Spring 2013

Alumnus Jerry Murrell: The Founder of Five Guys Burgers Alpena Community College alumnus Jerry Murrell is the founder and chief executive officer of Five Guys Burgers and Fries, one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the country. With more than 1100 restaurants in the United States and Canada and locations planned for Great Britain, one could say that Jerry has become the king of burgers, selling 2.2 million burgers a week. Jerry was raised in Alpena in a middle class family and has fond memories of the local popular burger shack called Push ‘Em Up Tony’s, which only sold burgers. He said, “Almost everyone in town, except the uppity uppities, ate the burgers because they were so good.” Little did he know that this burger shack concept would become his entrepreneurial path. He is a graduate of Catholic Central High School. Jerry was responsible for paying for his education and decided to attend Alpena Community College, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1964.

Together, the family agreed to use the $35,000 that had been set aside for their sons’ education to open a burger restaurant. Jerry and Janie, along with their sons, opened their first take-out burger restaurant in Arlington, Virginia in 1986. Keeping his day job, Jerry utilized his business savvy and formulated the plan, which included the name Five Guys. Janie kept the books and worked with vendors from her home office. Matt and Jim worked long hours in the restaurant, along with their brother, Chad (then 14). The menu was limited, burgers and fresh-cut fries cooked in peanut oil. Their business philosophy was simple, use quality ingredients, cook everything fresh and made to order. They secured the best baker in town for the buns, created relationships with high-end meat and produce suppliers, and mastered the art of cooking a French fry made from fresh Idaho potatoes. It didn’t take long before customers were lining up to order a burger, and Jerry shares that they made money right from the start.

Following his graduation from ACC, For 16 years the Murrells ran five Jerry transferred to the University of restaurants in the metro Washington Michigan, a school he had always D.C. area and perfected their system. dreamed of attending. To support Nothing but fresh food, no freezers, Jerry Murrell, Founder and CEO himself in school, Jerry worked in the microwaves, or timers are used in their Five Guys Burgers and Fries dorms and managed the kitchen at a restaurants—a tradition that continues fraternity house. His work in the frat house kitchen would today. They have never changed the menu, except to add lay the foundation for his burger empire 20 years later. hot dogs. Five Guys Burgers with its hand-formed burgers, fresh-cut fries, and unlimited free toppings, became a Jerry graduated from the U of M with a degree in phenomenon with a cult-like following among burger economics in 1967 and began working for a life insurance lovers. company. He married in the 1970’s and moved to Washington D.C. with his three sons, Matt, Jim and Chad The “five guys” that lead the chain are the five Murrell and started his own financial planning business. Jerry brothers, Matt, Jim, Chad, Ben, and Tyler. Jerry’s sons remarried and he and his wife, Janie had two more sons, convinced him to franchise and in 2003, they began Ben and Tyler. offering franchise opportunities. After 18 months, Five Guys Enterprises sold options for over 300 units and the Jerry’s two oldest sons, Matt and Jim did not want to success of franchising a local restaurant made national attend college following their high school graduation. news.

Jerry’s proud to share that they have never spent a dime on advertising and relies on word of mouth. However, they do get a lot of free press and Five Guys has been featured in various magazines including Forbes, USA Today, INC. and Business Week. They received an extra publicity boost when President Obama stopped by their Washington D.C. restaurant for cheeseburgers in 2009. Jerry uses the money he saves from not advertising to give his employees as bonuses, which amounted to approximately $16 million last year. Each shift has an opportunity to earn a $1,000 bonus each week through their secret shopper incentive program. The Five Guys mission statement is as simple as its menu. To compete in a restaurant industry that is crowded with hamburger and French fries chains, you’d better do hamburgers and French fries better than anyone else. Indeed, Jerry has found their recipe for success.

Jerry and Janie Murrell and their five sons.

To honor Jerry for his remarkable achievements since his early days at ACC, the ACC Foundation has named him the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Graduate Award. Established in 1998 by the ACC Foundation, this award honors ACC graduates who have gone on to contribute to society through successful careers. The award will be presented to Jerry during the 60th Alpena Community College commencement ceremonies on May 9, 2013.

ACC Reinstates Cross-Country After an 18-year hiatus, Alpena Community College officials have reinstated cross-country at the College. Mark Jacobs, an Alpena resident and avid runner, was named coach of the ACC Lumberjacks cross-country team. Coach Jacobs has an extensive athletic background which includes being a member of the college football team at Ferris State University and running over 20 marathons. In addition, he has served as an individual running coach for seven years, coached junior high crosscountry for two years, and for the past three years, he has served as the head coach of The Woods Indoor Track Club in Alpena. The 2012 ACC cross-country team coached by Mark Jacobs. In July of 2012 with less than one month before the first practice, Coach Jacobs aggressively sought out students to form ACC’s team. He admits that building a cross-country team was a challenge due to the fact that a majority of student athletes had already committed to colleges earlier in the year. His recruiting efforts paid off; Jacob's eight-member team included three former high school cross-country runners, two ACC basketball players, an All-State indoor high jumper, a soccer player, and an All-American bowler.

To prepare for the meets, the team had a rigorous practice schedule which included running seven days a week. Coach Jacobs said, “Despite the fact that half the team had never run more than four miles, I could not have asked for a better group of individuals to build the foundation for great things to come.” By the end of the season, the team has improved their personal record by over 17 minutes. As important as the great athletic season, the runners also had a great academic semester, garnering a 3.1 overall team grade point average. ACC’s cross-country team finished ninth out of twelve teams in the region, and Coach Jacobs is proud of his young team’s accomplishments. His goal is to not only build a competitive team, but to build a national powerhouse. Coach Jacobs said, “With hard work and support, this is attainable.” A Cross-County Boosters Club will be established through the ACC Foundation to help the team with funding, which will enable them to become more competitive in the state and region. To make a donation, contact [email protected] or ACC Foundation Executive Director Penny Boldrey at [email protected] or call (989) 358-7297.

"Building A Powerful Future" Campaign Announced The Alpena Community College Foundation Board of Trustees recently initiated a $600,000 fundraising campaign. With a theme of "Building a Powerful Future," the campaign will help the College fund the new Electrical Power Technology Center project. This $5 million project will include the renovation and expansion of the World Center for Concrete Technology to accommodate the new Electrical Power Technology Center, placing two of ACC's wellrespected, flagship technical programs in side-by-side facilities. The 21,000 square foot expansion and renovation project will encompass three classrooms, two technical labs, a computer lab and five faculty offices. In addition, the expansion will include an indoor high lab for power pole training, and new interior spaces will create an appealing environment to elevate student learning. A garage will also be constructed to store and maintain instructional equipment such as bucket trucks and a backhoe. The transformation of the College’s highly-regarded Utility Technology & Technician (UTT) programs will enable more students to enroll in both the traditional utility technology programs and in new programs incorporating renewable energy sources and smart grid technology. In addition, it will ensure ACC’s UTT students are prepared for these increasing in-demand occupations. The Electrical Power Technology Center is a partnership between the State of Michigan and private financial resources. To date, 85% of the $5 million has been committed. You can be a part of this exciting project. Whether you are a graduate of ACC or a supporter of the College, your gift makes you a partner in our mission to serve lifelong learning needs by providing educational opportunities to the residents of Northeast Lower Michigan. We encourage you to consider a gift to help us meet our goal and make the Electrical Power Technology Center project a reality for our students.

Alumni Gifts Committee Established An Alumni Gifts Committee has been established to assist the Alpena Community College Foundation with its "Building a Powerful Future" Campaign. Jackie Krawczak, Executive Director of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce and an ACC alumna, has been selected to chair the Alumni Gifts Committee. Jackie said, “ACC gave me a solid foundation on which to build my career. I want to give back to them so they can help form a solid foundation for other students.”

Back row (L-R): Bradley Somers, Robert Coombs, Roger Bauer, Kim LaBrecque, Sue Fitzpatrick Front row (L-R): Carol Shafto, Vicki Sylvester-Keller, Felonie Keller-Somers & Jackie Krawczak

Jackie has assembled a great team of alumni to assist with the campaign. They include Roger Bauer, Dr. Robert Coombs, Lisa M. Dietlin, Andrea Dutcher, Sue Fitzpatrick, Kim LaBrecque, Carol Shafto, Felonie Keller-Somers, Cristie VanMassenhove, David Zeller, Bradley Somers, Betty Werth Westrope and Vicki Sylvester-Keller. Jackie added, “I hope we can count on you to share that same sense of pride for and commitment to such a wonderful organization as ACC. “

Leaving a Legacy: Remembering Grace Genschaw Grace C. Genschaw, a lifelong Alpena resident, made a significant donation to the Alpena Community College Foundation in 2010 and created several scholarship funds. The Grace C. Genschaw Scholarship Fund provides four annual scholarships of $1,000 and one $500 scholarship to students pursuing an associate's degree or certificate in any program offered at ACC. Since the inception of the scholarship fund a total of eight students have benefitted from Grace’s selfless act. Grace attended several annual scholarship receptions which were hosted by the ACC Foundation and had the opportunity to meet many of her scholarship ACC students Karen Bobola and Josh Melberg meet recipients. She said, “There is nothing more rewarding than helping Grace Genschaw at a scholarship reception. students follow their dreams of pursuing higher education as they prepare for a profession and lifework. It is my privilege to help these students this year and future years.” Grace raised her four children, Charles, Ronald, Gayle, and Todd, while working full-time as a secretary with Alpena Public Schools. During her 30-year tenure with APS, she worked at Bingham, Oxbow, and Sunset Schools as well as at Central Office until her retirement in 1995. Sadly, Grace passed away on December 31, 2012 at the age of 82. Her family continues to honor her memory and fulfill her wish to help students by naming the ACC Foundation as one of the beneficiaries of her memorial contributions. Grace’s legacy of helping students, as well as her belief in the power of education will continue at ACC in perpetuity.

John Berg Student Assistance Fund Helps Students in Need There is much more to funding a college education than tuition and books. Most students are faced with additional expenses such as rent, car payments, food and gas. Emergencies and unplanned events can leave students in financial difficulties that affect their academic and personal lives. Alpena Community College faculty and staff encounter students every day who are struggling to pursue their educational goals despite financial hardships or unexpected crises. It’s not unusual for the ACC Foundation to receive a call from a faculty or staff member requesting financial assistance on behalf of a student. Penny Boldrey, ACC Foundation Executive Director, said, “Many of our students are under tremendous financial pressure. Numerous requests involve the need for gas money, text books, car repairs, and many other non-tuition-related needs. All are barriers to a students’ academic success. Recently, the needs have become more basic, and we’ve seen an increase in the requests for assistance with food.” Thanks to the John R. Berg Student Assistance Fund, the ACC Foundation can provide students with one-time financial assistance to help meet basic, urgent and immediate needs so they can succeed in school. John Berg was a custodian in Van Lare Hall for ten years and was well-known for his hard work and friendly manner. He had a wonderful rapport with ACC’s students and developed a reputation for his listening skills and willingness to help students in need. The John R. Berg Student Assistance Fund was established with memorial contributions made to the ACC Foundation by John’s colleagues and friends shortly after his death in 1997. Continued support for the John R. Berg Student Assistance Fund comes from designated gifts primarily donated by ACC’s faculty and staff. The fund provides a safety net for many deserving students experiencing financial hardships. A typical request for assistance ranges from $50-$100 and comes from a faculty or staff member who is familiar with the students’ needs. However, all requests regardless of the amount are evaluated on an individual basis. Over the past three years a total of 75 students have received assistance which totaled approximately $5,000.

Golf Event Tees Off on August 24 at River’s Edge Golf Club

Mark your calendars for the 2013 Robert M. Granum Memorial Scramble for Scholarships to be held at the River’s Edge Golf Club on August 24. 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.

ACC Announces New Marine Technology Program Alpena Community College received a $2,835,000 grant from the United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration which provided funding for its new Marine Technology Program. The program is for students interested in careers working on the Great Lakes, on ocean-based research vessels or in industries related to the blue economy, with particular emphasis on Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations and applied robotics. The program features an on-water component, coursework related to ocean issues and underwater archeology, skilled trades required to design and build ROVs, and the opportunity for an internship. The on-water portion of the program takes place at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which is located just one mile from ACC’s main campus. Thunder Bay NMS protects one of America’s best-preserved and nationally-significant collections of shipwrecks. At Thunder Bay NMS, students explore maritime history, experience practical, hands-on sessions teaching underwater surveying and recording, spend time on Great Lakes research vessels and have the option of completing scuba diving courses.

