A School news Network feature --  English professor Mursalata Muhammad is building a collection of documents and artifacts from the life of her grandfather, working to honor his legacy and recognize the contributions he made as a Black inventor. While Muhammad’s project, which she’s named The Claude Harvard Project, is personal, she plans to use it in her English classes to show the value of doing primary research. “I can say, ‘I did this work,’” she said of how she plans to create personal connections to research with her students. “Now I have such a rich appreciation for it.” Muhammad’s grandfather,  Claude Harvard , invented more than 25 items at  Ford Motor Company  in Detroit, but he’s still not credited for all of his work. She’s working to change that by building awareness and finding as many resources as she can to link Harvard to his work.  “The biggest part (of the project) is to trace and figure out which inventions should have his name on them,” said Muhammad, who has taught at GRCC for 20 years.  One of Harvard’s first inventions was the automated piston pin measuring machine, which used radio waves to check, shape and sort piston pins by size. As an example of the prejudice he faced, an advertisement for the machine first featured Harvard but later was changed to replace him with a white man. Muhammad has worked with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is looking into the time period when Harvard worked at Ford in the 1930s. She explores archives for clues to his inventions, including documents with his handwriting on them.  She also has created presentations on Harvard with historian David L. Head, including a three-part virtual series with the Detroit Public Library. The second in the series,  Discovering Claude Harvard: In His Own Words , will air on Saturday, April 17, with  registration available online .  Muhammad has also started a  Change.org  petition, encouraging Ford Motor Company to recognize Harvard’s work. “His contributions have been overlooked for decades and are an example of the many unnecessary gaps in American history,” the petition states. Curiosity and Perseverance Muhammad learned much of her paternal grandfather’s history from stories he and family members shared. Though she didn’t meet Harvard until she was 9 or 10 years old, he was influential in Muhammad’s life from that time on. A dedicated student, he helped support her throughout her education and until his death in 1999. Harvard was born to tenant farmers in 1911 in Dublin, Georgia, bearing the surname of former plantation slave owners. His innovative mind was at work from an early age and he was always persistent when working toward a goal.  As a teenager, Harvard talked his way into attending  Henry Ford Trade School  in Dearborn, though Muhammad said he faced discrimination for being Black and had to promise school leaders he would not cause trouble. The school trained boys in a variety of skilled, industrial trade work, including machining, metallurgy, drafting and engine design. (A video of Harvard talking about becoming president of the school’s Radio Club, which led to him meeting Henry Ford, is  available on YouTube .) After playing catch-up to meet the academic level of his peers, Harvard excelled. He began taking night classes at Cass Tech in Detroit, and was the first student to pass a test to receive radio call letters from the Federal Radio Commission for the school.  Harvard graduated at the top of his class in 1932, but was the only student who didn’t receive a journeyman’s tool-and-die maker’s card to signify his status as a skilled tradesman. Although he applied for it several times, his card never came, Muhammad said.  Despite this, Harvard was hired by Ford Motor Company. Along with his many inventions, his time at the company included facilitating a meeting between Henry Ford and George Washington Carver. He also represented his piston pin inspection machine at the 1934 World’s Fair, despite racial practices that initially kept him from attending. Crafting Curriculum Muhammad plans to use her personal research work to craft curriculum for English 102 and GRCC’s writing pre-major, which prepares student to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in writing.  Research can be tedious, she said, and she hopes to show the importance of having a genuine interest in subjects. “I teach research from a personal perspective,” she said. “If you have to do research, the best way I know to get through it is to have some sort of hook that you are interested in.” Muhammad also plans to use her research to create curriculum that could be used in all grade levels. It would include a traveling exhibit, virtual presentations and a book collaboration.  Former GRCC student Azizi Jasper, now a social worker in Detroit, said Muhammad was one of his favorite professors at GRCC. He remembers watching one of Muhammad’s presentations on Harvard during a class and said her project is a great resource for students. “Whenever you are instructing a class and teaching a subject, it’s beneficial to have a personal connection and feel inspired about it,” he said. “What better place to start than with family?” Muhammad’s ability to make personal connections is present in all aspects of her teaching, Jasper said.  “She adjusts to student learning styles in a way that is beneficial to everyone,” he said. “She met the students where they were and built up from there.” Jasper, a spoken word poet and co-founder of  The Diatribe , will be a guest presenter during a Zoom class for her creative writing class. He is one of several authors to  present in Muhammad’s class this year .  “She is an amazing professor and has maintained a relationship with me, even after her tenure as my professor. I can call her about anything,” he said. Muhammad and her husband, Will Smith, also started  The Bragg-Harvard-Muhammad Smith Why We Can’t Wait Scholarship Fund , which provides $3,000 in partial scholarships annually, in 2009 in memory of Harvard and other family members. This story was reported by Erin Albanese of the School News Network.

