Over 400 students will walk across the Van Andel Arena stage this Friday for the Grand Rapids Community College commencement ceremony.
A portion of the students graduating this year are part of the Wyoming High School Middle College program. This program allows students to start taking classes at GRCC as early as 10th grade in order to receive an Associate of Arts degree on top of a high school diploma.
The students of Wyoming High School partnered with GRCC in 2012, making the program the first of its kind in the region, and the 26th middle college program statewide.
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss is this year’s commencement speaker.
“We are delighted to have someone of Mayor Bliss’ stature … address our students,” said President Steven Ender. “(She will) celebrate their success and impart her wisdom as they prepare to begin the next phase of their life.”
During her commencement address, Mayor Bliss will “offer to hire each graduate” according to Bliss’ assistant, Amy Snow-Buckner. Snow-Buckner says the job offer is for students to “give back to the community through volunteerism.”
“It is an honor to be part of GRCC’s commencement ceremony,” Bliss said. “I look forward to joining faculty and the entire GRCC community … in celebrating the students’ accomplishments.”
The ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. April 29 at the Van Andel Arena, downtown Grand Rapids. This year, approximately 1,635 students are receiving degrees or certificates.
