GRCC In the News, 8-26-19

News 8 Daybreak

Aug. 26, 2019; WOOD TV

Prepare for a full morning commute as most schools are back in session as well as GVSU and GRCC today.

Change Ups: Hon to oversee F&V’s source water protection staff

Aug. 23, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… EDUCATION

Grand Rapids Community College tapped Brian Knetl, interim provost at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, as provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs.

NJCAA: Southern Idaho, Coffeyville, Owens try to repeat as national champs

Aug. 25, 2019; volleyballmag.com

National Junior College Athletic Association volleyball is under way.

… NJCAA DIVISION 2

National champion — Coffeyville (1, 40-3): Coffeyville dispatched a second straight title game opponent with ease in 2018, but graduate the kids who fueled the title runs, including Adianez Reyes Rivera (5.75/kps, .384, 436 digs). The question will be whether returning libero Danielle Dodge (3.34/dpg) and middle Erianna Murray (175 kills, .359) can withstand what’s become a top-heavy Jayhawk Conference and rivals Johnson, Cowley, and Highland. Still, it’s a light early schedule with only two ranked teams on the docket for the first month, Highland and Lincoln Land.

… 6 — Grand Rapids (9, 31-8): 2018 is hard to judge for the Raiders, mostly because of coach Chip Will’s late-October health concern which sidelined him for a spell (though thankfully he has now recovered). The players to watch will be Lauren Jonker (MH, 124 kills, 95 blocks) and pin-hitter Danielle Johnston (322 kills, 247 digs). Expect entering setters Kailey Carmean and Tori Wolcott to press for playing time immediately. GRCC will face Kirkwood in their third match of the year and Parkland a week later, which should give a good indicator of whether the Raiders return to nationals this season.

LMU picked third in SAC preseason volleyball poll

Aug. 23, 2019; The Middlesboro Daily News

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The South Atlantic Conference announced its 2019 Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll Friday morning and the Lady Railsplitters of Lincoln Memorial University have been picked in a tie with Carson-Newman to finish third in the 12-team league.

… A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Northview HS), (Rylee) Storms returns for her senior campaign after capturing All-SAC Second Team accolades a season ago. Finishing the year with 311 kills (2.88/set), which ranked fifth in the league, the 6-foot hitter was named 2018 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Southeast All-Region honorable mention and collected SAC All-Tournament Team plaudits. Tallying 25 service aces to go along with her team-leading kills, Storms will begin the fall as LMU’s returning blocks leader after making 80 total in 2018. She also contributed 203 digs (1.88/set) a season ago and has racked up 544 kills (2.55/set) across the last two seasons of play after transferring to Harrogate from Grand Rapids Community College.

Coach Marcus Cribbs joins huddle at Mount Clemens High

Aug. 23, 2019; The Macomb Daily

Don Williams loves football.

… (Marcus) Cribbs starred at Lake Shore, was a junior college All American at Grand Rapids Community College and then went out to have two outstanding seasons at Ferris State University. A defensive lineman, he was invited to a rookie mini-camp tryout by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival in Grand Rapids Features Music, Food and Demos This Weekend

Aug. 23, 2019; therapidian.org

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of its annual Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival, the Polish Heritage Society of Grand Rapids has turbocharged the free event this upcoming weekend with top notch entertainment and demonstrations of Polish cooking, dance and crafts.

… The Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival is the major fundraiser for the Polish Heritage Society of Grand Rapids, a non-profit organization founded in 1963 to perpetuate and advance the Polish culture that has been so integral to metro Grand Rapids. Among a number of its activities, the society awards scholarships annually to students of Polish descent who attend Aquinas College, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, and Davenport University.

Fall athletics competition begins at Kellogg Community College

Aug. 23, 2019; WBCK

Kellogg Community College has brought back one sport this fall that will be a welcome addition to the two other sports set to begin their fall schedules this weekend.

… The Volleyball squad is looking to improve on an 8-16 record last season, where the Lady Bruins won seven straight matches over a two-week stretch. Former Pennfieldhead coach Tom VanWienen returns to the sidelines for his third year at Kellogg, and brings in a young group of just four sophomores and eight freshman. The returning players include Jackie Mason and Madison Ducheney (Marshall), Abigail Howard (Delton) and Madison Jones (Hillsdale). Other local talents include Haidyn Markos (Lakeview), Gabby Costello (Bellevue) and Grace Hall (Pennfield). Their schedule begins August 29th with their second season in the new Miller Gymnasium.

… Thursday, September 12th – *Grand Rapids Community College – 6:30pm

… The second season of Cross Country begins for the Bruins, coming from a successful debut in the MCCAA. The two squads will look to keep their momentum after both squads reached the last season’s National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Championships. The largest individual success came from Maggie Wood (Lakeview), who was named NJCAA Division III Second Team All-American, and Kyle Strong (Vicksburg) earning NJCAA Division III All-American Honorable Mention honors. Erin Lane returns as head coach for the Bruins, who begin their season August 30th.

… Friday, September 20th – *Grand Rapids Community College Meet – TBA

Cedar Springs High School graduates compete for GRCC

Aaliyah Sargent

Dallas Mora

Freshman Dallas Mora ran for the GRCC Raiders Cross Country team this past fall. Mora was named NJCAA Division I All-Region at the completion of the season. Mora competed in the NJCAA Division I National Championships. Mora has placed himself in the top 20 of GRCC Raider National championship finishes after posting an 8K time of 29:57.

Sophomore Aaliyah Sargent competed in her second season for the GRCC Raiders basketball team. Sargent played and started in all 31 matches this season for the Raiders and played in 971 minutes, while averaging 4.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game and 2.6 rebounds per game. Sargent helped the Raiders to an overall finish of 19-12 overall and qualifying for the post season NJCAA Region tournament. In addition to excelling on the court, Sargent was named NJCAA All-Academic 2nd team, as well as MCCAA All-Academic and Academic All-Conference.

Student-Athletes interested in competing for one of GRCC’s 8 athletic teams should fill out a recruiting questionnaire at www.grccraiders.com

Forest Hills graduates compete for GRCC

Ike Kanu

Trystan Thayer

Sophomore Trystan Thayer, Forest Hills Central graduate, competed in his second season of Cross Country for the Raiders. Thayer was named NJCAA DI All-Region and All-MCCAA. Thayer ran his career best time this season at the LCC Invite where he finished with a time of 25:56, which is the second best 8K time in Raider history.Thayer competed in the NJCAA DI National Championships this past fall and placed 51st overall recording a time of 27:42. In addition to excelling on the course this season, Thayer excelled in the classroom. He was named a 2nd team NJCAA All-Academic, academic All-MCCAA and academic All-Conference. Trystan his committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Wayne State University.

Freshman Ike Kanu, Forest Hills Central graduate, competed in his first season for the GRCC Raiders basketball team. Kanu played and started in 32 games this season. He played in 1,003 minutes averaging 11.7 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game. Ike helped the Raiders to their first outright conference championship since 2005, and a Region runner-up finish. Ike was named 2nd team all-conference, western conference all-defensive team and western conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Jared Bujdos

Mike Gumbko

Sophomore Mike Gumbko and Freshman Jared Bujdos, both Forest Hills Northern graduates, competed for the GRCC Raiders baseball team. Gumbko played in 9 games, making 6 starts batting .313 with 5 hits and 1 double, 1 triple and 5 RBI’s. Bujdos finished the season playing and starting in 35 games batting .269 with 25 hits and 15 RBI. In addition to excelling on the field Gumbko excelled in the classroom earning NJCAA 3rd team academic honors, academic All-MCCAA and academic All-Conference honors.

