June 15, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s new Secchia Piazza and its iconic SkyCone are on the cover of a leading Michigan construction industry magazine, highlighting the opportunities the unique project created for GRCC students and the community. CAM Magazine is the publication of the Construction Association of Michigan , the oldest and largest construction in North America. The monthly publication highlights people and projects in the industry. The Secchia Piazza project transformed an existing outdoor patio in the Wisner-Bottrall Advanced Technology Center into an indoor multi-use space, and another opportunity to tell the stories of students’ journeys from the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education to destinations around the globe. The article, “Changing the Grand Rapids skyline: Secchia Piazza and iconic SkyCone add pizzazz to GRCC campus,” highlights the collaboration between architects from Progressive AE, Granger Construction, and GRCC Facilities and Communications teams to create the event space and other renovations to the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. “This high-profile project reflects both GRCC’s and the city of Grand Rapids’ identities as cultural magnets,” the story reads. “Secchia Piazza is one of the many projects helping to reshape the campus and the city, and the entire project team is proud to have played a role in helping to make GRCC’s vision a reality.” The cover photo focuses on the SkyCone, noting it is the first of its kind. The 31-foot wide by 15-foot-tall cone-shaped skylight feature includes 20 colorful panels with laminated glass that produce a kaleidoscope of light designed to both illuminate the space and serve as a highly visible campus beacon on the downtown Grand Rapids skyline. The story also highlights the Tondo, a 30-foot polished concrete floor with steel inlays to create a circular art directly below the SkyCone. “GRCC artists designed the metal panel inlays to evoke the educational pathway students take from the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education to culinary opportunities around the world.” The story also includes the renovations to The Heritage restaurant. “While this was a smaller-scale project based on the size and dollars, it involved complex designs and signature pieces anticipated to leave a legacy for GRCC and the greater Grand Rapids community.” The project earned statewide honors for Granger Construction, the company that built the event space. The Washtenaw Contractors Association in March celebrated the work with a 2023 Pyramid Award in the category of Best Project Team for projects costing $3 million and $25 million. The Secchia Piazza is a gift from the late Peter Secchia and his family, whose generosity and drive for excellence helped the Secchia Institute create state-of-the-art facilities, attract top faculty members, and prepare students for rewarding careers in the hospitality industry. GRCC’s culinary program was renamed after Secchia and his wife, Joan, in 2007. The Pietro and Regina Amphitheater, named after Peter Secchia’s grandparents, was added in 2012. Peter’s Pub was launched in 2016 as part of GRCC’s Fountain Hill Brewery, tapping into the demand created by Grand Rapids’ growing craft beer industry.

June 15, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The area's best high school players will square off in the annual John Bos Baseball and Softball All-Star Games to benefit Grand Rapids Community College scholarships. Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University are hosting the games in partnership with Game One athletic and equipment supplier on June 20 at Davenport University. Baseball games are scheduled for 3, 5, and 7 p.m., and softball games are 5 and 7 p.m. Admission for spectators age 8 and over is $10, with proceeds going to GRCC's John Bos Scholarship Fund. "The John Bos games are a tradition that goes back to 1959, and generations of baseball and softball players have competed,” GRCC Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “The games showcase some of the best players in the region, but also support students by raising money for scholarships.” Bos started as a physical education teacher at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College. By the 1920s, he coached all the men's sports teams: football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis and swimming. His teams were known as the "Bosmen" and won state championships in football (1923, 1924, 1926 and 1928), basketball (1925, 1927 and 1928), tennis (1927) and swimming (1928). He left GRJC in 1938 to head the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department. GRCC now competes in baseball, softball, basketball, cross country, golf and volleyball, with soccer programs starting this fall. Student-athletes receive academic counseling and advising, along with tutoring and peer academic coaching. The proceeds from admissions benefit the Bos Scholarship, awarded to GRCC student-athletes who compete for at least one of the college’s teams and maintain Michigan Community College Athletic Association eligibility. Donations to the Bos Scholarship can be made at grcc.edu/donate . Click “other” in the pull-down menu and write in Bos Scholarship.

