GRCC In the News, 6-26-19

Economic Club names board members

June 25, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

The Economic Club of Grand Rapids has a new board chair and group of board members.

… Newest Economic Club board members

… Bill Pink, president, Grand Rapids Community College

Students speak, district listens

June 25, 2019; schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District)

A strategic plan that will guide the district into the future is expected to be brought to the Board of Education this year.

… Students also see value in the middle college program, which allows students to attend high school for five years and finish with both a diploma from Cedar Springs and an associate degree from Grand Rapids Community College.

Polish Heritage Society Brings Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push to Grand Rapids to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Dozynki Polish Festival

June 24, 2019; therapidian.org

In honor of the 40th anniversary of its annual Dozynki Polish Festival, the Polish Heritage Society of Grand Rapids is bringing the internationally known Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push band to play two nights of the three-day event in August.

… The Dozynki Polish 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.

GRCC In the News, 4-2-18

Schubert Male Chorus planning ‘One of a Kind’ spring concert

April 1, 2018; MLive

The “One of a Kind” spring concert by the Schubert Male Chorus will feature “one of a kind” songs from a variety of genres, including the debut of an original song.

… The men’s chorus will also introduce its 2018 Grand Rapids Community College music scholarship recipient at the concert. Ashley Sooy is a sophomore at GRCC, studying for a double major in vocal performance and piano performance. The Schubert Male Chorus has offered a music scholarship for the past 10 years to outstanding GRCC music students.

Bill to provide credit for high school interns passes House

March 31, 2018; The Holland Sentinel

LANSING — A bill that would allow high school juniors and seniors to earn graduation credits from internships recently passed the House on a 104-4 vote.

… More on-the-job training with high school students has been growing in popularity across the state, and in the Holland area. In 2016, Careerline Tech Center, Grand Rapids Community College and Herman Miller joined forces to launch a three-year early college program that allows high school students to begin college coursework and work at Herman Miller.

GVSU students petition for emergency 911 phones

March 31, 2018; The Holland Sentinel

Nearly 500 students at Grand Valley State University have signed an online petition to have the university install emergency blue light telephones around the campus. The telephones, which are on poles with a blue light, would allow students to call 911 in the event of an incident requiring first responders.

… The costs for these blue light phones can range anywhere from $1,000 on Central Michigan University’s campus to $7,000 at Grand Rapids Community College.

 

GRCC In the News, 3-8-18

Event brings black kids, professionals together

March 7, 2018; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — More than 800 African-American boys took part in the third annual African American Male Achievement Conference Wednesday.
The theme of the event at Grand Rapids Community College’s Ford Fieldhouse and Applied Tech Center was Challenges, Choices and Change. The young men from high schools throughout Kent County listened to speakers in a large group and then broke into smaller conversations with local African-American professionals.

‘A true leader’

March 7, 2018; The Daily News (Greenville)

IONIA — After 21 years of patrolling the boundaries of Ionia County as a deputy, Rick Straubel is now embracing a promotion to sergeant with the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office.

… Straubel said after high school he originally wanted to be a conservation officer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, but his path led him through the police academy at Grand Rapids Community College and eventually to the Sheriff’s Office.

Buc’n’Gears prepare for 2018 season

March 7, 2018; Grand Haven Tribune

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — With students at the controls, the robot for Team 3546 picked up a power cube and moved toward its intended location.

… (Alexandra) Holt now participates in the Early/Middle College program through Grand Rapids Community College and the Careerline Tech Center. She has a work-based learning opportunity with Herman Miller. At the end of the program, Holt will receive an industrial maintenance certificate. The experience with Herman Miller gives her a chance to see a connection in the real world with skills she’s learned through F.I.R.S.T. Robotics, she said.

 

GRCC In the News, 1-25-18

New restaurant Westside Social opens at former Shawmut Inn site

Jan. 24, 2018; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Joe DiLeonardo hopes his new restaurant, Westside Social Tavern, finds the same loyal following as its predecessor, the Shawmut Inn.

… Westside Social will eventually be handed down to DiLeonardo’ oldest son, Anthony, 23, a graduate of Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College. He’s a sous chef at the restaurant, working alongside head chef Bob Huynh, whose resume includes Green Well and Nonna’s: The Trattoria in Ada.

World Affairs Council 2018 discussion series starts Jan. 29

Jan. 24, 2018; MLive

Global health, the defense budget and Putin’s Russia are just a few of the topics  the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan will explore during their 2018 discussion series.

… Local participating institutions include Aquinas College, Calvin College, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, Montcalm Community College and Western Michigan University.

GHACF president a finalist for Visionary Award

Jan. 24, 2018; Grand Haven Tribune

One of the finalists for the 2018 Visionary Award from Lakeshore Advantage was Holly Johnson, president of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, for her work with the Housing Next initiative.

… Other finalists were:

Brian Walker, Herman Miller; Peter Haines, Ottawa Area ISD; and Dr. Bill Pink, Grand Rapids Community College/Careerline Tech Center Early College Program, who worked to design a unique early college program that integrates a corporate partner, allowing students to participate in internships and earn a professional industry certification.

 

 

President Pink visits Ottawa Hills Early/Middle College program

Dr. Pink visited Ottawa Hills High School last week to meet the students who are participating in the Early/Middle College program. He told students in GRCC adjunct instructor John Beadling’s American Government class about the importance of making a plan to get into college, to pay for college and to stay in college. He emphasized the need for students to apply for grants and scholarships to assist with paying for college, and encouraged them to follow their passion to a career that will be meaningful and pay the bills.

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GRCC In the News, 10-6-17

In brief
10/6/17  Herald Palladium
COLOMA An Illinois man was treated at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, after accidentally shooting himself in the leg Wednesday at the Coloma Rod and Gun Club.
… Sheriff’s deputies complete training: Two Berrien County Sheriff’s deputies, Timothy Morris and Derrick Allred, graduated recently from the first Local Corrections Officer Academy at Grand Rapids Community College.

Five years of high school can net East Kentwood students a college degree
10/5/17  MLive
KENTWOOD, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is expected to sign an agreement Monday, Oct. 9, with Kentwood Public Schools for its sixth tuition-free Early/Middle College program.

MI bill targets loophole allowing felons into police academies
10/5/17  WoodTV.com
LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) Felons are being accepted into Michigan police academies and receiving weapons training because of a loophole, according to Republican Sen. Rick Jones of Grand Ledge.
… Former Flint officer Jermain Reese, who is now a professor of criminal justice at Grand Rapids Community College, says he fully supports the proposed change.