March 15, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- For Veronika Frei, her GRCC Foundation scholarship was a timely surprise. “After being temporarily unemployed with no money coming in, I was in a bind,” she said of the pandemic lockdown. “The scholarship made it possible to pay daily bills like groceries, gas and my phone bill!” Frei was one of 10 GRCC students to receive the new AT&T Aspire program scholarship. Funded by the AT&T Foundation, it’s one of more than 300 scholarships available by completing just one application. The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation plans to distribute $1.4 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 students this year, and the priority deadline is March 15. The application and additional information can be found at grcc.edu/scholarships. “I was overwhelmed with joy when I saw the email,” said Frei, who plans to become a high school art teacher. “Knowing that I did not need to worry about my financial needs for a month or two, was a huge relief. GRCC looks out for their students and I am extremely grateful for their help.”

March 14, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The GRCC Players will take a new look at an ancient myth in their production of “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl. The play, which runs March 17 to 19, retells the myth of Orpheus’ journey to the underworld through the eyes of his young bride, Eurydice. Grand Rapids Community College students Emily Page, Jake Bieniewicz, Carlos Caracheo Trujillo, Jase Harris, Bryanna Lee, Gabi Salazar and Shannon Heldt comprise the cast, with instructor Jason Flannery directing. This is Flannery’s second time directing a GRCC Players production. “Working with college students can be very rewarding!” he said. “My approach as a director asks students to drop the pretense that often comes along with folks’ preconceived notions about ‘acting’ and find honest moments in their performances. This often clashes with what young performers are told about portraying an emotional story onstage, but my hope is always that the work that students find with this approach leaves them feeling a greater connection to their work, and feel more seen and real onstage.” Flannery believes audiences will leave the theater impressed by both the play and the performers. “I hope the audience walks away surprised and touched by this semi-autobiographical fairy tale that playwright Sarah Ruhl has given us,” he said. “I hope they'll see the outstanding potential of Grand Rapids artists and GRCC's student body – maybe invest some time into future productions, and maybe even audition!” Trujillo, who portrays the father in the play, admits it took a little time to readjust to being busy again after the pandemic shutdown: He will be auditioning for Western Michigan University’s musical theater program on the same day as one of the “Eurydice” performances. “I really hope that when people see ‘Eurydice,’ they gain an appreciation for those around them – be they family or friends,” he said. “I think family, especially, is something that my generation has taken for granted. I think the play gives a good perspective on how complicated yet beautiful those emotions can be.” “Eurydice” runs at 8 p.m. March 17 to 19 at GRCC’s Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. Tickets, which can be purchased online , are $5 for students, $8 for GRCC faculty and staff, and $12 for the public. For more information, call (616) 234-3387.  Photo by Dave Kagan of Sensitography.

March 14, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- As a U.S. Marine and then a journalist, Daniel Schoonmaker has seen a lot of the “real world.” He’s now working to make that world a better place. 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. Schoonmaker didn’t plan on going to GRCC; when he did enroll, he didn’t plan to be there for more than a semester. “With all my friends that went away to school complaining about how their classes were being taught by grad students, I realized that GRCC was a better value,” he said. “Looking back, I don’t believe I had the emotional maturity to be successful at a four-year school at that point in my life.  “Academics were not my priority those first two years. When I was focused, I was pursuing things that I thought I wanted – like being a police officer or a physician – and hating them. It took me some time to figure out who I wanted to be. GRCC was a great environment for that.” Schoonmaker went overseas with the Marines after graduating from GRCC in 2002. After returning to Michigan, he was able to tap his experience at The Collegiate to get a job as a sportswriter and, later, as a business journalist. He was well-established when he enrolled at Aquinas College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and English. He then turned his talents to public relations and marketing, serving as a sustainable business advocate and educator. He’s now executive director of the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. “My work is heavily focused on network development and movement building,” he said, “Creating momentum for climate leadership, social justice and the creation of a circular economy in partnership with businesses and institutions.” Schoonmaker is quick to credit GRCC for some of his success. “A big part of that was learning to fail,” he said. “I dropped some classes. I got in trouble on some Collegiate assignments. I tried to work double shifts while carrying a full load of classes. On my very first day of class, I insulted a professor so bad he was ready to fail me on the spot. “GRCC taught me the value of learning from your mistakes.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .  

March 12, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Sally Merrill of the Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team earned the final MCCAA Western Conference Player of the Week honors of the season after scoring 62 points, grabbing 27 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists in three tournament games. It’s the second time this season that Merrill, who plays guard and forward, earned Player of the Week honors. Merrill is a freshman from Allegan, and graduated from Hamilton High School. Earlier in the week she was named All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and to the All-Freshman Team. Merrill in February was saluted for performances against Lake Michigan College, Ancilla College and Mid Michigan College. She totaled 60 points, 23 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and two steals in the three games. The women’s team finished with a 20-11 record, reaching the championship game of the NJCAA Great Lakes A District tournament. David Glazier, wrapping up his sixth year at the helm, posted the most wins of his GRCC career.

March 11, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Sketching, playing the piano, juggling – these are just a few of the activities that have, briefly, captivated Kohl Goldsmith. “Latching onto an obsession for a while, I become determined to become the master of a skill, only to drop it a week later, bored to tears by the mere thought of it,” he said. Goldsmith worried that his lack of focus meant he would never find a satisfying career path. But the pandemic lockdown changed all that. He and his family depended on the local pizza place and one-dish meals until one evening when Goldsmith volunteered to make the pizza from scratch. “My pizza may not have been the greatest pie from New York to the Italian boot, but my family adored it,” he said. “Each step felt like a revelation, from making the dough to preparing the sauce and toppings. I’d never felt so connected to any meal I’d ever had until that night.” With financial help from the GRCC Foundation, Goldsmith is working toward an associate degree in Culinary Arts and a Baking and Pastry Arts certificate from the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. He plans to eventually open his own cake business. Goldsmith credits the foundation scholarships with keeping him on track to graduation. “Scholarships are more than just help, they’re hope – and they’ve given me the confidence to sign up for the classes I want, not just the ones I can afford,” he said. The GRCC Foundation plans to distribute $1.4 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 students this year, and students can apply by filling out just one application. The priority deadline is March 15. The application and additional information can be found at grcc.edu/scholarships . This semester, one in five GRCC students has tuition covered by a scholarship, grant or state program, removing cost as an obstacle to a life-changing education. Many more students could take advantage of foundation scholarship free-tuition programs if they complete the FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students can connect with GRCC financial aid specialists by phone at (616) 234-4030; email at financialaid@grcc.edu; or virtually or in-person by appointment.

March 11, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Chef Bob Schultz believes the strength of GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary education comes from the expertise and the camaraderie of culinary arts faculty and staff. “Working together is much easier and successful when a department has the same end goals in mind,” he said. Chef Schultz brings over 25 years of teaching experience to his team, as well as several degrees focused on excellence in teaching culinary arts classes. He earned an Associate Degree of Applied Arts and Sciences in Culinary Arts from GRCC, a bachelor’s degree in Business from Davenport University, and a master’s degree from Ferris State University in Career and Tech Education. Students can work with Chef Schultz when they take CA 114 International Foods, CA 115 Table Service, CA 180 Co-Op/Internship class, CA 160 Ice Carving, CA 209 Principles of Food Science, or CA 200 Hospitality Management. Chef Schultz has excelled as a culinary arts faculty member at GRCC because of the college’s commitment to supporting faculty in their professional development. “I have capitalized in my teaching profession thanks to the commitment from the college supporting me as I earned various degrees and certifications,” he said. “Teaching in the culinary field has always been a career goal. I have been teaching here at GRCC for over 25 years and my goal has always been to bring something to our students that culinary students can’t get from any other culinary school in the United States. Hence my tenacity for knowledge.” Chef Schultz inspires passion in his students when he focuses on their success by making sure they grasp important concepts no matter their learning style, by diversifying the delivery of the material using different platforms. Excellence in teaching is a main tenant of Chef Schultz’s career as he continues the work of the Chef-Professors that came before him at GRCC. “My heroes are the chefs that helped establish our culinary program and its reputation,” he said. “It is because of their work, dedication, and sometimes sheer tenacity to the culinary craft that inspires me. In following their example, I am doing my part to help students fuel their passion for the culinary arts.”

March 10, 2022 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The sixth-annual African-American Male Achievement Conference will be a day of inspiration, learning, sharing and caring for our male students in ninth through 12 grades. The conference, offered virtually this year, will focus on school achievement, graduation, college, choices, careers and becoming a positive young man in the community and world. The theme is “Challenges, Choices, and Change.” The conference is planned for 9 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. March 28. While offered virtually, there are times for localized breakout sessions. The event is a collaboration between Urban League of Western Michigan, Grand Rapids Public Schools, GRCC, Grand Valley State University, and the City of Grand Rapids. Organizers aim to convene more than 1,000 African-American young men from West Michigan secondary schools and engage them in workshops and other activities in which they will be affirmed, dared to dream about their futures, and reminded of their potential greatness. Offering the conference virtually prevents the participants from being together in one space, but does allow each site to tailor the conference to its unique needs. Registration is available at a link here . Questions about the event can be answered by Parris McMurray at mcmurrayp@grps.org and Rhondo Cooper at CooperR@grps.org.

March 9, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College basketball player Grace Lodes was named Defensive Player of the Year by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Western Conference in postseason awards announced Wednesday. Lodes, who led the nation in blocked shots, was joined by teammate Sally Merrill in being named All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and to the All-Freshman Team. “I’m proud of our student-athletes and coaches for strong performances,” Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. “We have strong programs, with some of the best players in the state, and the nation. They work hard to be successful on the court and in the classroom.” GRCC’s Marlene Bussler was named Second Team All-Conference, and Allison Kellogg and Emersyn Koepke were named Honorable Mention All-Conference. The women’s team finished with a 20-11 record, reaching the championship game of the NJCAA Great Lakes A District tournament. David Glazier, wrapping up his sixth year at the helm, posted the most wins of his GRCC career. Lodes, from Comstock Park, led the nation in total blocks with 99 and ranked in the top 10 in conference in rebounding. Merrill, a freshman from Allegan, was the team’s leading scorer with 491, averaging 15.8 points per game. For the men’s team, Ryel Daye and Andrew Moore were named Third Team All-Conference, and Danyel Bibbs was named Honorable Mention All-Conference. The men’s team finished with a 10-19 overall record and 5-13 in the conference. Moore led GRCC in scoring, with 584 points, averaging 20.1 per game. Daye was one of the best rebounders in the NJCAA D2. His average 11.9 rebounds per game was third best in the nation.