Oct. 1, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Bishop Dennis J. McMurray was honored for his leadership in the church and in the community, and named 2022 GIANT Among Giants during a ceremony on Saturday. McMurray is the senior pastor at Renaissance Church of God in Christ of Grand Rapids, saluted as a spiritual visionary who brings an array of theological, business, management and financial expertise to his ministry. “Bishop McMurray’s intellectual depth, unwavering love of family, pastoral service, and advocacy for justice exemplifies the core ethos of servant-leadership,” said Dr. B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, Grand Rapids Community College’s chief equity and inclusion officer. “His contributions to the Grand Rapids community are immeasurable.” The 39th Annual GIANT Awards and Banquet returned after a two-year hiatus, commemorating the stellar contributions of Grand Rapids leaders and organizations. GRCC since 1983 has hosted the awards recognizing exceptional leaders who shape the history, quality of life, and culture of the Grand Rapids community. Each award is named after a historical local “giant” whose dedicated service, advocacy, and activism are memorialized through honorees. Now in its 30th year, Renaissance is a progressive 21st century ministry that influences humanity globally through local church ministries and national/international television, radio programs and virtual platforms. As a social activist, McMurray has provided leadership and has been a catalyst for many social change movements and organizations. He was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Clergy Task Force for the State of Michigan, and is a member of the Community Board of Directors for Spectrum Health. McMurray served on the state Community Corrections Board, the National Board of Bethany Christian Services, Kent County Community Mental Health and Spectrum Health Executive Patient & Advisory Board. He was the recipient of the Religious Life GIANT Award and the Who’s Who Award in Black Grand Rapids by the Black Chamber of Commerce of Detroit Michigan. Professionally, McMurray has had a successful corporate career in the areas of sales, marketing, finance and management. His secular career has been in the areas of aerospace and industrial sales, finance and management and entrepreneurship. Additional 2022 honorees are: Floyd Skinner Justice Award: Adam C. Sturdivant, partner, Drew Cooper & Anding. Walter Coe Public Service Award: Shellie Cole-Mickens, founder and executive director, Our House of Blessings. W.W. Plummer Humanitarian Award: Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge, CEO and co-founder, New Destiny Pathways, Inc. Ethel Coe Humanities Award: Henry Sapp, CEO, Better, Wiser, Stronger Inc. Milo Brown Business Award: Daryl D. Reece, owner, Stock Da Bar & Stock Da Bar Vodka. Phyllis Scott Activist Award: Grand C.I.T.Y. Sports, Inc., Chris Sain, Jr., co-founder and CEO, and Preston Sain, co-founder and executive director. Raymond Tardy Community Service Award: Raynard Ross, president, Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education, and associate dean of student success at GRCC. H.C. Toliver Religious Life Award: Julian S. Newman, CEO and founder, The FutureCast Foundation. Hattie Beverly Education Award: Lorenzo Bradshaw, principal, Brookwood Elementary. Martha Reynolds Labor Award: Kevin L. Clemens, president, Kent County Court’s union, an affiliate of the Technical, Professional, and Office Workers Association of Michigan. William Glenn Trailblazer Award: Jermale Eddie, co-owner and CEO, Malamiah Juice Bar & Malamazing Juice Co. The 2021 and 2022 Junior GIANT scholarship recipients are: Ashyah Patterson, Georgetown University Christian Baty, Michigan State University James M. Baker, Grand Rapids Christian High School Alexandria Vaughn-Earvin, Prairie View A&M University Zhaniya Robinson, Michigan State University Summer R. Brown, Howard University Each year, the GIANT Awards selection committee undertakes the task of selecting honorees based on the merit of their nomination and stellar achievements. Committee members are: Larry Johnson, Tempy Mann, Darius Quinn, Faye Richardson-Green, and Shannon Wilson. The GIANT Awards committee, made up of former GIANT honorees, is soliciting help to plan and facilitate the 40 th celebration. Please send inquiries regarding the nomination process, sponsorship support, and volunteer opportunities to: GIANTaward40@gmail.com    