June 14, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College is participating in community Pride festivals in Grand Rapids and Holland and preparing educational resources, as part of a focus on being a welcoming and inclusive campus and community. “GRCC is proud of its role in being the community’s college, being the place where everyone belongs,” President Charles W. Lepper said. “Pride Month is a time for us to share our support for our LGBTQ+ students and community members, and to recognize our mission to serve everyone and reflect on the value of diversity and inclusiveness.” GRCC volunteers will be at the Grand Rapids Pride Festival on June 17 on Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids. The event, which is in its 35th year, is organized by the Grand Rapids Pride Center and runs from noon to 10 p.m. GRCC Lakeshore Campus team members will be participating in the Holland PRIDE Festival  on June 24, located in Centennial Park. The event is organized by Out on the Lakeshore, and runs from noon to 5 p.m. GRCC team members at both events will be available to talk about educational opportunities at the Main Campus in Grand Rapids, GRCC Lakeshore Campus in Holland and available online. Information will be available about support services, financial aid, and state programs including Michigan Reconnect and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which can reduce the cost of tuition. A limited amount of GRCC Pride t-shirts and materials will be available at both events. Pride Month was first designated by President Bill Clinton in 1999, and has been a national event to uplift LGBTQ+ voices and advocate for rights. June was selected as Pride Month to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, considered the catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States. The GRCC Library has an LGBTQ+ resources page on the Library and Learning Commons webpage and this month has a display of books about the Stonewall Riots. The library is located at 140 Ransom Ave. NE, in Grand Rapids. The events build upon the work of the college’s LGBTQ+ Inclusive Fundamentals Team, which is dedicated to supporting GRCC’s greater commitment to equity and values of diversity, innovation, respect and responsiveness. The team works to provide resources that highlight and celebrate LGBTQ+ students, employees and community members.

June 13, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College celebrated the career and legacy of President Emeritus Juan R. Olivarez by dedicating a mural and a student plaza in his honor. Olivarez is a lifelong educator who has served generations of families across West Michigan, including serving twice as GRCC’s president. “When we look back at the long and rich history of Grand Rapids Community College, there are leaders who shaped the institution into what we celebrate today,” GRCC President Charles Lepper said. “We can say they were, undoubtedly, the right people at the right time. Dr. Olivarez is without question one of those leaders, and I’m proud to dedicate this plaza and mural so his story will continue to inspire students for decades to come. The plaza, which stretches from Lyon Street to Fountain Street, was once a very busy Bostwick Avenue. It was closed to become Bostwick Commons in 1999. The space was renamed the Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza at the urging of Lupe Ramos-Montigny, a Grand Rapids educator and community leader. “I accepted this because it really isn’t about me,” Olivarez said. “It’s about having a Latino name on a landmark to inspire other students of color to reach high in their endeavors and to be proud of who they are.” The mural was painted in a spot along the plaza near the GRCC Student Center by alumnus Raymond Trujillo, celebrating Olivarez’s ancestry and role as a trailblazer. He is the first Hispanic person to serve as a college or university president in the state of Michigan. Trujillo called the mural, which depicts a Mexican courtyard, a labor of love, sharing his appreciation for GRCC, its students and caring employees. “The butterflies represent the students here on campus,” he said. “I was one of those monarch butterflies.” Olivarez worked in the Grand Rapids Public Schools for more than 20 years before becoming GRCC’s Dean of Institutional Research in 1991. He was appointed the college’s eighth president, serving from 1999 to 2008, and as interim president from June 2022 to January 2023. He worked to increase access to a quality college education and cultivated student-serving partnerships with local businesses, public entities, and nonprofit organizations. Olivarez continues to support GRCC and its students. He and his wife, Mary, were honored by the GRCC Foundation at Scholarfest for their years of service.      

