Nov. 19, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – A product developed by a Grand Rapids Community College alum and tested on campus this week was today named one of the top  100 inventions of 2020 by Time magazine . FEND is a drug-free salt- and calcium-based nasal mist that strengthens the mucus lining, helping it trap and flush out tiny pathogens. Aerosol scientist David Edwards said the product could potentially be a tool in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Edwards graduated from what was then Grand Rapids Junior College and taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University before founding Sensory Cloud, the company behind FEND. Time selected 100 groundbreaking inventions “that are changing the way we live, work, play and think about what’s possible.” FEND is one of three products featured in the list’s  “Home Health”  category. Edwards this week conducted a ground-breaking study on FEND at GRCC on Monday and Tuesday, measuring air particles breathed in and out by students, employees and community members. Edwards taught in Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences before becoming CEO of Sensory Cloud, a Boston-based technology startup company designing solutions to problems of wellbeing and healthcare focusing on respiratory biology. Edwards believes the FEND can be effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19, especially when used in conjunction with face coverings, social distancing and other precautions. The son of former GRCC organic and nuclear chemistry professor Ronald Edwards, David Edwards said GRCC is special to him, and he asked if the college could be the Midwest location for a groundbreaking study on the product. Edwards started working on the product several years ago in response to threats from anthrax, but now believes it can be effective in thwarting COVID-19 infection. After graduating from what was then GRJC in 1981, Edwards earned a Bachelor of Science from Michigan Technological University and a doctorate from Illinois Institute of Technology, both in chemical engineering. He taught at MIT and Penn State University before joining the Harvard faculty for 16 years, starting in 2002. Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.

Nov. 17, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – Grand Rapids Community College will move additional in-person classes to remote learning and significantly reduce employee presence on campus starting Wednesday, Nov. 18, to comply with state directives to slow the spread of COVID-19. GRCC will ensure students have the technology to complete the semester, providing loaner laptops and WiFi hotspots. The college also will continue to help students facing food insecurity by keeping its food pantry open one day a week and will continue to provide other support services remotely. “The health and welfare of our students, employees and community members is our top priority, but we also know how important it is for our students to finish the semester strong,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “Students need to know we stand ready to help. When the pandemic first struck in March, our faculty and staff found innovative ways to continue serving students in the safest possible environment. That will continue as we work through these latest developments.” The order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is in effect for three weeks, and will be reevaluated at that point. GRCC classes will move to remote learning, although the state order allows for some exceptions. Classes in health career programs such as Nursing, Dental, Medical Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant and first responder classes, such as the Police and Sheriff’s academies, will continue as scheduled, following strict safety protocols. Students already taking classes in online and virtual real time formats will not be affected. Many additional campus services, including tutoring and support at the GRCC Library and Learning Commons, will be offered remotely starting Wednesday. GRCC’s Information Technology Department is helping students access technology needed for online learning. Students can reserve a laptop or WiFi hotspot through an  online form available here . Students also can continue to connect to college WiFi in the parking lot behind the Administration Building on the DeVos Campus, and in the parking lots of Kent District Library branches. GRCC’s food pantry, located on the first floor of the Student Community Center, will remain open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays. The Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse will remain open by appointment. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Fridays. The pool is open 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The college bookstore will be open, but with limited hours and reduced customer capacity.

Nov. 16, 2020 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! Teresa Weatherall Neal helped thousands of Grand Rapids children during her career in education, and said her time at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College “lit a fire in me.”  As Grand Rapids Public Schools superintendent, Neal set in place a GRPS Transformation Plan credited with increasing graduation rates and reducing chronic absenteeism. Since retiring from the district in 2019, Neal has served as chairperson of the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority, which removes cost as a barrier to higher education for city students. Neal was named a GRCC Distinguished Alumna at commencement in 2019, and told graduates how she earned a Creston High diploma in 1977, married and got a job – and was encouraged by her sister to continue her education at GRJC. She credits the faculty and staff for supporting her. “I had so many fears that paralyzed me and stopped me from moving forward,” she said. “But I realized I could do it. It lit a fire in me. And I was now on the journey and the road to change. It was ignited right here at Grand Rapids Community College. I was inspired. What I thought was impossible became my reality.” She earned an Associate of Arts at GRJC before earning a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University, a master’s in educational leadership from Western Michigan University, and an honorary doctorate from GVSU. She is also a graduate of the Michigan Leadership Institute’s Superintendent Leadership Academy. Neal had been with GRPS since she was 4 years old, first as a K-12 student and then as a student worker, administrative assistant, coordinator of compliance, and assistant superintendent before rising to the role of superintendent in 2012. Neal and the district gained state and national attention for efforts that included comprehensive professional development focused on equity and inclusion, innovative new school choices, and building community partnerships. Under her leadership, GRPS enrollment increased for the first time in 20 years. “Teresa Weatherall Neal’s journey to becoming the inspiring leader she is today started with GRPS and Grand Rapids Junior College,” President Bill Pink said when he presented her with the Distinguished Alumna Award. “She is a role model for everyone graduating today and into the future. She is the perfect example of the impact a person can have on a community, and how a community college degree can provide the foundation for doing tremendous things.”

Nov. 15, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – Grand Rapids Community College’s cross country teams made history Saturday, with both teams finishing in the top 10 at the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championships. Head Coach Matt Sicilia shares what happened on the course in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Both Men’s and Women’s Raiders squads earned their way to this year’s National Championships by winning the Great Lakes Regional. Here is his report: The teams arrived in Iowa on Thursday, giving two days to mentally prepare to run to their true potential in the 2020 season’s grand finale. All the physical “hay was in the barn,” so the team got to enjoy an area park, some great pizza, and the world’s largest grotto sculpture. On Championship Day, the women’s 5K race was first. The fourth-ranked Raiders looked to run in two separate packs to increase their comfort level in unfamiliar grounds and competition. As the cannon blasted, the ladies were off! Within the first half mile, Kiah Becker and Audrey Meyering positioned themselves in the top 20, exactly according to the pre-race plan. About 20 seconds back, Carolanne Merlington, Kate DeLeeuw and Liz Meyering were out a little more conservatively, positioned about 50th. Allison Hoop was close behind, with Alexa Webster was a few more seconds back. By the mile mark, the women were starting to slowly move up the field and were in sixth position in the team results, one spot behind Michigan Community College Athletic Association rival St. Clair Community College and 70 points out of third place, the last trophy position. The women continued to move up the field in the middle mile, as Audrey Meyering moved into 10 th   position with Becker in the pack behind, still inside the top 20 runners. The Raiders next group was starting to split up, with Liz Meyering doing “Liz things” by picking off her competitors  one at a time and propelling herself into the top 40. Merlington and De Leeuw were about a second apart about 10 seconds in back of Liz Meyering. Hoop and Webster were also maintaining their positions. The team had moved into fourth position in the team results and was 40 points out of third. The pre-race plan called for the women to make one final push at the 4K mark and they executed with heart and pure guts. Down the final stretch, the women sprinted for home with every fiber of their muscles. Audrey Meyering closed extremely well, moving up to 8th place and earning NJCAA second-team All American honors in a new personal best time of 19:51. Less than 20 seconds behind, Becker finished in 16th position in a collegiate-best time of 20:09. Becker’s performance garnered her USTFCCCA Coaches Association All-American status. Just over 30 seconds back, Liz Meyering flew down the home stretch, passing runners all the way to finish in a collegiate best time of 20:53, good for 32nd place, only seven spots off of the final All-American spot. Merlington and De Leeuw ground down the finishing stretch to both finish inside the top-50 runners. Finally, Hoop and Webster ran down the stretch on oxygen deprived legs to finish in 65th and 77th positions, respectively. The women Raiders final score of 125 points were a mere 22 points behind third place Hawkeye Community College. In the finish area, tears of both joy and exhaustion flowed freely -- each member of the team knew they had given their all. The races capped off the most successful season in the program’s history. The women ran they best team race of the season on the biggest stage, with Audrey Meyering and Webster setting all time personal records, Becker and Liz Meyering setting collegiate personal records, and the team setting a school record for total team time. The men’s team entered the “granddaddy of them all” down three of its former top-five runners, but the remaining varsity squad was striving for a top-10 finish against the odds. With the blast of the cannon, the men’s 8k race was off! As he had all season, Josh Kipkoech surged to the front group, positioning himself in the middle of the lead pack of seven runners who went through the mile mark in a swift 5:01. Kipkoech had high hopes to earn the Raiders an individual National Championship and set himself in perfect position to give himself a chance. Behind our fearless leader, the five other Raiders were running on a mission. The goal was to get out very hard and hold on for dear life once the pain of the grueling 8k race started to set in. Jack Kehoe was positioned just outside the top 30, giving himself a chance to be finish as an All-American, or top-25 finisher. Gabe Sanchez, followed by the triad of Ashton Brennan, Noah Peterson and Devin Simon were all close in tow, as the Raiders were in sixth place at the mile mark. Between the mile and the 5K, Kipkoech stayed with the lead group that was now down to five. The rest of the squad settled into a slightly more comfortable pace in the middle miles, with the team falling back to ninth place overall by the two-mile mark. The men ran with pure grit in the race’s second half, each holding their position. Up front, Kipkoech fell off the lead pack at about the 3.5-mile mark and tried to regroup for a strong finish. He sprinted down the final stretch to finish in fifth place overall, earning him NJCAA DII first-team All-American status in a blazing time of 25:28. Just over two minutes later, Kehoe forced his exhausted body to shift a gear in the homestretch, passing one runner to finish in his second-best time of 27:54, good for 42nd place. Sanchez, then Peterson and Brennan, and finally Simon all charged down the finishing stretch. Sanchez, Brennan, and Simon all finished in personal record times, as the men finished in ninth place overall, accomplishing its goal of a top-10 finish! This was the best overall race for the team this season and it came on the biggest stage.

