Dec. 8, 2025 For Jakob Chapman, basketball has always been more than a game. It has been an escape and a lifelong passion. He first started playing at the age of seven, inspired by his height, his dad's love for the game and the countless hours he spent watching basketball on TV. Before Chapman’s health scare, his life was filled with basketball, football and the normal teenage experiences. That all changed in September of 2023, when Chapman suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Before that moment, he describes his life as “normal” with a kind mindset that kept him grounded as an athlete. But recovery brought new challenges, both physical and mental. “The mental side of healing was harder,” Chapman admits. “Being in the hospital, not being able to do anything — I was weak and it took me forever to be able to read.”​ During that difficult time, the support from his teammates, coaches, friends and family meant everything. “A lot of people came to the hospital and sent me cards and texts; they showed me they cared,” he says. When Chapman was finally cleared to return to the game he loved, there was no hesitation. “I knew as soon as I got cleared that I wanted to play,” he says. Still, he admits there was fear. Especially about getting hit near his Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator, which is a small implantable device that monitors and regulates the heart's rhythm. And there was a lingering uncertainty of not knowing what caused the cardiac arrest. But in the end courage won out over fear. Now a GRCC student-athlete, Chapman is studying HVAC while playing basketball for the Raiders. He chose GRCC because of the strength of the HVAC program , the community, the campus atmosphere and the encouragement from Coach Fox. “Coach Fox, my teammates and the community here all made GRCC the right fit,” Chapman says.  His experience has shaped how he views not only sports but life itself. “Never take anything for granted,” he reflects. “Take that risk.” The journey has also strengthened his relationships and his outlook on his future. “People have reached out to me more, and I have better relationships with my family and friends,” he says. Today, every time Chapman steps on the court, he is reminded of how far he’s come and how lucky he is to play the game he loves. “You don’t really know when you'll have the opportunity,” Chapman says. “If you have the chance, take it.” This story was reported by Danielle Wheeler.

Please note: This event has been rescheduled for Feb. 4, 2026 at Wealthy Theater , from 6-7:30 p.m. December 5, 2025, Updated Jan. 28, 2026 Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and Davenport University (DU) proudly announce the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration : A Call to Courageous Community Action. This landmark event, marking four decades of tri-campus partnership, will move beyond mere commemoration to serve as a powerful launchpad for purposeful engagement and positive change in West Michigan. The celebration will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the historic Wealthy Theater in Grand Rapids. Inspired by the King Center's 2026 theme, Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way, this year’s focus is a dynamic Community Conversation designed to point the community boldly forward. The conversation will center on translating this powerful national theme into tangible action within the local community, focusing on collaboration, equity and sustainable change. “For 40 years, this tri-campus collaboration has exemplified a shared commitment to Dr. King's legacy,” said Dr. Nygil Likely, GRCC’s vice president for people, culture and equity. “This anniversary is not just a look back, but a clear call to action for every neighbor, leader, student and family to define their legacy by committing to service and standing up for justice, equality and peace.” The event will issue a clear call to action, rooted in Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community. Actively Engage in Bringing People Together: Participants will learn practical strategies for bridging divides, fostering genuine dialogue, and strengthening the bonds of our diverse community, choosing community over chaos. Advocate in a Non-Violent Way: The conversation will explore Kingian Nonviolence — not as passive resistance, but as a courageous, disciplined and love-centered methodology for confronting injustice and creating systemic change. The panel discussion will feature thought leaders, who will provide invaluable perspective to this critical dialogue. This longstanding partnership between GRCC, GVSU and Davenport University has provided a vital platform for thoughtful reflection, education and action around contemporary civil rights issues for decades, bringing together students, faculty and the broader West Michigan community to embody the spirit of unity and progress that Dr. King championed. Event Details What: 40th Annual MLK Celebration: A Call to Courageous Community Action When: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Wealthy Theater, Grand Rapids Focus: Community Conversation on Unity, Action, and Kingian Nonviolence