For Beverly Drake, serving on the GRCC Foundation board of directors was a key piece to her mission of helping others.
Drake, a Grand Rapids Junior College alumna who served on the board for 27 years, died in
December at the age of 80. “Bev was such a phenomenal person,” said Dr. Kathryn Mullins, vice president of College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation. “She devoted her life to helping others, caring deeply about helping people overcome obstacles to success, especially through education – and GRCC.”
Drake was the executive director of Area Community Services Employment and Training from 1985 to 2011. The organization creates opportunities for self-sufficiency for low-income, economically disadvantaged, disabled, unemployed and underemployed people and dislocated workers.
“I like to think that I was able to open doors for people and to help others because I had been helped,” said Drake, who was named GRCC’s Distinguished Alumna in 1995.
“So many people in our community respected her and sought out her friendship and wisdom,” Mullins said. “She touched the lives of many and will be missed.”