Three board members were legally sworn into the the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees this evening at the first public meeting of the year. These trustees are Kathleen Bruinsma, Kenyatta Brame and David Koetje.
Bruinsma and Brame thanked their families.
“I’m grateful for my parents and grandparents who instilled in me the values of hard work, education and service to others,” Bruinsma said. “Martin Luther King, Jr., who we honor today, said ‘Everyone can be great.’ I’m honored to be a part of this institution because I believe this institution helps people become the great that they are.”
“Behind every successful candidate, there’s a team, and my team was led by my wife, Tracey,” Brame said. “This is a great opportunity for all of us to have a positive impact on this community and I look forward to supporting the mission of the college.”
Koetje was re-elected for a second term, and soon after the board members voted him to be chairperson.
“I have some passion for how the board and senior leadership work together in a way that can push the mission forward,” Koetje said. “I’m honored. I’m humbled.”
Trustee Deb Bailey was elected vice-chairperson, Trustee Richard Stewart was elected treasurer, Trustee Cynthia Bristol was elected secretary and Misty McClure-Anderson was reinstated as assistant to the secretary.
[…] student newspaper editor-in-chief Kayla Tucker was on hand to cover the swearing in of GRCC Board of Trustee members Kathleen Bruinsma, Kenyatta Brame and David […]