APRIL 15, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Admission and parking will be free for Friday’s baseball game between Grand Rapids Community College and Kellogg Community College at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps. The doubleheader is a celebration of community colleges and their sports programs, and looks to be an enjoyable afternoon with two top teams competing in a doubleheader. Games are scheduled to start at 2 p.m. and 4:30. The games also will be live streamed on the Internet by Michigan Sports Radio at MichiganSportsRadio.com . The health and safety of spectators and participants is a top priority. GRCC is strictly following state and local health authority protocols at LMCU Ballpark, formerly known as Fifth Third Ballpark. Attendance will be limited to 2,500 spectators – far below the ballpark’s 9,000-person capacity. All attendees will be required to have their temperature checked, wear a face covering, and respect social distancing guidelines. Spectators are asked to park in the lot on the ballpark’s south side, near the main entrance, and enter through Gate A. April is Community College Month, and the game is intended to be a celebration of the role the colleges play, highlighting students and alumni. Fans arriving at the park will be greeted by GRCC Music students Matthew Ghanasekharan, Christian Blanchard, Jalen Finn and Elijah Mikel, who will be performing near the entrance. The National Anthem will be performed by students Megan Meadows and Anastasia Fiorenzo, who are voice majors completing their Associate of Music degree, studying under the direction of professor Emily Smith. The Raiders are 14-7 and coming off sweeping a Wednesday doubleheader against Aquinas College’s Junior Varsity. GRCC’s baseball team has a storied tradition, with five national championships, 19 regional championships and 30 conference championships, and is off to a strong start in 2021, with a 10-5 record. The Raiders are coached by Mike Eddington, who played two seasons at Grand rapids Junior College for legendary coach Tom Hofmann. He was part of the team that placed sixth in the Junior College World Series and was an honorable mention All-American. Eddington transferred to Michigan State University, where he broke the Spartan home run record, previously held by former Detroit Tigers star Kirk Gibson -- a record that still stands today. The Bruins, boasting a 16-4 record, are among the top teams in the nation, currently ranked sixth by the National Junior College Athletic Association in Division 2. The team finished seventh in the 2019 NJCAA D2 World Series, and won the Michigan Community College Athletic Association state and conference championships. GRCC appreciates the partnership with the West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, playing in the new High-A Central League.  

April 15, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team finished No. 10 in the nation, with a player named to the All- Tournament Team at the NJCAA D2 National Tournament on Thursday. The Raiders fell to Terra State Community College of Ohio in four sets in the consolation round, but finished in the top 10 of the National Junior College Athletic Association D2 event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Kylie Oberlin was named to the All-Tournament team for her outstanding performance. Oberlin, a sophomore from Fruitport, led the Raiders in kills with 44, and picked up 25 digs, 6 blocks and 4 aces. GRCC didn’t expect to participate in the tournament, getting the call a week after players were told their season ended. Muskegon Community College, undefeated during the season, withdrew because of illness and GRCC, as the conference runner up, took MCC’s place. The Raiders dropped the tournament’s opening match, then won twice on Wednesday, including a stunning comeback against Potomac State College of West Virginia. GRCC took an early lead in Wednesday’s game, taking the first match 26-16. But Terra State pulled out the second match 28-26 then cruised to 15-14 and 25-14 wins to take the set 3-1. Kara Hecht led the team with nine kills, followed by Gabi Kitley, Oberlin and Annie Holesinger with seven. The trip to the National Tournament was the 11 th in 15 years for Coach Chip Will.    

April 14, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – With its season on the brink, Grand Rapids Community College’s volleyball team mounted a remarkable comeback to win its second match of the day and advance to in the NJCAA D2 National Tournament. The Raiders will play again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in an effort to finish in the top 10 of the tournament, played in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After dropping its Tuesday match in straight sets, the Raiders rebounded against Potomac State in the consolation bracket, winning 25-20, 25-10, 25-11.  The Raiders were led offensively by sophomore Kylie Oberlin,   who recorded a team-high 12 kills, followed by freshman Kara Hecht with eight kills. Defensively, setter Kailey Carmean led the defense with nine digs, followed by Oberlin with eight. Kailey Carmean led the Raiders with 19 assists. Freshman Alena Visnovsky and Oberlin each recorded three blocks. Freshman Audrey Gower and Oberlin each recorded two aces. Strong play by the Raiders defensively held Potomac state to a .000 hitting percentage, as the Raiders hit .340.  The team then advanced to play Pima Community College, which won its first match of the day in five sets. Facing elimination, the Raiders were down by nine points in the fourth set, rallied to force a fifth set and ended up winning. The Raiders won the first set 28-26, dropped the second 25-23, won the third 25-19, lost the fourth 25-22 and finally one the fifth, 16-14. “One of the greatest comebacks I have had the pleasure to coach,” Coach Chip Will said. “The kids never stopped fighting and believing in each other.” Oberlin led the team in kills with 15, Kara Hecht had 18 points, Carmean had 43 assists, Gower had a career-high 27 digs and Visnovsky had a career-high five blocks. Grand Rapids advances to the semi-finals of the consolation bracket in hopes to finish in ninth place overall.

