May 7, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s baseball team is ending its season with a 24-11 record, following health and safety protocols. The baseball team is tied for first place in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s Western Conference, but won’t play its final four games of the regular season and won’t qualify for the postseason. “The health and safety of our players and our opponents is our top priority,” Interim Athletic Director David Selmon said. “Our team was playing very well and we’re proud of our student-athletes. But health comes first. This is unfortunate and disappointing, but it’s the right thing to do.” The baseball team returned in 2021 with limited out-of-state travel and enhanced health and wellness protocols after the 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic. After dropping the opener, the team won 10 consecutive games and emerged as a conference power. Ryan Dykstra, Aaron West and Jake Paganelli shared the team lead with 3 homers, with West and Dykstra sharing the lead with 37 RBI. Dykstra led the team with a .432 batting average, with West right behind at .398. On the mound, Drew Murphy led starting pitchers with a sparkling 2.23 ERA and a spotless 6-0 record. He threw a three-hit, 12-strikeout game against Kalamazoo Valley on April 30. Garrett Cheslek posted a 6-3 record. The team played a dramatic doubleheader against nationally ranked Kellogg Community College at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps, on April 16. Playing before the largest crowd of the season in the ballpark’s first game since 2019, Colin Bradley took a no-hitter into the last inning, before KCC pushed runs across to take the lead. The second game found the Raiders trailing 5-0 before mounting a comeback, falling just short 6-5. The team is optimistic about its chance for a strong 2022 season. All but two players had freshman eligibility for 2021 and could potentially return.

May 6, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College softball team closed out a season that started slowly, but showed promise for next year with many players likely to return. The team dropped a pair of games to Lake Michigan College to end the season with a 6-26 record, finishing in eighth place in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s Western Conference. The Red Hawks won the games 9-8 and 6-2.  In the first game, the Red Hawks battled back from an 8-7 seventh-inning deficit to win the first game 9-8, and were 6-2 winner in the night cap. GRCC developed power as the season progressed. Marlo Abbey and Taylor Cross both hit home runs in the double header, following a twin bill against Glen Oaks where the team hit a season high seven home runs, including two each from Alexis Nguyen and Mariah Redding. Five members of the team finished batting .300 or better for the season, led by second-year player Brooklynne Siewertsen, who batted .373. The third basemen also led the team with 31 hits, five stolen bases and an on base percentage of .418.  The slugger also struck out just once in 100 plate appearances. Sophomore Alexa Abrahamson was second on the team with a .319 batting average as well as being the Raiders ace on the mound with 102.2 innings pitched and a 3-1 strikeout to walk ratio with 63 strikeouts and only 20 walks. Abrahamson also had a slugging percentage of .553, good for second best on the team. On the mound, she pitched a two-hit shutout to preserve a 1-0 victory over Ancilla College on April 24. Abrahamson pitched a no-hitter in 2019. Nguyen, Cross and Krin Beach played and started in all 32 games this season. Nguyen led the team in many categories, topping all Raiders with six homers, 30 runs, eight doubles, two triples, 20 RBI and a 628-slugging percentage. Cross finished the season with a .303 average and was second on the team with five home runs and 19 RBI, and third with a .506 slugging percentage. Haley Van Huis finished at a solid .306 clip and finished with the second most hits with 30, and second in doubles with four.

May 6, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College basketball player Shonyah Hawkins was named a Division II, second team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association, the latest accolade in a season that included a national tournament appearance. Hawkins, a sophomore point guard from Grand Rapids, brought energy and intensity to the court, earning Player of the Year honors from the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s Western Conference. “Shonyah is a talented and determined student-athlete, and very deserving of this honor,” GRCC Interim Athletic Director David Selmon said. “We’re proud of her, and also proud of our coaches and her teammates. The Raiders had a fantastic season, and we have a great program.”  Hawkins helped guide the Raiders to a 12-5 season record, a second-place finish in the conference, a district championship and a national tournament appearance – the program’s first since 1978. The Grand Rapids Catholic Central graduate led the Raiders in points per game, 14.1; steals, 61; and minutes per game, 30.4.  She was second on the team in assists with 57. “Shonyah’s performance on the court throughout the season played a major role in the team’s overall success, so for her to be honored as an NJCAA All-American is well deserved,” said Coach David Glazier, who earned Coach of the Year for the NJCAA’s District C, Great Lakes Conference. “I am proud of Shonyah’s accomplishments on the floor and thankful to have had a front row seat for her special season.  She has raised the standard for future Raiders!” Hawkins is the fourth GRCC women’s basketball team to earn athletic All-American honors. Brittany Bueche was named to the second team in 2008-2009, Autumn Kuhtic was named to the third team in 2003-2004, and Valerie Streelman was named to the first team in 1980-1981. Hawkins last month was named to the All-Region and All-MCCAA teams and joined teammates Jayla Bibbs and Eurasia Green-Boyd on the All-Defensive team.

May 5, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Shades of Blue, Grand Rapids Community College’s vocal jazz ensemble, is planning an outdoor concert on Friday to safely share live music with an audience for the first time in more than year. The Jazz on the Lawn performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on May 7 outside the GRCC Library and Learning Commons. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets and health screening forms are required and must be acquired in advance. They are available here . The college is following strict safety protocols, including requiring guests to wear face coverings and complete a health screening form. “I wanted to find a way to do a live concert safely because most of us haven't experienced live music in 15 months, and a music ensemble isn't really complete until it's sharing music with an audience,” professor Jed Scott said. “the students in Shades of Blue have worked so hard to master difficult music this year under challenging circumstances.” Shades of Blue is a vocal jazz ensemble consisting of eight to 14 singers accompanied by a rhythm section of piano, bass, drums and other instruments as needed. The ensemble over the years has received national and international recognition, and has performed at Carnegie Hall. Scott said the class has operated remotely for most of the year, including performances that included students singing separately and edited together . The class’ first in-person rehearsal was March 16. Students were indoors, in the choral rehearsal room with microphones enabling them to safely social distance and sing quietly, to spread fewer aerosols. The room also was emptied for 15 minutes every 30, moving outside or elsewhere to keep singing. Shades of Blue will be presenting three group numbers. “Centerpiece,” from the group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross; an a capella version of the Real Group’s “Bumble Bee;” and “Can't We Be Friends” as recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. In addition, five singers will be presenting solos that they prepared for a Zoom masterclass with Dr. Kate Reid, head of the Jazz Voice Department at the University of Miami. Shades of Blue will be joined by the Fred Knapp Trio. Knapp is a GRCC Music Department alumnus, and will be joined by local jazz musicians David Proulx and Rob Hartman.

May 5, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – GRCC Workforce Training programs provide in-demand skills leading to rewarding careers. Each Wednesday we’ll meet students who are heading down an educational pathway and changing their lives by earning occupational certificates. Alex Estrada always liked to play around with fixing cars. After attending two semesters of credit classes, Alex knew that this way not the path for him. “I tried taking a more traditional approach but it just wasn’t right for me. I wanted something I could get done fairly quickly that would really get my foot in the door” Indonesia Carpenter, also started out on the pathway her mom wanted her to take. She took some general education classes at GRCC then pursued an engineering degree at Ferris State University. “It was just really bad timing. I was living in the dorms and taking all of my classes online due to COVID. I met no one. I started thinking more about what I really want to do and I kept coming back to automotive technology. My grandpa worked on cars. He was his own boss and it gave him so much freedom. That is what I want to do.” Both Estrada and Carpenter are students in the Automotive Technology Job Training program at GRCC. Both are doing well and loving it. “Mr. B (Prof. Gayl Beals) is so great! He makes it easy to understand and sets goals that you can really achieve.” Estrada said. “The hands-on part of class is just fun. I wish we had class on Fridays!” Carpenter said, “I can remember taking a tour of the M-TEC in the seventh grade and thinking it was really cool! Now, what I really like is not only am I learning skills that I need, but everyone is so kind. The teacher and other students are always so helpful.” The Job Training Automotive Technician Program prepares students to diagnose, service and maintain automotive and light trucks. Students become certified through the State of Michigan in brakes, suspension, heating/air conditioning and electrical systems. In 2016, GRCC became the only location in Michigan to partner with Chrysler Fiat to provide MOPAR CAP Level One Certification – giving you an opportunity to acquire this valuable credential as well. Participants also gain knowledge in automotive repair facility policies, procedures and safety. Training is provided in a combination of classroom activities and hands-on instruction using advanced tools, equipment and facilities. Students perform service, repairs and maintenance on customer vehicles and on GRCC training vehicles. Michigan Mechanic Certification tests will be administered after each program module is completed. Anyone interested in gaining career skills through GRCC Workforce Training can connect via email at workforcetraining@grcc.edu, and by phone at (616) 234-3800. Additional information is at grcc.edu/programs/job-workforce-training .

