Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is a community college located in the city of Grand Rapids in the U.S. state of Michigan. GRCC offers an Associate's degree, a variety of certification programs, occupational training, and other learning opportunities for the surrounding community.

Today, GRCC's eleven-block downtown campus includes several classroom buildings, a learning center and library, Spectrum Theater, the Applied Technology Center, a remodeled music building, a fieldhouse with natatorium, a student center (including the Diversity Learning Center), Bostwick Commons, and the state-of-the-art Calkins Science Center. An off-campus “Learning Corner” has been added to serve the East Hills and Eastown neighborhoods as well as the greater Grand Rapids Community. In addition, GRCC has two Michigan Technical Education Centers (M-TECs) in West Michigan. The Patrick Thompson M-TEC, located in Holland, opened in Fall 2000 in partnership with the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District. Its open entry/open exit instruction eliminates the need for students in manufacturing and industry-related occupational programs to conform to a traditional semester time frame. The Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC in Grand Rapids opened in 2002. This world-class facility offers training in manufacturing, auto service, and building and construction trades.

In Fall 2004, more than 14,000 students enrolled in more than 1,600 liberal arts and occupational courses. The diverse student body represents students from Kent and surrounding counties as well as students from across the U.S. and 22 other nations. Another 10,000 learners are served by non-credit instructional opportunities. In addition to traditional classroom environments, students may also receive instruction through community and distant service-learning offerings, seminars, workshops, training classes, distance learning options and other educational formats. GRCC employs a faculty of more than 250 full-time and 350 part-time members as well as a staff of 650, all of whom are focused on the College's priorities to be student-centered, collaborative, and flexible. Throughout its 90-year history of academic excellence, GRCC has maintained a solid reputation as a premier transfer institution and is nationally recognized for both its liberal arts and occupational programs.

History

Grand Rapids Junior College (GRJC) was founded in 1914 by the Grand Rapids Board of Education after a resolution was passed by the University of Michigan 's faculty which encouraged the establishment of junior colleges in Michigan. This decision arose as part of the Junior College Movement led by William Rainey Harper. At the time, this made GRJC the first Junior College in Michigan, and only the seventh in the country. Jesse Buttrick Davis was the College's first president when it opened its doors on September 21, 1914 . The College was situated in Central High School, and operated from that location until 1924.

Over the next several decades, GRCC's enrollment continued to grow, causing the College to change locations several times within downtown Grand Rapids .

In 1917, the Evening Institute was opened, offering Junior College, Kalamazoo Normal Scholar (which later became Western Michigan University), and University of Michigan Extension courses. In 1918, the College earned full accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. During this time, campus life began to expand, and the Women's League was formed with the stated purpose of fostering “a democratic spirit among the women of Junior College and to sponsor social interests for the members.” During its tenure, which lasted into the 1970s, the League was highly active and sponsored teas, banquets and other events for various groups on campus.

In 1920, Arthur Andrews became president of GRJC and eventually held the distinction of having the longest tenure as president (retiring in 1955). Andrews founded and served as the first president of both the Michigan Association of Junior Colleges and the National Association of Junior Colleges. Under his administration, there were many developments at the College.

