Spring 2014
ACC Breaks Ground for the
Ferris H. Werth Electrical Power Technology Center
Alpena Community College held a ceremonial groundbreaking on April 10 to mark the beginning of the
construction of the Ferris H. Werth Electrical Power
Technology Center. More than 135 individuals attended,
including elected local and state officials, business and
industry leaders, community members, and donors.
mission together with electrical power industries critical
to Michigan’s rising economic stature. It signifies in a big
way ACC’s investment in training that leads to real careers
for those in our region, and all over Michigan, who aspire
to better their lives, support their families, and make
contributions to their own communities."
The $5 million project is a partnership between the State
Additional remarks were made by John Briggs, ACC
of Michigan, Alpena
Board of Trustees
Community College,
Chairman; Sue
and private financial
Fitzpatrick, ACC
resources. On June 25,
Foundation Board of
2012, Michigan
Trustees President;
Governor Rick Snyder
Stephen Fletcher,
signed a higher
Alpena Power
education capital
Company Chairman
outlay bill granting $2.5
and Co-Chair of the
million to ACC for its
Building a Powerful
Electrical Power
Future Campaign;
Technology Center.
Roy Smith, ACC
ACC began its
Utility Technology
fundraising efforts in
Instructor; and Ben
May of 2011 to raise
Ruthig, ACC Utility
the required $2.5
Technology student.
million match. To date,
In addition to the
a total of $4,867,712
speakers,
the followGroundbreaking for the Ferris H. Werth Electrical Power Technology Center.
has been raised, which
ing
participated
in the
includes a $1 million
groundbreaking:
Molly
Bruski,
daughter
of
Ferris
H.
Werth;
bequest from the estate of Alpena businessman Ferris
George LaFleche, Honorary Campaign Chair, Ann Burton,
H. Werth.
Campaign Co-Chair, Gary Dawley, Besser Foundation;
The new 19,459 square foot expansion project will be
Cindy Gabara, DeVere Construction Company; Chris
attached to the World Center for Concrete Technology
Mackey, SHW Group; and Jerrod Villarreal, President of the
building, placing two premier technical programs side by
Utility Workers Union of America-Local 286.
side. The new facility will include three classrooms, two
The Ferris H. Werth
technical labs, a computer lab, faculty offices, and bays for
Electrical
Power Technology
heavy equipment. In addition, the expansion will have an
Center
was
designed by
indoor high lab for power pole training and a garage to
SHW
Group,
with DeVere
store and maintain instructional equipment.
Construction Company
At the groundbreaking ceremony, ACC President Dr. Olin
serving as construction
Joynton welcomed guests and introduced dignitaries. He
manager. The facility is
said, “Today’s ceremony marks a significant translation
expected to open in
from vision to reality for a project that brings ACC’s
January 2015.
Stephen Fletcher, Alpena Power Company Chairman
and Co-Chair of the Building a Powerful Future
Campaign, shared his comments with attendees.
Dr. Olin Joynton, ACC President, welcomes guests
and dignitaries to the Ferris H. Werth Electrical Power
Technology Center groundbreaking ceremony.
Dr. Olin Joynton and Penny Boldrey discuss the
new project with ACC alumni Jake Lewis and Pat Savoie.
Approximately 135 individuals attended the groundbreaking
for the Ferris H. Werth Electrical Power Technology Center.
Sue Fitzpatrick, ACC Foundation Board of
Trustees President, chats with Penny Boldrey,
ACC Foundation Executive Director.
A reception was held at the World Center for Concrete
Technology following the groundbreaking ceremony.
Alumnus Joe Gentry Named 2013 Citizen of the Year
The Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce named Joe Gentry the 2013 Citizen
of the Year during its annual membership dinner on February 20. With more
than 500 people in attendance, Joe was stunned to hear his name announced
for this unexpected honor. Genuinely humbled, Joe said when accepting the
award, “I love this community. This year’s Chamber theme is teamwork, so this
isn’t a 'me' award, this is a 'we' award.”
Joe is an Alpena native and a 1971 graduate of Alpena Community College.
In 1973 he earned a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree from
Michigan State University, going on to earn a Masters of Arts degree from Lake
Superior State University in 1991.
Since 2001, Joe has served as the Vice President of Human Resources at First
Federal of Northern Michigan. He previously worked as the Industrial Relations
Manager for Lafarge-Presque Isle Corporation for nine years and the Personnel
Manager for Besser Company for 18 years.
Joe has a lengthy history of community service and has donated his time and
talents to benefit a wide variety of organizations. His commitment to higher
education, and ACC in particular, is evidenced by his role as an ACC Board of
Alpena's 2013 Citizen of the Year,
Trustees member since 2004, an adjunct instructor since 1999, coach of the ACC
Joe Gentry, with his wife, Dawn.
cross-country team, assisting with curriculum development, serving on advisory
boards, and participating on the Alumni Gifts Committee for the Pathways to the Future Campaign.
Joe is a running enthusiast and has completed over 30 marathons and more than 100 shorter races. Nicknamed the
“Godfather of Running,” Joe is a founding member and leader of The Dork Brothers, a racing team which has promoted
running and fitness through local races and racing events for almost 30 years. Because of his passion for running, Joe is
often sought out by other organizations for his expertise in organizing races such as Zonta's Walk for Women 5K Run, the
Dr. Peter Aliferis Memorial Run, Lisa’s Run, Team Triple Threat Running for a Cause, and the Spud Run.
Joe's heart for service extends to his church family at Grace Lutheran Church where he has been a lifelong member and
has held leadership positions on the church council and various committees. Additional community involvement includes
Alpena Regional Medical Center Development Council’s Business Relations Committee, Lutheran Social Services of
Michigan-Alpena, Sunrise Mission, Shelter, Inc., St. Bernard’s Friendship Room and the Northeast Michigan Coalition for
the Prevention of Homelessness and Hunger.
The Anna and
Jesse Besser
Legacy Society
The Anna and Jesse Besser Legacy Society is a group of generous individuals who have made a bequest in their estate plan to Alpena Community
College or to the ACC Foundation. These special gifts help ACC establish
scholarships for deserving students or provide support to programs and
departments that otherwise would not be funded through the College's
general budget.
Each year thousands of individuals exercise their privilege to determine the
final distribution of their estates and designate a portion of their assets to
benefit and support a variety of charitable organizations such as the ACC
Foundation or Alpena Community College. Making a bequest to ACC through
a will or trust is one of the simplest ways for individuals to make a significant
contribution that might not otherwise be possible during their lifetime. For
making an unrestricted bequest, here's a recommended statement:
“I bequeath the sum of $_______ or _______% of my adjusted gross estate
as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes, whichever is the lesser,
to the Alpena Community College Foundation, 665 Johnson Street, Alpena,
Michigan 49707, for its general purposes.”
To direct your gift to a specific program, department, or other area of interest, the wording should be “to the Alpena Community College Foundation,
665 Johnson Street, Alpena, Michigan 49707, for the benefit of . . .”
If you would like information about the benefits of naming ACC or its
Foundation in your will or trust, please contact the Development Office at
(989) 358-7297.
ACC Foundation Hosts
Annual Scholarship Luncheon
To show appreciation to donors for their generous
support of student scholarships, the ACC Foundation held
its 18th annual scholarship luncheon on March 27 at the
APlex in Alpena. A total of 185 people attended, including
scholarship recipients, donors, ACC staff, and Foundation
and College Board of Trustees members.
Mathew Grant (2nd from left) received the Deputy
Ryan Seguin Memorial Scholarship. Pictured with him
is (L-R) Lori Seguin, Barb Szczesniak and Phil Seguin.