Nov. 14, 2020, DODGE CITY, Iowa  – Grand Rapids Community College cross country teams finished in the top 10 at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 2 National Championships, with three student-athletes earning All-American honors. The women’s team finished fourth in the nation, with Audrey Meyering earning NJCAA and Coaches Association All-American honors, and Kiah Becker earning Coaches Association honors. Meyering finished eighth in the race, with Becker coming in 16th. The men’s team claimed ninth place in the nation, with Josh Kipkoech finishing fifth in the race. Kipkoech earned First-Team All-American honors. “I’m incredibly proud of our student-athletes and coaches, who showed they are among the very best in the nation,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “Their success is inspiring, showing they can thrive even while facing the challenges of a pandemic. We have a proud history of athletics at GRCC, and the cross country team just wrote a new chapter!” Meyering was in 12th place at the one-mile mark of the race, moving up to eighth place with a quarter-mile to go, finishing the 5K competition with a time of 19 minutes, 51 seconds. Becker was close behind at 20 minutes, 9 seconds. Liz Meyering finished 32nd, with Carolanne Merlington at 46 th , Kate DeLeeuw at 48th, Allison Hoop at 65th and Alex Webster at 77th. Kipkoech was in third place after the third mile of his race, part of a six-runner cluster within a second of each other. He finished in fifth with a time of 25 minutes, 28 seconds. GRCC’s Jack Kehoe finished 42nd, Gabe Sanchez finished 53rd, Noah Peterson was 81st with Ashton Brennan right behind him and Devon Simon at 98th. The success at the National Champions caps off a season where the Raiders dominated regional and conferences competition. Both teams won the Michigan Community College Athletic Association and NJCAA DII, Region XII titles, the first since the rebirth of the program in 2014. Students also claimed individual honors. Kipkoech and Audrey Meyering earned All-MCCAA Runner of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards. Matt Sicilia was named Coach of the Year by both the MCCAA and the NJCAA Region 12. NJCAA Region 12 includes community colleges in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. MCCAA includes college in Michigan and Ancilla College in Indiana. Three GRCC women student athletes -- Audrey Meyering, Kiah Becker, and Liz Meyering -- were named by the MCCAA to the nine-member All-Conference Team. Kipkoech and Lance Jourdan from GRCC were named to the nine-member men’s All-Conference Team. The Meyerings and Becker were joined by teammates Merlington, De Leeuw, and Hoop on the 17-member All-Region Team, selected by the NJCAA. Kipkoech and Jourdan were joined by Sanchez and Peterson on the men’s All-Region Team. “This was the largest cross country team GRCC has ever had, which reflects on the enthusiasm and determination of the coaches,” Interim Athletic Director David Selmon said. “This team worked hard, was prepared and very supportive of one another. We’re proud of how they performed, and also how they represented their community around the state and now across the nation.”