In 1922, the Physical Education Department was established. On May 16, 1923 , the Engineers Society sponsored its first annual “Shovelers' Shindig.” In 1923, the College began offering Summer classes, the Orchestra was established, and enrollment numbered 606 students In 1925, the College moved to its present location when it took occupancy of the former Strong Junior High School facility on the corner of Ransom Avenue and Lyon Street. This facility became known as the East Building. The building's gymnasium exists today as part of the Music Center. The first intercollegiate debate was held against Calvin College on April 15, 1925 . In 1926, Delta Sigma was originated, and the Basketball and Tennis teams won the state championships. In 1927, the Basketball and Tennis teams won the state championships again. In 1928, the Bookstore opened, the Basketball team won the state championship for the third straight year; and the Football, Swimming and Track teams won the state championships as well. In 1929, Delegates were sent to the Intercollegiate Model Assembly of the League of Nations for the first time; and the football team won the state championship again. In 1930, the Debate Club won the Junior College Debating Championships and the Basketball, Track and Tennis teams won the state championships. In 1934, enrollment reached 735 students. In 1935, the Debate Club won the state championship. In 1937, “Raiders” was adopted as the name of the Basketball team, and the Spanish Club was established. In 1938, the Debate team won the state championship. In 1940, the Football team finished the season undefeated at 7-0. In 1941, the Tennis, Golf, and Debate teams won the state championships. In 1944, the Main Building was added to campus. This facility had previously served as the home to the Davis Technical High School. During this time, enrollment dipped to 622 students. In 1947, Grand Rapids Junior College was named one of the top 100 best colleges and universities in the United States by Look Magazine . In 1948, the Practical Nursing program was established and the Forestry Club took a trip to Manistee National Forest on May 8 of that year. On October 7, 1949 , the Memorial Campus was dedicated to honor the students who had fallen in World War II and later included those who died in the Korean War. In the 1950s, President Arthur Andrews established GRCC's “Open Door” Admissions Policy, which states that GRCC “offers higher education to any high school student regardless of age, background, life stage, educational readiness, or financial need.” This policy played a critical part in defining GRJC (and later GRCC) as an institution of higher learning.

In 1952, the Mechanical Technology program was established. In 1954, as enrollment hit 1,140 students, the campus fountain was dedicated to President Andrews on June 10. In 1955, Arthur Andrews retired, and Dr. John Tirrell became the College's new president. This period of time saw a number of other changes, as the Adult and Continuing Education program was established in the fall of 1956 with 160 students. In sports, the football team played in the first National Junior College Championship game in Los Angeles on December 15, losing 46-6 to Coffeeville.

During the spring of the next year, over 500 students received polio vaccinations. Folk singer Pete Seeger performed at the first convocation that fall, and enrollment numbered 1,940. The Football team again had a banner year, finishing undefeated at 7-0.

In 1958, Dr. John Visser became the College's fourth president. That same year, GRJC played host to a meeting of the American Association of Junior Colleges. The next year, the Student Teacher Experimental Program (STEP) for teacher training started. In 1960, the first Annual European Tour was offered for students, and a Conversational Spanish class aired on WOOD-TV. In 1961, an Honors Program was started and the Associate of Electronic Technology was offered.

Dr. Donald Fink became GRJC's president in 1962, while the Men's Basketball Team won the state championship, and the Debate Team won the State Junior College Debate Tournament. In 1963, the GRCC Foundation was established to establish a sustainable source of funding to help underprivileged students gain access to a college education at GRCC. Meanwhile the College began offering new courses like Nuclear Chemistry. Algebra became the colleges first “self-paced” course, and that fall the Cross Country team took second place in the National Junior College meet. As a sign of the times, all cigarette machines were removed from campus in December 1963.

In 1964, the College celebrated its 50th anniversary and saw a flurry of activity. The West Building was added to campus – purchased from the Lear-Siegler Corporation. This building remained part of GRJC until 1984 when it was sold to Kendall College of Art and Design. The Dental Assisting program was established, and the student newspaper the Collegiate sponsored a forum on segregation. Enrollment had just topped 4,000 students.

In 1965, Francis J. McCarthy became College president. That same year the Ski Club formed, and the Student Congress sponsored a “Bleed-in” blood drive to memorialize the Americans who died in the Vietnam war. In 1966, the first annual Miss Grand Rapids Junior College Pageant was held, Introduction to Natural Resources was offered, and the College held its first chess tournament.

In 1967, the Wrestling team won the State meet for the second year in a row, civil rights pioneer James Meredith spoke on campus, and the Women's League sponsored “International Night,” inviting foreign students to speak and show off their native garb. In 1968, Jean Reed won the Miss Grand Rapids Junior College and Miss Michigan Junior College pageants, a Children's Literature course was first offered, and the Football team won the Wool Bowl in Roswell, New Mexico by a score of 24-0 over Henderson Junior College on December 12.

In 1969, the Collegiate was named Best Junior College Paper in Michigan by the Michigan Collegiate Press Association for the first time. In addition, the College hosted the Miss Michigan Junior College pageant. Technology advanced on campus as the token system was implemented for parking and computers were used for registration for the first time. GRJC also broke ground for the North Building.

1970 marked the groundbreaking for the Bostwick parking ramp, and the formation of the Black Student Union. August 24, 1971 saw the opening of the North Building as well as the establishment of the Dental Hygiene program. New classes that year included Introduction to Acting and International Relations. The following year, the Radiologic Technology program started and the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO) Agreement was signed, easing the process of transferring credit from two-year schools to four-year colleges and universities.

Shortly thereafter, the Learning Center opened on August 27, 1973 . That same year the Hospitality Education and Automotive Technology programs began, and the Women's Resource Center was created. It was during this year that a Russian language course was offered, and the Wrestling team placed third in a national tournament. In 1974, the Laboratory Pre-school opened, the men's swimming and diving team won the state meet and finished second at the National Swimming and Diving Meet. Enrollment reached 6,054 students.

In 1975, Richard W. Calkins became the College's seventh president. Also that year, the Women's Basketball team won the state championship, and the original Spectrum Theater opened in the former Violet Chapel. The following year would see the opening and dedication of the Gerald R. Ford fieldhouse on August 26, 1976. Featured along the south exterior wall of the Fieldhouse is a frieze titled “The Legend of Grand Rapids” by sculptor and GRJC alumnus Lumen Winter. In sports that year, the wrestling team was NJCAA national runner-up, the volleyball team fished seventh in nationals, and the women's Basketball team placed sixth at the AIAW National Tournament. Fashion Merchandising classes were first offered this year and the College began holding classes on weekends to accommodate demand.

In 1977, the Great American Talk Festival debuted with radio personality Paul Harvey as the first speaker (the lecture series ran until 1984 and attracted over 100,000 people onto campus). That same year the Associate Degree in Photography was offered and the Handicapped Student program was organized.

In 1978, a Genetics course was offered, and the first Annual Student Congress blood drive brought in 53 pints. The next year, the Occupational Therapy program was established, the College hosted a Teach-in on nuclear power, and Ray Charles spoke at the Great American Talk Festival. On August 28, 1980, the Music Center opened, and Media Services began operating Television Channel E.

The 1980s were a great period of change at the Grand Rapids Junior College. The Student Center and McCabe-Marlowe house opened in 1981. That same year the College began offering Telecourses. In 1982, grading changed to a plus-and-minus system, the Computer Applications Department was established, the Student Life Board formed, and the College hosted Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving National competitions. Both GRJC teams finished third. Also that year, Media Services began operating television Channel G. In 1983, a Grand Rapids Transit Authority shuttle bus to campus began running. In 1984, the Office of Minority Affairs / Affirmative Action opened. Enrollment was 8,913.

In 1985, the First Annual Communication Arts Festival was held and Dr. Benjamin Spock spoke at a College-sponsored conference. In 1986, the Culinary Arts Department was awarded fifth place ranking nationwide among food service schools, and the Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Awareness formed. The next year, the First Teleconference took place on November 6, 1987 and that same year the Tennis team finished 9th in the National Junior College Tennis Tournament. In 1988, the Assessing Student Skills for Entry and Transfer (ASSET) test was given for the first time and the International Culinary Team participated for the first time in the World Culinary Olympics. The College also broke ground on the Applied Technology Center; a joint technical training center conceived by then-President Calkins and Bill Wenrich, then-president of Ferris State University. In the innovative spirit of the center, a dancing robot lifted the first shovelful of earth at the groundbreaking.

The College celebrated its 75th Anniversary on October 5, 1989 with a Community Birthday Party at which 75 culinary arts students created the world's largest cherry torte in 75 minutes. That same year, the Noorthoek Academy – a continuing education program in the arts and sciences for special needs students who want to pursue their education in a college setting - was established. The College also began offering classes at the Holland Careerline Tech Center in a collaborative effort with Muskegon Community College, and the Wrestling team finished sixth in the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament.

The 1990s were a period of still more transition at the College. In 1990, the College Choir performed at Carnegie Hall and graphing calculators were first used for math classes. In 1991, a redistricting measure passed that enabled the College to separate from the Grand Rapids K-12 district and the College officially became a Community College. That same year, the Applied Technology Center was dedicated, and the Debate Team finished second within the Junior College League.

In 1992, the Board of Trustees approved the purchase of the College Park Plaza building. Also that year, the College began operating a mobile satellite uplink truck on behalf of the Michigan Community College Association, the women's swimming and diving team finished second at the NJCAA meet, and the football team won the Dixie Rotary Bowl by the score of 42-35 over Snow College on December 3.

In 1993, Poet Allen Ginsberg appeared on campus. In addition, the Diversity Task Force formed with the mission of starting a number of initiatives on campus including the annual Diversity Conference, Diversity Lecture Series, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. march. The next year, the Lyon Street Parking Ramp opened and the College connected to the Internet. College enrollment hit 13,726 and the Service Learning Center opened, offering a variety of opportunities for students including Alternative Spring Break trips.

In 1995, the First Diversity Conference was held, Winchester Alley opened, and the first annual Math Challenge for 9th and 10th graders was held. The men's basketball team lost in the NJCAA Division II title game to North Iowa College. In 1996, the Baseball team won its First NJCAA Division II World Series, e-mail was offered on campus, and the College hosted its First Annual bring Kids on Campus program.

In 1997, the Baseball team repeated as NJCAA II World Series national champions, the new Spectrum Theater building was added to campus, and automated registration by phone became available. In 1988, the Older Learner Center was established, the 50th Annual Musical Moods was presented, and the Admissions Office began offering web-based application forms.

In 1999, the College's first inauguration ceremony was held as Dr. Juan R. Olivarez was named the College's eighth president. That year the Bostwick Commons opened; and the First Annual Salute to Women awards ceremony and the International Harvest Festival were held. Campus police officers began wearing sidearms, the sculpture “Aspiration of Inspiration” by Joseph Kinnebrew was dedicated, and a Teach-in on Kosovo was hosted. The Preschool celebrated its 25th anniversary.

In 2000, the Calkins Science Center was dedicated; the Holland M-TEC opened; the TV program “Inside GRCC” premiered; and the First Annual Latino Youth Congress was held on campus. The Inaugural Science Lecture Series was held and Recording Technology was offered by the Music Department. That same year the Concurrent Enrollment Compact with Grand Valley State University was signed.

On February 19, 2001 , the Concurrent Enrollment Compact with Ferris State University was signed, a move that coincided with the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Applied Technology Center . “eGRCC” was implemented for online registration and student records access. Also that year, the College implemented a year-long class schedule and established the Distance Learning Technology Department. This year also marked the first meeting of the Academic Senate, and the creation of the “Raider” raccoon mascot.

In 2002, the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC was dedicated on August 28. The College signed a “3+1” agreement with Davenport University, and the Accuplacer test was first used for assessing incoming students. The Football team won the Graphic Edge Bowl by a score of 12-6 over Iowa Central Community College on November 17. In 2003, the Learning Corner on Wealthy Street, S.E. opened and the Center for Diversity Learning was established. The College received the Michigan Quality Leadership Award (MQLA) Honor Roll Recognition from the Michigan Quality Council in November 2003. The Art Department was accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and the Raiders won their third national championship in baseball.

In 2004, the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team won its fourth NJCAA Division II World Series, and President George W. Bush made one of many swing-state campaign stops to Michigan at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse.

In 2005 the Raiders baseball team won its fifth (and third straight) national title at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series. On December 3, the second-ranked GRCC football team narrowly lost the NJCAA national championship game to No. 1-ranked Glendale Community College, 50-48, at the Valley of the Sun Bowl in Glendale, Ariz. However, the Raiders were awarded the national championship for non-scholarship programs and were given the NJCAA Football Coaches Association Non-Scholarship Award.

Library and Learning Commons

The Library & Learning Commons (LLC) is located on a hillside in downtown Grand Rapids and offers learner-centered services with the goal of creating successful students capable of continuing their studies or joining the educated workforce of Michigan.

Many professors bring their classes to the LLC both for general research and classroom instruction. The library is supported by a staff of thirteen, half of whom hold professional library degrees. Study spaces are equipped with modern computer workstations, wireless technology, and flexible seating to facilitate collaboration.

