Culinary school partners with university
Aug. 22, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal
A culinary program and university have partnered to create a pathway to a career in hospitality management.
Grand Rapids Community college’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education students now have a clear transfer pathway to the four-year degree program at Ferris State University.
CEO Spotlight with Dr. Bill Pink, President of GRCC
8/15/19 spreaker.com
(Radio interview with President Pink.)
Aug. 15, 2019; WGRD
Restaurant Week GR continues through the weekend. We have a Greek Festival, a Block Party, Find Your Roots, Catch a Baseball Game, Go ORVing for Free, Enjoy some Comedy, Visit the Princesses at the Zoo, Catch some Jazz Music, and Swim with your Dog! You are going to have a busy weekend!
… 1. Restaurant Week GR
Various Locations around Grand Rapids, MI
Runs through Sunday, August 18th, 2019
Cost: Varies
Restaurant Week GR is your chance to Taste the City! Savor specially priced lunches, dinners or both at 70+ area restaurants. Each restaurant will create a special menu highlighting fresh, local ingredients for the event. Restaurant Week GR has provided over $150,000 to students through an endowed scholarship fund at the Grand Rapids Community College Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. Participating locations donate $1 for every Restaurant Week GR meal sold.
New provost named at Grand Rapids Community College
Aug. 8, 2019; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Brian Knetl will be Grand Rapids Community College’s next provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs, President Bill Pink announced Thursday, Aug. 8.
Grand Rapids Community College Gets $140,000 Grant To Expand Apprenticeship Opportunities
Aug. 8, 2019; mitechnews.com
GRAND RAPIDS – Grand Rapids Community College has been awarded a $140,000 grant to participate in a national effort to expand registered apprenticeship opportunities, helping students gain a quality education in addition to on-the-job training in a rewarding career.
Native American Heritage Fund announces 2019 grant recipients
Aug. 9, 2019; nativenewsonline.net
MARSHALL, Mich. — The Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF) Board selected projects in seven Michigan communities as recipients of the fund’s 2019 grants, at the Board’s July 29 meeting.
The 2019 NAHF grants include:
… Grand Rapids Community College – $5,285 to support the Grand Rapids Community College Education and Reconciliation Project including a trip to the Ziibawing Center of Anishinaabe Culture and Lifeways and a Native American Speaker’s Forum
$11,000 Awarded to Local Trans Students
Aug. 8, 2019; therapidian.org
For the 2019-2020 cycle, Grand Rapids Trans Foundation (GRTF) is thrilled to award a total of $11,000 to six local college students. In the past four years since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $30,000 in scholarships to local students.
… Read more about this year’s six chosen applicants below!
Alizae Holliman, they/them pronouns
GRCC, Philosophy/Writing
AWARDED: $2500
… Ariana Moore, she/her pronouns
GRCC, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
AWARDED: $1000
10 things to do this weekend: August 9th-11th
8/8/19 104.9 FM
Restaurant Week GR is underway! There are also a few festivals going on this weekend. It’s the Anniversary of Gerald R. Ford being sworn in as our 38th President, so it’s a reason to celebrate at the Presidential Museum. We also have Concerts, Comedy, Movies, Baseball, and Super Party Wonder Day!
… Restaurant Week GR is your chance to Taste the City! Savor specially priced lunches, dinners or both at 70+ area restaurants. Each restaurant will create a special menu highlighting fresh, local ingredients for the event. Restaurant Week GR has provided over $150,000 to students through an endowed scholarship fund at the Grand Rapids Community College Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. Participating locations donate $1 for every Restaurant Week GR meal sold.
Aug. 7, 2019; Community College Daily
Michigan college earns grant to grow apprenticeships as part of federal push
Restaurant Week: get a taste of your city
Aug. 7, 2019; WOOD TV
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) – Today marks the start of Restaurant Week GR, the best time of year to go out to eat in Grand rapids! Here with all the details on how you can get in on the fun is Janet Korn from Experience Grand Rapids and Chef Shaun from The Pub at Paddock.
… Participating restaurants donate $1 from every meal purchased during RWGR to the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education Student Scholarship Fund at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). This helps fund students education in the culinary programs. Over the course, RWGR has donated more Than $150,00 to these scholarships.