Student-Athletes interested in competing for one of GRCC’s 8 athletic teams should fill out a recruiting questionnaire at www.grccraiders.com

Rockford High School graduates compete for GRCC

Kendra DeJonge

Mykayla Vallad

Freshman Mykayla Vallad and Sophomore Kendra DeJonge for the Raider volleyball team this past fall. DeJonge finished 1st on the team in kills (509), Digs (428) and service aces (52). Vallad was 7th on the team in service aces with 24. Vallad and DeJonge helped lead the Raiders to a Conference, State and Region XII Championship, as well as a trip to the NJCAA DII National Championships. The GRCC Raiders finished 6th place overall at the tournament, which is tied for the programs second highest finish at the national championships. At the conclusion of the season DeJonge was named 1st team All-Conference, Conference Player of The Year, All-MCCAA, All-Region, NJCAA 1st team All-American, AVCA 3rd Team All-American, NJCAA Region XII All-Tournament team MVP and NJCAA Nationals All-Tournament Team. In addition to excelling on the volleyball court, DeJonge was named academic All-MCCAA and Academic All-Conference. DeJonge recently signed an LOI to play volleyball at Davenport University.

Grant Erbes

Joel Wilson

Hannah Jefferis

Freshman Joel Wilson and Hannah Jefferis competed this past fall for the GRCC Cross Country team. Hannah Jefferis was named All-Region, All-MCCAA and MCCAA All-Freshman team. Jefferis placed herself in the GRCC record books as a top ten runner, finishing with a time of 20:09.

Both Wilson and Jefferis competed in the NJCAA DI National Championships. Wilson finished with a time of 30:38. Jefferis finished with a time of 21:16 at the National Championships.

Rockford graduate Grant Erbes competed this past spring for the GRCC Raiders baseball team. Erbes helped the Raiders to a 4th place finish in the MCCAA Western Conference.

Student-Athletes interested in competing for one of GRCC’s 8 athletic teams should fill out a recruiting questionnaire at http://www.grccraiders.com

Comstock Park graduates compete at GRCC

Sam Borisch

Sophomore Sam Borisch finished running Cross Country for the Raiders this past fall. Borisch was named NJCAA Division I All-Region and All-MCCAA. This season, Sam placed himself in the #1 spot in the Raider record book for top 20 best times. On October 27, Sam ran a career and program best time of 25:54.9 at the MCCAA/Region meet. Borisch finished 3rd overall out of 80 runners, and helped the Cross Country team to a 3rd place team finish. Borisch also competed in the NJCAA DI National Championships, where he finished with a program best time of 27:20 and placed 36th overall. Sam has committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Wayne State University.

Danielle Johnson

Freshman Danielle Johnston competed in her first season for the Raiders this past fall. Johnston was named NJCAA DII All-Region, All-MCCAA, 1st team All-Conference, All-Freshman Team, and NJCAA DII Region XII All-Tournament team. Johnston finished the season second on the team with 322 kills, 5th in digs with 247, and 5th on the team in blocks with 46. Johnston helped lead the Raiders to a Conference, State and Region XII Championship, as well as a trip to the NJCAA DII National Championships. The GRCC Raiders finished 6th place overall at the tournament, which is tied for the programs second highest finish at the national championships. In addition to excelling on the volleyball court, Johnston was named academic All-Conference and academic All-MCCAA.

Austin Bayer

Sophomore Austin Bayer competed in his second season for the Raiders this spring. Bayer helped the Raiders to a Conference and Region Championship. The Raiders also qualified and competed in the NJCAA DII National Championship where they finished 14th overall.

Student-Athletes interested in competing for one of GRCC’s 8 athletic teams should fill out a recruiting questionnaire at www.grccraiders.com

GRCC In the News, 6-25-19

Man arrested after struggle with GRCC police

June 24, 2019; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids Community College says a man was arrested after causing a disturbance on campus Monday.

GRCC launching new welding program to help meet market demand

June 24, 2019; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – When industries or construction are booming as they are in West Michigan, the need for welders increases greatly.

Grand Rapids Community College is launching a new Welding Skills Certificate program fall semester designed to help students gain the necessary skills quickly, so they can enter the workforce and help meet demand.

