May 13, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- GRCC boasts alumni who represent many generations of the same family, but it’s rare to celebrate two generations sharing a commencement! Karah Kamstra, who is completing an internship with a family dentist office in Grandville, graduated this month with her associate degree in dental assisting from GRCC as well as a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from Grand Valley State University. She was joined by her aunt, Amy Maggini, who received her Associate of Arts in nursing from GRCC. Maggini, who has four grown children, already has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Taylor University in Indiana and a master’s in counselor education and counseling psychology from Western Michigan University. But she returned to the classroom to pursue her longtime dream of a nursing career. “At age 49, I realized that if I was going to become a nurse, I had better get going!” said Maggini, who is completing an internship at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. “Returning to the classroom at that age and ending up doing so during a worldwide pandemic was not an easy task. However, GRCC’s outstanding staff, student support services, and commitment to its mission of being ‘an open access college that prepares individuals to attain their goals and contribute to the community,’ got me to the point of graduating May 1 with an Associate of Arts degree in Nursing.” Kamstra says she can vividly remember the first day she stepped onto the campus five years ago: “Both my mom and Nonni (grandmother Jan Maggini – a former GRCC trustee) were with me touring the campus. As alumni themselves, it was so fun to have them show me around and hear their experiences from when they first began their GRCC journey.” While it took some time for her to achieve her goal, she knew right away that she wanted to work in the dental field. “Although it took a few years to find my way back to GRCC, I’m especially grateful for all the people who led me to where I am today,” Kamstra said, adding that she is very thankful for the inspiration provided by her grandmother, who is not only a Grand Rapids Junior College alumna but is also a founding member of the board of trustees. “She has encouraged and supported me through all my school years and has taught me to never stop learning -- you are never too old!” Kamstra said.  

May 12, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Two Grand Rapids Community College students will receive a highly competitive undergraduate transfer scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Gideon Kortenhoven and Deidre Mitchell were among 72 recipients nationwide to receive the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which provides up to $40,000 annually for up to three years, comprehensive advising, and the chance to connect with fellow Cooke Scholars. It is among the largest private awards in the nation for students transferring from a community college. Just two other students from Michigan – from Oakland and Gogebic community colleges -- were selected. The foundation selected 406 semifinalists in March from the more than 1,500 applications representing 398 community colleges. Michigan had 15 students reach this level -- six of them from GRCC. Kortenhoven, who went high school in Palo Alto, Calif., received his associate degree in French studies on May 1. While at GRCC, he participated in the University of Michigan’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, presenting research on Black families after the Civil War. “I’m planning on transferring to the University of Michigan, and I’ll be majoring in Afroamerican and African studies, but I also have a strong interest in sociolinguistics,” he said. “I’m not sure what I plan to do after that, but I think I will probably try and get my master’s.” Mitchell, a Caledonia High School graduate and a member of GRCC’s Honors Program, also is transferring to the University of Michigan. “I will be pursuing Pre-Med while double majoring in molecular, cellular and developmental biology and biochemistry, along with a double minor in French and Spanish,” she said. Associate professor and academic adviser Lynnae Selberg called the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship life-changing. “It is rare for an institution to have multiple winners -- in 2020, there was just one winner from the state of Michigan,” she said. “Having two winners highlights how incredible our students are.” “We know how much exponentially harder this past year has been on students,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “It’s an honor to award this group of individuals as they have achieved so much, both in the classroom and in their daily lives. “We are proud to welcome this new class of Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars to our community and are excited to support them as they transition to four-year institutions.” GRCC student Daniel Gebrezgiabhier received the scholarship in 2015. He is now pursuing a doctorate in biomedical engineering at the University of California-Berkley.

