GRCC In the News, 7-18-19

Michigan’s Best takes a look at Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford 2019

July 17, 2019; MLive

ROCKFORD, MI — On the eve of participating in her first Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford, a community charity event to raise money and raise awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Anessa Fehsenfeld — not really knowing much about the disease — received a phone call that changed her family’s life forever.

… Tyler (Fehsenfeld), who is now 19, is doing a summer internship and studying web development and graphic design at Grand Rapids Community College.

Mow Me Over: How Lawnmower Parenting is Hindering the Next Generation

July 17, 2019; West Michigan Woman

We’re all familiar with the overbearing whir of helicopter parents—always nearby, ready to protect with high levels of behavioral control and warm affirmations and defined as “a parent who takes an overprotective or excessive interest in the life of their child or children.”

… “In the 23 years I have been teaching, parents seeking to remove obstacles from their child’s path has become more commonplace—perhaps because it’s much easier for parents to reach out through cellphone or email than before the digital age,” said Jennifer Reynolds, Jenison Public Schools and Grand Rapids Community College teacher.

GRCC In the News, 5-29-19

Jeff Bauer named head basketball coach at GRCC

May 29, 2019; FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Grand Rapids Community College has named Jeff Bauer as it’s next men’s basketball coach.

Grand Rapids Community College names new basketball coach

May 28, 2019; MLive

Grand Rapids Community College has tapped a coach with more than 25 years of experience to lead the men’s basketball team.

GRCC names Jeff Bauer new men’s basketball head coach

May 28, 2019; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College today announced that Jeff Bauer will become the eighth head coach in the program’s history.

College raising $3M

May 28, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal

A local college has launched a public effort to raise $3 million.

Grand Rapids Community College has $3 million left to reach its $15-million capital campaign goal.

McBain Vals and Sals

May 28, 2019; Cadillac News

… Fiona Sullivan is a Senior Scholar at McBain High School. She lives in Lake City with her parents Ben and Jolene Sullivan and three younger siblings. While at McBain High School, she has participated in choir, track, National Honor Society, Art and Literature Club, and the Rambler Robotics team. She achieved a 1300 on her SATs. She has participated in the Missaukee Agricultural Youth Show for eight seasons, twice taking Market Grand Champion for her swine projects. She is active within her church family at Prosper Christian Reformed Church in Falmouth. She plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College and pursue studies in literature, art and design.

Tonight: the poetry of ‘Quiet Woman’ fills the library

Tonight in the Library & Learning Commons: GRCC English professor Katrina “Katie” Kalisz will read from her recently-published volume of poetry, Quiet Woman, and you are invited!

• Tonight, February 21
• GRCC Library, 2nd Floor
• 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.

Kalisz teaches composition, women’s literature, and creative writing. She earned degrees from the University of Michigan, Loyola University of Chicago, and Queens University of Charlotte.

The English Department and Library & Learning Commons are sponsors of this poetry reading and book signing. You’ll enjoy a display of her poetic career, and have an opportunity to purchase a copy of Quiet Woman signed by Katie. Refreshments will be served.

College Channel programming through Feb. 22

The latest schedule, through February 22, includes presentations from both GRCC’s Who Cares, Why Bother Writing Conference and the Psychology Speaker Series with presenter Tim Hartshorne.

‘Quiet Woman’ performs at the Library and Learning Commons this Thursday

This Thursday night, GRCC English professor Katrina “Katie” Kalisz will read from her recently-published volume of poetry, Quiet Woman, and you are invited!

• This Thursday, February 21
• GRCC Library, 2nd Floor
• 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.

Kalisz teaches composition, women’s literature, and creative writing. She earned degrees from the University of Michigan, Loyola University of Chicago, and Queens University of Charlotte.

The English Department and Library & Learning Commons are sponsors of this poetry reading and book signing. You’ll enjoy a display of her poetic career, and have an opportunity to purchase a copy of Quiet Woman signed by Katie. Refreshments will be served.

You’re Invited to ‘Quiet Woman’ at the Library & Learning Commons

Mark your calendars for this special event! GRCC English professor Katrina “Katie” Kalisz will read from her recently-published volume of poetry, Quiet Woman, and you are invited!

• Thursday, February 21
• GRCC Library, 2nd Floor
• 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.

Kalisz teaches composition, women’s literature, and creative writing. She earned degrees from the University of Michigan, Loyola University of Chicago, and Queens University of Charlotte.

The English Department and Library & Learning Commons are sponsors of this poetry reading and book signing. You’ll enjoy a display of her poetic career, and have an opportunity to purchase a copy of Quiet Woman signed by Katie. Refreshments will be served.

GRCC writing workshop begins tomorrow

The Polar Vortex did not cancel everything! The 2019 Who Cares? Why Bother? Real Writing for Real People event is happening this week – Wednesday, February 6, and Thursday, February 7. Please encourage your students to attend or attend yourself! Check out session details at the Who Cares? Why Bother? webpage.

