Aug. 9 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is taking over the West Michigan Whitecaps’ ballpark on Aug. 16, sharing program and scholarship information, celebrating alumni, and helping with last-minute enrollments. GRCC President Charles W. Lepper will start the Whitecaps’ game against the South Bend Cubs by throwing out the first pitch. Throughout the evening, fans can learn about GRCC’s life- changing programs, including those available to remove cost as a barrier. “Family and work responsibilities don’t have to stand in the way of a GRCC degree or certificate,” Lepper said. “I think many Whitecaps fans will be surprised to learn how easy it can be to take that ‘next step’ – especially with help from GRCC scholarships, the Michigan Reconnect program, Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and the Grand Rapids Promise Zone.” Staff on the concourse can provide information on all those programs, and for those who want to get started right away, they can help with enrollment for fall classes. The first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive a bobblehead celebrating former Detroit Tigers first baseman Robert Fick. Fick, who was inducted into the Whitecaps Hall of Fame in 2009, is himself a community college alumnus, attending Ventura College in California before transferring to California State University at Northridge. He made his major league debut with the Tigers in 1998 and subsequently played for the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals. Fans can get Fick’s autograph before the game by going to section 109 for a number. Fireworks are scheduled at the end of the night. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. at LMCU Stadium, 4500 West River Drive in Comstock Park. Tickets, which range from $10 to $19, can be purchased online . GRCC alumni have a special section and can buy tickets online for $10, which includes a hotdog and a pop.

August 1, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  - Grand Rapids Community College mourns the loss of Olivia Margo Anderson, who attended GRCC as a student and later became a leader in the community and at the college, serving as chairperson of the board of trustees. She leaves a legacy of opening up educational opportunities for all students. “Margo Anderson changed generations of lives by working to ensure that education was within reach of all students,” said David Koetje, chairperson of the GRCC board of trustees . “She was determined to increase access to life-changing education and make a difference in her community. She will be missed tremendously.” Anderson, who passed away on July 28, 2023, at age 81, was a lifelong educator who was recently honored with the Distinguished Alumna Award at GRCC’s commencement on April 28, 2023.  She started her education at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College and transferred to Western Michigan University. She later earned three master’s degrees from Western, in Elementary Education, in Counseling and Personnel, and in Educational Leadership.  Anderson worked 32 years in the Grand Rapids Public Schools as an elementary teacher, high school counselor, assistant principal and elementary  principal. She retired from GRPS in 2000, and was elected to the GRCC board of trustees a year later, serving through 2014 and holding several leadership roles.  Anderson focused on inclusion and equity during her time on the board, working to ensure a life-changing education was within reach of all students.  “Margo and I shared a common belief that everyone who wants a college education should be able to access it,” said GRCC President Charles Lepper. “It was my honor to present her with the Distinguished Alumna Award earlier this year,  and I plan to continue to advocate for access to education for all in her honor. ”  Beyond her decades of serving the children in Kent County, Anderson was a 50-year, life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a lifelong member and trustee of First Community AME Church, Grand Rapids History Council, YWCA, and as an Urban League of West Michigan board member. She earned the 1991 Phyllis Scott Activist GIANT Award and a Tribute Award from the YWCA.

July 24, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  - Nearly 950 students have been invited to attend Grand Rapids Community College during the 2023-2024 academic year with financial support from the Grand Rapids Promise Zone. The Promise Zone scholarship removes cost as a barrier to a quality college education for eligible high school graduates. In past years, the number of eligible students has ranged from 870 to 960. “The Grand Rapids Promise Zone is about access and opportunity, and an indication of this community’s commitment to helping everyone get the education they need to be successful,” said Ashlee Mishler, Promise Zone director. “This is an opportunity for students to start their educational journey at GRCC, earning credits or career skill certificates -- for free -- close to home.”   The Promise Zone scholarship is available for students who live within the Grand Rapids Public Schools service area and graduate from one of the 25 public, public charter, or private high schools located within the city limits. The program covers the cost of tuition, fees, books and required course materials for GRCC’s associate degree and job training and certification programs. The Promise Zone scholarship is a “last dollar” scholarship. Students must complete the FAFSA -- Free Application for Federal Student Aid -- to determine available need-based aid. Once the total need-based aid has been determined, the scholarship covers the remaining costs. Students are eligible to receive the full Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship (60 credit hours) if: They attend an eligible Grand Rapids high school continuously since the beginning of 10th grade or before; They live within the Grand Rapids Public Schools service area continuously since the beginning of 10th grade or before; and They graduate from any of the 25 public, public charter, or private high schools located within the city. Students who have been enrolled at an eligible high school and who have resided within the Grand Rapids Public Schools service area continuously since the start of 11th grade are eligible for a partial scholarship, covering up to 30 credit hours at GRCC. Eligible students have five years to access these funds from the time they graduate high school. Once enrolled, they must take at least six credits in the fall and winter semesters. Students who opt to attend a different college or university can still use the Promise Zone scholarship as a GRCC guest student during the summer semesters. The scholarships were created in 2020 by the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority, a group of city and community leaders and educators. Additional information is available at  grpromisezone.com , through email at  promisezone@grcc.edu  and by calling (616) 234-4321 .

