GRCC alumnus Damari McBride is the featured photographer in the January 2019 episode of the series Photographers Without Borders. His episode, Beyond the Gun, dissects the complexities of South Africa’s poaching epidemic.
While at GRCC, Mr. McBride participated in Service-Learning and helped lead the Black Student Union. He went on to receive his undergrad at Ferris State University.
GRCC’s EXS 184 Intro to Exercise Science class spent the morning at the Kid’s Food Basket farm in Coopersville! Exercise Science instructor Chelsea Brehm taught students about urban farming and sustainability through a service learning experience.
Please join your fellow GRCC employees for lunch as we learn more about a local nonprofit: Dégagé Ministries.
Dégagé Ministries is a grassroots organization that offers help and hope to homeless and disadvantaged individuals in our community.
Are you looking for a project for your students ?
Maybe your department would like a team-building activity?
Or maybe you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity?
There is absolutely no obligation. Whether you want to learn about the homeless problem in the area, or you want to get involved helping out, this luncheon is an information session only. It will cover what Dégagé does, and all the different ways you may help.
June 28, 2017
12:00 p.m.- 1:15 p.m.
Dégagé Ministries
144 Division Ave. S.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Please RSVP to Elly Bainbridge at ebainbri@grcc.edu
If you require parking, let Elly know and that cost will be covered.
On Wednesday, April 12, the Department of Experiential Learning hosted the GRCC Honors Program Completion Reception. Ten students were recognized for completing the Honors Program this year. Emceed by the director of Experiential Learning, Michael Schavey, guests enjoyed an amazing dinner, a speech from a fellow Honors student, Sam Slaw and received their program completion certificates and commencement cords.
In addition to meeting degree and transfer requirements, these students worked diligently to complete both Honors Courses and Honors Contracts. Additionally, these students attended co-curricular activities like the Diversity Lecture Series, exposing them to new ways of thinking, or engaged our community through service learning like tutoring in our Writing Lab of packing lunches at Kids’ Food basket. We asked them to participate in our social events like Painting with Honors, the GVSU/GRCC Honors Game Night or, recently, the Honors Networking event that paired students with professionals in the field. These experiences bring students together, forming an Honors community of both future scholars and leaders.
The students who complete the program this year are:
Thank you to all the Faculty Showcase presenters and participants! Thank you also to Armen Oumedian for his generous support for the Innovation Grants for faculty!
Please stop by the Preschool on April 11 between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to see some of the amazing work being done by faculty this year. There will be faculty from the following areas available to share and discuss ideas:
JaneAnn Benson will be giving tours of the new Preschool building as well.
Light snacks will be served.
Please stop by the Preschool on April 11 between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to see some of the amazing work being done by faculty this year. There will be faculty from the following areas available to share and discuss ideas:
JaneAnn Benson will be giving tours of the new Preschool building as well.
Light snacks will be served.
Last month, the Physical Sciences Department hosted a collaborative public outreach event led by faculty and students from GRCC and Van Andel Institute. The event, titled “Fall in Love With STEM” was part of a series of similar events sponsored by the Association of Women in Science West Michigan chapter. The GRCC site featured a unique “Exploration Station” format, where middle-school-aged registrants investigated scientific disciplines across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, making this a true STEM event.
From the Physical Sciences Department, Assistant Professor Ashley Campanali led a station on engineering and Assistant Professor Lauren Woolsey led a station on astronomy. From the Mathematics Department, GRCC student Rachel Swem led her own station on mathematics and game theory. From the Biological Sciences Department, Professor Leigh Kleinert organized a station that was run entirely by the following GRCC students as part of their service learning program: Shelsy DeLeon-Lopez, Afrika Earvin, Alma Garcia-Bautista, Mollie Hettinger, Brendan Howe, Jenna Meyers, Mauricio Perez, Monica Rivera, Taylor Swift, Megan Thomas, and Ana Villagomez.
Sincere thanks and congratulations to all those involved, including the countless volunteers and support staff who made this event possible! Other station leaders include Alison Bernstein (MSU), Jamie Grit (VAI), Marie Adams (VAI), Allie Weber (VAI), and Jacqueline Peacock (FSU). Julie Turner led the VAI logistics and event registration, and Lauren Woolsey led the GRCC logistics and event setup. Photos in this post were taken by Katie Krajnak from VAI. Dozens of families attended this inaugural event, and we look forward to expanding the event in future years!
