News Summary
Grand Rapids Community College launched its new academic year with a vibrant Opening Day ceremony, featuring significant enrollment increases and new initiatives. Highlights included an inspiring address from Interim President Dr. Steven Triezenberg, who emphasized growth, diversity, and community. The college has seen an impressive rise in Black and Latinx student enrollment, as well as growth among younger students. The event also marked the announcement of key projects like the new Recreation Center and a transition to an updated course management system, fostering positive energy for the upcoming semester.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) celebrated the start of the new academic year with its annual Opening Day ceremony on August 20, highlighting significant enrollment growth and new initiatives. The event, attended by faculty and staff, included a complimentary breakfast, speeches from various administrators, and the introduction of new leadership members.
The ceremony began with a short video showcasing the history of GRCC’s presidents, narrated by Interim President Dr. Steven Triezenberg. In his address, Dr. Triezenberg drew parallels between the themes in the book “Lessons from Plants” by Beronda Montgomery and the experiences of students and faculty, emphasizing the importance of environment in fostering growth and life trajectories. He highlighted the values of diversity, community, and the college’s ongoing commitment to excellence, equity, inclusion, and empathy.
During the event, GRCC Provost Sheila Jones shared encouraging enrollment updates. Notably, there has been an 11% increase in Black student enrollment and a 9% rise in Latinx student enrollment. Additionally, the enrollment of students aged 18-24 has increased by over 3%, and there has also been growth among students aged 25-29. The Lakeshore Campus saw an impressive 14% increase, while the overall fall retention rate rose by 4.03%. For the upcoming semester, GRCC expects a total of 11,799 students to enroll.
Other significant announcements included the upcoming opening of the new GRCC Recreation Center on August 25 and the transition from Blackboard to Canvas for course management. The college also initiated a timeline for the reveal of its new mascot, allowing students to vote after Labor Day.
Awards were presented as part of the ceremony, recognizing faculty and staff for their contribution to the college. The Excellence in Education faculty award was awarded to Julie Lackscheide, while the staff award went to Marisol Blanco. An additional Adjunct Faculty Award was given to Chad Sytsma, an adjunct professor in Business and Computer Information Systems.
Dr. Triezenberg encouraged faculty and staff to arrive early for the beginning of the semester to ensure a smooth transition into the academic year. He expressed gratitude to the Information Technology department for their role in the transition to the new Canvas platform. For students, he advised arriving early to class to avoid heavy traffic, engaging fully in their courses, and building connections within the college community.
The Opening Day ceremony also marked a transitional period for GRCC. Following the resignation of former president Charles Lepper, who was placed on paid leave in March 2023, the GRCC Board of Trustees is actively searching for a permanent president. Interim President Lisa Freiburger had served in the role before Dr. Triezenberg was appointed. With over 30 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Triezenberg previously led the Van Andel Institute Graduate School and holds a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology, alongside postdoctoral training at the Carnegie Institution and faculty experience at Michigan State University.
This year’s Opening Day ceremony set a positive tone for the 2023-2024 school year, as GRCC continues to adapt and grow while reaffirming its commitment to its students and community.
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Additional Resources
- The Collegiate Live: GRCC Opening Day Ceremony
- MLive: GRCC Appoints New Interim President
- Fox17: Governor Whitmer Visits GRCC
- Upper Michigan’s Source: Tia Schone Signs with GRCC
- Detroit News: GRCC President Resigns
- Wikipedia: Grand Rapids Community College
- Google Search: Grand Rapids Community College
- Google Scholar: Grand Rapids Community College
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grand Rapids Community College
- Google News: Grand Rapids Community College
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