Grand Rapids Community College
Hallmarks and Quirks
Things I'm Good At:
- I don't want to brag too much, but I boast one of the nation's top twenty culinary arts programs.
- Sports aren't really my thing, but I've held national titles in just about every sport I've played.
- Getting out of town. Literally. Gettin' students out in the world is a priority here, so there's tons of chances to study abroad, do internships, complete service learning projects, and so on.
- I'm here for you; student service is what it's all about. Your success matters, and the tutoring, counseling, and guidance here is top-notch.
- Choice. Along with the typical undergrad offerings, you'll find a plethora of technical and vocational programs to choose from.
My Top 5 Must-Haves:
- You should have clothes for every type of weather imaginable. Freezing rain? Yep. Blistering heat? Yep. Both of these extremes in the same week? Sorry, but yep.
- A budget. I don't see myself as cheap; I'm more of a "thrift enthusiast." All the same, if you pay attention and plan ahead, you'll really save some clams.
- An open mind. Seriously, you're going to be in classes with all kinds of people. So, you know, be friendly.
- A way to get around town. Your car, a parent's car, a friend's car, a bus pass—it doesn't matter what it is, but you'll want to do things like head to Lake Michigan or check out Eastown when you're not studying and working.
- Friends to dine with, because Grand Rapids has places to eat that serve things like the "Ron Swanson" sandwich and the "Ultimatoe" pizza.
Why You Might Have Heard of Me:
- Well, this is awkward. You probably haven't heard of me unless you live in the Grand Rapids area. I don't make it out to the national scene very much, but that's just another reason to try to get to know me better.
On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...
Let's just say I get around.
You might find me at one of the many, many places to grab a microbrew. But then again, I might have had to pick up an extra shift at work, so I could be also workin' for the weekend.
When I'm looking for a party, there's a pretty good chance I might head over to another school's scene. I've been known to check out the action at Grand Valley State University or even make the one-hour drive to Michigan State University to meet up with friends.
Favorite Hangouts:
- The Quiet Cafe and the Raider Grill are my main go-tos—not just for grub, but for a place to meet up, pass time between classes, or study. They're both in the student center, and conveniently located in the middle of all of the main campus buildings.
Quirks:
- So. Many. Teachers. There's going to be a rotating roster of teachers making the rounds. Chances are you'll have some teachers who are adjunct or part-time at some point. Sometimes it means office hours are a bit tight, and the "office" might actually be the student lounge. It's all good though; it just means more options for you.
- It may be cliché, but it's true...I'll be there for you. My goal is to help you move on. Think of me as a stepping stone; you can walk all over me to get where you need to go.
- I've got a lot of different places where class might meet. Be aware of the locations when you sign up so that you don't end up needing to be in the nearby town of Holland at 8:00AM and then back on the main campus in GR at 9:00AM. More of me to love, am I right?
Famous Alumni:
- Edward Fenlon, a former member of the Michigan State House of Representatives. May he represent in peace.
- Bill Hardiman, former member of the Michigan Senate. Exciting, huh?
- Daniel Vosovic, finalist on Project Runway, Season 2. The only season worth watching.
- Dave Rozema, former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers