April 14, 2023, CENTREVILLE Mich. –  The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team won both games of a doubleheader against Alpena Community College to win its eighth consecutive game. The softball team split its twin bill. Hurler Izzy Regner picked up another win, and it credited with 11 of the team’s 14 victories.     The GRCC golf team also had a good day, dominating a field of six teams on Friday, winning by 20 strokes at the Glen Oaks Invitational Tournament. In the baseball game, Jerad Berkenpas, Connor Foley and the rest of the team defeated Alpena 11-0 in sixth innings and then 17-4 in five innings. Berkenpas picked up his fourth win in the opener, allowing just three hits while striking out eight. Xander Reisbig, Trevin Laming and Fernando Rivera-Calderon all hit home runs. Rivera-Calderon's two-run blast ended the game in the bottom of the sixth. GRCC (16-10, 11-1) scored the first nine runs of the nightcap, and finished the game with 19 hits. Tommy Reid and Laming each had three hits and a double. Foley picked up the victory after allowing just two earned runs while striking out five. In the softball game, Regner struck out 11 and gave up just three hits. Jaye Guichelaar and Brynn McArthur combined for four hits and four RBI. In the nightcap, GRCC (14-12, 6-6) led 2-1 after one inning and 3-2 after three innings. But Alpena took advantage of Raider errors and scored the next eight runs of the ball game.  Only six of the 14 runs were earned for GRCC starter Macy Huver. Offensively, GRCC outhit the Lumberjacks 16-12, led by Guichelaar who went 4-for-5.  Lauren James, McArthur, Madi Lemke and Annika Roersma each had two hits. One of Roersma's hits was an inside-the-park home run - her first of the season. Both teams return back to conference play as they take on Alpena Community College in a triple header on Saturday, with the first game starting at 11 a.m.  In the golf tournament, Drew Harrington was the medalist for GRCC, as he finished with a 1-under 71, while making three birdies. Teammates Brad VandenHout and Ty Marchlewski tied for second shooting 73s. They each had four birdies.  Sam Foss shot a 75 to finish sixth and Zach Basiaga shot a 78 to finish in ninth place. This story was reported by Ben Brown. 

April 14, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Monica Hudson gets to assist students with fast-tracking their education to enter the workforce.  Hudson is an Educational Training Specialist with the MTEC Champions Program. The program allows underserved young adults aged 18 to 24 to receive free training in any MTEC program that is 12 months or less.  The program is offered at no cost to students and also offers services such as transportation assistance, mental health resources, and more.  Hudson's favorite part of her role is getting to attend MTEC graduations.  “I have had the honor to attend two graduations and it’s fun to witness the student's pride in their accomplishments and seeing the support of their loved ones,” Hudson said.   Hudson has been at GRCC for just over one year. Previously she worked in a variety of roles in a hospital. The environment was always fast-paced and stressful. Hudson had always wanted to work in higher education and felt GRCC would be a great change of pace.  One year later she is surprised by how much she enjoys her work and wishes she explored working in higher education sooner.  Hudson encourages students to ask questions and not to be afraid to ask for help. GRCC has many resources available to students and faculty and staff members love to help. More information about the Champions program can be found at grcc.edu/champions.

April 14, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich . — Kim Budde had barely started at Grand Rapids Community College in 1996 when her mom was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. “Once I found out Mom was terminally ill, it really took everything out of me,” Budde said. “I needed to focus on her, so I paused college and told myself I’d go back the next year.” But life — and death — got in the way. Until now. On April 28, more than a quarter-century since first attending GRCC, Budde will walk across the stage at GRCC’s Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse and accept her diploma. “You can bet I’ll be thinking about my mom and dad and brother and all the other people that I've lost the past two years as I walk across that stage. They’ll be right there with me, and I’ll make sure I give all the thanks to them,” Budde said. Budde is also thankful to Michigan’s Futures for Frontliners. The state scholarship program was created for Michiganders without college degrees like Budde who worked in essential industries during the state’s COVID-19 shutdown in spring 2020. The scholarship provided frontline workers with, in most cases, tuition-free access to local community colleges. “Frontliners was truly a blessing because it gave me another great reason why I needed to stay in school. I didn’t want to let GRCC down either,” she said. Budde grew up in Newaygo County, part of a large, close-knit family. After her mother’s death in 1996, she and her husband, Harry, built a new home in Rockford where they raised two daughters. She’s spent her career in the medical insurance industry in Grand Rapids, rising through the ranks to her current position as a senior manager. But her mom’s dreams for her never faded. “My mom never went to college; she only made it through the eighth grade. I think that’s why she really wanted college for me,” Budde said. “But for 25 years I just focused on my work and my family. “In the back of my mind, though, was keeping that promise to my mom; I thought I let her down by quitting college. I always figured one day I’d go back, I just had to find the right time.” That time came in January 2021 when Budde re-enrolled at GRCC as a business major. Since then, she’s kept her nose to the grindstone with a full-time job and a full class load the past several semesters. All that hard work paid off: Budde has earned a 3.78 GPA, serves as a GRCC Honors Ambassador and is vice president of Alpha Upsilon Kappa, GRCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community colleges. She’s also been on GRCC’s President’s or Dean’s list every semester. Kim also was one of three students named to represent GRCC on the All Michigan Academic Team through Phi Theta Kappa. But continuing her educational journey wasn’t always easy. She lost her father to COVID in October 2021 and her brother passed away last summer. Despite the pain of loss, she persevered at GRCC. “We’re a very close family and my dad’s sudden death hit us hard,” she said. “But I just couldn’t pause school again. I made a promise to myself that I would forge ahead and keep going until I earned my degree.” And she will on April 28. After graduating with an associate degree in business administration at GRCC, Budde will continue with her studies this fall through GRCC's pre-business " 3+1 " program, a partnership with Davenport University, where she will earn a bachelor’s degree.  She hopes her story will inspire others facing what seem to be insurmountable obstacles. “I’ve seen my share of struggles like a lot of other people,” she said. “All you can do is just keep going, keep pushing forward.” This story was reported by Beth McKenna.