Collections include extensive licensed electronic resources and are further enhanced through participation in MEL, the Michigan eLibrary.

Athletics

GRCC National Championships:
* 1996 Baseball - NJCAA Division 2
* 1997 Baseball - NJCAA Division 2
* 2003 Baseball - NJCAA Division 2
* 2004 Baseball - NJCAA Division 2
* 2005 Baseball - NJCAA Division 2
* 2005 Football - NJCAA Football Coaches Association Non-Scholarship Award Recipient (best team from non-scholarship college)

GRCC National Runners-up:
* 1956 Football - NJCAA National Championship Game
* 1974 Men's Swimming and Diving - NJCAA
* 1976 Wrestling - NJCAA
* 1988 Football - NJCAA National Championship Game
* 1992 Women's Swimming and Diving - NJCAA
* 1995 Men's Basketball - NJCAA Division 2
* 2005 Football - NJCAA National Championship Game
* 2006 Baseball - NJCAA Division 2

GRCC Baseball - NJCAA Division II World Series Appearances:
* 1993
* 1996 - National Champion
* 1997 - National Champion
* 2001
* 2003 - National Champion
* 2004 - National Champion
* 2005 - National Champion
* 2006 - National Runner-up

GRCC Baseball - NJCAA Baseball Hall of Fame:
* Tom Hofmann

GRCC Football - NJCAA Football Hall of Fame:
* Gordon Hunsberger, Coach
* Fred Julian, Coach

GRCC Football - NJCAA Football Coaches - All-time Wins:
* 16th - Fred Julian, Grand Rapids Community College - 18 seasons - 139-48-2

GRCC Football - Former Players in National Football League:
* Carl Powell - Cincinnati Bengals

GRCC Football - NJCAA Football Coaches Association Final Poll (68 NJCAA football members in 2006):
* 2002 - 8th
* 2004 - 10th
* 2005 - 4th - National Champion - Non-scholarship
* 2006 - 13th

GRCC Football - Yearly Records:
* 1919 2-3-1
* 1940 7-0
* 1957 7-0
* 2002 8-2
* 2004 9-2
* 2005 9-2
* 2006 8-3

GRCC Football - Bowl Games:

1956 NJCAA Championship, Los Angeles, Calif.
* Coffeyville Community College 46, GRJC 6

1968 Wool Bowl, Roswell, N.M.
* GRJC 24, Henderson Junior College, Texas 0

1970 Wool Bowl, Roswell, N.M.
* Navarro College 21, GRJC 0

1986 Texas Junior College Shrine Bowl
* GRJC 23, Tyler Junior College 17

1987 East Bowl
* Lees-McRae College 20, GRJC 13

1988 Valley of the Sun Bowl, Glendale, Ariz. (National Championship Game)
* Glendale Community College, Ariz. 15, GRJC 2

1990 Mickinnon Travel Midwest Bowl
* GRJC 20, College of DuPage 0

1992 Dixie Rotary Bowl, St. George, Utah
* GRCC 42, Snow College 35

1996 Dixie Rotary Bowl, St. George, Utah
* Dixie State College of Utah 34, GRCC 16

2002 Graphic Edge/Siglar Printing Bowl, Cedar Falls, Iowa
* GRCC 12, Iowa Central Community College 6 (OT)

2004 Dixie Rotary Bowl, St. George, Utah
* Dixie State College of Utah 27, GRCC 20

2005 Valley of the Sun Bowl, Glendale, Ariz. (National Championship Game)
* Glendale Community College, Ariz. 50, GRCC 48

2006 Graphic Edge/Siglar Printing Bowl, Cedar Falls, Iowa
* GRCC 24, North Iowa Area Community College 6

GRCC Football - North Central Community College Conference (NC4) Championships:
* 2000

GRCC Swimming and Diving - NJCAA Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame:
* Spyke Johnson

GRCC Women's Tennis - NJCAA Women's Tennis Hall of Fame:
* Sue Katerburg
* Skip Nelson

GRCC Wrestling - NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame:
* Emile Caprara, Coach
* John Selmon
* Charles Wells

External links

* [http://www.grcc.edu GRCC web site]