May 12, 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. Recent GRCC Job Training graduates are celebrating even though they were unable to hold in-person graduation celebrations.    This group of students showed an incomparable amount of fortitude. Some of the hands-on programs paused for weeks due to various pandemic challenges. Students showed dedication to come back to school, knowing the program would take a few weeks longer to complete. “It wasn’t easy, but I really want these skills,” said Eric Ouwinga, who completed the Machine Tool/CNC program. Many of the grads are getting right to work, like Francis Motsay, “I will be starting as an IT tech support for Car City. I’m pretty happy to get to work!” The GRCC Job Training program uses an open enrollment model, which means programs begin about every other month. Students in the same program may be just beginning while others are almost done. There is no need to wait for a semester to begin. By the time a student is admitted to GRCC, they can likely begin the program of their choice within a month. For Juan Miranda, a Welding program graduate, the timing of the program was perfect. “I wanted a program that wouldn’t take so long,” he said. “I want to get to work and start making money as soon as possible.” Job Training classes run 34 hours per week and about 20 weeks in length. All eight of the   programs are designed by area employers and industry experts, so students get the hands-on training used on the job. “I have a bachelor’s degree already,” said Tyler Woodworth, who also completed the Computer Support program. “I didn’t want something that would put me back in debt. I’m ready to get on with my life.” After entering a Job Training program, students are assisted by career coaches and instructors to determine the best training plan to meet their goals. Job placement assistance is also available upon program completion.  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 11, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College golf team is headed to the national tournament after earning the state and conference championships. The team has won every tournament it has participated in this season, and earned the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Championship and National Junior College Athletic Association Region XII crown with an eight-stroke win over second-place Oakland Community College on Tuesday. Tyler Hausserman,a freshman from Ionia, finished in second place overall, shooting 76, 78 and 73 over the three-round tournament. Davis Courtright, who attended Zeeland East High, tied for third with scores of 75, 73, 80.  Logan Templeton of Portage was tied for fifth place after shooting 75,76 and 78. Dominic Luciani of East Grand Rapids was tied for seventh with scores of 76, 79 and 78. Arie Jackman of Caledonia finished ninth, shooting 81, 73 and 81. The win, at Bedford Valley Golf Club in Battle Creek, is the GRCC golf team’s eighth state championship since 2000, and eleventh overall. The team will now advance to the NJCAA DII National Championship, hosted by Ancilla College at the Swan Lake Golf Resort in Plymouth, Ind. Five members of the undefeated team posted the top five scores in the conference for the season, and were named to the MCCAA’s All-Conference team. The GRCC cross country teams, volleyball team and women’s basketball team all reached the national tournaments this year.

May 11, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College was saluted by U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona for its outreach and support for students facing challenges during the pandemic. GRCC President Bill Pink was asked to participate in a call with Cardona with national media to discuss $36 billion in emergency grants provided by the Education Department under the American Rescue Plan Act for post-secondary education. About 60 Michigan colleges and universities are expected to receive grants. GRCC is slated to receive about $25 million to help students overcome obstacles created by COVID-19 and to launch programs to help the region recover. Funding also can be used to offset costs related to the pandemic and prepare the campus for additional students. Cardona said he invited Pink to participate because he is impressed by how GRCC used previous federal support efforts to help students. “They’re actually an exemplar in how they reach out into the community and get those students who were hit the hardest – including students from rural communities, which were impacted greatly by the pandemic,” Cardona said. GRCC transitioned largely to remote classes after the pandemic struck. Many students struggled financially when their work hours were reduced or their jobs eliminated. The transition to online learning also revealed that many students did not have access to computers, strong internet service and the equipment needed to participate in classes. “This pandemic has been hard on our state, and this institution has been focused on how we can support our students, no matter where they come to us from,” Pink told Cardona and the media. GRCC distributed about $3.4 million in federal CARES Act funding directly to students to help them with food, health care, child care and technology and is in the process of distributing additional resources made available through Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. GRCC provided more than 630 loaner laptops, about 400 internet Wi-Fi hotspots, and other equipment. The college also partnered with the Kent District Library to provide Wi-Fi in 20 branches around the county, including in parking lots so students could connect and complete assignments after hours. The college also worked with community partners to replenish its food pantry for more than a year, providing thousands of packages to students facing food insecurity, work that still continues. “This American Rescue Plan funding will give us the opportunity to continue this work and relieve some of the barriers we know our students are experiencing,” Pink said. “These funds will help us, and it will help these students. We know many students told us this school year, ‘We’re sitting it out. We’re not even going to college.’ Now that we’re able to get these types of funds in place, it will help us in helping those students re-engage because now, these funds can take some other barriers off the table.” The American Rescue Plan grants will help over 5,000 institutions of higher education, including historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, and Hispanic-serving institutions provide emergency financial aid to millions of students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 national emergency. "These funds are critical to ensuring that all of our nation’s students – particularly those disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic – have the opportunity to enroll, continue their education, graduate, and pursue their careers,” Cardona said. “With this action, thousands of institutions will be able to provide direct relief to students who need it most, so we can make sure that we not only recover from the pandemic, but also build back even stronger than before.”    

May 10, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Community College student Heidi Garland won first place in the MWest Challenge student venture competition in the Innovation Showcase Pitch Round.  Garland pitched her idea for Bugs B Gone, a startup to create an all-natural bedbug and flea solution. Garland won $1,500 for her first-place Innovation Showcase Pitch for a business that would take care of home pest solutions without chemicals. Through MWest Challenge, students can develop and grow new ventures based on their own ideas. This year, 108 student teams from nine West Michigan colleges and universities competed for $12,000. GRCC led the way with 65 of the 108 student team. The next-closest college had 10 student teams apply for the competition. The competition also includes opportunities for students to network with investors. “This experience meant an opportunity to have designated funding to use going forward and patent my product recipe -- as well as having an opportunity to communicate with actual investors and learn from their words of advice,” Garland said. “I won a cash prize of $1,500 that will go directly back into my business for growth. I will be using this money to get patent information before going on to look at things like mass production or selling the product to someone else for production. I was also put in front of ‘angel’ investors who could reach out to me at any point with interest in my idea -- not to mention the guidance I received from the judges and my professors.” Garland got involved in the competition through classes with professor Felix Pereiro, head of the Business Department, and adjunct instructor Brent Alles. Pereiro was impressed as he watched Garland handle some technical difficulties with audio during her virtual pitch to the judges. “Heidi kept her composure and maintained her patience,” Pereiro said. “She was asked to return and be the last presenter because of the technical problems she encountered delivering her pitch. Most people would have quit -- but not Heidi. She believed in her idea and was not going to let a technical glitch stand in her way.” GRCC student Michael Powell placed in the top eight teams, earning a spot in the competition’s finalist level. He presented his idea for the Start Small Promo, an exclusive social media marketing and bookmarking website that caters to small businesses and is fused with a promotional service provided by the website. “I gained confidence in my own vision of life, and what I think I can do,” Powell said. “The reward of trying something that takes you outside of your comfort zone is immense in life, and I think that more people should try it because of the perspective it gives a person.” Powell, who was a frontline worker at a senior care facility during the pandemic, said he understands the challenges his idea works to address because his family lost their business during COVID-19. “Michael faced tremendous adversity and challenges in the last month as he prepared to present to the panel of judges,” Pereiro said. “The judges were beyond impressed with him. They marveled at his tenacity, ‘stick-to-itiveness’ and courage. He has true grit, character, and an entrepreneur’s spirit and drive that will help him succeed at anything he puts his mind to now and in the future.” Three other GRCC students competed in the showcase idea pitch round:  Jared Seng placed ninth place with Landscape Match, a startup and app that allows consumers to post an ad looking for mowing and plowing services, and connect with businesses and independent contractors. Kerry Johnson placed tenth with Johnson Equestrian and Critter Farm, an equestrian center and animal petting farm. Alexandria Viveen placed thirteenth with Wavy Cravings, a startup to deliver restaurant food to customers while they are boating. The students' MWest achievements are the culmination of hours of practice and preparation, Pereiro said.  “Heidi, Michael, Jared, Kerry, and Alexandria put in the hours necessary to compete against the very best college students in West Michigan – facing juniors, seniors and MBA students from top four-year universities in West Michigan -- and their work and dedication paid off,” he said. GRCC was scheduled to host this year’s MWest Challenge before the competition moved completely online because of COVID-19. Pereiro said the campus will instead host the 2022 MWest Challenge. Grand Rapids Community College has been offering educational opportunities in West Michigan for more than 100 years. Established in 1914, the college offers degree courses, certification and training programs, and workshops and personal enrichment classes. Offerings are held on GRCC’s downtown Grand Rapids campus, and at several locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties, as well as through distance learning.  

May 10, 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. Tom Rademacher’s feelings about Grand Rapids Junior College run deep: “That beautiful little college on Bostwick Avenue -- along with its swim coach at the time, Dave Clark -- helped me set a compass for life.” That compass and his gift for words have launched him in many directions, where he’s met people from all walks of life with interesting stories: people who use metal detectors to find lost rings, an archer who uses his teeth instead of his hands to work a bow, a couple who created a Wiffle Ball stadium in their backyard. For more than 30 years, he shared those stories with readers of The Grand Rapids Press. His talent earned him writing awards from the Michigan Press Association and the Associated Press, and he earned first-place honors an unprecedented three times from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. The author of four books, he retired from The Press in 2009 and now writes for Sabo PR and on behalf of a variety of clients as close as right around the corner and as far away as Africa. He and his wife Hollie now reside in the sleepy lakeshore haven of Stony Lake, in Michigan’s Oceana County. Tom received his associate degree from GRJC in 1974, where he was awarded the Merle Storr Award, given annually to the top student-athlete. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in special education and psychology from Grand Valley State University. He served as an adjunct instructor of English at GRCC for more than 20 years. “I made lifelong friends, got schooled by incredible professors like Gertrude Croom, and came to understand that a community college will give you back as much as you put into it,” he said upon receiving GRCC’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2013. “My only regret is that I couldn’t attend there all four years.” Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply .    

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.