April 13, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A match between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University is the highlight of the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Volleyball Classic at Grand Rapids Community College’s Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse on Saturday, April 15. The opening match features Western Michigan University and Bowling Green State University, starting at 4 p.m. The MSU-U of M match will follow. The event is a fundraiser for local athletic programs. Tickets are available in advance for $5 at grshof.com, and will be available at the door for cash only. Parking is free in the GRCC ramps for the event. Autograph sessions by the teams are also planned. The four universities have a spring schedule of exhibition competition in preparation for their fall season. The event will benefit Great Sports, Great Kids, a division of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation that funds athletics for students in grades kindergarten through eight. The Hall of Fame last year inducted long-time GRCC football coach Fred Julian. The GRSHOF has been the steward of sports history in the Grand Rapids area for 50 years. The officers and trustees continue a tradition of honoring prominent West Michigan athletes and those who have contributed greatly to sports on a local, state or national level, and present annual events in support of local youth organizations and charities. The Hall of Fame last year inducted long-time GRCC football coach Fred Julian. Other GRCC and Grand Rapids Junior College inductees include basketball coach Gene Paxton, baseball coach Tom Hofmann, and athletic director and football coach Gordon Hunsburger. Plaques commemorate the members of the Hall of Fame at Van Andel Arena.  

April 12, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Rapids Community College’s Exercise Science Department is being honored by Exercise is Medicine for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. The department earned a Gold Level designation from the Exercise is Medicine on Campus program, with the honors to be presented in June. GRCC is one of 156 campuses recognized this year, with 73 receiving gold designation, 60 silver and 23 bronze. All gold, silver and bronze universities and colleges will be recognized on June 1 as part of the 2022 Exercise is Medicine World Congress, held in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting. EIM-OC calls upon universities and colleges to promote physical activity as a vital sign of health and encourages faculty, staff and students to work together to improve the health and well-being of the campus community. The award is based on the GRCC Exercise is Medicine Team’s efforts across our campus.  Team members include professor Melanie Schiele Gady, professor Jodi Gee, professor Jennifer Gable, professor Leigh Kleinert, Ford Fieldhouse Director Whitney Marsh, academic adviser Kim Stoffel, Director of Student Financial Services Jennifer Scott, and students in EXS 184 Introduction to Exercise Science Courses. “We are thrilled to recognize these campuses’ commitment to make movement a part of daily campus culture and give students the tools to cultivate physical activity habits that will benefit them throughout their lives,” said Robyn Stuhr, vice president of Exercise is Medicine. “These campus programs are nurturing future leaders who will advance a key tenet of Exercise is Medicine: making physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in health care.” EIM-OC launched its recognition program in 2014 to honor campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness. Schools earn gold, silver or bronze status based on their activities. Gold level campuses have created a referral system where campus health care providers assess student physical activity and refer students as necessary to a certified fitness professional as part of medical treatment. Silver campuses engage students, faculty and staff in education initiatives and make movement part of the daily campus culture while bronze level campuses promote and generate awareness of the health benefits of physical activity. The American College of Sports Medicine co-launched Exercise is Medicine in 2007 with the American Medical Association. Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, and Washtenaw Community College also earned Gold honors, and Michigan Tech earned Silver.  

