Oct. 21, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – An exhibit of art and writing inspired by the natural world features pieces from two Grand Rapids Community College students. “Pictures and Words from the Creative Fellowship at the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute for Environmental Education” runs through Nov. 10 at GRCC’s Paul Collins Art Gallery. The exhibitors are all recipients of the Gordon Art Fellowship or Nature in Words Fellowship. They spent a month this summer at the institute, a nature and environmental education center in Hastings, working with mentors. “Fellowships are important to writers and artists because it gives them an extended period to work on their craft,” said Visual Arts assistant professor Matthew Schenk, who was a mentor to student Julian Arpin-Cortez. “It is an invaluable experience for any student.” English professor Maryann Lesert, who worked with student Valerie Salerno, noted that while GRCC students have been awarded the fellowships in previous years, this summer was the first that the institute created a creative cohort of art and writing students who lived on site. “Both Matt and I and PCCI were really happy with the collaboration between art and writing students – and research students, too,” Lesert said. Salerno, who is majoring in writing and literature, enjoyed working with Lesert and the other cohort members. “A memorable moment from the fellowship was looking up at the stars with the other fellows, watching the shooting ones and contemplating alien life,” she said. “We also heard an Eastern screech or barred owl – I can’t remember which one – and it somewhat terrified us!” Arpin-Cortez is a returning GRCC student – having received an associate degree here several years ago and a bachelor’s degree. He’s pursuing an art career and is exploring diverse media and disciplines. He counts hiking through wetlands and participating in a controlled burn among his memorable fellowship experiences but most enjoyed getting to know the other students in the cohort. “On our final night at PCCI, a group of us sat outside and stargazed,” Arpin-Cortez said. “We sighted several meteors and listened to the sounds of nocturnal animals in the surrounding woods. It was a lovely and memorable conclusion to our four weeks together.” The exhibit also includes work from students at the Kendall College of Art and Design, Aquinas College and Central Michigan, Western Michigan and Calvin universities. The Paul Collins Art Gallery is open 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and is located on the fourth floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE. To apply for the 2023 Pierce Cedar Creek Institute fellowships, go to  https://cedarcreekinstitute.org/

Oct. 19, 2022. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College’s efforts to share the stories of students overcoming obstacles and the people who support them was honored by a national organization that supports college advancement efforts. The 2019-2020 GRCC Foundation Annual Report earned a Best of CASE District V Award in the Fundraising: Annual Reports category from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. CASE is a nonprofit association based in Washington, D.C. dedicated to educational advancement professionals—in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and advancement services—who share the goal of championing education to transform lives and society. The organization includes both two- and four-year programs. The Annual Report was created by GRCC’s College Advancement team, which includes members of the GRCC Foundation and Communications team, and is led by Dr. Kathryn Mullins, vice president for College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation. The 2019-2020 Annual Report focused on the stories of the people the GRCC Foundation has helped and the lives it has transformed – shared by the people themselves, often telling their stories in their own words. The edition includes inspiring stories about students and alumni including trailblazing Super Bowl Chef Dayanny De La Cruz, and Amanda Constant, who used the support from a Spectrum Health Care Professionals Education Scholarship to rise above a series of setbacks and complete her Medical Assistant program. It also highlights alumni and philanthropists Dave and Karen Custer, and 41 years of giving from former college employees Jerry and Jan Benham. The 2019-2020 Annual Report earlier in the year earned a Gold Paragon and Best in Show Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, an organization that supports and advocates for community colleges.

Oct. 19, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For two days next week, lunching at Grand Rapids Community College’s Heritage restaurant will give you a taste of international travel – with some familiar faces. The Heritage, a fine dining restaurant operated by GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, will feature a special prix fixe menu celebrating Scottish and Italian cuisine on Oct. 26 and 27. Chef Angus Campbell, who was GRCC faculty member for 25 years before retiring in 2016, teamed up with his friend and fellow chef Nicola Conte on the special event. Conte has planned an Italian appetizer of tartar of tuna with braised borlotti bean salad and an entree of poached halibut, citrus sauce and asparagus with prosciutto. Campbell has contributed a roasted crab soup with Scottish sausage fritters and Cranachan Briosgaid Ime, a traditional dessert with raspberry, oatmeal, whiskey and butter shortbread Students in the CA 114 International Food Production and CA 115 Table Service courses will work under their direction. Campbell was the star of “Cooking with Angus,” where he shared lessons about cooking and life for more than 100 episodes. GRCC’s Media Technologies Department produced the series through a grant from Peter Secchia and Jay Smith. Campbell and Conte, who met in 1979, reunited for the final episode of the series, which earned the second of two Emmy Awards from the Michigan chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. GRCC’s Heritage restaurant is located in the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St. NE. Parking is off of Ransom Avenue. Those wishing to make reservations for the Oct. 26 and 27 lunch must call 616-234-3700. Online reservations will not be accepted on those days.