ACC President Olin Joynton welcomed guests and
thanked the donors for their generous support. ACC
Foundation Vice President Nancy Coombs shared that
during the 2013-14 academic year, the ACC Foundation
awarded a total of 296 scholarships totalling $144,000.
Scholarship gifts make a difference, and they can help a
student start, stay, and succeed at ACC.
The event also provided ACC’s benefactors with an
opportunity to see how they are making a difference in the students’ lives. “Connecting our student scholarship recipients
with their benefactors is a very special experience and one that many look forward to each year,” said ACC Foundation
Executive Director Penny Boldrey.
The program featured student speakers Joanna Cooper and Paige Lewandowski, who shared their gratitude and
appreciation to those who provided scholarships to ACC’s students. ACC sophomore Paige Lewandowski, the 2013 Miss
Sunrise Side, said, “I believe I can speak for all of the students when I say we are very fortunate to have the generous
support from the individuals, businesses and organizations gathered here today to help us pursue our educational goals.”
Scholarship Memorializes Alumna Susan Grulke
The Susan R. Grulke Memorial Scholarship was recently established with the
Alpena Community College Foundation by her family and friends. Born in Cleveland,
Ohio in 1953 to Francis and Jean Reynolds, Susan and her family moved to Alpena
in 1964. She was a 1971 graduate of Alpena High School, a 1973 graduate of ACC,
and a 1975 graduate of Central Michigan University, where she majored in
journalism.
While at ACC, Susan was actively engaged in the classroom and immersed in
campus activities. She was the editor of the student newspaper, The Polemic, VicePresident of Golden Z, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and performed in numerous
ACC musicals and theatrical programs. Susan was recognized for her outstanding
academic efforts and student leadership during the May 23, 1973 commencement
ceremony, where she became the first recipient of the prestigious Anna Besser
Award.
In 1975, Susan married alumnus Michael Grulke and moved to Rogers City, where
they raised their children, Megan and Scott. Susan worked as a news writer and
photographer for The Alpena News for 17 years and a news writer, columnist and
copy editor for The Presque Isle County Advance for 10 years. Susan enjoyed her
journalism career and earned several awards through the Michigan Press Association.
Susan Grulke
Susan was active in her community and served on a wide variety of boards and organizations, including the
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Hurons Athletic Boosters Association, Alpena General Hospital Development Council’s
Community Relations Committee, and the ACC Foundation’s Alumni Gifts Committee for the Pathways to the Future
Campaign.
In 1999, Susan was diagnosed with the rare lung disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension, and underwent a double
lung transplant in 2007. Susan passed away on April 10, 2012, and this scholarship memorializes her desire to assist
individuals pursuing an education at ACC. To make a donation to the Susan R. Grulke Memorial Scholarship Fund, please
contact ACC Foundation Executive Director Penny Boldrey at (989) 358-7297 or email [email protected].
ACC Nursing Alumna Named Director of Nursing
Following an extensive statewide search, ACC alumna
Melissa R. Fournier has been selected as ACC’s Director of
Nursing. Melissa succeeds Dr. Mary Linton who served as
the nursing director/nurse educator for the past six years.
While Melissa has been employed at
ACC for 16 years, her academic career
actually started in the fall of 1993 when
she took a calculus class as a dual
enrolled Alpena High School senior.
Melissa enrolled in ACC in the fall of
1994 and began taking classes toward a
degree in chemistry. She was invited to
become a tutor, and that ignited the spark
which allowed her to see her potential as
an educator.
In 1996, Melissa was admitted into the
Licensed Practical Nursing Program and
realized then that she could make an
impact on the world in nursing.
Melissa graduated from the Registered Nursing Program
in 1998 and was invited by ACC nursing faculty and the
program director to work at ACC as an adjunct instructor.
Melissa said, “It was a dream come true for me, and my
loyalty has remained with ACC ever
since.” While working as an adjunct
instructor, Melissa gained real world
nursing experience in a physician's office,
an extended care facility, and in the
cardiac unit of a hospital.