Nov. 13, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – David Edwards’ educational journey started at Grand Rapids Community College and eventually led to him teaching at Harvard University. Now he’s working on slowing the spread of COVID-19 and is looking to GRCC to help. Edwards is an aerosol scientist and inventor, and taught in Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He’s now the CEO of Sensory Cloud, a Boston-based technology startup company designing solutions to problems of wellbeing and healthcare focusing on respiratory biology. GRCC students have an opportunity to participate in a national study of one of Edwards’ products. FEND is an over-the-counter saline mist meant to be inhaled through the nose, slowing down or stopping various aerosol molecules from entering the nasal passage. “Dr. Edwards is another example of someone using a GRCC education as the foundation for an amazing career and making a difference in the world during a difficult time,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “We are excited to be a part of this study, because the safety and wellness of our community is paramount. But it is also inspiring to see how a GRCC graduate is playing a role in battling this pandemic.” Edwards believes the FEND can be effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19, especially when used in conjunction with face coverings, social distancing and other precautions. The son of former GRCC chemistry professor Ronald Edwards, David Edwards said GRCC is special to him, and he asked if the college could be the Midwest location for a groundbreaking study on the product. “I remember as a little kid coming to the community college and eventually studying there,” he said. “I’m really thrilled to be coming back and to lead this opportunity for this really important hygiene COVID-19 study. This is about hygiene and how we can lead the cleanest possible lives we can on campus and off. We’re learning a lot about what that means, and there are important breakthroughs all around us.” Edwards started working on the product several years ago in response to threats from anthrax, but now believes it can be effective in thwarting COVID-19 infection. His study will consider the air around us and droplets formed in our lungs, and how they can be a factor in spreading the virus. “There’s no panacea here as far as avoiding infection,” he said. “There are four elements of good hygiene. One is hand sanitizing. The second is obviously masks. The third is social distancing. And the fourth now is airway cleansing.  All four of those are important. It’s like a series of walls we’ve set up to protect ourselves.” GRCC students have the opportunity to participate in the work, which is planned for Sneden Hall on the DeVos Campus between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 16-17. Participants will earn $15 for 30 minutes of their time and will be provided with a parking voucher. The company also is offering a $10 referral bonus to anyone who brings a friend on Monday and Tuesday.  Registration is available online at  HelloFEND.com/pages/Research ; select the Grand Rapids study. Participants will be asked to select a time, then to complete consent forms and submit additional information. After graduating from what was then Grand Rapids Junior College in 1981, Edwards earned a Bachelor of Science from Michigan Technological University and a doctorate from Illinois Institute of Technology, both in chemical engineering. He taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Penn State University before joining the Harvard faculty for 16 years, starting in 2002. Through Sensory Cloud, Edwards explores ways of delivering health and wellness, often through the air, in drug, vaccine, food and scent forms, and with environmental sustainability. He has earned international recognition, including being honored as a Chevalier of Arts & Letters by the French Ministry of Culture, is a member of the National Academies of Engineering in the United States and France, and a member of the National Academy of Inventors. Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.

Nov. 12, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. --  Grand Rapids Community College student Jose Ortega Carcano’s pursuit of a nursing career has already involved him in working to alleviate the biggest public health crisis of the modern era. As a participant in the University of Michigan’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program this summer, Carcano worked with Dr. Fadhl Alakwaa, of the Neurology Department, on potential COVID-19 cures.  “The purpose of my research was to understand the sequence of RNA at the cellular level of the COVID-19 virus so I can potentially find drugs to cure or treat patients of this deadly virus,” Carcano said. The UROP program is just one of many summer research opportunities offered through  GRCC’s TRIO/Student Support Services program . TRIO students can also participate in Michigan Technological University’s Michigan College and University Partnership, the Summer Health Professions Education Program, and research projects through the Van Andel Institute, among others. The 10-week UROP program was Carcano’s first experience with medical research. “My UROP experience was different from the experiences of other students from previous years,” he said. “The University of Michigan was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the program had to be done virtually.” Carcano was unable to live on the U of M campus, work in the laboratories or attend the end-of-program symposium in person. But his hard work still drew appreciation -- and accolades: UROP named him its Spring 2020 Blue Ribbon Winner. Carcano plans to transfer to a four-year institution for a bachelor’s in nursing. He would like to work in a hospital for a few years and then work as a traveling nurse. “I would like to be involved in missionary trips to Mexico to provide healthcare to those in need,” he said. “One of my biggest plans is to bring my brother to the U.S. to get treatment or a cure for his epileptic seizures.” He ultimately wants to return to the classroom for a master’s degree and become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.  Students of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds will find they belong and can be successful at GRCC. They will find plenty of help from the programs -- and their fellow students: Carcano learned about the UROP opportunity from a fellow student who participated in the program last year. “There are many resources that GRCC provides to their students,” Carcano said. “We must take advantage of them in order to be successful.” Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.

