GRCC In the News, 5-28-19

GRCC launches efforts to raise $3 million to improve buildings, boost scholarships fund

May 24, 2019; schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)

One in three Kent County high school graduates is connected to Grand Rapids Community College in some way, explained college representatives as they kicked off efforts to raise the final $3 million of $15 million earmarked for facility improvements and scholarships through its A Broader Vision campaign.

Mackinac Policy Conference 2019: Full schedule and agenda, speakers, how to watch

May 27, 2019; WDIV

… The Education Crisis: The Problem
Speaker: Bill Pink, President, Grand Rapids Community College

With more than 25 years of experience in education and workforce development, Bill Pink will share statewide data that articulates Michigan’s current state of education.

MSU, WMU tailor new workforce training programs to fit employers’ needs

May 26, 2019; mibiz.com

In response to employers’ calls for action, colleges and universities throughout the state are making a major shift in their workforce training programs.

… One of the results at WMU is the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Laboratory (AMP Lab) at the university’s campus in downtown Grand Rapids. WMU operates the AMP Lab in partnership with Grand Rapids Community College and local industry. Students who are interested in going into industrial engineering and advanced manufacturing jobs can earn accreditation at GRCC and WMU while working at a partnering employer. These employers have committed to helping pay for their employees’ tuition.

Precision Machining program at Kent Career Tech Center preparing teens for future

May 24, 2019; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOTV) – Students from high schools around Kent County are experiencing high school in a unique way. They are learning in state-of-art labs at GRCC’s Applied Technology Center through the Precision Machining Kent Career Tech Center Satellite Program.

Grand Rapids school holds special graduation ceremony for student in the hospital

May 24, 2019; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A 17-year-old Grand Rapids high school student wound up in the hospital receiving emergency surgery just weeks before his high school graduation.

… Hassel will remain in the hospital as he continues to heal, but he has plans of attending Grand Rapids Community College in the fall.

Ionia’s Hausserman to tee it up at GRCC

May 24, 2019; Ionia Sentinel-Standard

With just weeks to go in his final season at Ionia High School, Tyler Hausserman secured his golf future with a commitment to Grand Rapids Community College next year.

Young actor headed to Big Apple stage

May 24, 2019; schoolnewsnetwork.org

In this spring’s school musical, “Crazy for You,” Eric Liu played the lead role of Bobby Child. A banker who aspires to be a dancer, the character is “at heart just a big goofball who wants nothing more than to be onstage and have fun with his life,” Eric says.

… Eric hopes the contacts he makes at The Jimmy Awards lands him some auditions and gets him on his way. If not, he plans to study theater beginning at Grand Rapids Community College, and to start auditioning for local productions. Either way, he has his sights set on a career of performing in the kinds of plays that have entranced him.

GRCC Players performing ‘Wilderness’ tonight, Saturday at Spectrum Theater

GRCC Players Present:

Wilderness, by Seth Bockley and Anne Hamburger.

• WHEN: March 28-30, 8 p.m.
• WHERE: Spectrum Theater
• TICKETS: general admission $12; Faculty and Staff $10; GRCC Students $5

Call (616) 234-3946 for tickets.

Only two more chances to see “The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey”

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GRCC Players present The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne.

The Story: Chuck unravels the story of Leonard Pelkey, a tenaciously optimistic and flamboyant fourteen-year-old boy who goes missing. A luminous force of nature whose magic is only truly felt once he is gone, Leonard becomes an unexpected inspiration as the town’s citizens question how they live, who they love, and what they leave behind.

• January 10 – 12 at 8 p.m.
• Spectrum Theater Lab Space (Room 201)
• Limited seats; call 234-3946 for tickets
• Cost: $5 GRCC students; $10 GRCC staff

GRCC Student cast includes: Eden Heimer, Elijah Lewis, Alexus Voss, Nio Walton, and Trent Woodman.

“The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey” opens tonight

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

GRCC Players present The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne.

The Story: Chuck unravels the story of Leonard Pelkey, a tenaciously optimistic and flamboyant fourteen-year-old boy who goes missing. A luminous force of nature whose magic is only truly felt once he is gone, Leonard becomes an unexpected inspiration as the town’s citizens question how they live, who they love, and what they leave behind.