April 12, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Auditions are planned for students looking to major in music at GRCC, and possibly follow in the footsteps of alumni working and performing around the globe. Auditions for string players are planned for April 15, and sessions for voice, guitar, piano, wind and percussion are scheduled for April 22. All will be conducted in the Albert P. Smith Music Center, 142 Ransom Ave. NE in Grand Rapids.   Students should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled audition time, allowing them time to check in and warm up before your audition. Parking is available in Ramp A, across the street from the Albert P. Smith Music Center. In addition to their audition performance, students will have the opportunity to complete assessments in music theory and aural perception on the day of your audition. Students whose primary performance area is not piano will also have the opportunity to complete a piano skills assessment. Parents are welcome to accompany students on audition day and they will have the opportunity to meet with the music department program director for questions. Additional information is available by email at music@grcc.edu and by calling (616) 234-3973.

April 11, 2023, ALMA, Mich. -- The Grand Rapids Community College baseball team finished its season series with Mid Michigan College with a 4-1 win on Tuesday, while Izzy Regner earned her conference-leading tenth win in the softball team's doubleheader split its games against Alma College's junior varsity. It was a pitchers’ duel in Shepherd, as both baseball starters gave up just one run through six innings. But in the top of the seventh, GRCC's first six batters reached base, and back-to-back doubles by Aaron Bess and Xander Reisbig gave the Raiders a 4-1 lead. GRCC starting pitcher Lucas McKinney (3-1) retired all three batters to finish the complete game. He gave up just three hits and no earned runs.  In game one of the softball doubleheader in Alma, GRCC powered past the Scots 10-2.  It totaled 15 hits to just four for the opponents.  Five Raiders had two hits: Jaye Guichelaar, Izzy Regner, Lauren James, Brynn McArthur, and Samara Kolehouse, who launched her team leading fifth home run of the season in the sixth inning.  Kolehouse also had a team-high four RBI and James had two. Regner picked up her conference-leading 10th win of the season, allowing no earned runs while striking out seven in just 94 pitches. Alma jumped out a 10-0 lead in the second game and cruised to a 16-2 victory. Guichelaar and Regner added two more hits in the loss, while McArthur, Kolehouse and Alyssa Wierenga had the other hits. Both teams return back to conference play as they take on Alpena Community College on April 13 at 2 p.m.  This story was reported by Ben Brown. 

April 11, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Rev. Ricardo Tavárez, a Grand Rapids Community College grad who leads the youth development organization New City Neighbors, will share his story on Wednesday as part of the college’s Diversity Lecture Series. Tavarez is planning to speak from 4-5 p.m. on April 12 in room 168 of the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center. The event is also available remotely here  and is free and open to all. American sign language interpreters or Closed Caption services will be available. Tavárez is an artist, writer and speaker with Afro-Latino of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage, and proudly part of the LGBTQ+ community. He delivers a unique intersection of writing, visual art, and public speaking that reflect on race, gender, queerness, social justice, faith and doubt. Tavárez is the executive director New City Neighbors, a faith-based non-profit that empowers youth through leadership development and urban farming. He is also the Senior Pastor of En Vivo Church, a Queer-affirming church plant he founded in 2016. Tavárez came to GRCC after a year at a four-year university, an experience he describes as “suffocating.” “GRCC is a breath of fresh air,” he said in a 2021 alumni profile. “It welcomes students from all walks of life, from those fresh out of the halls of their high school to established individuals seeking to make a career change to retirees just looking to learn something new. GRCC provides opportunities for connection, exploration and discovery, with the benefit of an affordable tuition.” After receiving his associate degree in Business Administration, he earned a bachelor’s degree in international business and marketing at Kuyper College and a master’s in divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary. “My journey has been about making meaningful connections with people that help me better understand who I am and, subsequently, what my goals should be,” Tavárez said. “That, with quite a bit of grit and what Jaime Escalante would call ‘ganas,’ has got me a long way.” The Diversity Lecture Series provides GRCC stakeholders and members of the Grand Rapids community with tangible access to society’s most prolific scholars, thought-leaders, activists, and innovative artist. The lecture series aims to connect members of the community with people that hold a compelling interest in shaping a culture of inclusion and social justice. For more than 20 years, the diversity lecture series has helped attendees consider different perspectives through cultural engagement, critical thought, and civil discourse. Additional information is available here .

April 10, 2023, ROCKFORD, Mich. -- Fernando Rivera-Calderon's hit a grand slam for the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team, helping it to a 14-4 victory at Aquinas College on Monday. The sophomore from Puerto Rico also added an RBI single in the second inning, bringing GRCC to a 9-0 lead. The home run is his fourth of the season. GRCC, 14-10 overall, finished with 12 hits in the nine-inning, non-conference game. The team has a five-game win streak. Xander Reisbig also hit a home run, a no-doubter over the right field wall in the eighth inning. He also has a two-run single in the second. Joe Hoeks and Andres Rivera-Calderon added two hits. Payton Clouse had his first career base hit. Four Raiders saw action on the mound, with Jeremy Marble picking the win.  GRCC's pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts, including five from Blake Waibel. GRCC will finish its season series against Mid Michigan on Tuesday at 1 p.m.  This story was reported by Ben Brown.