GRCC, Ferris State deal helps with in-demand hospitality management jobs, officials say
July 30, 2019; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – An agreement between Grand Rapids Community College and Ferris State University helps meet the region’s increasing need for qualified restaurant, food and beverage, and hotel management professionals, officials say.
College expanding pre-sports management program
July 29, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal
A local college is growing its pre-sports management program.
Beginning this fall, Grand Rapids Community College students will be able to earn an associate degree in the field and then transfer to complete a B.S. in sports management at Grand Valley State University.
July 26, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal
… Grand Rapids Community College is hosting an event to introduce young women to the world of careers in health care.
GRCC is teaming up with Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore for a Scrubs Camp for girls in seventh through ninth grades from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. July 29-Aug. 1 at Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC, 622 Godfrey Ave. SW. This is the second week of Scrubs Camp this summer, exposing students to health care career options. This project is a part of a grant from the JP Morgan Chase Foundation.
Removing the barriers of a higher education
July 26, 2019; WOOD TV
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Grand Rapids Community College is the pathway to success for many in West Michigan, but there are so many more people who need help to remove the barriers that are keeping them from getting the education they need. Dr. Kathryn Mullins, Vice President for College Advancement and Executive Director of the GRCC Foundation, is here to tell us about their efforts. The GRCC Foundation provided about 1,000 scholarships last year, but they know there are many more students who need help overcoming obstacles.
Program targets boardroom inclusion
July 26, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal
A new program is in the works to help the West Michigan nonprofit sector develop and maintain more diverse and inclusive boardrooms.
… Deb Bailey, GRCC board member and former Steelcase corporate relations director, also is providing input as the Ecosystem’s honorary co-chair.
Check out what Rush Creek Bistro is serving for Restaurant Week GR
July 26, 2019; FOX 17
Restaurant Week GR is once again making it’s way to Grand Rapids, where people have a chance to taste dishes from over 70 restaurants.
… It’s so much more than just a week to try a variety of foods, it also helps fund a scholarship program at Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College. Participating restaurants will donate $1 from every meal purchased during Restaurant Week to the scholarship fund to help train the next generation of chefs.
Restaurant Week GR reveals menus
7/16/19 Grand Rapids Business Journal
More than 70 local restaurants are participating in the upcoming Restaurant Week GR.
… Restaurant Week GR also supports culinary students through an endowed scholarship fund at the Grand Rapids Community College Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. Participating locations donate $1 for every Restaurant Week meal sold.
Employment Expertise: Earn while learning skills for high-demand career
July 15, 2019; Ionia Sentinel-Standard
Health care is one of the fastest growing industries in Michigan. Health care support occupations, such as medical assistants, top the list of fastest-growing occupational groups through 2022 — over twice the rate for total jobs overall. More than 450 open medical assistant positions will need to be filled in Michigan each year.
… As a student in the one-year program:
You’ll attend classes (tuition free) at one of the participating training providers: Grand Rapids Community College or Muskegon Community College. You’ll apply your classroom learning in a clinical setting and learn new skills from your assigned mentors and supervisors.
(This article, provided by West Michigan Works!, was also in several other state newspapers, including The Holland Sentinel.)
70+ restaurants, menus announced for 10th annual Restaurant Week GR
July 16, 2019; WZZM
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Experience Grand Rapids announced the full list of Grand Rapids-area restaurants participating in the 10th annual Restaurant Week GR (RWGR).
… RWGR also supports culinary students through an endowed scholarship fund at the Grand Rapids Community College Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. Participating locations donate $1 for every RWGR meal sold.
Dr Bill Pink – GRCC President at Mackinaw
May 31, 2019; WOOD Radio
GRCC President Dr Bill Pink joined Steve and Rick at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
Statewide education issues take center stage at Mackinac Policy Conference
June 2, 2019; mibiz.com
MACKINAC ISLAND — Education reform took center stage at this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference, the annual gathering of the top business and government leaders in Michigan organized by the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.
… Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink spoke at the Mackinac Policy Conference about a statewide decline in graduation rates, a lack of available training for skilled trades, and decreased rankings in math, reading, and science. He was joined by Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. During his tenure as governor, Bush was an advocate for school choice, including school vouchers and charter schools.
