Aug. 27, 2025 Grand Rapids Community College students returned this school year to find a transformed Ford Fieldhouse Recreation Center — a modern, sustainable space designed for movement, connection and collaboration. “This renovation is about more than new walls and equipment,” said GRCC Director of Ford Fieldhouse Operations Whitney Marsh. “It’s about creating a welcoming place where all of our students can study, play and recharge.” A Sustainable Transformation   The $15 million renovation reflects GRCC’s commitment to sustainability and creativity. Instead of demolishing old features, the project repurposed them into something new: Pool bleacher wood now serves as custom seating on the Learning Stairs, LED-lit design accents and a warm finish for lounge staircases. Six racquetball courts were reimagined as a bright, modern fitness center — keeping original walls and beams to preserve history and reduce waste. The former pool became a multipurpose indoor turf field with storage rooms below, filled with recyclable Geofoam instead of concrete. A white EPDM roof reflects heat to cut cooling costs and can last up to 20 years, while a custom high-efficiency HVAC system improves comfort and reduces energy use. Floor-to-ceiling windows now flood the building with natural light, creating open, inviting study lounges that blend wellness with academics. A Place for Every Raider   The Recreation Center was designed with all students in mind. Whether it’s working out in the new fitness center, studying between classes, joining friends for a game or finding a quiet spot to recharge, the Fieldhouse is a flexible and welcoming space for the campus community. Intramurals are Coming This Fall To celebrate the opening, GRCC is starting intramural sports — open to all students, no experience required. Volleyball and basketball — Mondays and Wednesday 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Tuesdays 7-8:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Arena. Soccer — Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesday 5-6:30 p.m. on the Rec Center Turf, Level 2. League play begins the week of Sept. 8, 2025. Students must bring their RaiderCard to participate. No guests are permitted. Check-in takes place at the arena’s south entrance on Lyon Street.  More Than a Gym The Ford Fieldhouse Rec Center is now a hub for fitness, friendship and focus, and a place where sustainability meets student life.    

Aug. 26, 2025 Carson Chambers came to Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) for two important reasons: savvy financial advice from his grandparents, and free tuition courtesy of the Michigan Community College Guarantee. “I graduated from Grandville High School in May 2024,” Chambers said. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study or what I wanted to do next. While I was looking at a couple of four-year colleges, my grandparents shared their input.” Carson comes from a close-knit family that has extensive GRCC experience. His grandparents Dick Chambers and Marji Spaulding Chambers both graduated from Grand Rapids Junior College (as it was known back then). So did his parents, Chad Chambers and Anna Knoester Chambers. But Carson really didn’t understand the value proposition of community college until his grandparents sat him down and explained it. “I hadn’t done much thinking about college while I was in high school, and I didn’t have any idea how much it really cost,” Chambers said. “My grandparents explained that I could attend GRCC for the first two years and then transfer to a four-year program. I started researching the cost difference and GRCC quickly became the obvious solution. I don’t mind living at home and the commute is pretty short. Given the huge savings, it was an easy decision.” Then Carson learned about something even more significant: the Michigan Community College Guarantee . “I was talking with my friend’s girlfriend, and she made an offhand mention of this program,” Chambers said. “I had never heard of it, so I asked some questions the next day at orientation. And wow…I qualified!” The Michigan Community College Guarantee, launched in Fall 2024 and funded through the state’s School Aid Budget, provides free in-district tuition to Michigan residents who graduate high school in 2024 or later. The financial benefit made his decision easy. Chambers enrolled at GRCC for the 2024-2025 school year. Along the way, he discovered more about himself and his career interests. “I came to GRCC planning to study chemistry,” he said. “I realized I didn’t like chemistry as much as I thought! So then I switched to Marketing, with a plan to attend Grand Valley State University.” But after more research and additional conversations, Carson changed his mind and followed the money once more. “I talked to an advisor from Davenport University,” Chambers said. “I liked their Business Management program a lot. And the best news is that I can follow the Pre-Management 3+1 program at GRCC.” The 3+1 program allows students to complete three years at GRCC before transferring for a final year at a partner university, such as Davenport or Ferris State University. GRCC offers several 3+1 options in business, criminal justice, biology and more. “I can use the Guarantee dollars to pay for three years of tuition instead of two,” Chambers said. “I’m still working part time while I go to school, so the money I’m saving will help me graduate with a four-year degree and no debt. That’s huge.” As for the future, Chambers is keeping his options open. “I would love to live in a big city for a while,” he said. “I also want to earn my online MBA at Davenport. And I have strong ties to our family business. I like marketing, and I think I would enjoy sales. So there are plenty of options open to me.” In the meantime, he’s putting his marketing and sales skills into practice by sharing his story with others. “I tell everyone I meet about GRCC and the Michigan Community College Guarantee,” Chambers said. “I know of several people who made the choice to attend GRCC because of me!” Learn about the Michigan Community College Guarantee and other financial aid resources at GRCC .