Karen Culcasi talks about Syrian refugee crisis

On March 28, a lecture at the ATC auditorium on the Syrian refugee crisis was delivered by Dr. Karen Culcasi, associate professor of geography at West Virginia University. As one of only 43 Visiting Geographical Scientists listed by the American Association of Geographers and the International Geographical Honor Society, Dr. Culcasi spoke on the challenges faced by Syrian women in Jordan who had been forced to flee their native country because of war. Sharing stories of their experiences, she captivated 140 students, faculty, and members of the local community attending her talk, which was filmed by GRCC Media Technologies and will soon be broadcast on GRCCtv. Dr. Culcasi also was interviewed for GRCC’s “Conversation with a Geographer” oral history series, which was filmed by Media Technologies as well.

FBI victim specialist to speak on human trafficking on April 20

The Social Sciences Department is sponsoring this presentation:

GRCC In the News, 3-21-17

Skilled trade training program launches in W MI

March 20, 2017; WOOD TV

WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — Austin Bonter is a machine build apprentice with specialty manufacturer AutoMatrix in Wyoming. It’s his job to transfer designs from paper to a computer and make a workable machine.

… Kent Intermediate School District, Grand Rapids Community College and several local manufacturers are partnering on the program to get high school students interested in an industry that many declared dead on arrival just a few years ago.

Patriots to host forum on emergency preparedness

March 20, 2017; The Holland Sentinel

The Ottawa County Patriots will focus on emergency preparations for manmade and natural disasters at their next public forum on Tuesday, March 21.

… Lt. Col. Denny Gillem, U.S. Army (Ret.), hosts the radio program “The Frontlines of Freedom” and teaches classes in American Government at Grand Rapids Community College. After graduating from West Point, Lt. Col. Gillem served more than 22 years in various positions, including as a combat leader in Vietnam and as a war planner in Europe and the Middle East at U.S. Readiness Command in Florida.

Sweet Sixteen Pursue National Title in Danville!

March 20, 2017; vermilioncountyfirst.com

Sixteen (16) National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men’s Basketball teams from across the country have earned the title of regional champions and will represent their regions in the upcoming NJCAA Division II Mens National Basketball Championship held at Danville Area Community College Tuesday, March 21-Saturday, March 25, 2017 in the DACC Mary Miller Gymnasium.

… Alphabetical List of Teams 2017:

… Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI

 

Keith St. Clair to examine contrasts between China, Taiwan on Feb. 22

Keith St. Clair will explore the historical, political, and cultural contrasts between China and Taiwan based on his recent IIPD trip to both locations.

Despite the One China Policy of the United States, there are two Chinese governments that claim to be the one government of China. The People’s Republic of China controls the mainland and has its capital in Beijing. The Republic of China controls Taiwan and has its capital in Taipei.  Both claim the other’s territory, yet have developed separately since the Communist takeover of the mainland.

Keith will examine the relations between these two countries and discuss the possibility for their reconciliation. His presentation will be on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. in Room 168 ATC (auditorium). Stop by and bring your class for an informative session.

Geography student awarded scholarship for leadership and service

April Shirey, president of the GRCC Chapter of the International Geographical Honor Society, was recently awarded the Hruby Scholarship, which guarantees she will pay no more than 50 percent of the tuition for completion of the B.A. in Geography at Aquinas College. April is the third nontraditional GRCC Geography student in recent years to receive the Hruby Scholarship, which is awarded in recognition of exemplary leadership and service in our community. She also received the Dr. Phillip Sigal Peace and Justice Memorial Scholarship, which was awarded by the GRCC English Department, for completion of the Associate Degree. In addition to demonstrating leadership and service through the honor society, April presents papers at academic conferences, provides academic tutoring to students in a number of disciplines, and works as a production coordinator for events taking place throughout the U.S. She intends to begin studies at Aquinas in August 2017.

GRCC In the News, 12-5-16

Appointments, Resignations, Deaths (12/9/2016)

Dec. 4, 2016; The Chronicle of Higher Education

CHIEF EXECUTIVES

Appointments

… Bill Pink, vice president and dean of work-force development at Grand Rapids Community College, was appointed president. He will be the college’s first black leader.

State News 12-1-16

Dec. 1, 2016; The Hastings Banner

… Grand Rapids Community College announced that it has joined the network of Fiat Chrysler-certified technical training sites. FCA US LLC, a North American automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, established the Mopar Career Automotive Program LOCAL in partnership with the National Coalition of Certification Centers, or NC3, to train approximately 1,000 students annually. The partnership has a goal of building a talent pipeline of certified Chrysler Fiat automotive technicians across the country.