May 31, 2019; Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) culinary students will reap the sweet rewards from a partnership with a local theatre company, Broadway Grand Rapids, and the generosity of theater patrons.
GRBJ: Task force wants to make city SAFE
May 31, 2019; WZZM
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRBJ) – An alliance of Grand Rapids city staff, nonprofit and business organizations is reaching out to the community to gather ideas to reduce violence among youth.
… Community organizations partnered with SAFE include Spectrum Health, the Steelcase Foundation, Network 180, Heart of West Michigan United Way, LINC UP, the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and Grand Rapids Community College, as well as out-of-state organizations like South Bend Group Violence Intervention in South Bend, Indiana, and NOLA for Life in New Orleans.
From Grief and Recovery to Graduation
May 31, 2019; schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)
The world as Sparta senior Miguel Vazquez knew it changed on December 5, 2018.
… After graduation, Miguel plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College to complete his general education requirements and then pursue a degree in electrical engineering at Grand Valley State University.
Ionia County K-9 handler Dion Sower promoted to sergeant
May 31, 2019; Ionia Sentinel-Standard
IONIA — Dion Sower knew it was time for a change in his role as he approaches his 17th year with the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office.
… Sower decided to attend the Grand Rapids Community College Police Academy.
Sushi caterer rolls with purpose
May 31, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal
After earning a pre-social work degree, Bawi Sung felt whatever career she found next should center on helping her fellow Burmese orphans and refugees.
… Aceu Thawng, who immigrated to Grand Rapids in 2008. Anu then earned a pre-social work degree from Grand Rapids Community College.
GRCC eyes high finish at National Tournament
May 20, 2019; FOX 17
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — The Grand Rapids Community College men’s golf team has a formula for its success.
Change Ups: GRVBA receives public service award
May 17, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal
… EDUCATION
Grand Rapids Community College named Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal its 2019 Distinguished Alumna during the 102nd commencement. Neal was the event’s keynote speaker. Nearly 1,500 students will earn GRCC degrees this year.
Inside Track: Family trauma drives Owens’ prevention passion
May 17, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal
Andrea Owens carries a notebook around with her that says “teach, love, inspire” on the cover — words that summarize her life goals.
… While at Spectrum, she earned her associate degree in network administration from Grand Rapids Community College, then received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in management — while raising four children — through Cornerstone University’s Professional & Graduate Studies (PGS) division.
Inmates show their culinary skills at annual symposium
May 17, 2019; The Holland Sentinel
The most highly-trained chefs of Branch County are most likely inmates at Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater.
… Guests were seated at an L-shaped table. Some are culinary elite like Chef John Zehnder, owner of Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and Gilles Renusson, pastry chef and educator at Grand Rapids Community College.
… Other educators included Chef James Kekenyesdi, a culinary arts educator for those with mental illness; Chef Charlie Olansky who teaches at Grand Rapids Community College; Chef Mark Dorman of Sullivan University in Louisville, Ky.; and Chef Kristen Dogan of Branch Area Careers Center.
Volunteers help Kent Co. veterans with landscaping
May 17, 2019; WOOD TV
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — At 92, George Burr and his wife of 66 years usually have to pick and choose what gets done around the house, but Friday was different.
… Local employers, like Grand Rapids Community College, provided the muscle. Local companies donated the supplies.
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.
This Morning at 4:30 A.M.
May 7, 2019; KTHV
Should you wash your chicken before you cook it? … The organization is the leading health resource in the United States, but because so many people doubted the recommendation on social media, we reached out to two other experts. Our sources are the Food and Drug Administration and Werner Absenger, the program director at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College.
Vote for the Kalamazoo-area spring sports Athlete of the Week
May 6, 2019; MLive
KALAMAZOO, MI – Rain washed out much of last week’s high school sports action, but beautiful weather on Friday and Saturday allowed a handful of single games and several tournaments over the weekend.
… Drew Murphy, Sturgis baseball
Fresh off signing a letter of intent to play baseball at Grand Rapids Community College, Murphy enjoyed a big weekend, striking out nine and allowing just one hit across four innings in Friday’s 5-2 win over South Haven, then tallying a triple, a double and a single with three runs scored and an RBI in Saturday’s 10-9 win over Vicksburg.
