Feb. 21, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — For Shamarri Key, cooking is love. “I can vividly remember cooking with my family, all of us laughing and joking together,” said Key, a 27-year-old enrolled in Grand Rapids Community College’s culinary arts program. “I felt the overall presence of passion and perseverance that gave me the enthusiasm to thrive for a bigger purpose.” Thanks to GRCC’s award-winning Secchia Institute for Culinary Education , plenty of hard work, and financial aid from Michigan Reconnect , Key is bringing his childhood dream to life. The Grand Rapids native enrolled at GRCC after graduating in 2013 from Creston High School. While attending GRCC for two years, Key balanced two part-time jobs, carried nine credit hours, coached track at Ottawa Hills High School, and volunteered as a mentor for the DECA program at Innovation Central High School. Eventually it became overwhelming, and Key decided to put his education on hold to establish himself in the workforce as an adult. But after five years, Key felt he wasn’t getting the most out of life that he could. “My twin, Jamarri, had graduated from GRCC with his associate degree in science, and my mom graduated from GRCC; she has degrees in art and nursing. I said, ‘Hey, I need a degree, too. I can’t be left behind,’” he said. He returned to GRCC in August 2021, successfully repaying a balance from his first time at school using the college’s Debt Forgiveness Program . But Key still had a hill to climb: Despite taking out a student loan in early 2022 to continue his academic career, he was still short on tuition and uncertain where to turn. “Then I was in Student Life one day talking with the director, Lina Blair, and she told me about Michigan Reconnect,” Key said. Michigan Reconnect is a state program that covers the cost of in-district tuition for Michiganders 25 or older without a college degree. This program provides eligible students with access to pursue an associate degree or occupational certificate at their local community college. “The Reconnect program is a door-opener for people who have that financial barrier in front of them and think they don’t want to go to school if they have to pay it all themselves,” said Key, who qualified for the program in April 2022. With tuition covered by Reconnect and the help of his GRCC mentor, Dr. Andre Fields, Key decided to pursue a degree in the culinary arts. “The fondest and happiest moments in my life revolved around family dinners and cooking sessions as a child with my mother and grandmother,” he said. “The memory of my grandma making Southern spicy fried corn and letting me taste it … that’s what really brought me back to college — and the culinary arts,” he said. Now Key, who works part-time in GRCC’s student records office, is taking a smaller class load so he doesn’t get overwhelmed. And he loves his culinary arts classes — especially baking. “It’s fast, it’s exciting, it’s a lot of different information,” he said. “But it makes you want to thrive because the program and the people are all so passionate.” Once he earns his degree, Key has plans to become a personal chef, own a food truck, cater, teach cooking, and create cooking video tutorials. Key hopes other students find their passion and follow their dream. “Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back,” he said. This story was reported by Beth McKenna.

Feb. 20, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Dino Paganelli has risen to the pinnacle of the National Football League’s officiating ranks, including working the most recent Super Bowl as a back judge, his third Super Bowl assignment. And, he said, a lot of the credit for his officiating career – as well as his 25 years as a high school teacher and coach at Wyoming Public Schools – goes to GRCC. Start at GRCC and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. Paganelli came to the college after his 1986 graduation from Wyoming Rogers High School, where he was a standout football, basketball and baseball player . In fact, it was baseball that brought him to GRCC as a scholarship student-athlete, playing his first year for Tom Hofmann and his second year for Doug Wabeke. Early on in his journey to an associate degree, he took a class with Hofmann called simply “Sports Officiating.” He recalled that class recently. “I had some officiating in my family, but it was that class with the no-longer-with-us-but-oh-so-legendary Tom Hofmann that really started me on my officiating journey,” Paganelli said. Indeed, that class led to two years of fall officiating for Paganelli at high schools across the area. “I’ll never forget picking up some games at Lowell High School,” he said. “That was my first game. My high school best friend and I went out on a Saturday and did games from eight in the morning until one o’clock in the afternoon. Been doing