June 23, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College baseball player Caleb Engelsman is one of nine NJCAA Division II players to receive this year's ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove award. Engelsman was a two-way baseball player for GRCC, He batted .309 and had 15 extra base hits and pitched 58 innings, the second-most among GRCC players, while picking up five wins. But it was his superb defense that won him the Gold Glove award, posting a .963 fielding percentage. Players are selected for the award by the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Baseball Committee. "Caleb defensively is as good as I have seen at the JUCO level," head coach Mike Eddington said. "It's not easy being a two-way player in college and it didn't affect him defensively. He worked daily on his infield drills and it's great to see his hard work has paid off." The Rockford native also was named Second Team All-Conference for his play on the field and Michigan Community College Athletic Association Western Conference All-Academic - for the second season - for his work in the classroom. Engelsman is committed to play at Indiana Wesleyan University next season and is preparing to study medicine. The baseball team finished the 2022 campaign second in the MCCAA Western Conference and in third place in the region. GRCC's season included a 17-win streak that was snapped in the late rounds of the NJCAA Region 12 tournament.   Calvin Syrjala was the most recent GRCC player to earn a Gold Glove, getting the honors in 2019.

A School News Network feature -- Students don't have to be a Grand Rapids Community College music major to perform as part of a campus band this fall. Campus band is designed for non-music majors who would like to continue playing a band instrument in college, or music majors who want to perform on their non-major instrument, as well as anyone from the community.  In her  first year as GRCC’s director of bands , professor Shannon Shaker is taking the lead on organizing and leading campus band musicians. “Not everyone needs to major in music,” Shaker said, “but having those opportunities provides more people in the community with a place to come and experience really wonderful music education.”  The band will meet Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., making it more accessible to those who work or take classes during the day. Non-GRCC students can apply for free as a “guest student” or “personal interest student” on GRCC’s  admissions page . Once an account is confirmed, search for the “horizon” section of campus band to enroll. The cost to enroll in campus band is $20. This story was reported by Alexis Stark of the School News Network.

June 22, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  Grand Rapids Community College women’s cross country team members had a fantastic year in competition – and in the classroom, too. The women’s cross country team -- which finished seventh in the NJCAA D2 National Championships --  compiled a collective grade point average of 3.52, the sixth-highest of any team in any sport competing in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association, which announced academic awards this week. The GRCC volleyball team, with a 3.23 GPA, and the golf team, with a 3.20 GPA, were also saluted by the MCCAA for having grade point averages above 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 MCCAA Academic All-Conference honors, student-athletes must earn at least 24 credits with a 3.0 GPA or higher. For Academic All-MCCAA honors, 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 33 student-athletes. There are 27 student-athletes recognized for earning Academic All-MCCAA honors. Earning MCCAA Academic All-Conference Academic awards are: Austyn Adams, Blake Waibel, Brady Owen, Caden Van De Burg, Caleb Engelsman, Dylan Chargo, Joe Hoeks, and Ryan Dykstra of the baseball team. Also earning the honor are Brockton Kohler and Myron Brewer of the men’s basketball team; Ashton Brennan, Caleb Peterson, Christian Martinez-Ramos, Craig Fuller, Joshua Kipkoech, and Zachary Richards of the men’s cross country team; and Arie Jackman, Bradley Vandenhout, and Matthew DenHartigh of the golf team. Also named to the Academic All-Conference team are Alena Visnovsky, Annie Holesinger, Audrey Gower, Audrey Torres, Kara Hecht, Ola Nowak, and Zari Kruger of the volleyball team; Karissa Ferry, who played both volleyball and basketball; Marlene Bussler and Sally Merrill of the women’s basketball team; and Alex Webster, Allison Hoop, Audrey Meyering, and Rose Meyer of the women’s cross country team. Earning All-MCCAA Academic awards are Adams, Weibel, Owen, Van De Burg, Engelsman, Chargo, Hoeks, Dykstra, Kohler, Brewer, Peterson, Fuller, Jackman, Vandenhout, DenHartigh, Visnovsky, Holesinger, Gower, Torres, Hecht, Nowak, Kruger, Ferry, Bussler, Hoop, Meyering, and Meyer.  