May 3, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – 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. Go Green! Go White! Go … Raiders? The person credited with transforming Michigan State University from a regional undergraduate institution to a research university known around the world actually got his start at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College. John Hannah served as MSU president from 1941 until 1969. He also held a number of important posts in the federal government, serving Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan. Hannah was born in Grand Rapids in 1902 and attended GRJC from 1919 to 1921. He then attended University of Michigan for two years, and wrapped up his bachelor’s degree from what is now Michigan State University in 1923. According to the MSU historical site “ On the Banks of the Red Cedar, ” Hannah’s first job was with MSU’s Extension Service as a poultry specialist. He took a break to become managing director of the National Poultry Breeders and Hatchery Committee, formed as part of the National Recovery Act. He returned to MSU in 1934, and became the twelfth president in 1941. Under his leadership and with his vision, the university grew from about 6,000 students to about 40,000. He’s credited with upgrading the curriculum, adding adult education, a campus in Oakland, the international program and the medical program. Hannah's government service included serving as assistant secretary of Defense, chairman of the Commission on Civil Rights, chairman of the United States Section of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense, and administrator of the Agency for International Development. MSU’s administration building is named in his honor, and the university erected a seven-foot statue of Hannah as part of its sesquicentennial celebration in 2004. Also, on his resume – a 1964 GRCC Distinguished Alumni Award. Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply . And tell us your story here: grcc.edu/communications/shareyourgrccstory

May 1, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Fernando Rivera-Calderon powered Grand Rapids Community College’s baseball team to a doubleheader win over Kalamazoo Community College on Saturday. Rivera-Calderon broke a 4-4 tie in the eighth inning with a sacrifice fly, bringing home Aaron West and giving the Raiders a 5-4 walk-off win. GRCC was down 4-2, but tied the score in the bottom of the sixth inning. Rivera-Calderon drove in Sam Schmitt with a single, then Ryan Dykstra scored on a error.   West started the eighth with a single and moved to third on a Ryan Dykstra, setting the table for Rivera-Calderon to hit a fly ball to left deep enough to bring home the winning run. Bradley Dunn earned the win for GRCC. The lefthander allowed two hits and no runs over three innings, striking out three and walking one. Collin Bradley started the game on the mound, pitching five innings, allowing four runs on four hits, striking out six and walking zero West was three for four at the plate, and smacked a homer in the third inning and driving home two runs. Rivera-Calderon’s slugging led the team to a 12-2 victory in the second game, driving in four on three hits. He drove in runs on a double in the first, a single in the second, and a single in the fifth. West and Schmitt also drive in two runs. The Raiders scored six in the fifth inning to put the game out of reach, with Schmitt, West, Dykstra, and Rivera-Calderon all driving in runs. Garrett Cheslek earned the complete game win, surrendered two runs on two hits over five innings, striking out four. The Raiders are now 24-11 and close out the season with doubleheaders against Ancilla College, on the road on Friday and at home on Saturday. Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media copyright 2021, all rights reserved.