June 13, 2023 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College baseball ace Jerad Berkenpas’ was named Division II First Team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association after an outstanding season.    Berkenpas, who was also named All-American last season, joins Mike Pojeski, Doug Wabeke and Tyler Hall as the only other two-time NJCAA baseball All-Americans at GRCC.  He's also the first player to earn first-team honors since Hall in 2010. Berkenpas was one of 36 players selected by the NJCAA, and one of nine pitchers chosen. He joins three other players from Region XII; Hunter Lay, Hunter Shaw and Shane Juday, all from Lansing Community College. A sophomore from Byron Center, Berkenpas earlier was named Northern Conference Player of the Year, and to the All-Region and All-MCCAA team. The 6-foot, 5-inch righty from South Christian High School was GRCC's top pitcher in the rotation and led the team with an 8-2 record, 1.44 ERA, 71 strikeouts, .194 opponents' batting average, and had seven complete games. His ERA was second best of all NJCAA Division II players. Berkenpas finished his historic career at GRCC with a 17-4 record and 1.68 ERA.  He appeared in 31 games, started in 22, had 11 complete games and pitched five shutouts.  In 145 innings, he totaled 151 strikeouts against just 22 walks, and opponents batted just .207 against him. Berkenpas is the 32nd All-American in GRCC baseball history, and will be playing at Davenport University next season. He is the fifth GRCC student-athlete to earn All-American honors this year. Cross country runners Kaylee Scott and Audrey Meyering were selected after their performances in the NJCAA DII National Championships in November; Audrey Torres earned the honor after helping the volleyball team to a fifth-place finish at the NJCAA DII National Tournament; and Izzy Regner led the softball team to a conference championship and runner-up finish in regionals. GRCC's baseball team finished the 2023 campaign as the Northern Conference champions with a 23-2 record and the MCCAA champions with a 35-14 record.  The season included a 17-game win streak.  This story was reported by Ben Brown.  

June 8, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Elaine Yeiter has grown from student, to professor, to tutorial center coordinator at Grand Rapids Community College.  Yeiter graduated from GRCC with her associate degree in nursing in 2013. She entered the workforce and was a bedside nurse for about ten years. In her time as a nurse she was able to mentor and encourage many student nurses, new nurses, and staff.  “The precepting and orienting of new nurses made me realize that I really enjoy educating nurses at all levels,” Yeiter said. “I feel that nurse education is where my passion truly lies.” She began taking classes at Ferris State University to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing. When the opportunity to teach came, it was an exciting next step. Yeiter began teaching nursing clinicals and enjoyed getting to pour into the next generation of nurses.  Recently, Yeiter stepped into the role of Health Sciences Resource and Tutorial Center coordinator. This role allows her to spend time working closely with students, giving them undivided attention outside of the classroom environment.  The Health Sciences Resource Tutorial Center provides support for students in all School of Health Sciences programs, which includes nursing, dental, exercise science, occupational therapy, and radiologic students.  “I think working one-on-one with students makes the center special,” Yeiter said. “We get to celebrate student successes after they work with a tutor and improve their test scores.” She encourages every student who comes into the center to keep doing their best. Yeiter knows first-hand that nursing is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. But encourages students to persist.  In her first year as center coordinator, Yeiter planned a grand re-opening event for the center. She invited all health sciences students to check out the center, eat some food, and play some games. The event was a success and lots of students came to learn more about the resources available to them.  More information about the Health Sciences Resource and Tutorial Center can be found here .

June 8, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Students can gain hands-on experience in the in-demand field of municipal water through an internship program developed in partnership with with Grand Rapids Community College, Bay College and the City of Grand Rapids. Applications are now being accepted for the yearlong Water to Work internship program, which is scheduled to begin Aug. 14, 2023. Interns work with the City of Grand Rapids Water Department and Environmental Services Department, and are based at the Water Resource Recovery Facility in Grand Rapid or the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant located in West Olive on the Lakeshore. Interns will make $17.71 per hour, while taking online courses through Bay College and Grand Rapids Community College. As part of the program, participants are mentored by current and retired City of Grand Rapids employees. Completing the program may lead to Michigan Drinking Water and Municipal Wastewater certifications. “We recognize the value of a strong, diverse workforce, and are dedicated to connecting West Michigan residents to in-demand careers,” said John VanElst, Interim Executive Director, Workforce Training and the Leslie Tassell MTEC. “This model of learning while working is a great example of how GRCC is willing to work not only with employers like the City of Grand Rapids, but also partnering with other institutions like Bay College to provide our community the education and skills needed for rewarding careers.”  The curriculum focuses on water and wastewater operations and management as well as utility management, business, and water career preparation. Additional non-credit professional development workshops are also required. The program is free for Grand Rapids residents. This project is supported by a national $3.8 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant. Participants must be 18 years old or older and have a high school diploma or GED.  Applicants are required to pass a background check and take a GRCC math placement test. “Behind every drop of water, there are hundreds of rewarding careers to explore,” said Hillary Caron, Water Education and Programs coordinator for the City of Grand Rapids. “This program allows you to find a career that aligns with your values and makes a positive impact on our generation and beyond.” Five interns successfully completed the pilot program. One intern accepted a position with the City of Wyoming, two others are working for the City of Grand Rapids while two others are currently applying for positions with the City of Grand Rapids. Additional information is available at  grcc.edu/watertowork .  

June 6, 2023 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College softball ace Izzy Regner was one of the best pitchers in the nation this season, and was honored by being named Division II Third Team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association.   Regner was one of 39 players selected by the NJCAA, and one of nine pitchers chosen. She joins three other players from Region XII; Emily Breslin of Jackson College, Sammy Michael of Oakland Community College and Elizabeth Townsend of Macomb Community College. A freshman from Elkhorn, Wis., Regner earlier was named All-Region, All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference and also named to the All-Tournament team at the NJCAA Region XII Regional Tournament.  Regner finished the season with a sparkling 1.36 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 20-5 record. But even more impressive she was second in the nation in strikeouts and strikeouts per game, finishing with 292 punch outs in 174.2 innings; an average of 11.7 per seven innings. She also was second on the team in several categories including a .436 batting average, 56 hits, 16 doubles, five home runs, 89 total bases, .690 slugging percentage, 18 walks and a .510 on base percentage. Regner is the 14th All-American in GRCC softball history and the first since Megan Gregory and Krysten Bandstra in 2007. She will be playing at Ferris State University next season. She is the fourth GRCC student-athlete to earn All-American honors this year. Cross country runners Kaylee Scott and Audrey Meyering were selected after their performances in the NJCAA DII National Championships in November, and Audrey Torres earned the honor after helping the volleyball team to a fifth-place finish at the NJCAA DII National Tournament.   The softball team, under the direction of first-year head coach Chuck White, won its first conference championship since 1999 and was runners-up at the NJCAA Region XII Tournament. This story was reported by Ben Brown. 

June 6, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s Craft Brewing program is changing to best prepare students for careers in the popular, evolving field, with a series of in-person and virtual open houses to share information about classes.   “The craft brewing industry continues to evolve,” said Allison Hoekstra, an assistant professor in GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. “The industry has grown as a whole since the program was first launched. Our revisions are designed to meet the changing needs of the industry.” Planned open houses include virtual sessions from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 10 and noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14. An in-person event is planned for 5:30- 7 p.m. on Monday, June 12 at the Fountain Hill Brewery in GRCC’s Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center. Registration for the sessions is available here. Hoekstra said the Secchia team has researched program changes for about two years, talking to students, alumni, and industry leaders, and worked with the program’s advisory board. “We sought their input about the skills they think graduates need to be successful in the industry and got their feedback on proposed program changes,” she said. “We used this information to determine what our program needed to add to stay current with the demands of the industry.” The program created five new courses and revised expected outcomes in all other brewing courses. The new courses focus on the science and quality control aspects of brewing as well as expanding on topics like regulation and packaging. New courses are: Fermentation Biology; Draft Systems and Packaging; Quality Control; Developing a Sensory Program; and Brewing Operations and Regulatory Affairs. Details are available on the program’s website here . The new classes will also be open to program alumni who have graduated & want to expand their knowledge.  