News at Noon
May 3, 2019; WZZM
Besides Tulip Time, Holland is also celebrating Latino culture this weekend. Grand Rapids Community College’s Lakeshore campus and Latin Americans United for Progress for Fiesta 2019!
Verify: should you wash your chicken?
May 2, 2019; WZZM
MICHIGAN, USA — It’s become the great chicken debate. Should you wash your chicken before you cook it?
… Our sources are the Food and Drug Administration and Werner Asbenger, the Program Director at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College.
May 5, 2019
James K. Robinson: “I was one of those late developers in life, and when I graduated from high school in the bottom third of my class, I got turned down at every college I applied to. Thanks goodness for Grand Rapids Junior College. I was the oldest of six kids; we couldn’t afford a big anyway. So, community college gave me a phenominal opportunity – a chance to do something with my life …”
(This is a podcast by Owens Community College President Steve Robinson. His father, James K. Robinson, was assistant attorney general under President Clinton.)
Young mom surpasses expectations to get to graduation day
May 3, 2019; schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)
Two weeks before the start of her freshman year at Godwin High School, Ahnaka Ortiz-Rodriguez landed in the emergency room with abdominal pain. Her mom was with her while they awaited test results. Ahnaka believed she was experiencing some stomach issues, something she dealt with as a child. When the doctor walked in, Ahnaka and her mom heard the unexpected: “Your daughter’s pregnant.”
… Ahnaka plans to enroll in Grand Rapids Community College, a choice she made because it will allow her to live at home with her daughter. She has already earned credits toward college through dual enrollment, and intends to study nursing, a decision influenced by her experience of having many compassionate and supportive nurses when she had Izzy at Spectrum Health.
Server forms recovery nonprofit
May 3, 2019; Grand Rapids Business Journal
For someone committed to getting sober, working in a restaurant or bar with the sights and smells of beer all day can be tough.
… As a result, she (Nance McGorman) decided to pursue a social work degree to be better equipped to help with those issues. She will be starting pre-social work classes this month (May) at Grand Rapids Community College and hopes to continue her education further after that with the goal of becoming a licensed recovery coach.
Ally Longstreet voted Grand Rapids Press Athlete of the Week 3
May 3, 2019; MLive
Wayland senior Ally Longstreet has been swinging a big bat for the Wildcats this spring.
… Longstreet, an outfielder, plans to continue her softball career at Grand Rapids Community College next year. Longstreet is a three-sport athlete. She was a diver on the swim team this past fall, and she played basketball, too.
Township joins fight against nonprofit tax exemptions
May 4, 2019; Grand Haven Tribune
GRAND HAVEN TWP. — Grand Haven Township has entered the fold to prevent nonprofit businesses from receiving tax exemptions for providing minimal charity.
… Algoma, Plainfield and Sparta townships in Kent County, the City of Kentwood, Rockford Public Schools, Kent Intermediate School District, and Grand Rapids Community College are also part of the agreement.
GRCC to host summer camp with musicians who mash classical, popular genres
April 23, 2019; schoolnewsnetwork.org
Think about Shakespeare and hip-hop, said pianist and composer Brendan Hollins.
… Kevin Dobreff, program director for the GRCC Music Department, is happy to host.
New Ann Arbor Huron football coach aims to snap state’s longest losing streak
May 3, 2019; MLive
ANN ARBOR — Ann Arbor Huron Athletic Director Tony Whiren was searching for someone who can help change the culture of the football program, which has lost 39 straight games — the longest active streak in the state.
… (Antaiwn) Mack served as linebackers coach at Grand Rapids Community College from 2008-11 under Tony Annese, who is now the head coach at Ferris State. Mack, who attended Ypsilanti Lincoln, most recently served as co-defensive coordinator at Ypsilanti in 2014, the last time the Grizzlies reached the playoffs.
The Secchia Institute for Culinary Education Awards Ceremony is held to honor students who have completed the Culinary Arts; Restaurant Management; Baking and Pastry; Personal Chef; or Craft Brewing, Packaging, and Service Operations programs. Students must complete all requirements by the end of Summer Semester 2019 to participate in the Awards Reception.