• January 10 – 12 at 8 p.m.
• Spectrum Theater Lab Space (Room 201)
• Limited seats; call 234-3946 for tickets
• Cost: $5 GRCC students; $10 GRCC staff

GRCC Student cast includes: Eden Heimer, Elijah Lewis, Alexus Voss, Nio Walton, and Trent Woodman.

GRCC Players perform”The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey” this weekend

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

GRCC Players present The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne.

The Story: Chuck unravels the story of Leonard Pelkey, a tenaciously optimistic and flamboyant fourteen-year-old boy who goes missing. A luminous force of nature whose magic is only truly felt once he is gone, Leonard becomes an unexpected inspiration as the town’s citizens question how they live, who they love, and what they leave behind.

• January 10 – 12 at 8 p.m.
• Spectrum Theater Lab Space (Room 201)
• Limited seats; call 234-3946 for tickets
• Cost: $5 GRCC students; $10 GRCC staff

GRCC Student cast includes: Eden Heimer, Elijah Lewis, Alexus Voss, Nio Walton, and Trent Woodman.

This weekend: GRCC Players present “Good Kids” by Naomi Iizuka

Good Kids by Naomi Iizuka

December 6-8 at 8 p.m. at Spectrum Theater, GRCC Players

Good Kids synopsis:

Something happened to Chloe after that party last Saturday night. Something she says she can’t remember. Something everybody is talking about. Set at a Midwestern high school, in a world of Facebook and Twitter, smartphones and YouTube, Good Kids explores a casual sexual encounter gone wrong and its very public aftermath. Who’s telling the truth? Whose version of the story do you believe? And what does that say about you?

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Caution/Trigger Warning:

This show may be triggering as it contains graphic content dealing with sexual assault, graphic language, and adult situations. Please know resources will be available in the theater lobby should anyone need to reach out to on-campus services for future discussion.

A note from the director, Carrie McNulty:

“As the director of Good Kids, I am incredibly proud of the students handling this challenging material. We have had to tackle some tough conversations regarding consent, sexual assault, and the very real case this play is based on. The cast has been open, supportive, and mature in bringing this sensitive subject to the stage.
The play is very timely, and our hope is to encourage conversation and a call to action. Because of the nature of this play, we will be encouraging the audience to stay after the Friday (December 7) performance to engage in a conversation with a talk back panel.”

Discussion Panel:

There will be a post-show Discussion Panel on Friday, December 7. Panel members will include:

• Lina Blair (Director of Student Life and Conduct)
• Kimberly DeVries (Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance)
• Officer Robin Kritzman (Campus Police Officer)

 

GRCC Players present “Good Kids” by Naomi Iizuka

Good Kids by Naomi Iizuka

December 6-8 at 8 p.m. at Spectrum Theater, GRCC Players

Good Kids synopsis:

Something happened to Chloe after that party last Saturday night. Something she says she can’t remember. Something everybody is talking about. Set at a Midwestern high school, in a world of Facebook and Twitter, smartphones and YouTube, Good Kids explores a casual sexual encounter gone wrong and its very public aftermath. Who’s telling the truth? Whose version of the story do you believe? And what does that say about you?

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Caution/Trigger Warning:

This show may be triggering as it contains graphic content dealing with sexual assault, graphic language, and adult situations. Please know resources will be available in the theater lobby should anyone need to reach out to on-campus services for future discussion.

Discussion Panel:

There will be a post-show Discussion Panel on Friday, December 7.

Panel members:

• Lina Blair (Director of Student Life and Conduct)
• Kimberly DeVries (Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance)
• Officer Robin Kritzman (Campus Police Officer)

GRCC In the News, 6-27-18

Spectrum Theater becomes accessible to hearing impaired

June 26, 2018; Grand Rapids Magazine

In celebration of its newly installed hearing loop system, Spectrum Theater at Grand Rapids Community College is offering a free performance of “Snow White, the Queen’s Fair Daughter” for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their parents, teachers and friends.

