Established 1936 – John A. Collins, President

EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON, GRAND RAPIDS DOWNTOWN

Big E's Sports Grille

710 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2026 – 7:00 AM

Ground was recently broken for an expansion project to add student learning and wellness programs for students at Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy (UPREP). This project will also establish a technological hub for scholars and build a state-of-the-art gymnasium. It will be called the Learning and Wellness Center. The commitment is to educate the whole child as additional classroom space will also be included.

The UPREP project is a public/private partnership serving college preparatory students in grades 6 through 12. Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy began in 2007 and boasts that 90% of students graduate and advance to college.

Wayman Britt, a Co-Chair of the capital campaign, makes a return visit to Breakfast Club of Grand Rapids to describe the collaboration between scholars and the business community in the successful curriculum. Teamwork is encouraged to achieve academic goals.

Invocation: Eric Nelson
Introduction: Paul Chardoul

Value of Education

1. “The principal goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.” – Jean Piaget
2. “The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.” – John F. Kennedy
3. “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” – Malcolm Forbes
4. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey