Thank you for your leadership, Dr. Buzzitta
Dr. Jim Buzzitta is stepping aside as GRCC Foundation board chair after a four-year term in the leadership role.
Buzzitta, a Grand Rapids Junior College alumnus, joined the board in 2010 and became its chair in 2019.
During his time as head of the board, the foundation:
- Raised almost $23 million – well above the $15 million goal – for scholarships and facility improvements through its capital campaign, A Broader Vision.
- Eased student hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic with its Student Food Pantry and Student Emergency Assistance funds.
- Assembled donor support for construction of the GRCC Lakeshore Campus, which created easier access to classes and resources for Ottawa County residents.
- Received its largest single donation ever of almost $10 million.
- Created the Board of Directors Excellence Scholarship, allowing one student each from Kent and Ottawa counties to attend GRCC tuition-free.
- Moved its offices into the renovated Custer Alumni House. Completed the Secchia Piazza, an event space in the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center.
- Debuted the Armen Oumedian Consecutive Giving Award.
Kristine Babcock, a member of the foundation board since 2015, was elected to succeed Buzzitta as chair. But she delayed the move – and temporarily resigned from the board in January – in order to serve as the interim executive director for College Advancement. She led the foundation for six months until Mary Slafkosky was hired as vice president of College Advancement and then returned to the board as chair.
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