April 14, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College baseball players swept a doubleheader against Aquinas College’s JV team on Wednesday, powered by outstanding performances by Caleb Englesman at the plate and on the mound. The Raiders took the first game 16-5, snagging the lead late in the game then piling on the offense. The game was tied at four with GRCC batting in the top of the fifth when Englesman singled on a 2-2 count, scoring one run. Englesman was an offensive star, going 4-for-4 at the plate. He singled in the third, singled in the fifth, doubled in the seventh, and singled in the seventh. In the first inning, GRCC got the offense started.  Sam Schmitt singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Aquinas tied things up at four when Cameron Greener singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run. GRCC scored one run in the top of the sixth, and Aquinas answered with one of their own. The Raiders then scored when Schmitt singled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run. Aquinas again answered when Dalton Vander Ark induced Greener to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run scored. GRCC then exploded for 10 runs in the seventh inning.  The offensive onslaught was led by Jake Paganelli, Matt Williams, Schmitt, Aaron West, Ryan Dykstra, and Englesman, all knocking in runs in the inning. Vander Ark earned the victory on the pitcher's mound, surrendering one run on one hit over one inning, walking one.  Jerad Berkenpas and Caden Van De Burg entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Berkenpas recorded the last six outs to earn the save. GRCC totaled 12 hits in the game. Englesman, Dykstra, Williams, and Schmitt all had multiple hits. Game two was closer, with the Raiders still finishing on top, 5-3. GRCC got their offense started in the first inning, when Dykstra doubled to bring in a run. Blake Waibel led GRCC to victory, with the lefthander allowed three hits and one run over four innings, striking out four and walking one. Englesman and Justin Kozlowski entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Englesman recorded the last six outs to earn the save. Jake Ryan went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead GRCC in hits.

April 14, 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. At 50 years old, Derrick Peoples wanted to help his daughter. She has just recently purchased her first home -- a fixer-upper. While working in manufacturing product and assembly, he saved up enough money to cover expenses for the four months he would need to enroll in the Intro to GRCC’s Construction Job Training Program. Peoples was somewhat intimidated when he first started the class, but said professor John Doane has been incredibly supportive. “The first couple of tests were challenging!” Peoples said. “John is an amazing teacher, probably the best I have ever had. He really makes sure I get it. It has been along time since I have used fractions and formulas. John takes his time and explains the math in a bunch of different ways until something clicks and you get it.” “I love working with my hands. It’s creative and I get to put my own touch, my own style on my work. It’s very rewarding because my work benefits others.” The GRCC Introduction to Construction Job Training program focuses on the fundamental skills needed for entry into the construction industry. Many technical skills are required for an individual to be successful in the construction industry. To be most effective in today's construction industry you should be able to perform blueprint reading, shop math, communication and teamwork. GRCC has a reputation among employers for supplying work-ready individuals. Several students who recently completed the Introduction to Construction Job Training program are working in the industry making more than $20 dollars an hour with benefits. In the hands-on construction lab, students build a scaled down version of a house -- a shed. The structures have already been purchased by an actual customer. The program teaches basic safety, construction math, hand and power tools, print reading, floor systems, roof, wall and ceiling framing, roofing applications, stairs and drywall, basic electricity and electrical safety, residential wiring, cabinet and counter top making. 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.

April 13, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community volleyball team struggled in the opening round of the NJCAA D2 National Tournament, losing in straight sets to a tough Gulf Coast State team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. GRCC’s softball team also ran into a tough opponent closer to home, losing a doubleheader to Lake Michigan College at home at Belknap Park. The Volleyball team’s trip to the nationals was unexpected. The team thought its season was over after losing to Muskegon Community College in the regional finals, only to get the call on Friday that Muskegon withdrew due to health issues. The Raiders scrambled to reassemble and practice before boarding the bus for Iowa on Sunday afternoon. Filling undefeated Muskegon’s ninth seed in the tournament’s bracket, the Raiders faced eighth seed Gulf Coast State in the first round. The Commodores swept the series 25-10, 25-16 and 25-23 to advance. The Raiders will play again in the consolation bracket against No. 16 seed Potomac State on Wednesday. Sophomore Annie Holesinger led the way for the Raiders with 10 kills and three blocks. Kylie Oberlin with six kills. Sophomore Gabi Kitley recorded four blocks, and sophomore setter Kailey Carmean recorded 21 assists, four kills and an ace. The softball team dropped its first game against Lake Michigan 17-2, then struggled in the second as well, losing 12-2. Haley VanHuis three-for-four with a n RBI, and Krin Beach had a hit and an RBI. The Raiders are on the road Wednesday for a doubleheader against Mid Michigan College.