Nov. 11, 2020 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – Grand Rapids Community College proudly saluted students, employees and family who served in the Armed Forces during an annual Veterans Day commemoration on Wednesday. The observance included recognition of attendees who served, poetry, music from students and faculty, and placing a wreath and flags at GRCC’s memorial to students who gave their lives in service to the country. GRCC President Bill Pink reflected on the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by students Anastasia Fiorenzo and Megan Meadows, and noted how the valiant soldiers must have found comfort in seeing the flag still waving above Fort McHenry as the smoke cleared. "Today we have a battle that is easy for us to get discouraged about. A virus. Social and racial injustices that we are recognizing. Those battles are still waging on. In spite of all that we are fighting today, that flag is still there,” he said. “We are still a proud country. Just as that flag gave people solace, and a feeling of, 'We are going to be OK,' help that flag do the same thing for you today. We will get to the other side of this. It is because of sacrifice that you get past things like this. That's why we honor our veterans today. That flag is still there. We still stand as a country. We still stand for what we need to, which is unity and civility."  

Nov. 9, 2020 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! As chair of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation board, Dr. Jim Buzzitta works to make sure current and future students get the support they need to achieve their dreams. As an alumnus, he knows how important a good start at GRCC can be to success in life. He’s one of the many grads who started their story at the college and stayed right here, helping West Michigan grow stronger. “Grand Rapids Community College means a lot to me,” he said. “It deeply impacted my life and allowed for a great education and set a solid foundation for me to succeed in life.” After graduating from what was then Grand Rapids Junior College in 1974, Buzzitta completed undergraduate work at the University of Michigan and graduated from Wayne State University’s School of Medicine. He went on to practice internal medicine and founded Michigan Medical PC, which grew to be the largest private medical group in the state. He retired from Michigan Medical in 2007 and became president of real estate development and investment company, The Hughes Management Group.  Buzzitta, named GRCC’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2011, recently served as a co-chair of the recent A Broader Vision capital campaign, which raised almost $23 million to improve campus facilities and provide scholarships to more students.

Nov. 5, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – Students and potential students who put their education on hold this fall can get back on track during Grand Rapids Community College’s winter 2021 semester, with college experts able to answer questions at a Saturday virtual open house. The event is planned for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. GRCC staff and faculty can help navigate through admissions and financial aid processes and discuss eligibility for cost-saving programs such as  Futures for Frontliners  and the  Grand Rapids Promise Zone . “There are many people who delayed their education because of uncertainty caused by the pandemic, and the upcoming winter 2021 semester is a great opportunity to get back on track,” said Tina Hoxie, associate provost and dean of Student Affairs. “Opportunities such as Futures for Frontliners and the Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarships can remove cost as an obstacle, and GRCC offers classes in a variety of formats and schedules. A virtual open house is a great way to find out what might work best for you.”  This is GRCC’s first large-scale virtual open house, conducted online because of the coronavirus crisis. Virtual open house topics include: How to explore GRCC’s 10 Academic Pathways and more than 150 degrees. Options to pay for college. How to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. The steps to apply to GRCC. The benefits of earning an associate degree at GRCC and seamlessly transferring to a four-year college or university. What academic programs and student services are offered in Holland at the GRCC Lakeshore Campus. About eligibility for the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship and Futures for Frontliners. Attendees will be entered to win a $500 GRCC scholarship.  Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.