Oct. 1, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A balanced attack led the Grand Rapids Community College's volleyball team to two wins in day one of the annual Raider Challenge, extending the team's win streak to 12 matches. GRCC faced two former Western Conference rivals: Kellogg Community College and Lansing Community College. For the eighth time this season the team came away with a sweep. "I thought today I excelled in taking big swings at both in and out of system sets," Kara Hect said. "This helped me put more balls down. I also defended my heart out because it was our first outing on our home court.  It was a good day.  It was nice to finally play in our own gym, and of course it was nice to win both of our matchups." In set two of the first match against Kellogg, GRCC had seven players compile at least one kill and six players with at least one assist. For the match, nine players had at least one kill, led by Hecht, Karissa Ferry and Eliza Thelen all with seven.  Eleven players had at least one dig with last week's Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Audrey Gower, leading the way with eight. In match two, Hecht and Audrey Torres led the GRCC offensive attack with nine kills each, while the sophomore setter led the team with 22 assists and nine digs. For the day, GRCC totaled 75 kills and hit a solid .294. They also had 18 aces and 13 blocks. Hecht led all hitters with 16 kills with Torres, Thelen and Ferry each picking up 13. GRCC, now 12-2 on the season, finishes out the Raider Challenge on Sunday with a 10 a.m. match against McHenry County College and a 4 p.m. match against Lake Michigan College. 

Sept. 30, 2022, STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College's women's cross country team cruised to victory at the Oakland Raider Invitational with three runners finishing in the top six on Friday while the men's team also was victorious; and in dramatic fashion. GRCC's women's team, ranked No. 6 in the first U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll of the season, dominated the field of 13 teams, beating second place Southwestern Michigan College by 22 points; 49 to 71. All-American runners Kaylee Scott and Audrey Meyering along with Rose Meyer finished second, fourth and sixth in the 5-kilometer race with times of 20:07, 20:11 and 20:32. The field consisted of 80 runners from the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. Six of GRCC’s seven runners all ran personal bests for the season, including freshman Zoe Zawacki, who ran 7:37 faster than her first collegiate race. “Kaylee and Audrey ran a strong race together,” coach Sharon Becker said. “I’m thrilled that they were able to help each other power through almost every step together. Audrey was a little dissatisfied that she was unable to hold off the third-place finisher, who passed her at the very end. But moments like that are great ones to learn from. Audrey will be working on her finish kick the next few practices. Becker said she is proud of all of the student-athletes on her team. “Each of them ran an excellent race with their efforts for their last mile of the race continuing to be strong,” she said. “I saw every one of the women Raiders pass competitors or keep their pace so that they were giving every effort to reach the finish line as fast they could possibly go. I’m proud of our team and their commitment to each other and to helping each other. Today was a beautiful day and it was very fun to coach the team.” The men's title came down to the untraditional tiebreaker rule. With GRCC and St. Clair County Community College tied at 59, the race was determined by how each team's sixth-best runner did. By a mere eight seconds, GRCC's Lucas Schneider defeated St. Clair's sixth runner 28:36 to 28:44. “Wild race today!” men’s coach Rob Hyde said. “We had some season-bests today and some not season bests.  What that created was our pack was closer together than normal.  Looking back, that was a blessing in disguise.” Freshman Mason Kolhoff continued his fantastic freshman season, finishing second overall with a time of 26:48, tying his personal best. Andrew Periard was second on the team with a time of 28:02, finishing in 13th place. GRCC is next scheduled to compete in the Muskegon Community College Invitational on Oct. 15.  

Sept.30, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Whether virtual or in person, Dr. Nathan Lindy, builds connections with students, focusing on the success of each one. Lindy, a GRCC physical sciences assistant professor, originally wanted to teach in the K-12 system, but later decided to teach at the college level.  “The strength of the GRCC physical sciences program is the smaller class sizes, where students are able to interact with their actual instructor,” he said.  “Designing teachable labs is hard work and time intensive,” he said. Lindy focuses on building time into labs to connect with students and help them through the material. Using those teaching moments to build bonds with students and learn from them –making him a better teacher.  “My father always taught me to explore the world around me (and beyond), and I’m doing that every day with my physics students at GRCC,” he said.  A former student of Lindy’s shares that though physics is a tough subject, and students should plan to do a lot of studying and be prepared for class, Lindy is very helpful during class and his office hours.  “Dr. Lindy is one of those professors who genuinely cares about your performance in the class as well as your well-being,” they said. Learn PH 115 Technical Physics, PH 245 Calculus Physics 1, and PH 246 Calculus Physics with Lindy at GRCC this winter. Registration is open and classes start Jan. 9, 2022.

Sept. 29, 2022, MUSKEGON, Mich. -- The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team stayed perfect in conference play, and won its 10th match in a row with a 3-1 victory over Muskegon Community College on Thursday. GRCC beat the rival 26-24, 18-25, 25-21, 25-21. "The team came in with a positive attitude and carried that positive attitude throughout the whole game," freshman Lexi Heavner said. “We didn't let the crowd bother us and we played the game we know how to play. Today proved that we are capable of greatness this season." GRCC had three players reach career-highs in the win; Karissa Ferry, Eliza Thelen and Audrey Gower. Ferry had five blocks and Thelen had eight, including two solo blocks. Gower had 32 digs, including 12 in the third set. One of the biggest keys to the victory was the comeback by GRCC in the third set.  With Muskegon up 17-11, the team went on a 10-0 run, all with Gower behind the service line, and wound up stealing the set 25-21. Audrey Torres led the team in kills with 15 including seven in the final set. Kara Hecht added 13 kills and Ferry finished with 10. Shannon Russell finished with the lone double-double on the team with 40 assists and 14 digs. GRCC, now 10-2 on the season and 6-0 in conference play, have just one day off before the annual Raider Challenge on Oct. 1 and 2.  The Raiders first match will begin at noon and they will face former conference foe Kellogg Community College.  

Sept. 29, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College’s Communications team earned top honors from a national college and communications and marketing organization for efforts including sharing how the Michigan Reconnect program can transform lives. The award was among 17 Medallion Awards earned by GRCC and presented by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District 3, which includes community, technical and junior colleges in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and the Canadian province of Ontario. The GRCC team earned seven Gold Medallions, six silver awards and four bronze awards, presented Wednesday at the organization’s conference in Chicago. “It’s an honor to tell the stories of GRCC students, colleagues and programs,” Communications Director Dave Murray said. “They inspire us to do our best, and we hope their stories inspire others to start an educational journey that will change their lives.” The Communications Department is part of the GRCC College Advancement team, directed by Dr. Kathryn Mullins, vice president for College Advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation. The Michigan Reconnect awareness campaign included student profiles that were highlighted by the state government and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, social media campaigns, outdoor advertising and other materials telling people about the program, which covers the cost of in-state tuition for residents age 25 and older. The GRCC Foundation’s Annual Report was among the Gold Medallion winners. It’s the third year in a row the annual report, which shares how students and the greater community benefit from foundation support, has earned a top NCMPR honor. GRCC also earned: A Gold Medallion for flyers sharing how the TRIO Educational Opportunities connect students with college resources A Gold Medallion for the 2022 Commencement program. A Gold Medallion for a poster promoting “Eurdyice,” a performance by the GRCC Players. A Gold Medallion for the “You Think You Know GRCC” television ad, a collaboration with the GRCC Media Technologies team. A Gold Medallion in the Special Event or Fundraising Campaign for “One Day, Four Ribbons Cut,” last year’s celebration of the renovations to Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, Steven C. Ender Hall and the Custer Alumni House. A Silver Medallion for holiday cards that highlight students in the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education’s retail baking class. A Silver Medallion for the college’s two viewbooks. A Silver Medallion for the new package students receive when they are accepted to GRCC. A Silver Medallion for the design of the mural on the first floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall. A Silver Medallion in the long-form writing category for a profile of former cross country assistant coach Stephanie Thomas, who returned to GRCC as 27-year-old, joined the cross country team, became an All-American who set a school record that still stands. A Silver Medallion for the @grandrapidscc Instagram account. A Bronze Medallion for an e-card telling donors about the Armen Oudmedian Consecutive Giving Club. A Bronze Medallion for the design of the grcc.edu website. A Bronze Medallion for the design of a logo for the Secchia Institute’s team participating in the NASA HUNCH competition. A Bronze Medallion in the short-form writing category for sharing the story of Seth Noyes, a student who was motivated to succeed after being placed on academic suspension.

Sept. 28, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Audrey Gower, of the first-place Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team, was named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Week.  Gower,  a third-year libero from Dimondale, compiled 44 digs and three service aces in three victories for the Raiders last week, all in straight sets. In a doubleheader at Alpena Community College Gower reached the 600-dig milestone, averaging just under five per-set in her five sets of action. Against Delta College, Gower had a  three-set match  career high of 21 digs. "Audrey's a special player," associate coach David Rawles said. “Her grit, fight and will to lay it all out there help her be one of the best defensive players we have ever had at GRCC." Since dropping its first two matches of the season, GRCC has won nine straight, including five in the conference. GRCC will travel to Muskegon Community College on Sept. 29 in a 6:30 p.m. match that will determine the outright lead in the conference as Muskegon is also undefeated. 

Sept. 28, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Come for ArtPrize, then see some of GRCC’s prized art! The campus proudly displays artwork from Grand Rapids artists who are known around the world. There are three paintings from Mathias J. Alten exhibited at GRCC. Alten emigrated from Germany to Michigan as a young man in 1889. He honed his creative skills as a furniture decorator, and took on commissions to decorate local buildings. By 1899 he established a studio and school in Grand Rapids and became one of the region’s most respected artists, specializing in landscapes, seascapes and portraits. Alten’s portrait of Lt. Avery C. Gilleo has special meaning for GRCC, and hangs outside the Veterans Center at level G2 of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall. Gilleo was among the 49 students enrolled in the inaugural class of what was then Grand Rapids Junior College before enlisting in the Michigan National Guard, and was eventually deployed to France during World War I, and was promoted to the rank of captain. Capt. Gilleo married his GRJC classmate Eleanore Alten – the artist’s eldest daughter. Avery and Eleanor were the parents of Dr. M. Alten Gilleo and Anita Gilleo, who where both GRJC graduates. Two of Alten’s landscapes are on display in Steven C. Ender Hall on GRCC’s DeVos Campus. Michigan Autumn was painted in 1934, and Flowers in a Green Glass Bowl was painted in 1933. All three paintings were generously donated to GRCC by Anita Gilleo. GRCC displays many Paul Collins paintings and prints, with his work hanging in nearly every building on campus. Collins was born in Muskegon but moved to Grand Rapids as a child. He has traveled and painted extensively in the United States and around the world, and his work has been featured in exhibits in 22 states and 13 countries. Collins has long been a GRCC supporter. The gallery was named in his honor in 2003 and is dedicated to providing diverse, high-quality exhibitions for the education and inspiration of the college and the community. “My life and my work is not art about art -- it’s about art that can save us all from destroying each other,” Collins said in 2019. “It’s art that will help show respect for all brothers and sisters. If the artists and musicians really pay close attention to the profound effect they can have on people, I think we’d have less of the negative stuff. Because we really, really have reached a point where we really have to begin to realize we all are created equal and all come under the sign of being brothers and sisters.” Among the best-known works from Collins at GRCC include his painting of Frederick Douglass and a print of his mural celebrating the life of President Gerald R. Ford, with both hanging in GRCC’s Administration Building. GRCC’s Paul Collins Art Gallery is hosting three ArtPrize entries, showcasing digital animation, pen and ink technique and acrylic painting. ArtPrize 2022 runs until Oct. 2 and features 750 entries in the interactive art competition. The Collins Art Gallery is found on the fourth floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE. Until Oct. 2, the gallery will be open from 1-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Guests visiting during the weekend should enter through the doors on the south end of Finkelstein Hall Level G2, near the iconic lion fountain, or through the skywalk connected to Parking Ramp A. Signs or staff will direct you to the gallery.