Melissa continued to keep her skills
and knowledge current and earned a
Bachelor of Nursing degree from Lake
Superior State University in 2000. She
also received a Master of Science in
Nursing, Community Health Nursing from
Wayne State University in 2003.
In 2003, Melissa realized another
dream when she became a full-time
instructor in the ACC Nursing Program.
She
received the 2012-13 Russell H. and
Melissa Fournier named new
In addition to her rigorous studies,
Fromilda
Y. Wilson Endowed Teaching
ACC Director of Nursing.
Melissa continued to tutor, served as
Chair
Award,
along with a $5,000 stipend
class secretary, was a member of Phi
which
enabled
her
to
obtain
further
education in the art of
Theta Kappa, and was actively involved in the Civil
injury
simulation.
Air Patrol.
Busy Student Appreciates Scholarship Support
Alpena Community College Lady Lumberjacks volleyball and
basketball player Mary Myers thrives on her rigorous schedule. Her
life as a student-athlete consists of attending class, working in the
ACC Bookstore, volleyball and basketball practice, games, and many
late nights studying.
This can be an overwhelming experience for most students.
However, Mary has a tremendous work ethic and excellent time
management skills that have helped her succeed both on and off the
court. She finds time to volunteer and has helped to organize a
campus-wide blood drive. She has also participated in ACC’s Hoops
for Hope event, which raised funds for the Alpena Regional Medical
Center’s Mammography Subsidy Fund.
Scholarship
S
h l
hi support ffrom generous ACC
donors and her job at the ACC Bookstore
have provided Mary Myers the opportunity
to pursue a degree in Utility Technology.
ACC English Instructor Shawn Sexton said, “Mary is an excellent
example of a student-athlete. She does not use athletics as an excuse
for poor or late work. She finds the time to excel at both.”
Mary is a 2013 graduate of Boyne City High School where she
graduated third in her class with a grade point average of 3.782. She
decided to attend ACC to pursue a degree in nursing, but has recently changed programs and now plans to earn an
Associate in Applied Science degree in Utility Technology.
Like most college students, Mary must rely on student loans, grants and scholarships to pay her tuition. Her family
does not qualify for financial aid even though her father has been unemployed and exhausted his unemployment benefits.
Mary’s job in the Bookstore, along with scholarships awarded through the ACC Foundation, have helped her pay for her
education. Mary said, “I am very grateful, appreciative, and honored to be a scholarship recipient. I will continue to strive
to do my best as a student and athlete at Alpena Community College.”
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Alpena Community College alumni have played a significant role in
supporting the College and its students through the ACC Foundation, the
official fundraising arm of the College. This non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
organization is governed by a 17-member Board of Trustees comprised of
business and community leaders.
Approximately $800,000 has been donated to the ACC Foundation by
alumni over the past 20 years. This money has been used to fund capital
expansion projects and provide much-needed scholarships and support to
departments, programs and endowment funds. In addition, some alumni
direct their donation to the area where the need is the greatest and provide
unrestricted support.
More and more alumni are choosing to support ACC. All gifts, no matter the amount, contribute to the
College’s continued success in providing higher education opportunities to the residents of Northeast Lower
Michigan.
There are a number of ways in which you can make a donation, and the ACC Foundation encourages alumni to
make gifts in the manner that is most convenient and beneficial for them. You can contribute using the enclosed
gift envelope, or you can donate online using your credit or debit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover and American
Express) through the College’s secure website. To make an online contribution, go to www.alpenacc.edu and
click on the “Donate Online Today” icon.
Golf Event Tees Off
on August 23 at
River’s Edge Golf Club
Mark your calendars for the 2014 Robert M. Granum Memorial Scramble for
Scholarships to be held at the River’s Edge Golf Club on August 23. This
four-person scramble costs $90 per person. Proceeds provide scholarship
support to ACC students. For more information, call (989) 358-7297 or visit
the ACC website at www.alpenacc.edu.