GRCC Political Professor weighs in on Michigan recount

Dec. 3, 2016; FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich – The recount of Michigan’s presidential votes is officially set to begin next week.

… Grand Rapids Community College Professor, Neal Getz stopped by FOX 17 Morning News to explain how the process will work.

GRCC Volleyball’s Lauren Wieber named NJCAA DII All-American

Dec. 3, 2016; MLive

Grand Rapids, Mich – GRCC Volleyball’s sophomore OH Lauren Wieber (Grand Rapids, MI, Kenowa Hills (’15)) earned All-American honors after a stand out season recording 433 kills, 103 digs and 30 blocks while starting in 34 of 36 matches.

Inside Track: Marriage leads to career break

Dec. 2, 2016; Grand Rapids Business Journal

During his two-decade career in fundraising, Keith Hopkins has had a hand in more than 175 campaigns, most of them in the West Michigan region.

… Hopkins began his career in education, teaching at Grand Rapids Community College for four years and then Heartland Community College in Illinois for another four years, before joining Monaghan Associates, a fundraising firm in Grand Rapids.

 

 

GRCC geography student awarded scholarship

Stacey Murphy

Acknowledging that her “service and leadership in our community have been exemplary,” Aquinas College just awarded the Hruby Scholarship to Stacey Murphy, who will be completing studies in Geography at GRCC in August. Named in honor of Norbert Hruby, the second president of Aquinas College and a devoted advocate of continuing education for adult students, the Hruby Scholarship is granted to stellar transfer students demonstrating a history of community service and leadership through volunteerism. The Hruby Scholarship funds 50% of tuition, and Ms. Murphy is the second GRCC Geography graduate in recent years to receive this honor specifically designated for non-traditional students. Following her studies at Aquinas, she plans to attend graduate school in Geography.

Visiting geographical scientist lecture tonight

Date: April 11, 2016

Time: 7:00pm

Location: 108 Sneden Hall, GRCC DeVos Campus, 415 Fulton Street E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

People and Plants: Conservation of Forests and Cultures
by Maria Fadiman, Geographer, Ethnobotanist and Professor, Florida Atlantic University

Dr. Maria Fadiman, associate professor of Geography at Florida Atlantic University and author of numerous publications devoted to ethnobotany and sustainable development, is known for her TEDx talks in the U.S. and Mexico on people and plants in tropical ecosystems. Maria engages in fieldwork in Latin America and Africa and has received funding from the National Science Foundation and National Geographic Society for research relating to cultural geography and ethnobotany. In 2006, she earned distinction as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and in 2015, she was honored as one of only 40 geographers listed by the International Geographical Honor Society as distinguished Visiting Geographical Scientists. Maria teaches courses in world regional geography, conservation, and culture and the environment. She is currently writing about the cultural geography of tropical rainforests.

GRCC In the News, 3-2-16

College professor’s sexual misconduct leads to resignation

March 1, 2016; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A longtime Grand Rapids Community College professor, accused of repeatedly kissing a student against her will, resigned the same day he learned school officials would recommend his firing for sexual misconduct, according to documents released by the college.

GRCC receives $449K job training grant to help low-income residents earn living wage

March 1, 2016; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded a two-year, $449,862 grant to Grand Rapids Community College to continue to help train people in need of a post-secondary education to find employment that provides a living wage.

GRCC professor weighs in on Presidential campaign after Super Tuesday

March 2, 2016; WZZM

Keith St. Clair, a political science professor at Grand Rapids Community College, joined us Wednesday morning to talk about Super Tuesday results and how they’ll affect the race heading into Michigan’s primary next week.

GRCC cancels afternoon classes, closes all campuses early 

March 1, 2016; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College has canceled classes due to inclement weather Tuesday.

Oceana County Sheriff Robert Farber to retire

March 1, 2016; WZZM

HART, MICH. – Oceana County Sheriff Robert Farber is not seeking re-election in the upcoming November election.

… The sheriff has taught law enforcement courses at West Shore Community College, Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Muskegon Community College during his long career.

 

“Genocide Prevention” and “Kurdistan” Highlight World Affairs Council Great Decisions Lectures

Gordan Vurusic deserves special praise for playing a critical role in arranging last night’s World Affairs Council Great Decisions lecture. Gordan’s former colleague at DePauw University, Dr. Brett O’Bannon, gave a talk that was considered by some to be the most important Great Decisions lecture delivered in Grand Rapids since the series began: Never Again: The UN’s Role in Genocide Prevention. If you were unable to attend the lecture, a filmed version will soon be broadcast on GRCC TV.