In addition to the on-water component of the program, Marine Tech students experience a variety of hands-on technologies used in commercial and scientific work in labs on ACC’s main campus. 3-D modeling, machine design, metal cutting, robotics, and electrical studies are core courses students will experience. Students completing the two-year program will earn an Associate in Applied Science in Marine Technology degree. The degree will enable them to have access to a variety of jobs and careers such as ROV Technician, Shipboard Technician, Design Engineer, Hydro-graphic Surveyor, Marine Electronics Technician, and Marine Research Technician. The ocean economy is large and diverse, accounting for 20% of our national economy and supporting one in six jobs in the United States. The need for qualified ROV technicians will continue to grow as the industry adapts to new technology. In addition, employment of surveying and mapping technicians is expected to grow 19% from 2008 to 2018. For more information, contact David Cummins, instructor and advisor for the Marine Technology Program, at (989) 358-7224.

Dave Zeller Named Alpena's Outstanding Citizen Alumnus David Zeller was named the 2012 Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce during their annual dinner on February 21, 2013. This award has been given annually since 1983 to individuals for their exemplary volunteer efforts and for their commitment to making a positive impact on the Alpena community. As Dave walked to the stage teary-eyed to accept the award, he was given a standing ovation by a crowd of over 400 individuals. His nominator, which is kept a secret, wrote, “Serving his family and others is Dave’s way of life, and Alpena should be proud of his dedication and love for our community.” Dave's list of accomplishments and community service is extensive. Over the years, he has served on the board of more than a dozen local and statewide organizations. He has also served as President Dave Zeller and his wife, Lori on more than half of those boards including the Northeast Michigan Rehabilitation & Opportunity Center, Alzheimer’s Association-Northeast Michigan Chapter, Alpena Area Chamber Ambassadors, Alpena Lions Club, Macker Backers of Alpena, Michigan Applied Users Group, Michigan Liberty Users Group, Lumberjack Booster’s Club, and Independent Insurance Agents of Alpena. Dave has received many honors throughout his career including the Alpena Community College Fellow of the College Award in 1991. He was recognized by ACC for his leadership efforts in organizing the Lumberjack Booster’s Club to provide financial assistance to maintain the College’s athletic programs. In addition, Dave has served on the Alumni Gifts Committee of the College’s Pathways to the Future Campaign and the Building a Powerful Future Campaign. As a lifelong Alpena resident, Dave is a graduate of Alpena High School and a 1976 graduate of Alpena Community College. For the past 37 years Dave has worked as an Independent Insurance Agent for various agencies, and he is currently employed with Alpena Agency, Inc. He is married to his wife, Lori, and has two adult daughters, Sarah and Stacy.

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ACC Honors Bobby Allen Alpena Community College retired the #32 jersey of former Lumberjack basketball player Bobby Allen in a surprise ceremony held on February 4, 2013. The honor was bestowed upon Coach Allen prior to the ACC women’s basketball game against St. Clair Shores in the Park Arena. Bobby, a former all-region, all-conference and allstate player, was a forward with the Lumberjacks from 1988 to 1990. He went on to play basketball for Lake Superior State University from 1990-1992. For the past 11 years, Bobby has served as ACC Women’s Basketball Head Coach, and he is in his 20th season as Assistant Coach for the ACC men’s basketball team. When Bobby is not on the court, he is in court where he works as a probation officer for the Family Division of the 26th Circuit Court, which includes Alpena and Montmorency counties.

ACC women's basketball coach, Bobby Allen, was surprised and honored by family and friends at a ceremony in February.

Retiring a player's number is the highest individual honor a program can bestow on a player, and this is only the second time it has been done in ACC's 60-year history. ACC athletic director and men’s basketball head coach Frank McCourt said, “Bobby Allen represents the highest quality of sportsmanship, hard work, and dedication that represents what ACC athletics is all about.” On hand for the surprise were Bobby’s family members along with his daughter, Teonna Knapp, who plays basketball on the ACC women’s team. Following the presentation Bobby said, “There are not words to express how I feel right now. I’m just speechless.”