By Jacquelyn Zeman – Managing/News Editor
Deb Bailey and Cynthia Bristol won the election for the two open seats on the Grand Rapids Community College board of trustees Tuesday. Bailey got 66,474 votes, and Bristol came in second with a total of 56,547 votes. Each woman beat out her campaign companion in the election. Bailey campaigned with Mike Paskewicz who came in third with 52,578 votes, and Bristol campaigned with James Harvey who totaled 52,138 votes.
Bailey who is the Director of Global Corporate Relations for Steelcase, first joined the board in August of 2013.
“I am honored to be able to continue to my service to GRCC and the greater community in my role as a trustee,” Bailey said. “I respect the leadership, faculty and staff of the college and I will continue to support student success as the focal point in all that we do…thank you to all that supported me and Mike Paskewicz. I am confident that Mike will continue to support GRCC in many other ways. I will look forward to welcoming Cynthia Bristol to the board.”
Bristol, a former GRCC music professor who retired in 2013, taught at the college for 22 years.
“It will be my pleasure and honor to serve in a volunteer capacity on the GRCC board of trustees,” Bristol said. “Throughout my campaign journey I met many committed residents to the college, supportive of its emphasis on providing the best education possible for our students. The parents of current students reported their children were happy GRCC was the college of choice and benefitting from their educational experience, all of which confirmed my decision to run for a seat on the board…I am ready and willing to work with present board members and president Ender to the benefit of the students and college in its vision for the future.”
Bristol’s running partner, Harvey, was happy to see that she was given a chance to be to the board of trustees.
“I am disappointed that I don’t have a place on the board, but I am thrilled that my companion on the race won a seat,” Harvey said. “She shares my values.”
Paskewicz, Bailey’s running partner was also happy for her success in the election.
“I know that Deb Bailey will continue to provide the necessary leadership to assist the board of trustees as they provide strong governance of GRCC,” Paskewicz said. “I congratulate Cynthia Bristol for running a strong campaign that resulted in her election to the board…I will continue to support GRCC, president Ender, and the board of trustees as they provide a quality and affordable option students who have just graduated from high school and for community members returning to GRCC to build their skill set.”