games ever since.” Paganelli’s most recent football officiating gig was a long way away from Lowell, Michigan. In Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 12, 2023, he worked his third Super Bowl, and he said the experience never gets old. “It really is amazing,” he said this week as he looked back at Super Bowl LVII, won by the Kansas City Chiefs in a see-saw battle against the Philadelphia Eagles. “The NFL is a big business, and the Super Bowl is a big event. You’ve got the game obviously, the halftime show, there's a lot of moving parts.” The build-up to the game, he added, does make the Super Bowl a bit different than regular season games or even other playoff games. “By maybe Friday, Saturday you have to eliminate watching TV, ESPN and those sorts of things,” he said. “Because by then we’re so bombarded with information and it's like Super Bowl overload. By the time kickoff comes, every official is just ready to get the game started because of the hype.” At that point, Paganelli said, the game becomes like a normal game – for the officials and the players – and instincts kick in. “You do what you've been trained to do,” he said. Having retired from his career as a high school teacher, Paganelli now is looking forward to a little downtime before heading back to lots of work next season with the NFL. “It’s a long haul,” he said with a smile. “You know, we start with meetings in July and August is always a busy month. I think one August I was gone 21 or 22 days with training camps. And if you’re fortunate your season ends in February and you’re doing a championship or a Super Bowl.” Still, he was quick to add, he loves the work. There’s no mandatory retirement age for NFL officials and Paganelli, at the age of 55, said he devotes a lot of time to staying sharp physically and mentally. “I think you have to always do a self-reflection about your abilities,” he said. “More so than an age number, it's about ‘Am I still performing at a high level?’ I would like to think that if I continue to stay physically fit and my skill levels continue to remain the same or improve, I'd like to go 10 to 12 more years.” And even after his retirement from football officiating, Paganelli said, he plans to give back to the profession by being a supervisor and staying involved in officiating in some sort of teaching fashion at either the professional or college levels. In that regard, he said, he’d be following in the footsteps of his father, Carl Paganelli Sr., who was the supervisor of officiating for the Arena Football League and also had a long career as an on-field official at every level from high school to the USFL and the World League of American Football. Carl Paganelli also was respected for his willingness to give back to the world of officiating , and Dino Paganelli said at GRCC he found others who were willing to invest in him. “When I look back at my baseball experiences and my friendships as a student-athlete, it was still the best time of my life,” he said. “Playing baseball, meeting the friends that I did, the coaches and professors investing in you, growing academically, which I really needed, I have a really warm spot in my heart for GRCC. It was a perfect fit for me as it is for many.” After his graduation from GRCC, Paganelli went on to play baseball for and graduate from Aquinas College with a bachelor’s degree in history in Physical Education. He then worked for almost four years, but felt the pull toward K-12 education and returned to Aquinas to earn a master’s in education and launch his 25-year career in Wyoming Public Schools, from which he retired in June 2022. He also launched his officiating career, working high school and then the MIAA, GLIAC, MAC and Big Ten before getting the call from the NFL in 2006. “My brother Perry was an assistant principal and teacher at Rogers and had also begun his officiating career,” Dino Paganelli said. “Rogers was a great place and very supportive of Perry, so I was drawn back there for that and other reasons, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.” Dino Paganelli is quick to point out that both Perry and his brother Carl Jr. are also NFL officials and GRCC alumni. Both also were student-athletes at GRCC, competing in football and baseball, and all four Paganellis were inducted in 2018 into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame. GRCC in 2013 dedicated the foyer of the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse to the Paganelli family. The Paganelli Family Scholarship annually awards $1,000 to a GRCC student-athlete. “GRCC has been an important part of the lives of the whole Paganelli family,” Dino Paganelli said. “That's one of the reasons we provide scholarships today . It’s because of what Grand Rapids Community College has done for us. It’s had an amazing impact on our lives.” This story was reported by Phil de Haan.

Feb. 18, 2023, ALPENA, Mich. – Danyel Bibbs hit a game-winning shot with one second remaining to help the Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team complete a season sweep over Alpena Community College on Saturday. GRCC's men's team defeated the Lumberjacks 81-79, and the women's basketball team upended the home team, 72-39. Davarion Mitchell, who finished with a game-high 32 points, put Alpena up 77-75 with 41 seconds to go. Chris Coleman tied it back up with 27.1 seconds to go. But after an unexpected Raider foul on the inbound, Alpena's Ianson Simpson went to the line to put his team back up two points. On the ensuing GRCC possession, Bashir Neely missed a layup, but Coleman was there to tip in the rebound with 21 seconds left, tying the game up for the ninth time. Alpena's Gavin Dukaji missed a three-point shot with eight seconds remaining but Brockton Kohler snagged the rebound and quickly passed it to Bibbs, who raced down the court for the game-winning layup. "What a fun way to get a road win," head coach Joe Fox said. "It was an absolute battle back and forth, and while we didn’t execute as well as we would’ve liked, we did play with effort all night long. Three games in four days is tough, but I thought our depth really helped us today. Our sophomores really helped carry us through today, especially Bibbs on that last bucket. Jordan Houser really helped turn the game with his energy defensively as well." Bibbs led six GRCC players who finished in double figures with 21 points and six rebounds.  Isaac Warning had the lone double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. After the Raiders third win in four days, the team improved to 18-7 overall and stayed in third place in the league with a 6-5 record. GRCC's women's team scored the first 20 points of its game and never looked back, claiming a dominating 72-39 victory. The win kept the Raiders in second place in the league with an 8-3 record.  They are also 14-7 overall, winners of six of their last seven. "Thought our effort and focus was great from the opening tip," head coach David Glazier said.  "Felt our kids once again showed real professionalism in how they handled a second straight weekend of being out of town a night before our game." Sally Merrill, the reigning national and conference player of the week, led all scorers with 20 points. Marlene Bussler added 17 points and four assists and Grace Lodes finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. Both teams return home on Feb. 22 to take on Delta College.  The women tip off at 5:30 p.m.   This story was reported by Ben Brown.

Feb. 17, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- After a dozen years as an adjunct instructor at Grand Rapids Community College, Jonathan Marshall is in his first year as an assistant professor in the music department and the college’s Director of Guitar Studies. And he couldn’t be happier. “This is the best job in the world,” he said. “Our students are great, and the people I work with in the music department, just amazing, amazing people. I couldn’t ask for anything more.” In addition to his teaching and work as director, Marshall also heads up the  GRCC International Guitar Series and the  GRCC Community Guitar Ensemble/Society and is director of the  GRCC Virtual Youth Guitar Competition . “It’s busy,” he said with a chuckle. “But it’s a busy I wouldn’t trade for anything. I was a student here myself to be back in this capacity is a dream come true.” In fact, Marshall added, he and the college’s three other guitar teachers – Brian Morris (his predecessor as Director of Guitar Studies), Kyle Thompson and Jeremy Verwys – are all GRCC alumni, graduates of the guitar concentration that is part of the associate degree in music. “We all walked these halls as students,” he said. “Now we’re back to teach the next generation. And what’s even better is we all get along, we all work hard, and we all want to see our students succeed. It’s pretty cool.” What’s also pretty cool, he said, are the students he and his colleagues work with daily and the opportunities they have to succeed. “The students we work with value their education, and they want to get as much knowledge as they can while they are here,” he said. “And for us, we walked the path they are on now, so it’s really fulfilling to see them develop these skills that they can use the rest of their life. At the end of the day, you can either watch Netflix all day or you can practice guitar, right.” GRCC music students can be a guitar performance major and also have guitar as their applied instrument while pursuing a different music degree, including Instrumental Studies , Piano and Organ Studies , Recording Technology and Vocal . Marshall said there are typically 10-15 students enrolled in applied guitar lessons (one-on-one lessons), and the department also offers group guitar classes in classical guitar, beginning guitar and jazz guitar. And students who take applied lessons or guitar class often later enroll in the GRCC guitar ensemble. “It’s safe to say that there is a lot of guitar going on at GRCC music,” Marshall said. Marshall and his guitar colleagues all play professionally, and he said the thrill of performing never gets old. It’s also eye-opening for GRCC students to see their instructors in action. “When people hear something, and you see them happy because our fingers can do this, it’s satisfying,” he said. “And for our students, yeah, we’ll play, maybe as part of the (International Guitar) series, and it opens their eyes.” Marshall performs with Morris in the  Grand Rapids Guitar Duo , and they will perform at GRCC on April 13 as part of the International Guitar Series. Morris was his mentor when Marshall was a student at GRCC, before he went on to study classical guitar with Carlos De La Barrera at Grand Valley State University and complete his master's degree at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati under Professor Clare Callahan. As he looks back on his academic career though, his experience at GRCC, Marshall said, remains the most formative part of his higher education experience. “Being here was just an amazing experience,” he said. “I think sometimes when students leave GRCC, and this was true for me, maybe they are expecting something better and bigger. But that’s not always the case. And wherever they go or whatever they do, I know our students are well prepared for the next step.” Marshall added with a laugh that he initially came to GRCC because of the culinary program, but then realized there was a waitlist so figured he’d bide his time until there was an opening. Having studied music as a child, including guitar, he migrated to the music department, and it was love at first note. “I never left,” he said laughing. “GRCC Music is where I found my purpose.” This story was reported by Phil de Haan.

Feb. 17, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Jessica Pierce had no idea the true impact she could have on someone's life when she came to GRCC.  Pierce is the program manager for the MTEC Champions Program. A program that fast tracks students to enter the workforce. MTEC Champions allows underserved young adults aged 18 to 24 the opportunity to receive free training in any MTEC program that is 12 months or less.  The program also offers services such as transportation assistance, mental health resources, and more.  “By alleviating these barriers to education we help students gain meaningful experiences and careers,” Pierce said.  Pierce loves seeing student’s success stories, and often gets to be a part of their story. She recalls one student who was unsure what they wanted to do with their career, or even how to go about it. Through the Champions program the student was able to receive free training, as well as support while having a baby, and searching for a job after graduation. The student was also able to purchase their first home and now is pursuing a degree in healthcare.  “It feels so good to know you helped make a difference in someone’s life, and that your work  is impacting the community,” Pierce said.  Pierce’s career journey allows her to connect with students.  Pierce entered the healthcare industry after graduating from St. Philip's College. It wasn’t until five years ago that she stepped into the world of higher education. “I realized I like to teach and to encourage learning, GRCC allowed me a space to merge my two passions together, healthcare and education,” Pierce said.  Pierce came to GRCC to teach courses on employability skills in the Certified Nurse Aide program. Over time she has taken on more responsibility and now gets to help students on their own career journeys.  Pierce encourages students to give themselves grace if they are unsure of their next steps. She pushes students to take advantage of all of the opportunities and resources available to them.  “GRCC provides tons of resources to help you reach your goals. Know that the staff are here to support you and want to see you succeed,” Pierce said.  More information about the M-TEC Champions Program is available here.  More information about workforce training is available here.

Feb. 16, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Brockton Kohler recorded a season-high 29 points to lead the Grand Rapids Community College men's basketball team to its second win in as many nights with a 105-80 over Aquinas College’s junior varsity team. "It was good to see the team respond with a dominant second half after struggling against AQ's hot shooting in the first half," head coach Joe Fox said. "Kohler had a great night on both ends, leading the team in scoring and steals. It's great to see a sophomore playing great down the stretch. I was also happy to see every player score, and record an assist for the first time this season." GRCC jumped out to a 12-3 lead, but Aquinas fought back to take a 45-39 lead at the half. The Saints lead increased to 13 just a minute and 26 seconds into the second half, but Jordan Houser gave GRCC the lead back with 11:13 on the clock.  GRCC did not trail for the remainder of the game, nearly scoring on every possession to cruise for the 25-point victory. GRCC shot a stellar 65 percent in the second half, and finished 51 percent overall, including 41 percent from behind the arc. Kohler played a huge role in the efficient shooting by going 11-for-17 overall and 6-of-10 from three-point range. All 12 players scored at least two points and had at least one assist. Rico Wade, Danyel Bibbs, Chris Coleman and Bashir Neely all scored 10 points. Isaac Warning added eight points and a career-high five assists. GRCC, now 17-7 overall, returns to conference play on Feb. 18 when the team travels to Alpena Community College.  This story was reported by Ben Brown.  

Feb. 16, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Sally Merrill of the Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team was named National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Player of the Week after two games of scoring more than 20 points.   Merrill was also named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Northern Conference Player of the Week, marking two weeks in a row that a player on the team received this honor. "I thought Sally had a heck of a week for us and her numbers back that up," head coach David Glazier said. "I’m proud of her efforts and think the recognition is well deserved." Merrill, an Allegan native who attended Hamilton High School, is coming off a 26-point game where she shot 12-of-19 from the field in Saturday's game at Bay College, helping her team to a dominating 71-36 victory. The two-year starter also added six rebounds and two blocks, giving her a two-game total of 46 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and four assists. Merrill leads the team in scoring, with 291 points and averaging 15.3 per game, and free throw percentage at 69.4 percent.  She is also second on the team in rebounding and blocked shots. Merrill last year was earned All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference honors, and was named to the All-Freshman Team. Last week, Grace Lodes was named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Northern Conference Player of the Week after a career best performance, and earlier in the season, teammate Marlene Bussler was named Player of the Week for week ending Dec. 11. The women's basketball team is 12-7 overall, 6-3 in the conference and will attempt to stay in second place when it takes on Muskegon Community College in a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.   This story was reported by Ben Brown.

Feb. 15, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Emersyn Koepke, Marlene Bussler and Myron Brewer all had career nights helping the Grand Rapids Community College women's and men's basketball teams defeat Muskegon Community College on Wednesday. David Glazier's women's team earned its biggest win of the season by defeating Muskegon 62-55.  The rivals had won 16 of the previous 19 against GRCC, including three in a row. "Extremely proud of the effort we played with tonight," Glazier said. "This was a big win in a big moment of this season and it came against a really good team in Muskegon." Koepke was a huge spark for GRCC, especially early on, scoring eight of the team's 21 first quarter points.  She finished with a career-high 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting and seven rebounds. Bussler's career-high 12th assist to Karissa Ferry with 1:36 remaining broke a 55-all tie. GRCC hung  on after several defensive stops and five big free throws. Ferry finished with her second career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Sally Merrill added a game-high 16 points. The team is now 13-7 and moved into second place in the conference with a 7-3 record. The men's team jumped out to a nine-point lead, but Muskegon came back to take a 43-41 lead going into the break. The visitors extended the lead to six points in the second half, but GRCC went on a 12-0 run and never looked back, leading by as many as 20 to win 95-78. Brewer was one of 12 GRCC players to score in the game, including a career and team-high 19 points on 7-of-11 from the field, and four of the team's 10 total three-pointers. The Raiders shot 51.4 percent overall from the field and 34.5 percent from behind the arc. Danyel Bibbs finished 6-of-10 for 14 points and a team-high seven assists. Chris Coleman and Herman Brown added 13 and 12 points respectively. GRCC snapped a two-game skid to improve to 16-7 overall and 5-5 in the conference, holding on to third place. The men's team is in action again on Thursday, Feb. 16 for a 6:30 p.m. tip-off against the junior varsity of Aquinas College.  The women don't play again until Feb. 18 at Alpena Community College.   This story was reported by Ben Brown.

Feb. 15, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Bayard Brooks, Grand Rapids Community College’s coordinator of facility operations and events, is one of eight people saluted by West Michigan Works! for outstanding and exemplary service. Brooks was presented with a 2022 Essential Service Award from Malinda Powers, the organization’s communications director, at the Wisern-Bottrall Applied Technology Center this month. As a conference services coordinator, Brooks is responsible for the details that give people a positive event experience when they visit GRCC. Over the past 22 years, Bayard has consistently ensured that rooms are reserved, equipped with audio visual equipment, set up as planned, and confirmed with catering. He leads tours of the facilities and is often a customer’s first point of contact. “Bayard can always be counted on to get the job done, even if that means showing up early or staying late,” Powers said. The Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Awards recognize the important role service workers play in the West Michigan economy. “Without those who faithfully fulfill necessary roles, our economy would suffer greatly. These awards shine a bright light on these very special people,” the organization’s website reads. Drake, a GRCC alumna, was a champion to those in need and a mentor to West Michigan community leaders. She started her career in 1971 as an administrative aide for the city of Grand Rapids and then worked for the Grand Rapids Area Employment and Training Council. From 1985 to 2011, she served as executive director of Area Community Services Employment and Training, which creates economic opportunities for low-income, elderly, disabled, unemployed and under-employed people. She was a founding member of the Coalition for Representative Government, and Michigan Works!, where she served on the directors council, established the Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Awards in her honor. She was a member of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation’s board of directors for 27 years and was named the college’s Distinguished Alumna in 1995. Team members must display pride in their job, have a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and habits, punctuality and complete work on-time. Nominations are submitted by employers and community members, and winners are chosen by a committee established by the Workforce Development Board.