The 2019 Secchia Institute for Culinary Education Awards Ceremony took place Tuesday, April 16.
Congratulations to all our culinary students, staff, and faculty – you did it!
GRCC collaborates with Spectrum Health on Culinary Medicine (CM), a discipline which seeks to engage health care professionals and patients in the importance of food as a tool in achieving optimal health. As a result of this partnership, Dr. Werner Absenger of GRCC’s Secchia Institute and Dr. Kristi Artz of Spectrum Health will be presenting at the 35th Annual Developmental Disabilities Conference tomorrow, April 17, in Lansing, MI.
The title of their presentation is “Culinary medicine: A healthcare model to provide simple, inexpensive, nutrient dense, home-cooked meals for persons with ID and DD.”
Poor nutrition-related health habits are considered health risk factors for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and children and youth with special health care needs. CM empowers clinicians and patients with knowledge of nutrition and culinary techniques. In hands-on CM classes, participants learn to prepare delicious food that is consistent with real-world budgets and time constraints.
Congratulations to Drs. Absenger and Artz, and to everyone who has helped make this collaboration such a success!
![Poster for the GRCC Culinary Speak Series. The poster has photos for each of three upcoming events, “Paths to Becoming a Chef” on February 4, “Zingerman’s Building a Culture of Great Service” on March 11, and “Creating Magic-Creating Outstanding Experiences and Positive Change” on April 1. The text reads: “Culinary Speaker Series. Paths to Becoming a Chef. [First event] Monday, February 4, 2019. 5:30 p.m. Reception, sponsored by Key Impact Group. 6:15 p.m. Speakers: Shawn Kohlhaas, President ACF Greater Grand Rapids Chefs Association and Owner of Culinary Cultivations; Werner Absenger, Ph.D., M.S., Program Director for the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. Looking to advance your career, but not sure how? Join us to learn about the paths to becoming a chef and the pieces necessary to achieve that goal. We’ll talk about different certifications and academic degrees that may provide opportunities for upward mobility. 7:30–8 p.m. Q & A. [Second event] Zingerman’s Building a Culture of Great Service. Monday, March 11, 2019. 5:30 p.m. Reception, sponsored by Way Point. 6:15 p.m. Guest Speaker, Tabitha Mason. Tabitha Mason has served as Service Steward for the entire Zingerman’s organization. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing and implementing Zingerman’s nationally renowned approach to customer service for its ten businesses. She did this by analyzing and leveraging companywide service data, managing internal customer service training, and chairing a committee of service champions to execute companywide service improvements. Tabitha has continued her role as a trainer with ZingTrain, in which she shares the renowned Zingerman’s approach to giving great service with businesses throughout the country. 7:30–8 p.m. Q & A. [Third event] Creating Magic-Creating Outstanding Experiences and Positive Change. Monday, April 1, 2019. 5:30 p.m. Reception, sponsored by Hormel and Fontanini. 6:15 p.m. Guest Speaker, Ken Wasco. Ken Wasco is the Customer Effectiveness Manager at Gordon Food Service. He conducts hundreds of seminars and workshops on ways to achieve higher levels of personal effectiveness through an emphasis on communication skills across the foodservice industry. 7:30–8 p.m. Q & A. The events are held at GRCC’s Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center (ATC) at 151 Fountain St. NE. For more information, please contact the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at (616) 234-3690, or email culinary@grcc.edu. All participants are welcome. Those in need of accommodations please contact Secchia Institute for Culinary education at (616) 234-3690.”](https://grcctoday.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/grcc-acf-speaker-series-2019_108297.png?w=558)
Winter 2019 Culinary Speaker Series
Monday, February 4, 2019: Paths to Becoming a Chef
Monday, March 11, 2019: Zingerman’s Building a Culture of Great Service
Monday, April 1, 2019: Creating Magic-Creating Outstanding Experiences and Positive Change
The events are held at GRCC’s Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center (ATC) at 151 Fountain St. NE.
For more information, please contact the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at (616) 234-3690, or email culinary@grcc.edu.
All participants are welcome. Those in need of accommodations please contact Secchia Institute for Culinary education at (616) 234-3690.
The daily employee newsletter of Grand Rapids Community College 