Jan. 4, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Start at Grand Rapids Community College and go anywhere! Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC – or Grand Rapids Junior College – gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. We’re sharing some of those stories, and want to hear yours!
Gary Schenk says Grand Rapids Community College ignited a passion for learning that led to an accomplished legal career -- and wanted to repay a “debt” by serving the college and the community.
“When I graduated from Lee High School, I was not anywhere near what somebody would call a student,” he said. I wanted to go to college. I always thought I would, from the time I was 3 years old I told people I wanted to be a lawyer. The only choice I had available to me was Grand Rapids Junior College."
He enrolled at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College and credits it with igniting his love of learning. GRJC faculty were generous with their knowledge and advice, and when he entered the University of Michigan in 1963, he discovered he was light years ahead of his fellow juniors.
“It wasn’t me,” he said. “It was what this place gave me, what the people here gave me.”
“When these doors opened to me for the first time, it was as if someone shined a brilliant light in my face. As if I was peering into King Solomon’s treasure room. A river of golden dreams called knowledge -- so much waiting to be taught and so much waiting to be learned. And all you had to do was put your head into that river and the brilliant people who taught here would fill it with knowledge, with love of their craft and no reservation."
Schenk received his bachelor’s degree in 1965 from U of M, where he was Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated cum laude from there with his law degree in 1969 and was a member of the Order of the Coif, the national honor society for law students.
He eventually returned to Grand Rapids, where he co-founded the legal firm of Schenk Boncher & Rypma. In addition to practicing commercial, business, contract and corporate law, he volunteered his time to legal organizations and nonprofit groups.
He served on committees for the Grand Rapids and state bar associations. He was also a board member for the Grand Valley State University Foundation, the Grand Valley State University Friend of the Arts and the Greater Grand Rapids Area Red Cross.
Schenk decided he also wanted to give back to the school that had helped him so much and was elected to the GRCC board of trustees in 1997. During the 12 years he served, he held the offices of board chair, vice chair and treasurer.
“I always felt I owed the place a debt,” said Schenk, GRCC’s 2009 Distinguished Alumnus. “I always have lived my life believing that I owed Grand Rapids Community College a debt, and whether that was repaid in service or in some other way, I had fully intended to repay it at some point in my life.”
Let GRCC help you start your story. The first chapter starts at grcc.edu/apply.
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