On Thursday, April 25, Grand Rapids Community College held its 107th commencement ceremony at the Van Andel Arena in Downtown Grand Rapids. This ceremony celebrated over 600 graduates of GRCC’s class of 2024.
After GRCC Student Government President Alex Miranda recited the college’s Land Acknowledgement Statement, Miranda introduced GRCC’s President Charles Lepper who congratulated the class of 2024 and highlighted the number of accomplishments the college has achieved over the years.
“Today, GRCC’s enrollment is over 12,000 students, and offers 160 degree and certificate programs, with an annual $1-billion economic impact and that supports over 14,000 jobs in West Michigan,” Lepper said. “Since our founding, one thing has remained the same. We are an institution committed to fostering not only the academic growth and success of our students, but their success in life. Tonight, we will celebrate those successes.”
“The Star Spangled Banner” was performed by GRCC’s Shades of Blue and directed by Music Professor Jedidiah Scott. After the performance, Lepper presented three awards and recognized five students as this year’s Graduates of Excellence.
Here are the recipients:
- Faculty Emeritus Award- Robert Long, Professor of Biological Science from 1975-2014
- Distinguished Alumni- Ruth Kelly, Class of 1974
- GRCC Champion Award- Corewell Health
- Graduates of Excellence
- Jodi Holland- School of Business & Industry
- Kathryn “Kat” Waller- School of Health Sciences
- Linda Morfa Limonte- School of Liberal Arts
- Yasmina Zimmer- School of Science Technology Engineering and Math
- Ashley Smith- Certificate School of Workforce Training
Lepper reintroduced Miranda back to the stage to present his Student Governments President’s Remarks, in which he congratulated the graduates on their achievements and said this class would not be forgotten.
“Before I step off this podium, I want to make it clear that I won’t forget about you,” Miranda said. “I’ve been paying attention to a lot of your faces and I’ve picked up on your support, your grins and your eagerness to receive your diploma. Many of you graduates today have your family here with you, and I’m positive they won’t ever forget about you as well…You are all part of GRCC’s history, Grand Rapids’s History and one another’s history.”
The Collegiate spoke with a few graduates and asked them how they felt about their experience at GRCC and what their next steps are.
Torri Bakker, 21, is majoring in elementary education and said that she’s glad to be a GRCC grad.
“It is a great place to go to school,” said Bakker. “I think it has a lot of resources to actually succeed. I’m so happy I’m here.”
Dalia Reyes-Nunez has said that GRCC is a great school and thanked all her professors for making GRCC a great school to attend.
“It’s hard to give up here honestly,” said Reyes-Nunez. “You want to give up but it’s like no, you gotta keep going, and I am very thankful for my professors.”
When asked what his next steps are, International Relations Major Samuel Wright, 42, said that he isn’t sure what the future holds but just wanted to set an example for his daughter.
“I’m not doing this to get a career, I had a successful career (in) intel communications but I never graduated high school,” Wright said. “I have a daughter and I don’t want her to be able to say, ‘Well you were successful and you didn’t have a degree.’ So I wanted to get a degree.”
Other students are continuing their education at four-year universities, such as Trevor Veine, 20, who is attending Ferris State University to continue his major in Construction Management and Bakker who is going to Grand Valley State University in the Fall.
Lepper congratulated this year’s graduating class one more time and wished them the best before closing the ceremony with a performance of the “GRCC Alma Mater” which was written by Carol VanRandwyk and Walter Lockwood and performed by GRCC Shades of Blue.
“On behalf of your Grand Rapids Community College community and your family and friends, I want to wish you the best as you take your next steps,” Lepper said “Whether that’s on to a career or continuing your studies”
Congratulations to the GRCC class of 2024!
