Grand Rapids CC Pays Tribute To Peter Wege

Four GRCC students shown above had the opportunity to thank Mr. Wege for all his support of education at Grand Rapids' highly respected community college. From the left: Ray Gant, sociology; Sean Berry, foreign affairs; Ledis Santos, dental; Brittnay Kozaklewicz, hospitality. — Four GRCC students shown above had the opportunity to thank Mr. Wege for all his support of education at Grand Rapids’ highly respected community college. From the left: Ray Gant, sociology; Sean Berry, foreign affairs; Ledis Santos, dental; Brittnay Kozaklewicz, hospitality.

October 11, 2011, was declared Peter Wege Night by Grand Rapids Community College’s Foundation. The program described Wege as a “Local Legend” and “Global Thinker” adding that the Grand Rapids native is “100% Homegrown.”

GRCC President Steven Ender, pictured above with his wife Karen and Peter, called Wege “Our third biggest sponsor of scholarships.” Teachers of Tomorrow is a scholarship program Peter Wege started in 1980. Of the six Es Peter Wege lives by – Education, Environment, Ethics, Empathy, Economy-Ecology or Economicology – education always come first for the visionary leader.

GRCC put together a video for the Peter Wege Night with testimonies from dignitaries including Mayor George Heartwell and Steelcase president Jim Hackett. Hackett gave Peter credit for leading Steelcase into environmental manufacturing long before green became mainstream.