April 30, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College softball team pounded seven home runs – including two each from Alexis Nguyen and Mariah Redding – to split a doubleheader with Glen Oaks Community College on Friday. The Raiders had a six-run lead in the first game after two innings, only to see the Vikings respond with six of their own in the bottom of the second. Glen Oaks piled on 14 runs in the final three innings to claim a 20-10 win in the opener. The second game found the Raiders down 3-0. But the team rallied to score seven runs in the top of the fourth inning and again in the top of the fifth inning to win 14-6. Nguyen slugged a home run in each game, and has six on the season. Redding hit two in the second game to tally five runs batted in. She has for home runs on the season. Alexa Abrahamson and Taylor Cross each homered and each has three on the season. Krin Beach hit one on the first game, her first four-bagger at the college level. Abrahamson pitch complete games in both ends of the doubleheader. The Raiders improved their record to 6-24 and close out the regular season on Saturday with a doubleheader against Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor.

April 30, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Drew Murphy dazzled on the mound, throwing a three-hit shutout in the first game of a doubleheader sweep, as the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team defeated Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The Raiders won the second game in dramatic fashion, with Fernando Rivera-Calderon singling home a run in the top of the ninth inning, securing a 4-3 win. Murphy was commanding in the first game, striking out 12 and without issuing a walk in a 6-0 victory. The Raiders scored six runs on eight hits, scoring a pair of runs in the first, second and seventh innings. Ryan Dykstra drove home three of the runs, and Aaron West drove in two. The second game was tied at three heading into the ninth inning. West, on first after a fielder’s choice, advanced to second on a single from Dykstra, then scored the go-ahead run on Rivera-Calderon’s line drive hit to right. Kalamazoo Valley threatened in the bottom of the inning, when Ben Cerven was hit by a pitch then advanced to second on a balk and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Schmitt moved to the mound in relief and got the next two batters on a caught foul tip and then a strikeout. Dalton Vander Ark earned the win for GRCC, pitching a scoreless inning and a third, with Schmitt credited with a save. The 22-11 Raiders face Kalamazoo Valley again on Saturday with a doubleheader at home in Belknap Park.

April 30, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . – Grand Rapids Community College is celebrating the graduation of nearly 500 students and the lives of three alumni who made an impact in West Michigan and around the world in ceremonies on Friday and Saturday. Following strict health and safety protocols, GRCC offered an in-person commencement experience to students, with families able to follow along online. School of Arts and Sciences graduates were celebrated on Friday, and School of Workforce Development ceremonies are planned for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 1. GRCC President Bill Pink challenged graduates to put to use the credentials and skills they’ve just earned, whether they continue their education or start on a career. “Do not just take this degree and let it sit on a shelf. That’s not what you got it for,” he said. “You can take what you have learned, and you can determine what is your ‘next.’  You can take this degree, and you make sure you make that ‘next’ count for you, for your family, for this community." Pink pointed to three alumni honored during the ceremonies who used GRCC degrees as foundations for a life that helped others. Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra delivered a recorded keynote address . Hoekstra was a nontraditional student while attending GRCC, working as a custodian in the Wyoming schools while taking classes. He started teaching after graduating from Grand Valley State University, rising through the administrative ranks to become the district’s superintendent in 2018. The life and legacy of the late Sekou Smith was celebrated with the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award . Smith, a 1992 graduate is as remembered as much for his work as a mentor and leader as he is for his career covering basketball for newspapers and NBA.com. A video tribute included messages from sister Misti Smith Stanton – also a GRCC graduate – and the Atlanta Hawks basketball team, which is providing educational opportunities for student journalists in Smith’s name. Retired chemistry professor Sandra Andrews was presented with the 2021 Faculty Emeritus honor. Andrews started taking classes at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College while still in high school, and became a highly respected instructor and faculty leader. And, she’s still taking classes, showing her commitment to lifelong learning. It’s GRCC’s first in-person commencement since 2019, the ceremony was conducted virtually last August because of the pandemic.