Men’s Cross County Adds Five For This Fall

June 22, 2019; wsuathletics.com (Wayne State University)

DETROIT — Wayne State University men’s cross country head coach Grant Lofdahl will enter his third year at the helm this fall with the biggest and deepest roster in his tenure.

Lofdahl and his staff have added five newcomers who will join the squad this August.  Two of the five are junior college transfers from Grand Rapids Community College in Sam Borisch (Comstock Park, Mich.) and Trystan Thayer (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Central).  Joining via an NLI are Ransom Allen (Ithaca, Mich.) and Donald O’Keefe (Troy, Mich.), while Jeremy Cavallo (Davisburg, Mich. / Clarkston) will be attending WSU via a Letter of Commitment.

Entrepreneurial effort plants focus on workforce development

June 21, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

The Zeeland-based economic development agency is taking what it has learned from participating in Michigan’s Talent Pipeline Management Academy, launched by Consumers Energy in 2017, and applying it to workforce advancement initiatives along the lakeshore.

… Lakeshore Advantage also is collaborating with educators at Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Thompson M-TEC and the Careerline Tech Center, and all of that contact is involving manufacturing.

Small Business Opportunities with the City of Grand Rapids

June 22, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

The City of Grand Rapids Micro Local Business Enterprise, or MLBE, Program is a certification designation for local, small and minority businesses created in 2009 to provide incentives for smaller companies when bidding with the city.

The program is for construction, goods and services and professional services companies seeking to bid competitively with the City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Rapids Public Schools.

‘A light that cannot and will not be put out’

June 21, 2019; schoolnewsnetwork.org

In her own words, Gloria Bliss-Ramos has had a “lot gone on” during her high school years. But that didn’t stop her from finishing high school and planning her future.

… Gloria said she is concentrating on becoming the best mother she can be, and has set her sights on a four-month tech program offered at Grand Rapids Community College.

Meet MLive’s 2019 softball and baseball Dream Teams from Muskegon

June 24, 2019; MLive

MUSKEGON – After a bit of a breather, the high school softball and baseball Dream Teams have returned for the Muskegon area.

… Nick Stever, Montague | Senior infielder/pitcher

Stever was the Wildcats’ top player, batting .410 with 25 RBIs and 18 runs scored. On the mound, the Grand Rapids Community College-bound right-hander went 4-1 with a 1.86 ERA in 10 appearances with one save. He was a four-year starter, who earned all-conference, all-district and all-region honors multiple times.

String orchestra welcomes new conductor

June 23, 2019; Guelph Today (Ontario, Canada)

The Guelph Youth Music Centre (GYMC) is pleased to present its new Youth String Orchestras (Junior and Intermediate) conductor, Joy Schuster, who will take up her duties in the fall.

… Upon graduation, Joy was elected a member of the Society of Pi Kappa Lambda. She moved back to her home town of Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1996 where she taught with the Grand Rapids Community College Suzuki program and directed a Music Together program.

GRCC In the News, 11-7-17

Public invited to Survivor of Suicide Loss Day conference

Nov. 6, 2017; MLive

A National Survivor of Suicide Loss Day Conference will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Grand Rapids Community College Tech Center, 151 Fountain St. NE.

Macomb CC cross country team heading to the nationals

Nov. 6, 2017; Macomb Daily

When you bring in the largest and most talented mens cross country recruiting class in some years it was bound to add up to a successful season.

… “Our main goal this year was to qualify for Nationals,” (coach David) Munafo said. “We knew it was going to be close with Grand Rapids Community College.”

 

Men’s cross country team debuts in NJCAA national poll

Congratulations to the men’s cross country team, which debuted at No. 13 in the NJCAA national poll!

Condolences to family, friends of student Kyle Lamos

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of student and cross country team member Kyle Lamos, who died June 26.