Oct. 18, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team’s win streak was snapped at 18, as the team lost a grueling five-set match to Muskegon Community College despite a dominating career performance by Eliza Thelen. Thelen had 22 kills and just four errors, hitting .340 for the match in the annual Pink Game that helped raise money for Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids for cancer awareness. "It was a tough night, but give Muskegon a ton of credit," head coach Chip Will said. "They played fantastic, but we're not going to hang our heads after the loss. Despite the conference season ending, we still have a lot more volleyball to play." GRCC, ranked No. 12 in the nation in the latest National Junior College Athletics Association poll, dominated set one, 25-17 and nearly went up 2-0, but Muskegon went on a 5-1 run to end the second set, winning 25-23. GRCC responded in the third set, leading by as many as six points, but the Jayhawks went on a 7-0 run to take the lead and they wouldn't trail the rest of the way, winning 25-19. The team forced a fifth set by taking set four 25-21, and was two points away from taking the match, up 13-12. But Muskegon scored the final three points to steal the match. Should Muskegon win on Thursday against Delta College, it will tie GRCC for the Michigan Community College North Conference title. But the Raiders will win the tiebreaker because they defeated Muskegon earlier in the season in four and Muskegon won in five. That means GRCC will be the North Conference representative in the MCCAA tournament on Oct. 29.  It also means that they will be the North top seed in the regional tournament. GRCC dropped the first two matches of the season in a tournament, then won every game since, with the team record now 18-3. GRCC has one more match left in the regular season before MCCAA tournament play. It hosts Oakland Community College at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 27.   

Oct. 17, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College volleyball players are raising awareness of breast cancer and supporting those fighting the disease and working for a cure with a special Pink Night on Tuesday. GRCC student-athletes will be wearing special pink jerseys when they take the court at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse against Muskegon Community College. “Our student-athletes work to be leaders on and off the court, and the Pink Game has long been an important event for our volleyball players,” Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “Many of us have friends and relatives who have courageously fought the battle against cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to share about the challenges being faced, and the resources available in our community to help people.” Admission is $5, with GRCC students and employees admitted free with their RaiderCard. Proceeds and donations will go to Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. The organization supports people battling cancer and those grieving the loss of friends and loved ones. Donations also will be accepted during the game. The game commemoration is one of several events hosted by the Athletic Department and Exercise Science Department to raise awareness about the disease. Professor Melanie Schiele Gady is leading a presentation and learning session from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 in room 214 of the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer. This learning session will include what breast cancer is, signs and symptoms, risk factors, how to lower risk, screenings, lifestyle heath, exercise, treatment and care. The event is open to all students and employees. Pink Night has been an annual event for the volleyball team during coach Chip Will’s 16 years at the helm. The volleyball team is riding an 18-game win streak and has already clinched a share of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Northern Conference title.

Oct. 17, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- When Nate Peltier left the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, he planned to put his military food service experience to work as a civilian. GRCC helped him do just that. 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. “I graduated from the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education with an associate in Culinary Management,” said Peltier, who earned his degree in 2019. “This helped immensely in the planning and knowledge of starting a small business.” Peltier has the only veteran-owned and operated military-themed food truck in West Michigan. His Silver Star Cafe’s Airborne Burritos specializes in gourmet burritos from around the world. He gained mentors and friends in the culinary program and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from the University of Michigan. Peltier’s favorite GRCC memory is graduating with honors and receiving the Directors Award. “I was nominated by all of the chefs and instructors to the student to most likely make an impact on the community,” he said. “This meant a lot to me as I had attended college later in life after experiencing a lot of ups and downs in life such as experiencing war and traveling the world. “GRCC is the reason I’ve been able to excel and thrive in the food service industry in West Michigan!” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply

Oct. 15, 2022, MUSKEGON, Mich. – Kaylee Scott set a Grand Rapids Community College record and all 15 GRCC cross country runners set personal records at the Muskegon Community College Invitational on Saturday, helping their teams to top-five finishes. Scott led the No. 6-ranked women's team to a fifth-place finish, behind top-ranked Lansing and three four-year colleges. Her time of 19:12.7 was eight seconds better than Stephanie Thomas' record time, making Scott the fastest Raider runner since GRCC started cross country again in 2014. Audrey Meyering and Rose Meyer also broke 20 minutes, with times of 19:29 and 19:34, finishing in the top 20. Meyer set her personal record by 58 seconds, but freshman Samantha Sixberry posted the largest gain, running a 21 flat, bettering her personal record by nearly a minute and a half. "The women have been working very hard at practices and I'm thrilled that their hard work can result in the great race results today," head women's coach Sharon Becker said. "I am very happy for them and proud of this team.  It is fantastic that Kaylee now has earned the title of ‘fastest female Raider’ and I'm also thrilled for Rose, who ran under 20 minutes for the first time. Samantha also really shined today and proved she can help our team- running in the top-five for our team for the first time is amazing." Men’s team coach Rob Hyde also was pleased with his team’s performance. “When you have all your runners set a PR, things are going in the right direction,” he said. “We were closer to Lansing than we have been all season.  And, actually, being one runner short (Craig Fuller), it really gave our four and five runners a goal to fill that gap. We have two weeks until regionals and our training cycle is still focused on building.  All-in -ll a great spot to be, excited for the championship season to start." GRCC's men's team, ranked No. 10 in the latest U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll, finished in fourth place, only behind Grand Valley State University's A and B team and No. 1 ranked Lansing Community College. Freshman Mason Kolhoff paced the Raiders with a 25:24 finishing in 18th place while All-American Clark Coleman finished four spots behind him with a time of 25:48. Three other GRCC runners bested their personal records by more than a minute: Dan Kehoe, by 1:12 with a time of 26:20; Andrew Periard, by 1:09 with a time of 26:28; and Derek Hopkins, by 1:07 with a time of 27:41. Both teams will have two weeks off to prepare for the Region XII Championships that will take place Oct. 29 in Grand Rapids at the Gainey Athletic Complex.   

Oct. 13, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Working with students with diverse talents and backgrounds is what brings GRCC Dental Faculty member Christine Dobberstein to work every day. “Students each bring something unique to the classroom and I am constantly learning from them,” Dobberstein said. And her program gives back, making sure students are qualified for in demand jobs when they graduate. “GRCC dental faculty have a strong alliance with their professional organizations and proven teaching and learning skills,” Dobberstein said.  Faculty are also highly skilled. Dobberstein holds an A.A.A.S in Dental Hygiene, a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health and Public Health Education and a master’s degree in education She switched to teaching full time after working in dental hygiene, and later in public health and adjunct teaching positions. “Once I began teaching full time I found it to be a new and invigorating challenge, as it utilized my clinical skills as well as my love of literature reviews and scientific research,” Dobberstein said. “Early in my career I wish someone would have encouraged me to investigate all the options in the dental field. There is so much more out there to utilize our talents besides working for a dentist in private practices.” Dobberstein empowers students with the information she knows they need to make smart career choices in her classes: DHY 122 Nutrition and Oral Disease Prevention; DHY 129 Clinical Dental Hygiene I; DHY 249 Clinical Dental Hygiene II; DHY 244 Community Dental Health I; DHY 254 Community Dental Health II; DHY 138 Dental Hygiene Patient Care and Management I; DHY 241 Dental Hygiene Patient Care and Management II; and DXX 128 Dental Radiography. Learn how you can get the credits necessary for eligibility for Registered Dental Hygiene licensure, Registered Dental Assisting licensure, and transferability for a bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene by emailing dental@grcc.edu . GRCC’s on-campus dental hygiene clinic is open to the public Monday through Thursday. To schedule an appointment call(616) 234-4237.  

Oct. 13, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Audrey Torres shined in Grand Rapids Community College's 3-0 win against Kalamazoo Valley Community College on Thursday, compiling a match-high 15 kills and helping the team to its 18th straight win. GRCC hasn’t lost since dropping to first two matches of the season, and has two matches before postseason play begins. Torres hit .414 with just three errors in 29 attempts. It was the third-best hitting percentage of her sophomore campaign and the fifth time she has had at least 15 kills. She also had a team-high three service aces and eight digs. GRCC struggled most of the first set, trailing by as many as seven points. But the team rallied back to tie late in set and hang on for a 27-25 win. The final sets were not so close, with GRCC winning 25-14 in each.   Kara Hecht tallied nine kills and seven digs and Eliza Thelen and Karissa Ferry each added eight kills. Audrey Gower had a team-high 13 digs. "I thought we responded very well after set one," Gower said. "Set one was a little shaky, but we found ways to overcome what had happened. We thought of set two as a brand new set and went on from there." Thursday’s match was played at Calvin University, as the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse was pressed into service for a college fair that attracted thousands of people and 75 colleges. GRCC, ranked No. 17 in the nation, is in first place in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s new Northern Conference, and already has clinched a share of the Northern Conference title. The team next faces Muskegon Community College at home in the final conference game of the season on Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Muskegon is in second place with a 20-6 record, and 6-1 in the conference, with the lone conference loss coming on Sept. 29 against GRCC. With a victory, GRCC would be the outright conference champ and earn a berth in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association tournament in two weeks.