July 21, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . – Learn about Grand Rapids Community College’s newly revamped craft brewing program through one of several virtual open houses this summer.  Those attending the open houses can meet the faculty, “tour” GRCC’s Fountain Hill Brewery and get their questions answered. In addition to basic information about the program, the open houses will cover courses that program leaders recently added to the curriculum after feedback from alumni and industry professionals.  “Our new classes focus on science and quality control, as well as expanding on brewing industry topics like packaging and regulations,” said assistant professor Allison Hoekstra.  Financial aid and scholarship opportunities will be covered during the open houses, which are also open to program alumni seeking to expand their skills with the new classes, she said. “We’re always following West Michigan’s craft brewing industry to make sure we’re providing students with the skills they need for success,” Hoekstra said, adding that there is still time to enroll for the fall semester. The open houses are set for 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays from July 25 to Aug. 22. Those who are interested can  sign up online . Once you’ve registered, a program advisor will be in touch with login information and other details. If you can’t attend one of the Tuesday sessions, go to the online link and someone from the program will reach out to set up a time for you to tour the brewery.

July 21, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Libor Ondras grew up surrounded by music. Now he is able to share his passion with his students.  While growing up in Czechoslovakia, Ondras’s parents were amateur musicians. Ondras took up the viola at a young age, and quickly decided it was the career path for him to pursue.  His academic journey began studying in the Moscow Conservatory and the Academy of Music Arts in Prague, before eventually coming to the United States. He received his doctoral and master’s degrees from the University of Houston and began to teach.  Ondras is currently the director of orchestras and string specialist at Grand Rapids Community College. He is frequently found playing alongside his students while directing. He is also the director of the Kent Philharmonic Orchestra, a community and college symphony.   “It has been such a gift to participate as a member of the Kent Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Libor Ondras who is an incredible international performer in his own right and inspiring conductor that connects and guides us and makes it an absolute joy to be there.” said Patty O’Haire Mogor, KPO’s executive board president. Ondras has always been passionate about learning, and is always looking for the next person that he can learn from. Ondras says supporting the growth of his students is just as rewarding as his own accomplishments. “I don’t believe that education stops with graduation,” Ondras said. “That’s what I teach my children and my students, and that’s what I live by.” Ondras encourages his students to always ask for advice and assistance. He is proud of the student-focused curriculum at GRCC, and his courses focus on creating a culture of inclusion for all students.  GRCC’s music program is National Association of School Music accredited and is designed to prepare students for successful completion and transfer to the college of their choice.  More information about the music program can be found here.

July 17, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Rapids Community College capped off a fantastic year in competition with a total of 43 student-athletes earning All-Academic honors from the Michigan Community College Athletic Association this week. This is a huge jump from 33 student-athletes a year ago.  Earlier this year, GRCC's athletic department was awarded its 16th All-Sports Trophy - the MCCAA's most prestigious honor - after all eight of the department's programs had successful seasons. The baseball and golf teams finished highest among all eight programs, earning MCCAA All-Academic team honors with cumulative grade point averages over 3.0. "I'm proud of what our student-athletes accomplished," Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. "Our coaches and staff make academic success a priority and our students work hard. That is reflected in these honors. We're preparing them for long-term success, beyond their playing days." The MCCAA honors student-athletes by naming them with Academic All-Conference and Academic All-MCCAA awards, in addition to MCCAA All-Academic Team awards. To earn Academic All-Conference honors, student-athletes must earn at least 24 credits with a 3.0 GPA or higher. For Academic All-MCCAA, a student-athlete must earn at least 24 credits with a 3.2 GPA. For a team to be recognized as an MCCAA All-Academic Team, teams must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA. All of the GRCC teams competing this past year had at least one student-athlete recognized on the MCCAA Academic All-Conference team, with a total of 43 student-athletes. There were 37 student-athletes recognized by earning Academic All-MCCAA honors. Earning MCCAA Academic All-Conference Academic awards are: Aaron Bess, Andres Rivera-Calderon, Austyn Adams, Caleb Kuiper, Colton Leatherman, Dylan Chargo, Fernando Rivera-Calderon, Luke Huerta, Melvin Rodriguez, Ryan Hether, Tommy Reid, Trevin Laming, and Zacarias Salinas of the baseball team. Also earning the honor are Bradley Vandenhout, Conner Oman, Drew Harrington, McCoy DenHartigh, Ty Marchlewski and Zach Basiaga of the golf team; Brockton Kohler, Myron Brewer and Rico Wade of the men's basketball team; Craig Fuller, Dan Kehoe and Lucas Schneider of the men's cross country team. Also named to the Academic All-Conference team are Alena Visnovsky, Audrey Gower, Audrey Torres, Braelyn Berry, Charlie Baker, Kara Hecht, Rylee VanPatten and Shannon Russell of the volleyball team; Karissa Ferry, who played both volleyball and basketball, Alyssa Wierenga, who played both volleyball and softball; Marlene Bussler and Sally Merrill of the women's basketball team; Autumn Scott, Izabella Regner and Madison Lemke of the softball team; Audrey Meyering, Rose Meyer and Zoe Zawacki of the women's cross country team. Earning MCCAA All-Academic awards are Bess, Adams, Kuiper, Leatherman, Chargo, F. Rivera-Calderon, Huerta, Rodriguez, Hether, Reid, Laming, Salinas, Wade, Fuller, Kehoe, Schneider, Oman, Harrington, DenHartigh, Scott, Regner, Lemke, Bussler, Merrill, Ferry, Meyering, Meyer, Zawacki, Visnovsky, Gower, Torres, Berry, Baker, Hecht, VanPatten, Russell, and Wierenga.  This story was reported by Ben Brown

