June 2, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College was the top destination for Kent County high school graduates in 2022, with 27 percent of all college-bound students taking advantage of the college’s quality programs and affordable tuition. GRCC was “by far” the top choice for members of the Class of 2022 in 19 of Kent County’s 20 K-12 school districts, with Grand Rapids Public Schools and Forest Hills Public Schools sending the most students, according to the most recent State of Michigan data as reported by MLive.com . “We tell people they belong at GRCC, and we are proud to be the community’s college,” GRCC President Charles W. Lepper said. “We work hard to be accessible to everyone who wants to gain a quality, life-changing education. We don’t just want people to attend, we want them to thrive. We have support systems in place to help students be successful. We are in this together.” Grand Valley State University was the second most popular destination, with 13 percent, followed by Michigan State University and Ferris State University. GRCC was the top choice in Hudsonville and West Ottawa public schools in the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, and tied with GVSU for the top spot in Holland and Saugatuck schools. Many Ottawa County students take classes at the GRCC Lakeshore Campus , which opened in its Holland Township location in 2021.    GRCC is a popular choice for students looking to earn credits and earn a degree or transfer to a four-year college or university. All 15 of Michigan’s public universities and 20 independent colleges and universities are part of the Michigan Transfer Network . Nearly half -- 48.5 percent -- of the students graduating from the Grand Rapids Public Schools headed to GRCC. Kelloggsville, at 47.2 percent, was close behind. Students attending one of the 25 public, public charter or private high schools located within the city of Grand Rapids are eligible for the Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarship, which covers the cost of tuition and expenses. Additional information is available at grcc.edu/promisezone . Students graduating this spring could be eligible for the new Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which could cover up to $2,750 a year to help with the cost of tuition and expenses. Students graduating this May and June still have time to enroll in GRCC’s second summer semester, as well as the upcoming fall semester. The no-cost application is available at grcc.edu/apply .  

June 2, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. --  A state organization is recognizing Kristi Welling for career supporting Grand Rapids Community College students.  Welling is GRCC's associate director of Enrollment Center Services, and was honored by the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association with a Distinguished Service Award. “I am so honored to receive this award!” said Welling, who served as MSFAA president during the 2021-2022 academic year. “I have spent 33 years as a member of the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association that works very hard to enhance student financial aid awareness, promote student access to postsecondary education and to provide professional development opportunities to its members across the state.” It is humbling to receive this award from my peers.” The award is bestowed upon an individual that has provided significant and outstanding service to the profession. “Working alongside financial aid professionals across the state that support each other is a blessing and an honor.” She said. “My life’s passion is to help students gain access to a college education.  I was first in my family to obtain a college degree and I know fear and anxiety that happens when you don’t have the supports available to be successful." Welling said she strives to help students and other financial aid professionals to be successful. “Being available, gracious, empathic and knowledgeable are attributes that I display when talking with the diverse population we serve in our MSFAA Association or the students we serve at GRCC,” she said. “People need support and grace when navigating the complicated world of education as well as the financial aid process.” Welling started her career in 1988 at a small proprietary school in Texas and has enjoyed the environment and helping students understand the process of financial aid. She worked at various institutions (Southwest Institute, Baker College and Albion College) before coming to GRCC 15 years ago to serve in the financial aid office. Welling earned her Bachelor Degree in Business Leadership from Baker College with an associate degree in Sales and Marketing. She is also certified in Mental Health First Aid and enjoys helping students with enrollment and financial aid.