May 9, 2016; Community College Week
… First place in Grand Rapids Community College’s (Mich.) Armen Awards went to a project that promoted awareness of computer science education for K-12 education. Katie Vander Meer’s Introduction to Computer Programming students taught computer programming logic to Orchard View Elementary fifth-graders. Longtime GRCC supporter Armen Oumedian created and funds the awards for excellence in service learning. Faculty members lead students in designing and completing service projects to benefit community organizations. The top three teams among the five finalists received awards. The second place award went to Holly Van- Ryn and students in her Restaurant Leadership and Management course. They teamed up with Baxter Community Center’s mentoring program to teach youth fine dining etiquette. The third place award was given to Leigh Kleinert and students in her General Human Anatomy and Physiology course, who partnered with Jenison International Academy to provide an in-person, interactive biology lab for online high school students.
Lakeview’s King signs with GRCC to play hoops
May 9, 2016; The Daily News (Greenville)
LAKEVIEW — Delanie King was one of the more surprised people she was asked to play college basketball.
But the Lakeview senior signed a letter of intent to play for Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) on Friday.
Liberal studies major earns Outstanding Adult Learner recognition
May 9, 2016; GV Now (GVSU publication)
A student in Grand Valley’s Liberal Studies Leadership program was named Outstanding Adult Learner by an area consortium of colleges and universities.
Todd Talsma received the honor from the Grand Rapids Area Higher Education Network during a ceremony April 20 at Grand Rapids Community College.
The Armen Awards were announced on April 22:
Celebrate the teams participating in this year’s Armen Awards competition!
Congratulations to the Exercise Science and Biology Departments for their outstanding efforts in creating community-based experiences for their students. Both departments are part of the Engaged Department Initiative, a grant funded by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation to advance the institutionalization of community engaged teaching and learning into the departments curricula.
Each department received $5,000 dollars to plan, establish, implement, and evaluate strategic initiatives that will advance the integration of community-based teaching and learning into departmental curriculum and culture.
During the Fall semester, the Biology Department had nearly (250) students participate in community-based learning activities including (5) sections offering service learning and featured the Community Science Day serving over (400) community members. The Exercise Science Department had 90 students participate in community-based learning activities including (7) sections offering service learning in addition to (50) participants at the Feeding America Make A Difference Day event and the (13) participants at the Ride for Refuge fundraising event.
Both departments are excited for the new ways they are connecting students to the community. If you are interested in learning more about the Engaged Department Initiative please visit www.grcc.edu/engageddepartment or contact Michael Schavey, Director of Experiential Learning at 616-234-4180.
Donor receives award for philanthropy
Dec. 13, 2015; WOOD TV
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — This year, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation awarded the Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award to Armen Oumedian, retired senior Vice President of Rapistan.
… He created GRCC’s Armen Awards which gives cash awards to faculty members who go above and beyond in educating students through innovative projects.
Meet the Chefs: Tastemakers from San Chez, Winchester and Electric Cheetah
Dec. 11, 2015; Revue
You may know your resident servers and bartenders, but do you know who’s masterminding your favorite dishes? Revue chatted with a few local chefs about how they got started in the kitchen and what’s new on each of their menus.
… Aaron Stek: San Chez
… When did you first decide to become a chef?
My first real taste was at Schuler Books & Music and Café on 28th Street when they first opened that place up. That was around 1995 or so. That’s where the interest was sparked and the whole notion of going to school for the culinary arts was put into my brain. I went to Grand Rapids Community College, their culinary program. The staff I was working with at Schuler inspired me to go. Today, there are a lot more people interested in this career compared to when I first started. When I went to school we certainly had full classes and all of that, but now you have to plan a year or two in advance if you want to go there.
(The article also talks to SICE alumnus Brian Oosterheert.)
Final Reminder – deadline to participate in the Armen Awards – Excellence in Service Learning for the Winter semester is November 1st.
Simply submit your proposal! [click here]
By participating in the Armen Awards, the College will produce a professional video highlighting your service learning project, be honored at the celebration event of your teams efforts, have a chance to win up to $3,000 and an opportunity to share your hard work on a local network morning show.
“The Handyman Show with Glenn Haege”
10/25/15 WJR
Host Glenn Haege: “About three weeks ago I wrote an article for The New York Times wire service, News and Free Press and it talked about skilled labor learning from high school through college, then Obama came to town that following Wednesday and he talked about skilled labor training and money through some millions of dollars added at Macomb and Grand Rapids Community College.”