Speaker Schedule:

Wednesday, February 6 –

• 9:30-10:15 a.m.: Katy Leady, Corporate Writer for Gordon Food Service; ATC 120
• 9:30-10:15 a.m.: Dale Johnson, Williams Group; ATC Auditorium
• 11-11:45 a.m.: Ann Alexander, Business; ATC 120
• 11-11:45 a.m.: Devon Swanigan, GRCC Labor Relations; ATC Auditorium
• 12:30-1:15 p.m.: Kimberly DeVries, GRCC Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance; ATC 120
• 2-2:45 p.m.: Klaas Kwant and Noah De Smit, GRCC Media Department; ATC Auditorium
• 3:30-4:15 p.m.: Rebecca Whitman, GRCC Chief of Police; ATC 120

Thursday, February 7 –

• 9:30-10:15 a.m.: David Cope, Former Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids and GRCC Professor; ATC Auditorium
• 9:30-10:15 a.m.: Caitlin Horrocks, GVSU Writing Professor; ATC 122-124
• 11-11:45 a.m.: Penni Weninger, Former GRCC employee and Business Communication specialist; ATC 122-124
• 11-11:45 a.m.: Paul Krieger, Biology; ATC Auditorium
• 12:30-1:15 p.m.: Sean Mackey, English; ATC Auditorium
• 12:30-1:15 p.m.: Laura Caulk and Danielle Flaumenhaft, GRCC Human Resources; ATC 122-124
• 2-2:45 p.m.: Patrick Prominski and GRCC Student Panel; ATC Auditorium
• 2-2:45 p.m.: Maryann Lesert, English; ATC 122-124
• 3:30-4:15 p.m.: Student Writing Success Stories; ATC Auditorium

Condolences to family, friends of Joel Swets

We extend our condolences to the family, friends and former colleagues of Joel Swets, former poetry and composition instructor at GRCC, who died Nov. 12.

He’s in the front row, at the far right, in this photo of English faculty:

World Peace Day survey request

To anyone who participated in this year’s World Peace Day event, the English department needs your help! Please take a moment to fill out this survey about the event. The survey will be open until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 5.

Please contact Professor Muhammad in the English Department with any questions: (616) 234-4950 or mmuhamma@grcc.edu.

Interested in attending the Grand Showcase? Talk to the English Department

As one of the event sponsors of the Grand Showcase, the English Department has 20 free tickets to the event, available to anyone at GRCC. For more information, reach out to Laura in the English Department, 400 College Park Plaza.

The Grand Showcase is billed as the the biggest community poetry event of the year. It takes place on October 6, 2018, at Fountain Street Church.

GRCC In the News, 4-23-18

Workforce issues haunt West Michigan community leaders

April 20, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Leaders from business and community organizations are stepping up efforts to address West Michigan workforce issues.

… “If we aren’t focused on it now, we’re going to find ourselves in a world of hurt,” said Bill Pink, president of Grand Rapids Community College. “It’s not in 2025. It’s too late by then.”

Social justice a common thread at sew shop

April 20, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

After years in government and nonprofit roles, Janay Brower felt she was no longer cut out for safety net approaches. She wanted to address social problems, such as homelessness and poverty, on the front end.

… Brower started making connections with Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids Community College, and makers and nonprofits all over the country to find out who was doing what, how they were doing it, where they were getting the talent and what it would take to maker her business happen.

Heart surgeon writes book about his popular afternoon teas

April 20, 2018; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Getting on Dr. Luis Tomatis’ schedule for afternoon teas takes some patience.

… “I write in English but my English isn’t very good,” said Tomatis, who turned to Phil Jung, a former English professor at Grand Rapids Community College, to help him with the rewrites, and Gary Eberle, a retired Aquinas College English professor, for the editing.

GRCC In the News, 4-16-18

Not your average vending machine

April 13, 2018; Community College Daily

In Michigan, Grand Rapids Community College students are preparing for exams with the help of an unusual resource: a laptop vending machine.

Michigan Dairy Plant Plans $21.3 Million Expansion

April 13, 2018; Dairy Herd Management

A dairy plant in Western Michigan is planning an expansion that will add 62 jobs over three years and cost $21.3 million.

… “Agropur’s decision to invest $21.3 million and create more than 60 jobs is a tremendous win for West Michigan and the region’s growing food processing sector,” says Thad Rieder, Senior Business Development Manager, The Right Place. “By partnering with the City of Wyoming, West Michigan Works!, Grand Rapids Community College and MEDC, The Right Place has been able to coordinate talent, training, and financial tools to boost Agropur’s internal return for this important expansion.”

Change Ups: Cooley Law students garner Leadership Achievement Award

April 13, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… HUMAN SERVICES

… The Pregnancy Resource Center elected its directors: chairman, Adam T. Donovan, Rim Guard; vice chair, Jason Granger, Intellisys Capital; treasurer, Rick Rusthoven, KSS Enterprises; past chair, Peter Baldwin, AMDG Architects; secretary, Lynn Prince, Grand Rapids Community College; and Andrea Reynolds, Kent Career Tech Center.