June 1, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Jared Berkenpas of the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team was named Conference Player of the Year, and seven other players were saluted on Thursday with postseason honors. GRCC's baseball team finished the 2023 campaign as the Northern Conference champions with a 23-2 record and the MCCAA champions with a 35-14 record.  The season included a 17-win streak. "I think we had a lot of players that were deserving of All-Conference," head coach Mike Eddington said. "We had a talented team that was very passionate about baseball." For the second consecutive year, Berkenpas was named All-Region, All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference. The 6-foot, 5-inch righty from South Christian High School was GRCC's top pitcher in the rotation and led the team with a 8-2 record, 1.44 ERA, 71 strikeouts, .194 opponents' batting average, and had seven complete games. His ERA was second best of all NJCAA Division II players. Fernando Rivera-Calderon and Xander Reisbig were also named All-Region, All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference. Rivera-Calderon led the team in 10 home runs, with half of those being grand slams. He also led the team with 59 hits, 15 doubles, 53 runs batted in, 17 stolen bases and a slugging percentage of .699.  He was also in top-3 on the team with a .355 batting average, 1.106 OPS, six triples and 50 runs scored. Reisbig earned All-Conference honors for the second straight year after leading the team in batting with a .393 batting average and 1.203 OPS.  The slugger also hit eight home runs, seven doubles, had a slugging percentage of .682 and led the team with 29 bases on balls. Sophomore Jacob Gumieny earned All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference and All-Region honors after batting .391 with a team-high 59 hits and seven triples.  The middle infielder also had 37 RBI, nine doubles and scored 33 runs. Trevin Laming, the team's leadoff hitter and center fielder, earned First Team-Conference honors and was named to the All-Freshmen team. Laming batted .316 with 55 hits, 35 runs batted in, 11 doubles, five triples, nine home runs and 12 stolen bases. He also scored a team-high 55 runs and was second on the team with 103 total bases. Three GRCC players were named Second Team All-Conference: freshman pitcher Lucas McKinney; sophomore pitcher Colton Leatherman; and sophomore catcher Dylan Chargo. McKinney was named to the All-Freshman Team after a season where he went 8-2 in 11 appearances on the mound.  In 50.2 innings the Clarkston native struck out 38 batters and had an ERA of 3.37. Leatherman finished off his GRCC career with a 4-1 record and an ERA of 3.26.  He was second on the team with three complete games, 37 strike outs and an opponent's batting average of just .184. Chargo earned All-Conference honors for the second straight year after proving to be the best catcher in the league.  He threw seven runners out in the rare instance that runners tried to steal on him.  At the plate he batted .300 for much of the season and finished with 35 hits, 10 doubles, two home runs and 25 runs batted in. Fifth-year head coach Mike Eddington, who recorded a 100 career wins this season, was named the MCCAA Coach of the year and the Northern Conference Coach of the Year. This story was written by Ben Brown.  

June 1, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – People flock to the Festival of the Arts every year to see performers, make or appreciate art, and munch on food on a stick. All of those will be back this weekend, but Missy Summers promises the annual celebration will look a little different in its 54 th year. Summers, a Grand Rapids Community College graduate, was selected in January to be the executive director of the three-day event, which kicks off on Friday afternoon. It’s not an easy task. Summers said she wanted to see Festival continue to evolve while still retaining the features that are beloved by attendees. She attended GRCC from 2007 to 2009, then completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management at Ferris State University and a master’s degree from Aquinas College. “I had some of my best teachers at GRCC,” she said. “I was very blessed. I’m positive on GRCC.” She worked in the financial world for 10 years before becoming the director of development for Junior Achievement of Michigan Great Lakes. But she was excited to see an opening for the Festival of the Arts’ first full-time employee. “I went to Festival, and I’ve always loved it,” she said. “I have an 8-year-old son, and every year I take him to Festival. When they had this opening, I was very curious. I started at the end of January, so it’s been a little bit of a whirlwind.” A whirlwind indeed. The event draws hundreds of thousands of people to downtown, with a small army of 200 volunteers coordinating performers, food booths, artists and businesses.  “I’ve been here since 2000,” Summers said. “When we moved up here, Festival was one of the first events I went to. Back in the day, there weren’t too many big events downtown. It was Festival, Riverbank Run, and that was pretty much it happening downtown. There’s been such an evolution, because now downtown is so vibrant.” Summers said Festival is a balancing act with art and culture -- and economics. “I understand supporting artists and helping out businesses,” she said. “Helping artists leave a bigger footprint is really important to me, and so is spreading multiculturalism. We think that’s such an important part of our city and our legacy.” Festival’s evolution includes 16 food trucks joining the traditional booths staffed by community groups, for a total of 25 dining options. More than 150 performances will be spread out among five stages, including a return to Rosa Parks Circle. Youth art will be on display in DeVos Place, and juried art exhibits will be in five galleries around the city. An Artisan Village will share Calder Plaza with performers and the Festival Beer Patio featuring a selection from Lost Art Brewhouse. Story time is planned for the Grand Rapids Public Library, and a scavenger hunt can help attendees explore the event. “We always think about the food and stuff, but for me, it was really cool to see the wide range of performance art,” Summers said. “One minute you could have a jazz group playing and the next minute you have ballet going. You just get this nice diversity of performances and music. I remember early on being able to go see all these wonderful local artisans and their businesses, to experience and see how they did their art.” Summers promises old favorites will return, including the T-shirt printing booth, hat-making area, Swingin’ Art – and lots and lots of paint. “One of my favorite ones was when my son was young, taking him down there and walking through the streets and all the experiences he could have,” she said. “He could paint. We create the environment where kids can paint, and they don’t want mom and dad interrupting them. He just had such a blast. It was such a powerful experience for him. As a mom, it’s really fun when they’re excited and happy. Those are those key moments you have in your life. And now I get to work for that organization, and that’s pretty amazing.”  

May 31, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Izzy Regner and Jaye Guichelaar headline a list of seven Grand Rapids Community College softball players saluted on Wednesday with postseason honors. GRCC's softball team finished the season with a 25-18 record, and 15-10 in the conference, earning the team a share of their first conference title since 1999.  The team also finished as runners-up in the NJCAA Region XII Tournament. "I'm so proud of the accomplishments of this team," Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo said. "The players went beyond my expectations after we did not field a team last year.  They stepped up and believed in the coaches and the program. I'm excited to see them grow in the future." Regner and Guichelaar were both awarded All-Region, All-MCCAA, and First Team All-Conference honors. Both teammates were also named to the All-Tournament team at the regional tournament and Regner was named to the Northern Conference All-Freshman team. Regner, a native of Elkhorn, Wis., finished her lone season at GRCC as one of the best pitchers in the nation, as she was second among all NJCAA Division II pitchers with 292 strikeouts and second in averaging 11.7 strikeouts per seven innings.  She was also third in the nation for shutouts with eight, and eighth with a 1.36 ERA.  She had a 20-5 record and three saves in 29 appearances. Regner, who recently committed to Ferris State University - an NCAA Division II institution - had 19 games of 10 or more strikeouts, including a career-high 16 strikeouts against Mott Community College in the regional tournament. While a force on the mound, Regner also ranked as one of the best hitters in the MCCAA, with a .434 batting average, 16 doubles, five home runs and a slugging percentage of .690. Guichelaar's batting average of .523 was the best among all 20 teams in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association and top 15 in the country.  She was also second with a .543 on base percentage and fifth in the MCCAA with a .775 slugging percentage.  In 42 games, she totaled 79 hits, 18 doubles, four triples, four home runs, 28 runs batted in and only struck out nine times in over 160 plate appearances. Three GRCC players were named Second Team All-Conference: shortstop and third baseman Brynn McArthur; catcher Samara Kolehouse; and outfielder Annika Roersma. McArthur tied for the team with 41 runs batted in and led the team with 20 walks.  She also was tied for second with five home runs; third with a .592 slugging percentage, 38 runs scored and 11 doubles.  She was one of three players to play and start in all 43 games while batting a solid .384. Kolehouse, the team's every day catcher, led the team with six home runs.  She also ranked in the top-5 on the team with a .321 batting average, .566 slugging percentage, 34 hits, 10 walks, and 34 runs batted in. Roersma, who earned her third straight All-Conference honor, finished off her stellar career with a .401 batting average, 108 runs scored, 15 home runs (including five this year), and a perfect 67 for 67 steal ratio.  In the last nine games of her career, she went 11-for-26 with four home runs and 10 runs batted in. Lauren James and Alyssa Wierenga were named All-Conference honorable mention. James, who split time as the team's starting third baseman or first basemen, was third on the team with a .387 batting average and finished her freshman campaign batting .417 in regionals with a home run, earning her a spot on the All-Tournament team.  She also tied for the team lead with 41 runs batted in and was tied for second with four home runs. Wierenga played outfield and second base and batted .276 for the year.  She was second on the team with three triples and third with 11 steals.  Her spectacular defense with many diving catches also helped her earn All-Conference honors. Wierenga was also a member of this year's volleyball team that finished fifth in the nation. This story was written by Ben Brown. 

