April 11, 2025 While vinyl may have gone the way of the buggy whip, the sound recording business is still very much alive and well. GRCC alumni Austin Ruhstorfer says his education prepared him to succeed in this constantly-evolving industry. “I grew up on the east side of the state,” Ruhstorfer said. “I was always in bands as a kid. I even started my own band in fourth grade! So when I was considering careers in high school, music seemed like a natural choice.” Austin started looking at music production schools on the national scene and quickly discerned they were not the right option for him. “I considered schools in California, Florida and Arizona,” Ruhstorfer said. “No question…they were glitzy, cool and Hollywood-like. But the tuition for a one-year program was $40,000 back in 2005. I just wanted to learn the fundamentals. Since I didn’t even know if I could earn a living in this field, that investment didn’t make sense.” He switched his focus to regional offerings, and that’s when GRCC popped up on his radar. “I found out that GRCC had a recording technology program, so I started researching it,” Ruhstorfer said. “It was closer to home and a lot more affordable. I came for a tour, met the faculty and really liked what I saw. I also appreciated that a two-year program would give me more time to learn and absorb. I got a good vibe, so I signed up.” Back then, students who were interested in recording technology earned an Associate of Music degree with an applied Recording Technology minor. So that’s what Austin did. He studied classical guitar and pursued his interest in sound technology. Austin knows, without a doubt, that he chose the right school.   “I am so glad I came to GRCC,” Ruhstorfer said. “The small classes and teaching style gave me lots of one-on-one time to learn the basics of microphone design and studio techniques. It wasn’t thrown at me all at once. I could learn constantly over my two years. We had creative procedures and projects to explore the mechanics of audio recording. That, along with my second year of mixing and learning production details, gave me a good foundation.” That foundation led to something that Austin freely admits was a lucky break. “My professor, Tim Heldt , had worked previously at River City Studios as the head engineer,” Ruhstofer said. “He suggested I consider interning there. Since sound engineers almost always need internship experience before landing a job, I jumped at the opportunity.” Many graduates intern for a year or more before being let loose to record on their own. After only six months of interning, Austin started doing small sessions, such as tape transfers and audio books, on his own. He continued to work hard and earned full-time status in 2010, just two years after graduating from GRCC. Looking in the rearview mirror, Austin says the foundational skills he learned at GRCC were both essential and sufficient. “I thought about getting a four-year degree, but it didn’t make sense for two reasons,” Ruhstorfer said. “First, I didn’t have time to go back to school! But I also realized that sound engineers are craftspeople. We constantly have to reinvent ourselves as genres, tastes and technology change. That’s a requirement in order to build relationships and keep clients. I’ve actually never stopped learning.” Austin credits GRCC with helping him hone his skills in this creative medium. “People like Tim Heldt, who have been there and done that, were a huge asset,” Ruhstorfer said. “We called him ‘Mr. Help’ because no matter what jam we got ourselves into, he could show us how to back out of it. He and the other faculty members taught us great tricks and helped us learn to avoid a lot of mistakes. That learning paid off when I got to River City and could hit the ground running. Without GRCC, I would not have had the basic foundation and mechanics to be as successful as I was, as fast as I was.” Fifteen years after graduating, Austin says he has no regrets about choosing a career that, at the time, he wasn’t sure would work out. “It doesn’t feel like I’m going to work every day, because I love what I do.” GRCC offers many options for students who are considering a music-related career, including an Associate of Music in Recording Technology and a Digital Audio Specialist Certificate . These options are both geared toward people who have less desire for a musical performance career, and are more interested in the sound side of the business. Learn more about all of GRCC’s music programs . This story reported by Julie Hordyk First image: Austin Rustorpher working with an artist at River City Studios. Second image: Austin Rustorpher.  

April 15, 2025 Chef Darrin Mayweather, Grand Rapids Community College’s (GRCC) 2025 Young Alumni Award Winner, was at a pivotal crossroads in his teen years, facing the choice between getting a job or going to bootcamp. Mayweather started working as a dishwasher, not realizing this choice would open doors for his future career in the kitchen. The Young Alumni award recognizes graduates under 40 who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in their professions, civic engagement and service to GRCC and the community. Mayweather is a living example of these values, showcasing an unmatched work ethic, a servant-leader mentality and a humble approach to his success. Secchia Institute paves the path for a career Mayweather was born and raised in the inner city of Grand Rapids. After becoming a parent at a young age, he understood the need to build stability for his young family. When a mentor suggested he go to culinary school, he couldn’t shake the idea. With the unwavering support of his mother and a deep desire to provide a better future for his son, Mayweather applied to the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at GRCC.   “Growing up my biggest influence was my mother. She was a single mother and had me at 14,” said Mayweather. “My mom walked me through the process of applying for college. When I got serious about culinary school, she was ten toes down, meaning she wouldn’t budge on it. She held me accountable. It helped me see that my mom, who graduated with her Masters, believed in me and my son was counting on me.”  Looking back, Mayweather recalls the moment he discovered his true potential. “At first, I was just passing classes. I didn’t believe in myself until after my first semester. Being a parent, living with my grandmother and helping take care of her, none of this stopped me. I thought, ‘Wow, you really love this, you’re pretty talented and you’re dedicated.’ Sixteen years later, I’m still working in the kitchen. I am 100% happy about the path I chose. I work for a company now that believes in me, I have my own catering company, Social Arts LLC, that I believe in and I get to teach. I made the best of it all,” said Mayweather.  From learning to teaching, a master of his craft Outside of the kitchen, Mayweather loves being in the classroom. “I consider myself a servant leader,” he explained. “I am going to give my people everything they need to do their job successfully. I come into the class fresh out of the kitchen. I keep learning relevant to the current industry. I’m actively in it every day.”  He continued, “I strive to bring authenticity to the classroom at GRCC by showing up as myself every time I teach. I bring diversity. I play a lot of jazz and R&B during lab times. That’s what I play when I’m cooking in the kitchen. It helps relax the students who may find themselves anxious about the process. Many of the students have lives outside of the classroom. We can relate on that side of things.” Mayweather gives students a strong feel for what to expect in the current culinary industry. His valuable insights as a working industry professional, and as a professor teaching in the classroom, go hand in hand.   A leader who serves first Mayweather’s accolades outside of the classroom reflect his love for the community.  “I’ve seen people of all walks of life growing up in the inner city. Whether you are below poverty or a billionaire, everybody is exactly the same to me.” Mayweather continued, “I choose to pour into the local Black food entrepreneurs. I want to feed the less fortunate without expectation for anything in return. I choose to work with the Boys and Girls Club and Bethany Christian Services. Wanting to be with and serve people is who I am at heart.” Bethany Christian Services is an organization that works to protect children, empower youth and strengthen families through quality social services. Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation (GRCCT) proudly partners with Bethany Christian Services.   “The entire leadership team at GRCCT would attest to the fact that Mayweather is an incredibly talented and intentional leader,” said Christine Lindeman, GRCCT Director of Operations. “He is an expert in his craft while also being committed to those around him becoming better at theirs. His commitment to the community is contagious, and we are grateful to have him in Grand Rapids.” A legacy built on leadership and love Mayweather made a name for himself within his community without even trying. His leadership as a chef, and as a teacher at GRCC, goes beyond the kitchen and the classroom. Mayweather sees his role as a father to his two sons as the most important one. All of Mayweather’s accomplishments not only led him to be this year’s Young Alumni Award Winner, it reminded him of his own victories in life. Mayweather is someone others can look up to, be motivated by and know they are worthy because of his belief in them. He came full circle creating a successful recipe for not only his future, but his sons’ futures as well. This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell