Scholarfest Celebration

Scholarship Spotlight

Olivarez Scholarship

• Fund Awarded to a second-year student.
• Preference given to students planning to transfer to Aquinas College.
• 2.5 GPA or higher required.

Scholarfest 2022 paid tribute to the efforts of President Emeritus Juan and Mary Olivarez to improve access to a life-changing education while serving as the debut of the new Secchia Piazza.

Dr. Werner Absenger, director of the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, and Dr. Kathryn Mullins, at that time vice president of College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation, brought Joan Secchia to the stage first to accept the college’s gratitude for the piazza, the final project by her husband, Peter, before his death in 2020.

Friends and former colleagues spoke of Juan Olivarez’s GRCC accomplishments, which include leading the Open Door capital campaign, creating the Cesar Chavez Hispanic Scholarship, and establishing the Academic Governing Council. Many noted that his devotion to GRCC was evident in his return as its interim leader after his retirement as the eighth president in 2008.

Olivarez himself paid tribute to his wife and her 24-year career with Grand Rapids Public Schools, teaching kindergarten, early childhood special education, and working with students with multiple impairments.

The Olivarezes’ Hispanic and Ukrainian heritages were reflected in a menu created by GRCC’s culinary students, in a special beer developed in the Craft Brewing program, and entertainment by a mariachi band.

The event raised more than $126,000 for scholarships – a cause supported by the Olivarezes for decades.

“Keep supporting GRCC,” Juan Olivarez told Scholarfest guests. “And become a donor if you’re not, because it goes a long way here.”