May 31, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- At GRCC’s commencement, Pamela Syfert wore a mortarboard emblazoned with these words: “1987 – 2023. Took me 36 years to get my degree.”  Yes, there’s a story there, one that the gregarious Syfert can laugh about now as she tells it, although there were also a few tears along the way. She graduated from Wyoming Park High School in 1986 and a week later moved out on her own. She doesn’t dwell on the details, but she said the move was for the best. And she went to work, landing a full-time job at Sysco Frost Pack. “I didn’t have the opportunity to go to college,” she said simply. But she saved her money, and in the fall of 1987, she was able to take two classes at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College. “I was living on my own; I was working, and it was pay as you go,” she recalled with a hearty laugh. “I think I was making four or five bucks an hour back then.” She’s not sure almost four decades later what those two classes were, although she thinks one of them was English 101. “I didn’t do well,” she said. More laughter. “In fact, I had to take it over and failed it again, and then I passed it the third time. I don’t give up.” After those two classes, she took a five-year break. “Life happens,” she said. “You have to work; cars break down -- yeah.” But in the early ‘90s, she got on a roll: two classes in 1992, one in the summer of 1993 and three more that fall. Things were looking good. But, she said, more life came her way. “I got married a couple of times, had a son, my parents died, different jobs, life interfered,” she said. Still, GRCC continued to tug at her. “I knew I wanted to go back,” she said. “I wanted to complete that degree. But I really didn’t see a way to get there, and, as the years went by, it got harder and harder to figure out how I could finish what I’d started.” When COVID hit, she avoided the layoffs that were happening in her industry and at her company at the time, Haviland Enterprises. “I wanted to work,” she said. “And I worked continuously all through COVID.” And then one day, the HR people at Haviland sent a message out to their employees about a state program called Futures for Frontliners, a scholarship program for Michiganders without college degrees who worked in essential industries during the spring 2020 shutdown. Even now there’s a hint of disbelief in her voice as she remembers first hearing about the program. “I remember thinking, ‘the government will pay for you to get your associate degree?’” she said. “It seemed too good to be true.” While Futures for Frontliners is no longer available, another state program, Michigan Reconnect , covers the cost of in-district tuition for residents 25 and older who do not have a college degree.  With the financial burden of tuition lifted, Syfert dove headfirst back into an online pool of GRCC offerings, taking classes continuously since the fall of 2021 at the rate of two to three per semester. She credits GRCC professors and staff for getting her reacclimated to being a student after 28 years between classes. “It’s not as easy when you’re older,” she said. “You forget a lot more when you’re older. But the advisors I have had have been so good. And the teachers, too. Online is a different experience for me, and the professors have helped me every step of the way.” Now, she’s in the last weeks of two classes that are part of the 2023 summer session, and when she’s done with them, she’ll be an official GRCC graduate. She laughed as she recalled asking GRCC staff members if she’d be allowed to be part of the April graduation ceremony. “They said I could walk in April,” she said. “I wanted to make sure it was OK. When they said yes, I couldn’t wait.” But on a path that had begun in 1987, the final leg provided one more challenge for Syfert. There was an accident on U.S. 131 on graduation day, and traffic was backed up for miles. She and her husband, a Grand Valley State University professor, sat helplessly on the highway as the clock continued to tick. Finally, traffic cleared, and Syfert walked in right before the ceremony was starting. “I just started bawling,” she said. “Not only because I made it on time, but the culmination of all those years and not giving up finally came to fruition.” Her 36-year journey had reached the finish line on her time. From 1987 to 2023. From high school graduate to GRCC graduate. Right on time. This story was reported by Phil de Haan.     