Next week, Dr. Jessie Clark, Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Nevada-Reno, will discuss: Our Allies in the Middle East: The Future of Kurdistan. Her talk will take place at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center at 6:00 pm on Monday, 29 February. All GRCC faculty and students are able to attend for free. Parking is also free.

Social Sciences Department holds advising

The Social Sciences Department will be holding an advising week February 8th – February 12th. On Tuesday, February 9th, walk-in advising will be available from 10:00am – 4:00pm in Room 103 Sneden Hall. For the other days, advising will be held in instructor offices on 2nd Floor White Hall at times specified on our website: http://www.grcc.edu/socialsciences/advising.

 

Gordan Vurusic presents lecture for World Affairs Council of Western Michigan

On Tuesday, political science Professor Gordan Vurusic discussed the breakup of the former Yugoslavia for the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan’s Fall Series.

Keith St. Clair discusses ‘Arab Spring’ today

The North African states of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia have witnessed some dramatic social and political changes in recent years. Tunisia saw the birth of the Arab Spring in 2011, which consisted of uprisings spreading to overthrow many dictatorships throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Unfortunately, many of these states have descended into chaos and civil war. Only Tunisia still holds the promise of democracy brought by the Arab Spring. While Algeria and Morocco’s regimes have entrenched themselves further, all have had to face the growing threat of terrorism.

Keith St. Clair invites you to come and learn more about the current history and politics of these fascinating societies: Wednesday April 15, 2015 from 2:15pm – 3:15pm in the ATC Auditorium (Room 168)

Banquet celebrates student leaders

GRCC recognized the accomplishments of student leaders during a banquet on April 3.

Student Life awards:

• Jerry Benham Award for Staff and Faculty — Andre Fields.
• Cedric and Sandy Leadership Award — Brandon Sinclair.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award — Flora Garcia.
• Benham Service and Civic Engagement Award — Daniel Eggerding.
• Brian Kloet Campus Involvement Award — Hana Christoffersen.

Athletic awards:

• Donald R. Black Outstanding Female Athlete Award — Shelby Ruffner.
• Donald R. Black Outstanding Male Athlete Award — Cameron Burhannon.
• Merle Storr Athletic/Academic Award — Taylor Young.
• Gordon Hunsberger Award — Ben Brown.

Biological sciences:

•  Biological Sciences Department Award — Cassondra Ruso.

Campus Dining:

• Creative Dining Services Student Employee Scholarship Award — Phong Nguyen.

Exercise science:

• Wellness Student of the Year – Courtney Tolar.

Music:

• Distinguished Music Student Academic Leadership Award — Amy David.
• Distinguished Music Student Academic Leadership Award — Avalon Cutts-Jones.
• Emerging Music Student Academic Leadership Award — Wesley Weidig.
• Emerging Music Student Academic Leadership Award — Madelyn Ballard.
• Emerging Music Student Academic Leadership Award — Clay Towery.

Physical sciences:

• Outstanding Physical Science Student of the Year Award — Randy DeYoung.
• Outstanding Physical Science Student of the Year Award — Daniel Gebrezgiabhier.

Social sciences:

• Lambda Upsilon Academic Service Award — Hannah Cluley.
• Elizabeth Knapp Scholarship — Stuart Miller.
• Elizabeth Knapp Scholarship — Norma Zondervan.
• Social Science Research Paper Award — Melissa Foster.
• Social Science Research Paper Award — Eyssy Moore.
• Social Science Research Paper Award — Gretchen Robinson.
• Social Science Research Paper Award — Carla Villasana-Acosta.

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Keith St. Clair to discuss Arab Spring

The North African states of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia have witnessed some dramatic social and political changes in recent years. Tunisia saw the birth of the Arab Spring in 2011, which consisted of uprisings spreading to overthrow many dictatorships throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Unfortunately, many of these states have descended into chaos and civil war. Only Tunisia still holds the promise of democracy brought by the Arab Spring. While Algeria and Morocco’s regimes have entrenched themselves further, all have had to face the growing threat of terrorism.

Keith St. Clair invites you to come and learn more about the current history and politics of these fascinating societies: Wednesday April 15, 2015 from 2:15pm – 3:15pm in the ATC Auditorium (Room 168)