April 13, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Shonyah Hawkins brought energy and intensity to the Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team, earning Player of the Year honors from the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s Western Conference. Hawkins, a sophomore from Grand Rapids, earned All-Region, All-MCCAA honors along with teammate Jayla Bibbs, one of the best rebounders in the nation. They were among five members of the women’s team and three members of the men’s team earning honors announced Tuesday. The women’s team is 12-2 on the season and is hoping to add some additional awards. The Raiders are headed to the National Junior College Athletic Association D2 National Tournament next week. It’s the team’s first appearance in the tournament since 1978. “They’re all deserving of these honors. When they came together and played as a unit, they were tough to beat,” women’s basketball coach David Glazier said. “Shonyah is a very talented player, able to do so many things for us. She has tremendous energy and was a leader on the court.” Bibbs, a sophomore from Buchanan, has 222 rebounds so far this season, fourth-best in the nation in D2. Her offensive boards total was second-best and her average of 15.9 rebounds per game was third-best in the nation. Danielle Lamancusa, a sophomore from Rockford, earned Second Team All-Conference honors, and Eurasia Green-Boyd, a sophomore from Grand Rapids, and Olivia Koetje, a sophomore from Grandville, received Honorable Mention All-Conference salutes. Bibbs, a sophomore from Buchanan, Hawkins and Green-Boyd were also named to the All-Defensive Team.  Isaac Anderson of the men’s basketball team was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year, along with Ancilla College’s Marco Beverly. Anderson, a sophomore from Fort Wayne, Ind., and Chandler Collins, a sophomore from Hudsonville, were named to the Second Team All-Conference team. Azyah Brown, a freshman from Allentown, Penn., earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors and named to the All-Freshman team.

April 12, 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. We’re sharing some of those stories, and want to hear yours! Len O’Kelly spent more than 30 years on the air in radio, primarily in the major market of Chicago. But he credits GRCC for preparing him for a long career in broadcasting, with a second act in teaching. He has served as a news director and has programmed radio stations in locations in Grand Rapids, but also worked on the other side of the world in Gisborne, New Zealand. He continues to work in broadcast news and perform voiceover work for television, radio, and film, and is the associate director of Grand Valley State University’s School of Communications. “I essentially failed out of college my first time around and went to work in the field,” he said. “When I decided that I wanted to finish my degree, it was the advisors at GRCC who helped me to ‘pick up the pieces’ of my first attempt in college, see what I needed to do to finish my Associate of Arts degree, and set me on the right track. Without that first step and that kind assistance I never would have been able to get re-started on my path. I’ve kept that sense of kindness in mind when I advise my own students today.” After graduating from GRCC in 2000, O’Kelly went back to Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. – where he first attended – and completed his bachelor’s degree in 2004. He later earned a Master of Arts in Communication from GVSU in 2011 and a doctorate in Media and Information Studies from Michigan State University in 2016. “I went to GRCC thinking that I may want to teach in the future,” he said. “I was able to meet some incredibly passionate and engaging faculty who truly cared about their students. I was able to see firsthand what good teaching looked like, and it informed the construction of my own teaching and advising philosophies in many ways.” O’Kelly said he was boosted by a “terrific support network” of his wife, family, colleagues, and professors. “Each of them played a specific role in supporting me, in pushing me forward. I’m indebted to all of them for being there, knowing that I can fall back on them when I need to. “But it’s just as important to make your own opportunities. From the first day I started in radio I realized the decisions that we make early shape our future. Deciding to take a calculated risk early in my career paid off for me and led me to roles in management. Deciding to take advantage of the opportunity that GRCC provided for me to get back in the classroom put me on the path that led me all the way to having my own classroom. We need to make the most of the opportunities that are presented to us.” O’Kelly said commencement is his favorite GRCC memory. “I had a moment in the Ford Fieldhouse where I thought to myself, ‘I never thought I’d see this day. I posed next to the ‘4.0 or Bust’ sign in my cap and gown, since I managed exactly that. Not bad for a guy who failed out the first time!” 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