May 30, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College historic renovation projects reflect the college “created a campus that embraces, and is embraced by, the community,” city leaders said. GRCC was honored by the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission with the 2023 Outstanding Preservation Project by a Group award for recent renovations to Steven C. Ender Hall and the Custer Alumni House. “The renovation work GRCC has undertaken for not just these two buildings but for the entire campus has been exceptional,” the commission noted. “It would have been easy to create an isolated island. But GRCC invested its time and energy into ensuring the campus remained part of the community and that it continued to interact and respect the historically important buildings, its neighborhood and city. GRCC created a campus that embraces, and is embraced by, the community.” The 3,850-square-foot Steven C. Ender Hall is used for student-focused departments, including the Experiential Learning and the Honors programs, and Student Employment Services. It also provides space for Student Life clubs and organizations to meet. Progressive AE and Pioneer Construction worked with GRCC, local building officials, and the city’s Historic Preservation Commission on the $3.4 million renovation. The project included repairing all masonry, restoring all windows, replacing historically inappropriate windows, removing the exterior fire escape, restoring the façade, upgrading ADA accessibility, restoring the carriage house, and updating mechanicals. The Custer Alumni House, previously known as the Lettinga House, is the home of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation and alumni activities. The $1.8 million in renovations includes a kitchen, meeting space and areas for receptions and other gatherings – a welcoming place for former students and community members. GRCC worked with Pioneer and Tower Pinkster on the project, which included restoring the exterior siding and details, replacing the non-historic windows with historically accurate windows, replacing the roof, updating for ADA accessibility, and upgrading mechanicals. Rhonda Baker, Grand Rapids’ historic preservation specialist, told WGVU’s Shelley Irwin such projects “give us a sense of place. It really is important to remember your past, and keep it part of you as you move forward. The awards are an opportunity to shine a light on organizations or people who are doing something nice in our community.”    

May 29, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – GRCC gave Antonio “Toni” Kilgo the skills that help West Michigan businesses and homes power up. Start at Grand Rapids Community College and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful. Kilgo earned certificates in Furniture Manufacturing and Finishing, Construction Trades, and Machine Tooling/CNC from GRCC. He admits that he sometimes wanted to quit – or, at least, skip a class – but credits instructor John Doane with not allowing him to do that.   Armed with his certificates and an associate degree in electronics engineering technology from ITT Technical Institute, Kilgo has spent the past few decades moving through the ranks, from journeyman electrician, installation technician and senior project manager to his current role: vice president and senior consultant for Sankofa Engineering and Consulting.   “GRCC is where you attend for the equality of opportunity – if you’re willing to put in the effort and do the work,” he said. Start your story at GRCC by applying here .

May 27, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Students in grades six through nine can explore careers through hands-on activities and tours through a series of summer camps offered by the Grand Rapids Community College Workforce Training team. Students can learn about careers in water sustainability, construction, manufacturing, and wood working in four-day sessions, some starting as early as June 20. “These camps are a perfect opportunity for students to explore careers, gain hands-on experience, and meet people who are experts in their fields,” said John Van Elst, interim executive director of Workforce Training. “They also are seeing some of the real-world applications for math, science and other subjects they are learning.” Construction camp runs June 27 to 30, and costs $119. Manufacturing camp in Grand Rapids runs July 11-14 and this year there will be a section of the Manufacturing camp at the GRCC Lakeshore Campus from July 18-21. The Woodworking camp is full. There are three sections of the Water Career Camp which is open to students in grade six through nine and costs $25. Other sessions are for students in grades seven through nine. "Behind every drop of water you use, there is a huge team of professionals dedicated to ensuring your water is safe and reliable,” said Hillary Caron, a chemist for Lake Michigan Filtration Plant. “The Public Works camp will be an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience showing each step of the water and wastewater treatment processes and the available careers in an extremely rewarding industry!" Camps meet Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All camps have a limited capacity, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Details are available at grcc.edu/camps .