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Circa 1950 |
Grand Rapids Junior College, or "JC" as it was known by decades of Godwin students, was founded in 1914 by the Grand Rapids Board of Education. It was first located in Central High School, where eight faculty members taught rhetoric and composition, history, biology, mathematics, physics, Latin, and German. The first graduating class numbered 49 students. By 1945 the number was 1,200 students. The number doubled again during the 1950s, as the perception of the value of college increased.
One result of the growth of JC, and its efforts to constant update its course offerings, was a high quality educational system that was affordable, and only a bus ride away for Godwin students. Many Godwin students spent their first two years of study at JC, and later had no trouble transferring to the University of Michigan or Michigan State, for example, to complete their final two years.
In the 1950s and before JC had a very personal atmosphere. The class sizes were small, and the instructors actually knew most of the students. In this sense it was somewhat like a a high school environment with an advanced curriculum. Godwin was very flexible about letting students take advanced classes at JC, and many did so, especially in the 1950s and 1960s. The students earned full college credit, and almost without exception students were given full credit for the courses at any other school in the US.
JC, or Grand Rapids Community College as it was renamed in 1991, has grown significantly since 1960. In Fall 2003 there were 14,000 students and 1,600 course offerings. Another 10,000 "learners" take non-credit courses in the way of continuing education. Continuing education is a movement across the US, and once again JC has adapted to changing times. As the school itself says, "GRCC has maintained a solid reputation as a premier transfer institution and is nationally recognized for both its liberal arts and occupational programs."
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Material provided for scanning by Dave Van Dyke.
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Circa 1920 |
1958 |
1958 |
1958 |
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1958 |
Godwin students returning from Grand Haven beach along M-21 can remember how far away the mill could be seen, and the enscription "Est. 1864" lettering near the top. M-21 is built over the old Grand Rapids - Holland - Chicago interuran track. The area was quite undeveloped in the 1960s yet, but in year 2007 there is little to suggest that the mill, the general store ( built in 1872 ) or and other aspects of the area essentially owned by the Jenison family ever existed. The railroad track, once owned by C&O, and today owned by CSX, still exists, and is active. It probably played an active role in the functioning of the town in the past, but mostly just runs through it today.
In the early 1960s there was an attempt to save the mill from progress. It was offered to the Ford Museum in Dearborn. But in the end it was simply torn down. The grinding stones were apparently saved, but their fate is unknown here.
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Material provided by Kim Shepard, class of 1970.
Left to right, Max Colley, Rod Shepard, Bill Gorski.
Max Colley stayed with music, and has been the band director for Northview High School, in Grand Rapids, for over 25 years as of year 2008, where he teaches and leads the band in state competitions, much like Bob Traetz did at Godwin many years ago.
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Material provided by Kim Shepard, class of 1970.
Left to right, Max Colley, Bill Gorski.
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Material provided by Kim Shepard, class of 1970.
Left to right, Ray Hummel, Rod Shepard.
JuJus practice sessions were held in the basement of Rod Shepard's house, at 133 36th Street.
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Material provided by Kim Shepard, class of 1970.
Left to right, Ray Hummel, Max Colley, Bill Gorski, Rick Stevens, Rod Shepard.
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Material provided by Kim Shepard, class of 1970.
45 RPM single.
Great Lakes Radio is still very much in business in year 2008. With the start of the collectibles craze in the late 1990s, TV programs like "Antique Roadshow," and the online service eBay, it is close to impossible to know what will become valuable. In this case, a 45 RPM like the one above by a band that anyone has even remotely heard of, can bring $300 in year 2008. The 45's were typically low volume, and therefore scarce to begin with.
The JuJus disbanded as the members were called to other duties. Vietnam for example. But the group did revive for a while, with a new cast.
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Material provided by Kim Shepard, class of 1970.
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Material provided by Kim Shepard, class of 1970.
Rod Shepard and Max Colley in 2004.