GRCC nursing faculty exposing Boys & Girls Clubs teens to career

June 27, 2018; MLive

As Baby Boomers age and the overall need for health care continues to grow, the demand for nurses and other in-demand health care careers will continue increases, officials say.

GRCC’s nursing instructors and students will lead three summer workshops for high schoolers in the club’s Career Pathways Program.

Google IT training coming to GRCC

June 26, 2018; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Just one more course at Grand Rapids Community College and Ryan Linak will be out in the real world.

Two alumni credit Laker Connections for their academic success

June 26, 2018; gvsu.edu

Juan Mascorro-Guerrero and Gloire Rubambiza found their way to Grand Valley from Mexico and Uganda, respectively.

… Mascorro-Guerrero graduated from Thornapple Kellogg High School and then enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College, under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. At one point, he was working three jobs to pay off his college debt.

GRPD to hold first two ‘Speed of Trust’ events Wednesday

June 27, 2018;  WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Police Department will hold the first sessions of a community trust building initiative Wednesday, June 27.

“Speed of Trust” will be at Grand Rapids Community College from 8 a.m. to noon. There is an alternate session from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

GRCC In the News, 3-28-18

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” offers insights into the impact of technology on relationships

March 27, 2018;  Grand Rapids Magazine

The “loopy and whimsical” play “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” takes audiences on a journey that explores how technology can bring people together in the “most abnormal way possible.”

The GRCC Players are staging the play, written by Sarah Ruhl and first performed in 2007, on March 29 31 at GRCC’s Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE.

Lean Goes Beyond Manufacturing

March 27, 2018; Michigan Business Network

On this segment of The Leaning Edge features Alen Ganic. Alen studied supply chain management and also received CPIM Supply Chain Management certification from APICS (The Association for Operations Management) and Lean certification from Grand Rapids Community College.

Youth interaction policy unveiled by Grand Rapids police

March 27, 2018; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A new Grand Rapids Police Department policy guiding officer interactions with youth is now in effect after the final draft was presented to the city commission Tuesday, March 27.

… It instructs officers to prioritize the least-restrictive options when dealing with youth, according to Raynard Ross, a leading member of the public-safety task force and Grand Rapids Community College associate dean.

‘I can finally exhale,’ man’s quest to feel comfortable in his own body nearly complete

March 27, 2018; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Beau VanSolkema lived the first few decades of his life in the wrong body.

… He has been in therapy ever since that day. VanSolkema enrolled in classes at Grand Rapids Community College and got involved with the LGBT community on campus. It was there that VanSolkema established his voice as an LGBT identifierwhile advocating for others. He also began to learn more about the transgender spectrum.

Emma Pachulski receives Scholar-Athlete Award

March 27, 2018; Ionia Sentinel-Standard

EAST LANSING — Emma Pachulski, a senior from Saranac High School, received the Michigan High School Athletic Associations Scholar-Athlete Award. Pachulski was honored at the 2018 MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, March 24. She was honored at the event by Don Simon, executive vice president for Farm Bureau Insurance, and John E. Jack Roberts, executive director of the MHSAA.

… Pachulski will be using the scholarship funds while attending Grand Rapids Community College and studying theatre & media arts. Pachulski will also be playing volleyball as a GRCC Raider.

GRCC Players present ‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone’

Call (616) 234-3946 for tickets and more information.

GRCC In the News, 3-26-18

GRCC to host regional basketball tournament in 2019-20

March 26, 2018; MLive

Grand Rapids Community College will host the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XII basketball tournament in 2019 and 2020, the school announced.

Grand Rapids Community College Approves New Security System

March 24, 2018; U.S. News & World Report

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Grand Rapids Community College trustees have approved purchasing a new security system that officials say would let it start a lockdown with the press of a button.

Review: ‘Building the Wall’ starts a powerful, captivating conversation

March 24, 2018; Revue

A conversation was sparked after the first production of “Building the Wall” by playwright Robert Schenkkan premiered in Michigan last night. The 70-minute-play, directed by Carrie McNulty, has already sparked controversy and confusion in the city with its artwork of an angry Donald Trump on the poster. What’s important to be pointed out though, is that the Actors Theatre Grand Rapids production is less about Trump and more about the messages and ideologies that existed long before the last election.