Grand Rapids Christian announces new boys basketball coach

April 15, 2018; MLive

Grand Rapids Christian’s boys basketball program is losing an experienced, successful coach now that Mark Warners has stepped down.

… Christian athletic director Jason Heerema announced Sunday that Eric Taylor has been hired to coach the Eagles. Taylor has served as an assistant under Warners for the past four seasons, and before that, he was the Grand Rapids Community College women’s coach for three seasons. He was named Western Collegiate Coach of the Year in 2010.

David Cope to read from newest book

Grand Rapids Poet Laureate Emeritus David Cope will read from his new book, The Invisible Keys: New and Selected Poems, and from poetry he’s written throughout his career during a special event on April 12.

A long-time GRCC English professor, Cope sparked the poetic imaginations of many of his students. He also served as editor of GRCC’s Display Magazine for many years.

Copies of Cope’s book, published by Ghost Pony Press, will be for sale at $16 during the event, which runs from 7-8:30 p.m. on the GRCC library’s second floor. Refreshments will be served during the reading, which is sponsored by the library and the English Department.

 

GRCC In the News, 3-29-18

Beacon of Soul: Forty Acres Soul Kitchen plants its flag in ‘Gentrification Central’

March 28, 2018; Revue

Forty Acres Soul Kitchen, a modern adaptation of traditional Southern-style food opening this month, will be Grand Rapids’ only African American-owned full-service restaurant — that means a host, waitstaff, full bar and food menu. Let that sink in for minute. In the states second-largest city of 200,000 people. In 2018.

… (Chef Trimell) Hawkins, 34, attended the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College. He was formerly the executive chef at Black Heron on the West Side. He said the menu reflects classic dishes he grew up on and putting a new spin on it, reinventing some soul food classics.

One more trophy lift for Peter Firlik at Addix Champions all-star game

March 28, 2018; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS – Peter Firlik is getting used to lifting big basketball trophies.

… The Stripes team was coached by Kim Elders, the head coach of Cornerstone University and his assistant Eric DeSantis. The Stars team was coached by Luke Bronkema and Mel Selmon of Grand Rapids Community College.

David Cope’s latest ‘American Elegy’: The Invisible Keys

March 28, 2018; therapidian.org

So, what’s in a retrospective collection of poems spanning 1975 to 2017?

“My whole life,” says David Cope, former G.R. Poet Laureate and Grand Rapids Community College Professor. There are poems about workers and the union, protest poems about war and environmental destruction. “Always war,” Cope says. “Every war America has been involved in during my lifetime.” But there are also poems about love, family, and a deep connection with the natural world.

 

 

 

GRCC In the News, 3-19-18

Grand Rapids Community College rides momentum into national tournament

March 17, 2018; FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — The Grand Rapid Community College men’s basketball team heads to the NJCAA national tournament winners of 8 of their last 9 including 2 wins over Ancilla college which has been ranked 1 or 2 in the country all season.

Change Ups: Jones receives honorary doctorate for improving cancer treatment

March 16, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

… AWARDS

… Grand Rapids Community College and Spectrum Health honored the first students who received need-based Spectrum Health Care Professionals Education Scholarships. The 96 students are sophomores in GRCC’s Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Radiologic Technology programs. Scholarships ranged from $3,000-$4,000 with almost $350,000 awarded for 2017-18. Students in the Medical Assisting program will be eligible for the 2018-19 scholarships.

Carlos Sánchez lanza candidatura de GRCC

March 18, 2018; El Vocero

GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN (EVH) .- Carlos Sánchez, director del Centro de Negocios y Desarrollo Económico Latino de Ferris State University, anunció su candidatura al consejo de administración de Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC).

(GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN (EVH) .- Carlos Sanchez, director of the Center for Business and Latin Economic Development at Ferris State University, announced his candidacy to the board of directors of Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC).)

Arts briefs 3/19/18

March 19, 2018; The Lanthorn (GVSU student newspaper)

… GRCC to present the play ‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone’

From Thursday, March 29, to Saturday, March 31, Grand Rapids Community College will be presenting the play “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” by Sarah Ruhl. Ruhl, who is a MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize finalist, set the comedy in a quiet cafe, where a constantly ringing cell phone forces a woman to confront her assumptions about mortality, redemption and technology.

Medical marijuana clinic rolls with changes

March 16, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

With the possibility of Michiganders voting on marijuana legalization in November, a Grand Rapids-based clinic is keeping an eye on legislation that could affect its bottom line.

… (Paul) Farage and (Tony) Holmes knew each other from attending Grand Rapids Community College then Grand Rapids Junior College. They had stayed in touch off and on over the years, Farage living in Hawaii and California and Holmes in Chicago.

Poet David Cope to hold reading at Kentwood library

March 16, 2018; MLive

David Cope, former poet laureate of Grand Rapids, will read from his latest release, “The Invisible Keys,” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, at the Kentwood branch of the Kent District Library, 4950 Breton SE.

… Cope, a longtime Grand Rapids Community College professor and poet, was named Grand Rapids poet laureate by the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids in 2011.