July 14, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – When Lyndsay Martin started college she wanted to be a physician. But after “bombing” her first chemistry class, she quickly discovered her passion for social work.  Martin wanted her work to help others and have an impact on her community. She worked as a social work clinician and leader for 12 years with the Hope Network.  In 2020, she began working with her family's real estate business, but still wanted to be giving back to the community. When she got the opportunity to teach at GRCC, it felt like a natural fit. Now she gets to help prepare the next generation of social workers to enter the field. “I love the opportunity to meet all of the students, learn what their career goals are and share in their experience of learning throughout the semester,” Martin said, “I love that GRCC has so many supports available to students and extracurricular activities students can choose to engage in as well.” Martin teaches the Introduction Social Welfare and Social Work course. In this course students gain a lot of foundational knowledge about social welfare policies, their impact, the barriers facing people in our country, and how social work can be of service to them.  Martin emphasizes to her students the importance of self-care. Knowing that they can only care for their community and patients if they take care of themselves first.  Martin received her bachelor's degree in Social Work from Michigan State University, and her master’s degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. More information about the Social Work program can be found here.

July 12, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – People aged 25 and older can get help starting or restarting their education tuition-free at Grand Rapids Community College’s special Michigan Reconnect Night. The event, planned for 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, will include presentations and specialists ready to answer questions about applying, registering for classes, completing financial aid forms and other aspects of attending college. The event will be located in GRCC’s Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, on the Main Campus in Grand Rapids. Michigan Reconnect is the State of Michigan scholarship program that covers the cost of in-district tuition for residents age 25 and older who do not have a college degree. Students can earn credits for degrees or to transfer, or can take career-focused certificate classes. “Michigan Reconnect can help so many people gain a quality education to advance in their careers,” said Lori Cook, GRCC’s associate dean of Access and First-Year Success. “Reconnect Night is a perfect opportunity for people to ask questions, and let our specialists walk them through the process. Potential students at the event can get assistance completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, which is required to apply for the scholarship. Details about eligibility are at grcc.edu/reconnect . Students can also learn how they can schedule classes around their home and work responsibilities, and take classes in-person and online. Michigan Reconnect is part of Gov. Whitmer’s Sixty by 30 goal, hoping to have at least 60 percent of the state’s adults have a college degree or career certificate by 2030. GRCC has been one of the state’s leaders in students using the scholarship program. In the Winter 2023 semester, 2,584 students were accepted to GRCC through Reconnect, and 1,141 were enrolled for the winter semester. Others can start in the fall. Those students include Morgan Brink, who said she struggled in high school but used the scholarship to return to school at 32. Now she’s an honor student taking classes while raising two children and preparing to own her own business. Stories about Brink and other Reconnect students are at grcc.edu/reconnect .

July 10, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Ruben Watson is thankful for the good advice he’s received at key times in his life. “I didn’t want to go to GRCC after graduation, but my grandmother convinced me to go,” he said. “It was a more affordable option for me, and, in retrospect, it was the foundation to my college career.” Start at Grand Rapids Community College and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful.  After withdrawing from a freshman math class because of low grades, Watson talked to his advisor in the TRIO program, which provides academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, financial guidance, counseling and other supports to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Fátima Nieves told him he just needed some extra help and found him a tutor. “I re-enrolled in the class the next semester and attended every tutoring session,” Watson said. “I ended up passing that class with a B – which is a grade I would not have received without the right supportive services.” Watson has built his post-college career around improving access to higher education, currently as assistant director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He credits GRCC with giving him the key skills he needs in his job. “Communication and public speaking are two vital skills that I acquired by attending GRCC classes,” he said. “I passed those classes because I had great teachers who challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and learn and fail until I mastered professional communication strategies.” After graduating with an associate degree in 2004, Watson earned a bachelor’s in communications from Western Michigan University and a master’s in K-12 education administration from Michigan State University. In addition to his work at UNC, he volunteers as a mentor and development committee co-chair with 100 Black Men’s Triangle East chapter and serves on the national board for Learning Heroes. In between his career and volunteering, he also found time to establish a publishing company, Watson Family Literacy, and write two children’s books: “Where Is My Grandpa?” and “Friendly Skies and Sunny Days.” A self-described  “proud Raider,” Watson credits GRCC for a good start on higher education: “GRCC is a launchpad into the ‘real world’ and a supportive place where focused students can succeed!” Start your story at GRCC by applying here .