… Last night, the audience talked with Michelle Urbane from Grand Rapids Community College and One World Diversity and Leslie Curry, a lawyer with Legal Aid of Western Michigan. Tonight, the audience will hear from a man from the GR Rapid Response to ICE, a group who aids immigrants who are at risk of deportation from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On Saturday, the audience will hear from Edye Evans Hyde from Grand Rapids black theater group Ebony Road Players.

Sparta softball team looks to have plenty of defense, depth this spring

March 23, 2018; MLive

SPARTA — Sparta softball Nicole Hutchens likes the potential of her team this season.

… Among the key seniors is pitcher Sarina Gerke, who is in her third varsity season. She was all-conference last season. Madison Marble is a returning senior outfielder who has signed to play at Grand Rapids Community College next season.

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.

GRCC In the News, 3-6-18

Chase VanKempen providing solid guard play for Coopersville basketball team

March 5, 2018; MLive

COOPERSVILLE — Thanks to some excellent guard play, the Coopersville boys basketball team has close to 30 wins the past two seasons, including 13 victories this season heading into the regular-season finale against Hamilton.

… After high school, VanKempen plans on attending Grand Rapids Community College and plans on studying electrical and business, with an eye on becoming an electrical contractor and working for the family business.

Paw Paw senior signs with GRCC

March 5, 2018; The Courier-Leader (Paw Paw)

PAW PAW – Jimmy Wressel, front row, center, a Paw Paw High School senior, recently signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Grand Rapids Community College.

Jewish Theatre’s production of Torch Song Trilogy full of laughter and heartfelt emotion

March 5, 2018; therapidian.org

Torch Song Trilogy, written by Harvey Fierstein and directed by Shelly Urbane, is a Tony Award-winning collection of three plays rendered in three acts. JTGR presents the last act in this play titled “Widows and Children First!”

… Spectrum Theatre is perfect for staging a play with little action but lots of dialogue. With excellent sound and stage design, it is a small theater but allows the presentation of this play to be fully enjoyed by every audience member. The set is extremely well done; you actually feel as if you are sitting in the Manhattan apartment as the story unfolds.

LaughFest: Your Funniest Week Yet

March 5, 2018; Women’s Lifestyle magazine

Gilda’s LaughFest floods the days between March 8 and 18 with enough comedy showcases, exhibits, workshops, activities and shows for every funny bone in the city. Use this guide to find the things that put you in a laughing mood, from unforgettable ticketed shows to an enormous amount of free events that are guaranteed to crack smiles and split sides all 10 days of the festival.

… March 17

Super Saturday Kids Zone | GRCC Ford Fieldhouse, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | $7

GRCC In the News, 2-26-18

Fraternity helps black male students succeed

Feb. 23, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

After Jesse William Krewson Jr. got back from Afghanistan, he wanted to get an education in an effort to better help people.

But when the Grand Rapids Community College student would do homework, he would just get stuck and felt like he had a lack of resources.

Change Ups: Clark is electrical craft competition’s top finisher

Feb. 23, 2018; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Calvin Clark is the top finisher for the first annual ABC WMC Electrical Craft Competition. The competition was hosted by the Associated Builders & Contractors, Western Michigan Chapter, which partnered with Grand Rapids Community College to showcase the skills of six top electrical apprentices from ABC WMC member companies who are enrolled in the GRCC apprenticeship program. Clark from HighPoint Electric now qualifies to represent ABC WMC and GRCC at the ABC National Craft Championship, scheduled March 20-22, in Long Beach, California.

… AWARDS

… Grand Rapids Community College Police Academy students Tracy Harrell and Yamel Marmolejos-Tolentino are the first recipients of the $1,500 Bragg, Harvard, MuhammadSmith Why We Can’t Wait scholarship for students in criminal justice, education or health care who plan a career in public service.

Holland-area schools, businesses form manufacturing partnerships

Feb. 25, 2018; The Holland Sentinel

At a time when manufacturers are left scrambling for employees, local manufacturing companies have taken to forming partnerships   with local schools to serve as pipelines into the industry.

… In 2016, Careerline Tech Center, Grand Rapids Community College and Herman Miller joined forces to launch the Early College Program.

GR woman who inspired thousands shares how she got clean

Feb. 24, 2018; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Kelly Galbraith never had a problem revealing the rock-bottom depths from which she clawed her way back.

… Meanwhile, Galbraith is attending Grand Rapids Community College and working as a peer support specialist at Sanford House, a drug rehabilitation program in Grand Rapids.

31 Days of March Fun for Kids in Grand Rapids

Feb. 24, 2018; grkids.com

… March 17 — Kid friendly music, games, special guests, and so many fun carnival style activities await you at Super Saturday Kids Zone being held at the GRCC Ford Fieldhouse. Tickets are $7, under 1 are free.

Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids presents: ‘Torch Song Trilogy: Act III Widows and Children First’

Feb. 25, 2018; WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Our friends from Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids joined the Weekend Morning team on Sunday to share about their next show taking the stage on Thursday night. It’s called Torch Song Trilogy: Act III: Widows and Children First.

… The show takes the stage March 1, 3, 8, 10, 2018 at 8 p.m. March 4 & 11, 2018 at 3 p.m.
at Spectrum Theater, downtown on the GRCC campus at 160 Fountain St. NE

 

GRCC In the News, 2-6-18

GRCC to hosts GRPS Senior Night Out

Feb. 5, 2018; FOX 17

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — 6 basketball players finishing up their time at the Junior College level will be honored Wednesday night in the Grand Rapids Public Schools Senior Night Out event when Muskegon Community College visits Grand Rapids Community College on Wednesday night.

Let the Light Shine In

Feb. 5, 2018; Women’s Lifestyle magazine

The Light Gallery + Studio has a refreshingly clean, urban vibe that’s comfortable and inviting to patrons. Paintings, pottery, homemade candles, intricate tapestries, specialty papers, jewelry, decorative pillows and tea towels, even wooden cutting board and tables all created by local artists are on display. Elton, the gallery cat (he even has his own Instagram account: thegallerycat), will greet you at the door along with owners E Townsley and Matthew Provoast.

… Running their own professional photography businesses and the gallery/studio has been an incredible learning experience for both of them. They aren’t afraid to try new things, take chances or to seek answers from those more experienced. Provoast even took classes at Grand Rapids Community College to learn more about running a small business and marketing strategies. The business continues to grow and evolve; they plan to curate art exhibits for local establishments and pursue innovative ways to market to interior designers.

MHSAA announces the Scholar-Athlete Award recipients in Class C

Feb. 5, 2018; Ionia Sentinel-Standard

EAST LANSING — The Michigan High School Athletic Association has selected 10 student-athletes from Class C member schools to receive scholarships through the MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award program.

… Emma (Pachulski) played three seasons of varsity volleyball and will participate in her fourth of varsity track & field this spring. Served as captain of both teams; earned all-conference, all-region and academic all-state honors in volleyball and all-county in track. Participating in second year of National Honor Society and attended American Legion Auxiliary Girls State. Also plays in school band; has served as percussion section leader and first chair clarinet and helped band to highest possible 1 rating at district competition. Participates in her schools drama productions, earning lead female roles and serving as assistant director and lead choreographer. Serves as lead photographer on yearbook staff. Earned Sportsmanship Award, the highest honor, from local 4-H and also participates as part of her church’s youth group. Walked and raised funds to honor cancer survivors as part of Relay for Life. Will attend Grand Rapids Community College and study theatre & media arts.

MCC women top Ancilla on Saturday, extend winning streak to eight games

Feb. 5, 2018; Local Sports Journal (Muskegon)

The Muskegon Community College women’s basketball team pushed its winning streak to eight games on Saturday with a 76-62 win over visiting Ancilla College.

… MCC remains tied for first place in the MCCAA Western Conference with Mid-Michigan. The Jayhawks travel to Grand Rapids Community College on Wednesday for another conference matchup.