more flexibility.

Low-income Grand Rapids preschoolers are catching up. Will Lansing notice?

April 24, 2018; Bridge Magazine

GRAND RAPIDS — In some of the poorest neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, in places inured to academic failure, children are grasping at a chance to defy the odds.

… “This makes a tremendous impact,” said Dr. Nkechy Ezeh, founder and CEO of ELNC said of the program. “We know that the brain is ready to learn, really from 0 to 5. We have to strike while the iron is hot.”

(This article doesn’t mention it, but Nkechy Ezeh is a GRCC alumna.)

Teachers of Tomorrow Scholarship Winners

Monday evening the Child Development & Education department celebrated the Teachers of Tomorrow Scholarship winners with an awards dinner. These students were hand selected to receive the scholarships to assist in their teacher education journey. Congratulations to all scholarship winners!

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GRCC In the News, 1-23-17

GRCC holds grand opening dedication, open house for new preschool facility

Jan. 21, 2017; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Grand Rapids Community College marked the grand opening of the Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory with a dedication and community open house on Saturday.

Members in the News January 2017

Jan. 20, 2017; Merit

… GRCC Replaces Nearly $590,000 in Textbooks Through Open Educational Partnerships

Through its new partnerships with the OpenStax program and other providers of free digital resources, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) has replaced almost $590,000 in textbooks with free or substantially less expensive versions. Last February, GRCC joined Rice University’s OpenStax program, which provides free, high-quality peer-reviewed textbooks. During the fall semester, more than 90 GRCC class sections used the open-educational resource (OER) texts.

Together again

Jan. 22, 2017; Lanthorn (GVSU student newspaper)

Grand Valley State University’s Sibs and Kids Weekend will be a time of reconnection for GVSU students and their families. To celebrate this annual event, GVSU will be hosting a variety of activities Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28. Most of the activities will occur in the Kirkhof Center, although a few will happen in various other campus locations, as well as off campus.

… This year’s Sibs and Kids Weekend will be hosted by the Laker Traditions team, along with assistance from organizations like Spotlight Productions and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. In addition, the Grand Rapids Community College will be partnering with the YMCA to provide volunteers for one of Saturdays main events, Night at the YMCA.

World Affairs Council of Western Michigan Announces 2017 Great Decisions Global Discussions, Expansion into Holland

Jan. 21, 2017; 24-7pressrelease.com

Global health issues, nuclear proliferation, the complexity of U.S.-Saudi and U.S.-China relations are a few of the dynamic topics being explored as the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan launches its 2017 Great Decisions Global Discussion Series.

… In addition to strong participation from World Affairs Council members and the general community, more than 100 college students will take the series through their respective political science or international departments. Local participating colleges include Aquinas College, Calvin College, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Hope College, Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, Montcalm Community College and Western Michigan University.

American Law Society Recognizes Gary P Schenk

Jan. 21, 2017; military-technologies.net

Grand Rapids, MI, January 20, 2017 (PR.com) — Gary P. Schenk is a partner at Schenk, Boncher & Rypma based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Gary’s practice focuses primarily on commercial, business, contract, and corporate law and associated litigation. His profound knowledge of commercial real estate has made him an expert advisor for both large and small business owners.

… Other notable associations and accomplishments include: serving on committees for the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan; he was a past member of the Grand Valley State University Foundation, the Grand Valley University Friends of the Arts; he is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and previously served on the Lawyer Referral Committee of the Grand Rapids Bar; additionally, he has served a term as Chairperson of the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees.

Jayhawks women’s team stifles Grand Rapids CC with tough defense

Jan. 21, 2017; Local Sports Journal (Muskegon)

MUSKEGON — The Muskegon Community College women’s basketball team didn’t lose any defensive intensity over the two-week holiday break.

The Grand Rapids Community College Raiders will attest to that.

Photos, video from preschool’s grand opening

GRCC held a ribbon-cutting for the new Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory on Jan. 21.

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GRCC In the News, 12-20-16

Head Start receives $675K grant to launch ‘Grow Your Own’ project

Dec. 19, 2016; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Head Start for Kent County received a three-year, $675,000, grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to promote the success of kids through a “Grow Your Own” project that will help staff earn degrees and launch a Parent Leadership program.

… She said the nonprofit, located at 2626 Walker Ave. NW, has agreements with Aquinas College, Central Michigan University and Grand Rapids Community College to provide courses on site potentially as early as this March, making it more convenient for their staff.