  June 22, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Liza Barry, clinic manager at Lakewood Family Medicine, wants the best and the brightest when it comes to her medical assistant staff. Lakewood is a large family practice with 18 providers. The office, located in Holland, sees more than 1,600 patients a week. “This environment is not for everyone. It’s a fast-paced, busy office,” Barry said. “Because of that, I am very upfront with potential externs and future employees. It can get a little hairy!” Barry has partnered with Grand Rapids Community College’s Medical Assistant program for the past eight years. “We have the best relationship with GRCC. I know the instructors and the curriculum, so I am confident of the skills the students have when they start here,” she said. “I truly appreciate the help I get from Linda Witte. She understands our work environment and does a great job of matching our needs with the students who will thrive at our practice.” Witte is the program manager for healthcare programs offered through GRCC’s Workforce Training department. “We work very hard to ensure that our students are a good fit for the workplace they are going into for their externship. I want to set them up to succeed.” Kelsey Volkers is a successful alum of the program. Volkers graduated in June of 2014, did her externship at Lakewood Family Medicine, and has worked there ever since. “Liza was really honest about the volume of patients we see – it can be hectic but I like to be busy,” Volkers said. “Of course, I was a little intimidated at first but I feel like I was really well prepared.” Volkers credits her instructor for providing the basic skills that she has used for the past eight years. “My instructors real-life experience was so helpful in knowing what it’s like to be an MA. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy all the medical terminology and just learning about so many different areas of medicine.” Volkers really enjoyed the program. “We were held to a very high standard,” she said. “At first, I didn’t think I could do it but they give you the tools you need to succeed. It was nice to prove myself wrong.” Barry has big plans for Volkers’ future. She is now spending some of her time supporting management and is now also the Supply Coordinator. “I am responsible for ordering medical supplies, and tracking immunizations for all their pediatric patients. I love the variety of this work. It’s different every day. We see patients of all ages and conditions. Some come in for regular check ups but some are really hurting. You really have to be empathic.” GRCC’s Medical Assistant Program prepares people to take a national certification exam and empowers them to succeed in a changing healthcare environment.  The focus of the program is to prepare capable medical assistants in the knowledge, skill and behavior learning domains.  The 772-hour program is designed to take 22 weeks to complete. Each student completes a four-week, competency-based practicum experience. On successful completion of the program, students are prepared to take the Registered Medical Assistant national certification exam through American Medical Technologists. The next session of GRCC’s Medical Assistant program begins July 27, 2022. Additional information is at  grcc.edu/medicalassistant .  

June 21, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. --  Twins Maddie and Kyla Wiersema this summer are working at Coasters, a restaurant inside the Michigan’s Adventure amusement park. But there is no coasting when it comes to their careers as student-athletes. Previously two-sport competitors at Western Michigan Christian in volleyball and basketball, both Maddie and Kyla became three-sport athletes their senior year, when they made good on a forgotten promise to an old friend and joined the track and field team. The result? Both competed in multiple events at the state meet, including a third-place finish for Maddie in the shot put and a seventh in the hurdles and a fifth-place finish for Kyla in both the discus and the hurdles. Their performances helped WMC win the state championship team title. “It was always one of our goals to win a state championship in high school,” Maddie said. “We just didn’t think it would be in track.” That’s because the twins’ two main sports have always been volleyball and basketball. They love them both, admitting that their favorite generally is whatever season they happen to be in. They’re both a touch over 6 feet tall, and they’re both good athletes, strong and mobile. They play the post in basketball, and both can score and rebound. In volleyball, Maddie plays the right side and Kyla is a middle hitter. Both are equally adept at the net, blocking the opposition attack or putting the ball away with a well-placed kill. Volleyball and basketball are the two sports they’ll compete in at GRCC, and they can’t wait. “Oh my gosh, we’re so excited,” said Kyla. “We wanted to go to a school where we could do both (sports), and GRCC ended up being perfect.” Added Maddie: “We weren’t really planning on GRCC, but we thought, ‘We’ll just visit and see how it is.’ So, we did a campus tour; we met the coaches, and – wow -- we were so impressed.” And it wasn’t just the athletic facilities that the twins said were the highlight, though both were wowed by the gym, the locker rooms, the gear and more. They also appreciated the overall campus, including the classrooms. “All of the facilities are so nice,” Maddie said. “Everything is so clean and bright, and the classrooms are amazing, too,” Kyla added. Amazing is how opposing coaches often described the performances of the Wiersema sisters during their stellar high school careers. Their many awards and accolades are too numerous to detail in full, but at the end of the 2021-22 basketball season, Kyla was named First-Team All-State after averaging a school-record 23 points per game, while Maddie was All-State honorable mention and averaged 12 points and nine rebounds per game, even after suffering a serious ankle injury midway through the season. Kyla also was First-Team All-State in volleyball her senior year, while Maddie was a Second-Team honoree. GRCC head coach Chip Will said the Wiersemas will be the fifth set of twins he has had during his 15 years at the helm of the Raiders. “The previous four sets were great volleyball players but also great people,” he said. “Kyla and Maddie are the same. They are dynamic athletes, but, more importantly, they are great people, on and off the court.” Seventh-year women’s basketball coach David Glazier is also excited. “Our program has always leaned on being strong defensively, looking to pressure teams on the perimeter when we have a rim protector behind our guards,” he said. “With Maddie and Kyla, we have secured that ability for the next two years, given we have the reigning (MCCAA West) Defensive Player of the Year in Grace Lodes who can help them grow even more as rim protectors. We are excited for how they fit our program coming in and the ways they could possibly help the program grow.” Both Wiersemas have terrific high school GPAs but are still deciding what exactly they’d like to study with Maddie leaning toward business and marketing as a springboard to a possible career as a pharmaceutical sales rep and Kyla considering a Criminal Justice major. “We didn’t know exactly what we wanted to do, and we didn’t want to waste money not knowing what we wanted to do at a four-year college,” said Maddie. “The price is so right at GRCC, and we can take our time and figure out what we want to study.” Eventually, they’d both like to use their degrees and athletic careers at GRCC as a launching pad to a four-year university, where they’d complete bachelor’s degrees and continue their volleyball or basketball careers -- or both. “We think GRCC will be the perfect place to develop as students and athletes,” Maddie said. “The goal is definitely to use what we learn to go on to a four-year university. GRCC will give us a chance to see what college is like, and we’re ready.” This story was reported by Phil de Haan.  

June 20, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- For a trio of GRCC Radiologic Technology students, applying for a prestigious postgraduate program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Schools of Medical Imaging seemed like a longshot, at best. The five-month, full-time program prepares students for advanced certification in computed tomography and includes classroom courses in everything from cross sectional anatomy to CT procedures and protocols with associated clinical experiences in oncology, pediatric, critical care, trauma and more. Fewer than 10% of those who apply annually are accepted. Kyle Cottrell, Alen Dzafic and Emma Seeber, members of the class of 2022, knew that their GRCC education was second-to-none, and they knew the work they had put in during their time on campus had prepared them well for whatever their futures might hold. Still. The Johns Hopkins? Fewer than 10%? “It seemed pretty overwhelming,” said Cottrell with a smile. “We all applied last minute.” “And it’s a long application,” Seeber added. “Then we all got asked to do the interviews,” Dzafic concluded. “And so, we thought ‘Maybe?’” Those interviews, done over Zoom, also were intimidating, the three said. “Oh man,” Cottrell said, “45 minutes. Eight or so people from Johns Hopkins. So many questions. It was just one question after another.” “I’m pretty sure I repeated myself once or twice,” Dzafic added as Cottrell and Seeber both roared with laughter. But then came the emails. Each student received one. Each was a “yes.” A 100% success rate for the three GRCC grads. Heather Klare, an assistant professor and clinical coordinator in the Radiologic Technology program, said the outcome – acceptance into a fully paid internship that includes both clinical and didactic education together – is amazing. “All of us in the program were thrilled with the students’ acceptance,” she said. “The honor of being accepted into this program speaks volumes about these students, their knowledge, their abilities as future radiographers, and their willingness to take a chance to apply for an opportunity that does not occur very often.” For their part, the students said Klare and the other professors in the program --plus the GRCC courses they took and their many clinical experiences -- are the reason for their success. Klare said the Radiologic Technology program provides students learning opportunities that enable them to attain certification as Registered Radiographer in Radiography. It also introduces them to other modalities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography as possible certifications in the future and empowers students to succeed in an ever-changing healthcare environment. Beyond that though, the students said, the program has people who care -- lots of people. Dzafic, Seeber and Cottrell recalled FaceTiming with Klare when they found out that all three of them had been accepted. “She was so excited,” Dzafic said. “I think she might have dropped her phone, jumping up and down.” Seeber beamed as she remembered that moment. “Heather is one of the most involved, fantastic people I have ever met,” she said. “She wants to see you do well, and she makes sure that educationally and academically that you are put in a position to succeed.” All three noted that good support is critical because their program is rigorous. “There were so many times my brain just hurt,” Seeber, a 2017 Forest Hills Central grad, said laughing. “There’s clinicals and homework and studying and sometimes it’s like it never ends,” added Cottrell, a 2016 graduate of Catholic Central. “But there isn’t anything we took that was fluff,” said Dzafic, a 2014 graduate of Forest Hills Northern. “And, at the end, the payoff is real. You work hard and you graduate and then you have a job, a career, in front of you. It’s a good feeling.” All three graduates said the job security of their profession is appealing but so is the variety of opportunities they can pursue going forward. “My sister asked me once what you can do with an X-ray degree,” Seeber recalled. “Anything you want,” Cottrell answered with a broad grin. “It’s always changing, and there is always something new,” Dzafic said. “I know I’ll probably end up selling equipment someday,” Seeber said. “Once you’ve worked for a while with the various machines, it’s pretty easy to transition to sales. You’ve gained some credibility, so that’s something I’ll probably explore.” Before then though, the three colleagues and fast friends have some preparations to make. Their program in Baltimore starts on July 25, and they have to wrap things up in Grand Rapids, find places to live in a new city and much more. “They now are preparing to take the national American Registry of Radiologic Technologists board exam in July and juggling their other personal and professional obligations,” said Klare. “But our program has prepared these students to be adaptable.” The students agreed. They’re heading east, they said, with smiles on their faces, knowing that new opportunities await and that they’re Raider-ready for whatever comes next. This story was reported by Phil de Haan.    

June 20, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Michael Tuffelmire had a difficult time adjusting to civilian life after returning home from serving with the Army during the Iraq War. “I sought treatment at the Veterans Center, and one recommendation was that I go to college to build myself professionally,” he said. “GRCC was a very welcoming environment with other vets I could network with. I worked on the campus and went to school full time, so I spent a good amount of time at 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. Tuffelmire made connections on campus, serving as treasurer of the Black Student Union and participating in a one-of-a-kind event. “Professor (Robert) Hendershot of the History Department picked me to take part in an Irish peace conference with former members of the Irish Republican Army,” he said. “I was able to have dinner with them on campus. The entire event was very memorable!” After graduating from GRCC in 2009, Tuffelmire earned a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from Ferris State University and a master’s degree in sustainable business from Aquinas College. “I still tell people that out of all the higher learning institutions I have attended, GRCC was my favorite,” he said. “It also had some of the most challenging classes with hands-on faculty who helped me achieve more than I thought I was able. “I still think of some of the challenging accounting classes under professor (Jeff) Spoelman, and some of his advice that I still use today. Also, not a day goes by that I do not think about what professor (Felix) Pereiro might say when I am thinking of marketing strategies.” Tuffelmire is now a Realtor with Kent County Real Estate while working with several community initiatives. “After graduation, I became a member of the Friends of Transit, who passed a successful tax millage in 2009 that greatly expanded the G.R. metro area bus system,” he said. “I went on to be the director of Decriminalize GR, a political organization that ran a successful ballot initiative to decriminalize cannabis in the city of Grand Rapids in 2012, with the support of several local and state elected officials.” He served on MI Legalize’s board of directors, working on a successful ballot initiative that legalized recreational cannabis in 2018. The following year, he co-founded the West Michigan Cannabis Guild. Tuffelmire credits GRCC with helping him build a civilian identity: “GRCC is a gateway to a lifetime of academic achievement.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .

June 17, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —  Holly VanRyn loves seeing her students succeed in the classroom and in the hospitality industry. “It’s my goal to ensure that my students are given the best education opportunities possible,” VanRyn said. “I’m passionate about the hospitality industry, leadership, customer service, fine wine, and food – and I love sharing these passions with my students.”  VanRyn doesn’t want anyone to be surprised by the fantastic array of hospitality programs at GRCC through the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. And she wants people to know the reason behind it. “The faculty here are of world class caliber and talent, and are definitely the department’s greatest asset,” VanRyn said. “And our diverse curriculum offers a variety of associates degrees, tracks, and certificates. We’ve been consistently awarded American Culinary Federation (ACF) accreditation with exemplary status. And we have transfer relationships with larger universities, like FSU and GVSU. These relationships can function as gateways, making it possible for students to pursue additional degree paths and bachelor’s degrees.” “Another example of the strengths here at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education is our ability to respond to industry’s needs in developing new programs,” VanRyn said. “A perfect example of that is our new Pre-Hospitality Management Associate degree program. This program is for students interested in “front-of-the-house” careers in the hospitality industry. It combines all of our business, front-of-the-house restaurant courses, and sensory analysis classes with core business classes. Students can transfer directly into FSU’s Hospitality Management bachelor’s degree program.” VanRyn started working in the hospitality industry when she was 15 years old. “I graduated from the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education and went on to finish my bachelor degree in Business Administration at FSU,” she said. “I moved out to Maui, Hawaii with my husband after college to work for TS Restaurants. I was the Dining Room Manager at Hula Grill on Maui before starting work as a professor at GRCC.” Looking back, VanRyn’s early focus in hospitality did not leave room to diversify her education. “My entire career had been in the restaurant and hospitality industry until I became a professor at GRCC,” VanRyn said. “I wish that I had known at an earlier age that I’d one day become an educator! I would’ve started my Master’s degree in Career and Technical Education much sooner. However, with all of GRCC's resources, I do feel lucky to be able to complete higher education while teaching full time. I have recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Career and Technical Education from Ferris State University.” Through the pandemic, VanRyn’s teaching style evolved to embrace technology. “I implemented the flipped classroom approach into my classes years ago,” VanRyn said. “But through the pandemic I learned how to film demonstration videos, how to use video editing software, and many apps that allowed me to connect with students on a deeper level.” Experience what the hospitality industry has to offer with VanRyn in CA 245 Restaurant Management and Leadership, CA 200 Hospitality Management, CA 233 Wine, Beer and Spirits Management, and CA 243 Wines of the World.

June 14, 2022, 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 after a two-year hiatus. Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University are hosting the games on June 21 at Davenport University's Farmers Insurance Complex. Baseball games are scheduled for 3, 5, and 7 :30 p.m., and softball games are 5 and 7 p.m. Admission for spectators age 8 and over is $5, with proceeds going to GRCC's John Bos Scholarship Fund. "The John Bos games are a tradition that goes back to 1959, and we’re thrilled to bring them back after missing the last two years due to the pandemic,” GRCC Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “Generations of baseball and softball players have competed in the games, and many others have benefitted from scholarships supported by the event.” GRCC softball coach Molly McKinney participated in the John Bos game as a senior at Byron Center High School. “It was a fun opportunity to play with all the players in your class you spent your high school career playing against,” McKinney said. “It was a wonderful experience to build connections. I am happy to hear the John Bos games have returned. It’s wonderful to think the proceeds of this event help out future GRCC student-athletes.” Davenport head baseball coach Kevin Tidey participated in the event in 1989. “The history of the John Bos game is amazing,” he said. “There have been a lot of great players that have played in this game. I know every senior looks forward to the opportunity. We are very honored to be hosting the Jon Bos game at Davenport University.” 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. 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 13, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Jerad Berkenpas, the Grand Rapids Community College’s pitching ace, was named a Third Team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association on Monday. Berkenpas played a vital role on the team, which finished the 2022 campaign second in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Western Conference and in third place in the region. The Byron Center resident and South Christian High School graduate also was named All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and to the All-Tournament team at regionals after tallying two wins. The 6-foot, 5-inch righty was GRCC's top pitcher in their rotation and led the team with a 9-2 record, 1.41 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 71 strikeouts, .223 opponents' batting average, and had four complete games, including one shutout.  In 12 games, he gave up one or no earned runs in eight times and posted a season-high nine strikeouts three times.   "Jerad had a chance to win every start and I think he gained confidence in his first game down south against NJCAA Division 1 powerhouse, Chipola College, where he gave up just one run and struck out nine," head coach Mike Eddington said. "Jerad is confident, passionate about baseball, wants to be good and works extremely hard. It's great to see his hard work pay off." GRCC's season included a 17-win streak that was snapped in the late rounds of the NJCAA Region 12 tournament.