June 5, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  The Grand Rapids Community College Athletic Department earned the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s most prestigious honor after all eight of the department’s programs had successful seasons. The Charlie Chanter All-Sports Trophy, named after the former GRCC coach and professor, is presented annually to the college with the most successful programs. GRCC's athletic programs had a banner year with five teams - men's and women's cross country, volleyball, women's basketball, and golf -- making national tournament appearances. "I'm so proud of all our student-athletes and coaches for their tremendous year," Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. "I'm honored to lead such an amazing group of coaches and look forward to many more great years to come." The trophy is awarded to one of the 23 MCCAA colleges based on where each team finishes within the association. Points are awarded to each member college based on each team's rank in an MCCAA sponsored sport with bonus points added for teams who finish as an MCCAA champion or runner-up. GRCC has won the award 16 times, second only to Lansing Community College, which has claimed the award 19 total wins since it was first presented in 1958. Both cross country teams finished runner-up in the MCCAA and NJCAA Region XII championships and the women's team finished in seventh in nationals and the men finished in 12th.  Kaylee Scott, Audrey Meyering and Rose Meyer all were named to All-Region and All-MCCAA teams.  Scott also earned All-American honors for the second time and Meyering became GRCC's first-ever three-time All-American.  Three men received postseason honors including Coleman Clark and Mason Kolhoff who earned All-Region and All-MCCAA honors. The volleyball team won its 11th conference title, ninth MCCAA title, and 11th district title.  The team tied for its second-best finish ever in the national tournament, finishing fifth.  Eight players earned postseason honors, led by Audrey Torres and Eliza Thelen who were named to All-Region, All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference teams.   The women's basketball team finished third in the conference, won the district title and participated in the national tournament for the second time in three years.  Six players received postseason honors including sophomores Sally Merrill and Grace Lodes, who were named All-Region, All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference. The golf team earned its 14th straight conference championship and won the NJCAA Region XII championship for the ninth time and third time in its past four seasons.  The team placed 19th in the national tournament and was led by Drew Harrington who was the team’s most consistent golfer of the year earning All-Conference, All-Region and was named the Conference Freshman of the Year.  Three other golfers earned postseason honors. The men's basketball team, the softball team and the baseball team didn't make it to the national tournament, but all had successful years. The men's basketball team won its first 11 games of the season and finished in third place in the conference with a 21-8 overall record. Five players earned postseason honors including point guard Danyel Bibbs who earned Second Team All-Conference. The baseball and softball teams each won the first ever Northern Conference Championship and the baseball team won the MCCAA title with a 35-14 overall record. The softball team finished runner-up in the regional tournament – its best finish since advancing to the national tournament in 1998. Eight players earned postseason honors for the baseball team, including Jerad Berkenpas, the Conference Player of the Year. Berkenpas, Fernando Rivera-Calderon and Xander Reisbig were the top three vote getters for All-Conference honors. They also all were named to All-Region and All-MCCAA teams. Seven players from the softball team earned honors, led by Izzy Regner and Jaye Guichelaar who were also named All-Region, All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference. Chanter was the MCCAA executive secretary for 42 years, and served in the MCCAA from the 1950s until 2008. Chanter began teaching at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College in 1954 and retired from full-time work in 1994. He taught in the Business Department and was its chair at one point. He continued teaching as an adjunct and remained golf coach until 2007. This story was reported by Ben Brown.