Grand Rapids celebrates National Chemistry Week
Oct. 24, 2015; WZZM
KENTWOOD, Mich. (WZZM) — It’s National Chemistry Week and Saturday is the perfect day to peak your little scientist’s interest by bringing them to experience interactive chemistry demonstrations at Woodland Mall. It’s happening from noon until 4:00 p.m. Saturday near the Macy’s entrance.
… The event will include demonstration booths sponsored by the Local American Chemical Society and chemistry clubs from Grand Valley, Hope College, Aquinas College and Grand Rapids Community College.
Two-year schools see mixed results for millage requests
Oct. 23, 2015; Observer & Eccentric
Schoolcraft College isn’t the only two-year college in Michigan to go to voters to ask for a millage increase in recent years.
… Another school that saw the request turned down recently was Grand Rapids Community College, which had several millage increases turned down in the last decade, the most recent being in 2012. Voters turned down a $98.6 million request by more than 6,500 votes in that race.
Pop singer plays ‘Jimmy Fallon’
Oct. 22, 2015; Traverse City Record-Eagle
TRAVERSE CITY — The ride to pop stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary for an unassuming but immensely talented kid from a small West Michigan town.
… He (Garrett Borns) still seems every bit the thoughtful and mellow Midwestern boy who graduated five years ago from Grand Haven High School where he sang in the choir and started to turn heads with his music. He also attended the Interlochen Center for the Arts and studied music theory at Grand Rapids Community College.
Inside Track: Undersheriff’s grasp of technology benefits the entire department
Oct. 23, 2015; Grand Rapids Business Journal
In Michelle Young’s nearly 26 years with the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, she’s been a crucial key to many of the technological advancements the county has seen during her tenure.
… She completed a Master’s in Public Administration from Western Michigan University in 1992. She also attended the Grand Rapids Community College Police Academy to move from corrections to patrol. And she decided to start the supervisory track, taking an exam and an oral interview to become sergeant.
East Grand Rapids mayor facing a challenger in Nov. 3 election
Oct. 24, 2015; MLive
East Grand Rapids residents will decide if current mayor Amna Seibold will continue to preside over the City Commission for another four years when they go to the polls on Nov. 3. Seibold, who stepped into the slot four years ago, is being challenged by local real-estate agent Bill Templin.
… Templin attended Grand Rapids Community College and the University of Cincinnati. His community involvement includes John Ball Zoo and JBZ Rendezoo, Reeds Lake Triathlon, East Grand Rapids Trail Blazers Run, East Grand Rapids Fireworks, Student Advancement Foundation, NPR, AmFar, East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, and Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary.
Aquinas volleyball picks up four wins at AQ/Cornerstone Crossover
Oct. 24, 2015; MLive
Grand Rapids, MI- The Aquinas College volleyball team played host to four non-conference opponents this weekend as part of the annual Aquinas/Cornerstone Crossover. The Saints played a pair of games on both Friday evening and Saturday morning, and came out victorious in all four games. Aquinas is now 17-12 on the season.
In the opening match on Friday, the Saints defeated Rochester College 3-1. Aquinas dominated the first set 25-10, but the Warriors bounced back to win the second 25-23. Aquinas would claim the next two sets 25-18 and 25-21 to earn the victory. Sophomore Kenzie Haley’s (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) career high 17 kills spearheaded the attack, while Brooke Wieland (Lake Odessa/Lakewood) supplied 46 assists, 15 digs, and three aces. Katlyn Agren (Cadillac/GRCC) led four Saints in double digit digs with 24.
Armen Oumedian Receives Philanthropy Award
Oct. 23, 2015; pressreleasepoint.com
On Friday, October 23, 2015 Grand Rapids Community Foundation will have its annual donor celebration and present the Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award to Armen Oumedian, retired senior Vice President of Rapistan.
… Oumedian is an active and hands-on philanthropist with a keen interest in Science, Technology, Education and Math (STEM) education. He’s been a long-time supporter of his alma mater Kettering University, and of Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). He’s created and funded a number of programs that encourage innovation and learning, including GRCC’s Armen Awards, which give cash awards to faculty innovation projects. He created a Community Foundation scholarship for students at GRCC and Kettering University. Armen has been a member of the Kettering University Alumni Board and the Porter Hills Communities and Services Board. Oumedian was named the GRCC Alumni of the Year and was also awarded Kettering’s Alumni Service Award. He’s an avid supporter of the Community Foundation’s Challenge Scholars program and holds the distinction of having attended Harrison Park School, one of the Challenge Scholars schools.
The daily employee newsletter of Grand Rapids Community College 