For many people, sailing sounds like a leisurely pastime, but Rowan O’Dougherty knows it is much more than adjusting a sail and steering. While sailing, O’Dougherty constantly evaluates many variables - the direction of the wind, the conditions of the water, the sail positions relative to the wind, the position of his competitors and so much more.  The ability to analyze these conditions and adapt quickly earned O’Dougherty fifth place in the third World Deaf Sailing Championships in Nida, Lithuania this summer.  O’Dougherty is Deaf, and teaches  American Sign Language and Deaf Culture courses at Grand Rapids Community College. O’Dougherty has been exposed to sailing since birth, and began racing around the age of eight. For a long time, he felt he was the only Deaf athlete who raced sailboats. Now he has discovered an international Deaf sailing community through the World Deaf Sailing Championships.  One of six United States athletes competing, O’Dougherty was the only U.S. teammate with consistent racing experience. He raced three different classes of boats against athletes from twelve other countries. The competition spanned ten days and O’Dougherty placed fifth.  O’Dougherty also connected with those he competed against, using sign language to communicate easily across borders.  “There is no universal sign language, but that didn’t stop us from communicating with each other and having a blast! I have made good friends with the French, British and German teams,” O’Dougherty said.  “We each had our own sign languages, but the communication went smoothly since we used International Sign Language.”  This is exactly what O’Dougherty teaches his students. That studying sign language and Deaf culture can open doors to understanding the world better. He mentions that finding Deaf people with the appropriate credentials to teach at the college level is challenging.  However, a shift is occurring as more people become educated about ASL and Deaf culture. O’Dougherty mentions he gets a thrill watching his students become interpreters, teachers and professionals in the industry.  Deaf culture has a lot to teach the hearing world. Beyond a communication method, sign language can truly enrich your life and help you become a global citizen. O’Dougherty mentions what he enjoys most is sharing his language and culture with his students and seeing it open their minds to new possibilities.  Learn more about  American Sign Language at GRCC. This story was reported by Kailee Potgeter.

In 2008, Grand Rapids Community College’s Mursalata Muhammad had the rare privilege of interviewing one of her literary role models, the legendary poet Nikki Giovanni. Although Mursalata admits to being a nervous, starstruck interviewer, the experience became an unforgettable encounter with one of America’s most influential voices in poetry. As Mursalata recalls, she was overwhelmed by both excitement and nerves, her hands sweaty and her heart racing throughout the conversation. Despite her unease, she cherished the opportunity to speak with Giovanni, whose words and wisdom had shaped her own understanding of literature and life. “I was ready to sit across from her in beautiful, poetic awe,” Mursalata reflects. During the interview, Giovanni shared profound insights about writing, particularly about how art can respond to loss. “Sometimes you have to write a love poem,” Giovanni remarked. This powerful statement resonates even more deeply now, as the GRCC community honors Giovanni’s memory following her passing. Giovanni’s impact was undeniable—her poetry, activism, and powerful voice continue to inspire generations. Mursalata’s interview stands as a lasting tribute to a woman who taught the world to write, to love and to resist, leaving an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to hear her speak. Watch the full interview, " Diversity Conversation with Nikki Giovanni and Mursalata Muhammad " on YouTube.

Dec. 17, 2024 Brianna Lampe-Sedgwick joined the Grand Rapids Community College Metallica Scholarship Welding Bootcamp as an instructor in 2021, just a couple of years after graduating from GRCC’s welding program in 2019. Thanks to her skills and training, she landed a job right after completing the program and is now sharing her knowledge with GRCC welders in training.  “I am a very hands-on person, I hated school,” Lampe-Sedgwick recalls from her high school days. “I was never good at school. I wanted to build things with my hands. I learned about the welding program here at GRCC and decided to try it. Nick Pinckney, the welding professor really helped make it all feel accessible. It all clicked very naturally, and I ended up falling in love with it. I was fortunate enough to find a job immediately after graduating.”  After working in the industry for a couple of years, Lampe-Sedgwick was excited to be called by Professor Pinckney to assist in the classroom with the bootcamp. In partnership with GRCC, Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, offers the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp to anyone interested in gaining knowledge and hands-on experience in welding.  “The bootcamp is great because this course gives people a chance to get their foot in the door and removes the barrier of companies not being able to train you.“ Lamp said. “The course sets them up with the skills they need to get hired.”  Lampe-Sedgwick knew finding a job immediately after graduating was an incredible accomplishment since she didn’t have any on the job training. As one of two females in the entire company working in the welding department, Lampe-Sedgwick was aware of the hurdles the industry can sometimes present when you don’t have the experience a company may need.  “This course costs a small amount of money and gives you everything you need,” Lampe-Sedgwick said. “You get all of the experience to get you started so you can walk straight into the industry if you decide to build a welding career. The course is spot on.” Lampe-Sedgwick finds the classroom aspect of the bootcamp incredibly valuable to her professional experience.  “I’ve been working for six years and teaching for four years. It’s a wonderful experience for my own career,” Lampe-Sedgwick said. “It’s helped me grow socially. I keep in contact with many of the students I’ve taught. Hearing their stories and helping them as a reference to get a job in the industry is incredibly rewarding. It also helps me grow in my own confidence as a welder. As I help students problem solve and learn the techniques of the trade, I gain more insights and sharpen my own techniques.”  Lampe-Sedgwick shared the invaluable process of the class.  “The first 30 minutes to an hour, Professor Nick does a lecture and shows slides to explain welding and the mechanics behind it,” Lampe-Sedgwick said. “Then it’s three hours of hands-on experience. It’s fast paced and after you get the foundations, we focus on projects that are laid out across the course. From night one to night 15, you start to feel like you’ve been welding for years. Once it clicks, you can see the spark everyone gets to pursue the career. The bootcamp gives you that confidence and the opportunity to enter the industry with the foundational skills you walk away with after the course.”  After four years of teaching with the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp, Lampe-Sedgwick continues to get excited for each new set of students. “Metallica as a band is a very cool connection to the welding industry. They’ve helped so many people find a new career path and get introduced to the trades. It’s been great and a wonderful thing to have a part in,” Lampe-Sedgwick said, adding her thoughts on being a woman and a female instructor in an industry that tends to be heavily male, “There’s not too many women in my current company. At first, it was very intimidating. Now, I see more women in the class than men and I love being one of the people who can show them that it’s not only possible to be in the field and succeed, but now I’m helping lead students to their potential future.”  Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation partners with GRCC to help make the trade of welding more accessible to those who apply and attend the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp. It continues to be an extremely successful and rewarding experience for all involved. The Foundation’s generosity makes the bootcamp accessible to anyone. Lampe-Sedgwick appreciates the ability to be involved with such a wonderful organization and GRCC. “GRCC has one of the best welding programs in Michigan, in my opinion,” Lampe-Sedgwick said. “The instructors are amazing. Having Professor Pinckney and myself as a team teaching in the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp has been an incredible joy to watch students of all backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and opportunities learn the basics and potentially walk into a career in welding.”  The next session of the Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp starts January 9. Learn more about the  Metallica Scholars Welding Bootcamp .  This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.