GRCC In the News, 11-2-16

Barnstormers Re-Sign Defensive Lineman

Nov. 1, 2016; publicnow.com

DES MOINES – The Iowa Barnstormers have re-signed defensive lineman Phil Lewis, Head Coach Dixie Wooten announced.

… Collegiately, Lewis attended Grand Rapids Community College where he was a multi-sport athlete earning First Team All-League and League Defensive MVP Honors in football and All-Region Honors in track and field for shot put and discus. Lewis transferred to the University of Toledo in 2010. Throughout his career with the Rockets, Lewis appeared in 18 games and recorded 33 total tackles.

Franklin, Trailblazers headed for Nationals

Nov. 1, 2016; Greene County Daily World (Ind.)

Former Linton-Stockton and current Vincennes University cross country runner Janzen Franklin set a new personal record Saturday – by a full minute.

… The Trailblazers tallied a team score of 38, nine clear of second-place Lansing Community College. Grand Rapids Community College finished third with 55. Muskegon was a distant fourth at 111.

TV 5 Wake-Up

Nov. 2, 2016; WNEM

Steve Schmidt is entering season No. 26 at Mott College, as his Bears opened the season against Grand Rapids Community College.

GRCC In the News, 10-19-16

GRCC seeks $6M from state to help renovate, expand Applied Technology Center

Oct. 18, 2016; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College’s Applied Technology Center needs to be renovated and expanded to better prepare students for the workforce, and school officials want the state to cut the $12.7 million price tag in half.

Collaborative film festival to showcase French cinema at GVSU, GRCC

Oct. 18, 2016; gvsu.edu

A collaborative film festival, hosted by the French programs at Grand Valley and Grand Rapids Community College, will introduce the West Michigan community to films with a bit of international flavor.

Green Party VP hopeful in Detroit: Time to “break two-party monopoly”

Oct. 18, 2016; Michigan Radio

It’s time to reject the politics of fear, and embrace third-party alternatives in American politics.

… (Ajamu) Baraka then heads to Grand Rapids, where he’ll watch the final presidential debate and speak at Grand Rapids Community College.

IHCC harriers wrap up regular season in Barnes’ home state

Oct. 18, 2016; Ottumwa Courier (Iowa)

OTTUMWA — Who says you can’t go home again? Scott Barnes has not only been returning to his home state of Michigan each fall, he’s brought along his Indian Hills cross-country runners for the trip.

… “We were probably a little too fast, which as a coach you always worry about because you’re worried the guys will hit a wall and start to fade too early in the race,” Barnes said. “The nice thing was that, instead of dying and fading, the guys hung tough and ended up beating (20th-ranked) Muskegon. We also were pretty close to 10th-ranked Grand Rapids Community College. We kind of put it all together.”

GRCC In the News, 9-30-16

Is bus rapid transit right for the Lansing region?

Sept. 29, 2016; The Lansing State Journal

EAST LANSING – If 6,000 passengers actually ride the Route 1 bus in a given month, Bill Collette has offered to eat his hat.

… In Grand Rapids, where the BRT serves a dense area that includes Grand Rapids Community College and tens of thousands of workers along the city’s Medical Mile, the BRT line generally runs in mixed traffic except for a few places downtown during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

Charlevoix’s Way helps MSU to second place finish

Sept. 30, 2016; Petoskey News

Amber Way, a 2015 Charlevoix graduate, finished 48th overall for the Michigan State women’s cross country team as the Spartans placed second at the Roy Griak Invitational at Minnesota on Saturday, Sept. 24.

… Thomas VanSlembrouck, a 2015 Petoskey graduate, finished 33rd overall for the Lake Superior State men’s cross country team at the Grand Rapids Community College Invitational on Friday, Sept. 23.

GRCC In the News, 9-26-16

This college is the first in the US to have a licensed brewery and pub fully run by its craft brewing students

Sept. 23, 2016; matadornetwork.com

This may seriously make you rethink your law degree you never really wanted to get anyway. Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Michigan has a craft brewing program.

Doctor given Caledonia Education Foundation’s Honored Alumnus award

Sept. 26, 2016; MLive

CALEDONIA — A renowned oncologist is this year’s Caledonia Education Foundation Honored Alumnus.

… Olivier said he was not an honor student in high school but learned he could improve academically with hard work while attending Grand Rapids Junior College, now Grand Rapids Community College.

Aquinas Men’s XC Win GRCC Raider Invitational

Sept. 24, 2016; MLive

The Aquinas College men’s cross country team placed 1st out of ten schools at the inaugural GRCC Raider Invitational hosted by Grand Rapids Community College. The meet was contested on the grounds of Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Aquinas Places Second at GRCC Raider Invitational

Sept. 24, 2016; MLive

The Aquinas College women’s cross country team placed 2nd out of nine schools at the inaugural GRCC Raider Invitational. The meet was contested on the grounds of Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

GRCC In the News, 9-20-16

Community college becomes Fiat Chrysler training site

Sept. 19, 2016; Grand Rapids Business Journal

A local community college is now a certified Fiat Chrysler training site.
Grand Rapids Community College announced that it has joined the network of Fiat Chrysler-certified technical training sites.

Area students receive Law Enforcement Education Program scholarships

Sept. 16, 2016; The Holland Sentinel

The Law Enforcement Education Program recently named Jenna Klokkert, of Fennville, and Austin Lynema, of Zeeland, among the 22 students nationwide who will receive $1,000 scholarships to encourage their pursuit of law enforcement and public safety careers.
Klokkert is a student at Grand Rapids Community College, and Lynema is a student of Grand Valley State University.

GRCC’s 11th ranked men’s XC take 2nd at MSU, women take 3rd

Sept. 19, 2016; MLive

On Friday September 16th GRCC’s men’s and women’s cross country teams made the trek down I-96 for the MSU Spartan Invitational and toed the line for what was their toughest race of the season.

Kelley: A family guide to visiting ArtPrize

Sept. 19, 2016; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – ArtPrize in Grand Rapids used to be like the World’s Biggest Ball of Yarn. It was fun because it was large and bizarre and a good excuse to stretch your legs after a car ride.

… Local artists:

… Stanley Skopek of Battle Creek, Flight in Wind at GRCC Spectrum Theater Lobby, 160 Fountain NE

GRCC In the News, 9-15-16

College fair to aid former ITT Tech students

9/14/16 MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Seven West Michigan colleges and universities will host a college fair for former ITT Technical Institutes students at the Kroc Center on Thursday, Sept. 15.

… The colleges and universities participating in the fair are: Aquinas College, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Calvin College, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, and Western Michigan University.

WMCAT announces $7.5M capital campaign, West Side relocation

9/14/16 MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -The West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology (WMCAT) needs the community to contribute another $1 million to reach a $7.5 million fundraising goal to secure a new home on the reinvigorated West Side, officials announced Wednesday, Sept. 14.

… He (WMCAT Executive Director Daniel Williams) said the nonprofit is also developing a partnership with Grand Rapids Community College for programming in advanced manufacturing.

Best buds forever

9/14/16 Herald-Journal (Oceana County)

Chris Contreras gave his pal Dustin Carlson a kidney, and a life

… Then, things changed. They came to the fork in the road, and took different paths. Chris moved to Grand Rapids in 2009, to attend Grand Rapids Community College, and later, Ferris, where hes finishing his BA in business. Dustin took a job with ADAC Automotive in Muskegon, got married and had two sons. They kept in contact through social media, but saw each other less and less frequently. As so often happens in life, time increased the distance between them; they were young, active and consumed by their own busy lives.

MMCC competes at Bulldog Invite

9/14/16 Record & Clarion (Gladwin County)

HARRISON — The MMCC cross-country team ran at the Bulldog Invitational in Big Rapids on Saturday, Sept. 10.

… The Lakers will run next on Friday, Sept. 23, at 3:30 p.m. at Grand Rapids Community College for the GRCC Invitational.