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Initiative for recycling dry erase markers

A request was made to the Facilities department to add dry erase markers to the items the college currently recycles.   Facilities will “give it a go” and see how many are collected over a several-month trial period, and whether it is an initiative that garners enough interest and participation to continue, while also continuing to investigate the viability of recycling markers in general.   Crayola stopped their recycling program due to the carbon footprint created from shipping the used markers great distances.  Also, markers are  made of mixed plastics, which are harder to recycle. Buildings will have a container with a “Recycle Markers Here” sign.  Building locations are listed below. If you can’t locate the container, please check with your Building Manager): The items collected will be brought to Staples Office Supply.  Staples works with TerraCycle to recycle the items.   Let’s go GRCC and see how many markers can be kept out of the landfill for the next several months!  Esequiel Cortez, building manager for: Calkins-1st Floor Offices Ford Fieldhouse-Main office, outside double doors White Hall-By ramp Police/Facilities-Lobby entrance Robert Green, building manager for: RJF-1st floor elevators Cook-1st floor elevators College Park Plaza-2nd floor lobby elevators James Hanafin, building manager for: ATC-By Foodology, under stairs Tassel MTEC-1st floor by recycling containers Spectrum-Office area, 2nd floor Lakeshore-Main offices Tom Vos, building manager for: ECLL-Office Music Building-Outside office Student Center-2nd floor Multipurpose Room    

Digs, discoveries and dino dreams: John VanRegenmorter brings fossils to life

April 21, 2025 If you think geology is about just looking at rocks, you really need to meet GRCC adjunct professor John VanRegenmorter. You won’t be able to resist his passion for geology, particularly for fossils. “Who doesn’t love fossils?” said Tari Mattox, head of the Geology Department at GRCC. “Dinosaurs often are what get people into this discipline. I affectionately call John a fossil geek. He is so excited about them, and that excitement turns students on to geology. He’s always taking students out to do cool field work.” John describes himself as “a kid who never outgrew dinosaurs.” His enthusiastic approach engages students to explore geology careers, while he demonstrates his expertise through his research and publications.   John’s passion for fossils started when he was 15. “I thought I was going to be a dinosaur guy until I went on a dig with a high school group in the Badlands,” VanRengenmorter said. “That’s when I completely fell in love with fossil mammals.” Now John is a well-regarded expert in the field. He frequently engages in field work and research, and recently co-authored a paper that appeared in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. He can provide an inexhaustible stream of knowledge because he’s a subject matter expert. But he also has the special skill of being able to translate what he knows into simple English.   “The paper we wrote focused on two things,” Van Regenmorter said. “We were looking at an area of Wyoming called 12 Mile Gulch. There, we discovered a new fossil species from a group of critters that were very closely related to primates. That’s fun in itself, because someone on our team got to name that fossil! However, we also realized that the presence and placement of fossils from this site in the geologic record is significant. We can use this information to further redefine geological time periods as they relate to this region. That matters because it allows us to compare fossil records around the world and learn from them.” John says that studying the past can help us prepare for the future.   “The fossil records show that approximately 55 million years ago, the Earth’s temperature rose somewhere between 5-8 degrees Celsius over the course of 200,000 years,” VanRegenmorter said. “That’s the fastest temperature rise on record….until now. Don’t think a degree or two is significant?  Well…there were alligators in the Arctic during this time! That’s how significant the changes were. Many species went extinct because they could not respond to the rapidly changing ecosystem. Currently, the Earth is warming even faster than that. Looking at how species responded then can help us think about how species might respond now.”   While it is not unusual for a professor to co-author a peer-reviewed paper, it is definitely an “above and beyond” thing for GRCC faculty.   “Our faculty is not required to do research,” Mattox said. “When students see that a GRCC professor is published, that should tell them this individual has a deep, rich knowledge base. Authorship is a sign of continued growth for educators.” John and Tari both love to engage students in projects that help them explore and understand the world around them.   “I’ve taken students to Utah to dig up fossil mammals and out to the gypsum mines in Grand Rapids,” VanRegenmorter said. “Tari has taken GRCC students to fossil beds in southern Indiana and to the rocks of the Canadian Shield in the Upper Peninsula. If you study geology at GRCC, there are plenty of opportunities to do research, get involved and explore your own interests.” Learn more about GRCC’s Pre-Geology program . Captions: First image: 12-mile Gulch in Wyoming. Second image: Phenacolemur cavatus fossil. Third image: 12-mile Gulch in Wyoming. This story reported by Julie Hordyk

