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.

April 29, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Five members of the undefeated Grand Rapids Community College golf team posted the top five scores in the conference for the season, and were named to the All-Conference team by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. The GRCC team clinched the MCCAA Western Conference crown, easily topping Muskegon Community College, and now looks to postseason action. “This was an historic season,” Interim Athletic Director David Selmon said. “GRCC student-athletes worked hard, were prepared and dominated this season. They earned these honors. My congratulations to them as well as coach John Forton and our Athletic Department staff on a job well done.” Tyler Hausserman from Ionia led all golfers in the conference with a season score of 372 strokes, followed by Arie Jackman of Caledonia with a 379, Dominic Luciani of East Grand Rapids with 384,   Logan Templeton of Portage with 393, and Davis Courtright from Zeeland with 398. Muskegon’s Zach Petroski followed Courtright by 10 strokes and was the only non-Raider to earn conference honors. The golfers are in action next in a non-conference Kirtland Community College Invitational in Grayling on Friday. The team then will prepare for the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XII Championship tournament starting on May 11 at Bedford Valley Golf Club in Battle Creek.

April 29, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College freshman Sherry Sokolowski is the winner of this year's Student Employment Services’ Impact Award, which goes to a student employee who has made an impact on students’ lives inside and outside of the college. Sokolowski who works as an orientation ambassador, and her other activities include being an Honors Program ambassador and vice president for special event for the College Activities Board in Student Life.  “Going to college for the first time is a stressful process, especially at this point in time when we are not always able to be there for our students in a traditional in-person format. Sherry is a healthy dose of encouragement for a lot of our new students,” said Jose Mora, who oversees Sokolowski's orientation work. The Hudsonville resident is a graduate of Portage Central High School and plans a career in journalism.  

April 28, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Alexa Abrahamson and Alexis Nguyen homered as the Grand Rapids Community College softball team split a doubleheader against Mid Michigan College. Playing on the road in Shepherd, Mich., the Raiders dominated in the opening game, winning 10-2. Mid Michigan turned the tables and took the night cap 11-1. Both games were five innings. The Raiders have now split the last two doubleheaders after snapping a six-game losing streak. The team is now 5-23 on the season and next in action on Friday on the road at Glen Oaks Community College.

April 28  2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College’s 2021 Faculty Emeritus believes in -- and lives -- lifelong learning. Sandra Andrews’ ties to GRCC started when she took classes at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College as an Ottawa Hills High School student. After earning an associate degree, she received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a doctorate from Purdue University. She was an assistant professor at MSU for six years and then returned to her GRCC roots as a chemistry professor. Her 23-year career included more than 11 years as the head of the Physical Sciences Department, where she oversaw an expansion of course offerings and programs as well as a move to the Calkins Science Center in 2000.  Along the way she earned professional credentials as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a Certified Food Scientist.   Andrews also led a college-wide effort to establish a comprehensive faculty evaluation system, served on many committees and worked on numerous college initiatives. She represented faculty on the College Leadership Council under president Juan Olivarez and Steven Ender. She received GRCC’s Excellence in Education Award in 2001 and an excellence award for teaching from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development in 2004. Andrews retired from fulltime work in 2013, but she continued teaching as an adjunct instructor for three years. She is also very involved with the Golden Raiders, a group of GRCC retirees who volunteer at the college. As a member of the Gold Team, she serves as a liaison to the GRCC Foundation and Human Resources Department, advocating for retirees, planning events and sharing information.  She recently organized a sale of GRCC face coverings as a fundraiser for the Golden Raiders Retirees Scholarship. Andrews can still be found in GRCC classrooms, but she’s now a student. She has completed seven courses at GRCC since her retirement and was enrolled in two classes during the Winter 2021 semester -- helping both classmates and faculty members navigate the new learning environment.  Andrews will be recognized during this year’s commencement ceremonies. GRCC plans four indoor, in-person ceremonies, spreading them out over two days and limiting the number of guests at each event to adhere to pandemic safety protocols. The School of Arts and Sciences ceremonies are planned for 4 and 7 p.m. April 30, with the School of Workforce Development ceremonies at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 1.  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.  

April 21, 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. Just after graduating from Wellspring Prep in 2018, Shammar Martin enrolled in the Introduction to GRCC’s Construction Job Training program. “My dad has a business doing small construction jobs like decks and stuff. I thought this would be a good way for me to learn about all the aspects of the construction industry. It was so great! The instructor, John Doane, was really connected to us students. The help with the math skills alone was worth taking this program!” After completion, Martin took a break from school but soon realize he wanted to learn more. He enrolled in the Residential Construction Job Training program in August 2020. “This class really digs into all the different skills and tasks needed in building a home. I learned so much and had a close connection with Kyle Lackscheide, the instructor. He suggested I apply to Rockford Construction so I did. I started working for Rockford on March 1.” Martin is only 20 years old and earning good pay.  “I have been working on a few different job sites in downtown Grand Rapids. Everyone I work with is super nice. They make me comfortable enough that if I have questions, I am not afraid to ask – everyone is super helpful. One day, I hope to own my own small construction company but until then, I love going to work every day!” GRCC offers several Job Training programs in the construction trades. The Intro to Construction program focuses on the fundamental skills needed for an entry job in the construction industry. The Residential Construction Job Training program takes place on a construction site, where students build a new home. Students experience hands-on learning and application around the entire process of residential building including blue print reading, site layout, concrete, carpentry, door/window installation, roofing, siding, and interior finishing. Graduates are qualified for employment in the residential construction industry and beyond. The program focuses on constructing homes that achieve a 5-Star Energy rating, are Michigan Green Built, and LEED Certified. 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.