Technology notification: Blackboard access ending August 20

In alignment with GRCC’s transition to Canvas as the institution’s official learning management system, please be advised that access to Blackboard will be discontinued effective August 20, 2025.  GRCC employees and students will no longer have access to Blackboard starting on this date. We strongly encourage all faculty and staff to continue preparing for this transition by becoming familiar with the Canvas environment and associated tools, if you haven't done so already. To support this effort, the Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE) team is available to assist with training and provide technical support in partnership with IT. You may contact TLDE at TLDE@grcc.edu or (616) 234-3205. For additional resources, timelines, and training materials, please visit the Canvas Transition Hub . We appreciate your attention to this important update and your ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality instruction and support throughout this transition.

Cook Hall Level G1 parking closing for asphalt work April 25

On Friday, April 25, Superior Asphalt will be removing and replacing all the asphalt  at the Cook Hall Level G1 entrance. All vehicles must be removed from Level G1 Parking by  6:45 AM on Friday, April 25 . There will be no parking allowed in Level  G1 Parking until Saturday, April 26 around 9 AM, after the cones are removed by facilities. There will be heavy equipment activity that may obstruct travel through Winchester Alley from Lyon Street to Fountain Street on Friday, April 25.  Please seek alternative means to gain access onto the adjacent streets. Campus Police will be contacting Cook Hall parking occupants to redirect them to alternative parking areas for the duration of the project.

Executive Leadership Team “pop-in” sessions available April 30 and May 5

Connect with the Executive Leadership Team  As we wrap up the winter semester and head into summer, you’re invited to take a break and connect with the Executive Leadership Team during one of our upcoming “pop-in” sessions. There’s no formal agenda or presentation and you can come and go as your schedule allows.  We'll have snacks and a welcoming space to ask questions, share reflections or simply say hello. Upcoming dates Wednesday, April 30 2-3 p.m.  ATC 118 Monday, May 5 10-11 a.m. ATC 118 Whether you’ve got a question in mind, an idea to share or just want to connect, we hope you’ll stop by. See you there!

Tickets available for the GRCC Alumni/Employee Night at the Whitecaps August 7

Join fellow GRCC employees and alumni for a fun night at the Whitecaps! West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels  Thursday, August 7 Gates open at 5:15 p.m.  First pitch is at 6:35 p.m.  Discounted tickets: $14 each - includes a hot dog and soft drink Seats: We'll be seated together for the game in our reserved seats near 3rd base  Tickets are limited, so purchase yours today at grcc.edu/whitecaps . We're looking forward to a great time!

Professor Katie Kalisz published second book of poems - Flu Season

GRCC Engligh professor Katie Kalisz recently had her second book of poems, Flu Season , published by Cornersotne Press. Her first, Quiet Woman, was published in November of 2018, and was a finalist for the 2018 Main Street Rag Poetry Book Award. Her poems have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. Kalisz teaches composition and creative writing. She earned degrees from the University of Michigan, Loyola University of Chicago and Queens University of Charlotte.  

Career and Student Employment Services is happy to announce our 2025 Student Employee Impact Award winners!

GRCC’s values (Excellence, Diversity, Responsiveness, Innovation, Accountability, Sustainability, Respect and Integrity) shape our work environments, providing equal opportunity and fostering inclusiveness to all Student Employees. This award is intended to honor a student employee whose employment within the College has made a positive impact in their life. 1st place - Joslynne Bogner (Ford Fieldhouse) 2nd place - Jakob Kohsel (Admissions & Enrollment) 3rd place - Nadia Battles (Center for Student Life & Leadership) Congratulations to Joslynne, Jakob, Nadia and to all of the nominees!  We appreciate you and all that you do!

GRCC team completes Open Education Network's Certificate in Open Pedagogy

Last week a GRCC team, including Emily Pain (assistant professor, Sociology), Sophia Brewer (associate professor, Library) and Ian Matthews (instructional designer, TLDE), finished the requirements for the Open Education Network's  Certificate in Open Pedagogy .  The certificate consisted of a nine-week course exploring the principles and practices of  Open Pedagogy, the creation of a plan to integrate open pedagogy in Emily's SO254 Social Problems course and a culminating presentation on Thursday April 9. The sessions were not recorded, but the team invites you to explore the  Open Learning: A Sociology Project  slides and reach out with any questions. Thanks to Lauren Woolsey, OER coordinator, for her support of OER and open education at GRCC, and to SLT Funding Committee and ELT for funding the team's tuition for the certificate!    

Celebrating the Class of 2025: Honoring graduates and award winners at Commencement

April 17, 2025 The Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) 2025 Commencement ceremony is just around the corner, and excitement is building as the college prepares to celebrate the accomplishments of its graduates. This year's ceremony, which will take place at Van Andel Arena, marks a significant milestone as more than 1,800 students will have earned a degree or certificate in fields ranging from psychology to automotive technology. In addition to honoring the graduates, GRCC is set to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the college and the community. These award recipients exemplify the values of leadership, inclusivity and commitment that GRCC holds dear. Graduates of Excellence: Shining stars of the Class of 2025 Among the many graduates being celebrated, GRCC will recognize the Graduates of Excellence — students chosen for their exceptional academic achievements and leadership within their respective schools. This year’s Graduates of Excellence include:   Diego Munoz , earning an Associate degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology from the School of Business and Industry.   Lance Benedict Baje , graduating with a degree in Radiologic Technology from the School of Health Sciences.   Coral De La Garza Ramos , earning an Associate degree in Pre-Social Work from the School of Liberal Arts.   Benjamin Lambright , graduating with a Pre-Engineering degree from the School of STEM.   Trent Renner , earning a Computer Support Technician Certificate from the School of Workforce Training. These students have demonstrated outstanding academic work and perseverance, and they stand as an inspiration to their peers. Distinguished award winners: Honoring excellence beyond graduation In addition to recognizing the graduates, GRCC will honor individuals who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to the college and the broader community. These distinguished award winners have played a vital role in advancing GRCC’s mission and shaping its legacy. GRCC Champion Award — Mayor Emeritus Rosalynn Bliss   This year’s GRCC Champion Award honors Mayor Emeritus Rosalynn Bliss in recognition of her exceptional service to the Grand Rapids community. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the college’s mission and have made a significant difference in the community. Noorthoek Academy Honorary Graduates — Gabe McDonald and Emily Shanahan GRCC is also proud to recognize two honorary graduates from the Noorthoek Academy — Gabe McDonald and Emily Shanahan. These individuals have shown immense dedication to lifelong learning, and GRCC’s partnership with Noorthoek Academy continues to provide adults with learning challenges and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to pursue a college education.  Young Alumni Award — Chef Darrin Mayweather   The 2025 Young Alumni Award goes to Chef Darrin Mayweather, a GRCC graduate who has made significant contributions to his field and the community. After earning his degree from GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, Chef Mayweather co-founded a successful catering business, Social Arts, LLC, and now teaches as an adjunct professor at GRCC. His passion for culinary arts and commitment to mentoring future chefs embodies the values of GRCC’s alumni community. Faculty Emeritus Award — Chef Angus Campbell   The 2025 Faculty Emeritus Award honors Chef Angus Campbell, a former GRCC professor who shaped the culinary arts program for over 25 years. Chef Angus, originally from Scotland, introduced students to the art of cooking through immersive, hands-on experiences. His legacy includes not only teaching but also leading international culinary tours and hosting competitions. Chef Angus’s passion for education and culinary excellence has left an indelible mark on GRCC. A future of success: Graduates of GRCC As the graduates of the Class of 2025 prepare to walk across the stage, the ceremony is not just about recognizing their academic success, but also celebrating the bright futures that lie ahead. GRCC graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their careers, and the college is proud to support them as they take this next step. Whether they are entering the workforce or continuing their education, the Class of 2025 is poised to make an impact in their chosen fields.
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