October 2010

Homecoming 2010 - October 8-9

Saturday's forecast is coming up Laker! With sunny skies and a high of 70^o, the weather looks to be as sweet as the celebration of GVSU's 50th anniversary! Wonderful surprises and fantastic events await you, such as...
 

• Reunion Row (new this year!)
• 50th Anniversary Homecoming Address, Expo and Pep Rally
• Alumni Homecoming Tailgater
• Pancake Breakfast
• Homecoming 5k Run/Walk  
• Laker Football vs. Northern Michigan

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

• Make A Difference Day: Zoo Goes Boo - October 23
  Help make a difference this year by joining fellow GVSU alumni volunteers and friends at John Ball Zoo Society's annual Zoo Goes Boo event. In celebration of Halloween at the zoo, volunteers will help pass out treats and facilitate children's games and crafts. Join us for one or both shifts: 9:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 11:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Academic Major Fair - November 3
  Share advice and information about your career with students who are undecided about or considering switching majors during the Academic Major Fair. Volunteer for the entire fair or for one (or more) hour shifts between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• GradFest - November 17-18
  Help welcome Grand Valley's newest graduates into the Alumni Association. GradFest is both a celebration and a convenience for our graduating students, combining commencement necessities and resources for their lives post-graduation as proud GVSU alumni. Volunteers are needed for one or two hour shifts between 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. each day. Contact Mindy Earley for more details or to volunteer.
   

Are You Up for the Challenge?

Calling all GVSU alumni...Grand Valley needs YOU to take the Alumni Challenge!

Learn more

Young Alumni Jolly Anniversary Trolley - November 11 

Join the Young Alumni Council and fellow alumni in a culinary celebration of GVSU's 50th anniversary.  The Jolly Anniversary Trolley will depart from GVSU's Pew Grand Rapids campus. Guests will enjoy portable appetizers and dessert as they travel to and from Allendale on the GVSU bus. The event which will be held in the Performing Arts Center on GVSU's Allendale Campus, will feature strolling dinner stations, student performances, and a chance to visit the Multimedia II exhibit featuring works from Art and Design and School of Communications faculty.

More Info | RSVP

Multicultural Cohort Programs Reunion - November 12

Alumni of the Multicultural Cohorts Programs (MBEC, MHEC, MSEC and MTEC) are invited to celebrate the programs' successes and Grand Valley’s 50th anniversary on November 12. The reunion will begin with a reception followed by dinner, a video highlighting the program, and remarks from Dean Emeritus Don Williams, and MBEC graduate Ray Bennett, ’92, Senior Vice President for Lodging Development at Marriott International. Musical entertainment will be provided by Blues on the Banks of the Grand featuring Joyce Cobb.



Careerfest - October 13 

Are you looking for a job or to hire talented Grand Valley graduates? Then head to Careerfest and the Federal Opportunities Fair at DeVos Place convention Center from 2- 6 p.m. on October 13. This event provides full-time job opportunities and internships in fields such as business, computer science, communications, criminal justice, engineering, hospitality and tourism management, human services, liberal arts, and the physical sciences at area companies, non-profit organizations and federal agencies.

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GVSU Rocks Detroit

GVSU's 50th anniversary party hit the road last month. 147 Detroit-area alumni and friends joined in the celebration at Rockin' on the River, a special anniversary event held at Detroit's Renaissance Center, where they entered the venue through a miniature version of the Allendale campus entrance arch. Guests were treated to remarks from President Thomas J. Haas, Athletic Director Tim Selgo, and local alumnus Edward Cardenas, '95, and the vocal stylings of Motown crooners Horizon.

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September Events Bring Alumni Back to Campus

September saw the annual return of students to school and alumni keeping with the tradition by returning to campus in support of their alma mater and fellow graduates. Over 225 alumni and friends braved the rain September 11 for a tailgater prior to the Laker football weekend home opener versus Hillsdale. On September 18, 110 guests gathered in the Alumni House to celebrate the accomplishments of fellow graduates during the Young Alumni and Alumni Service Awards Luncheon honoring Michael Judd, '99, Mary Ohm, '67 & '88, and Jessica Scudder, '01. Later that evening, more than 75 recent graduates and friends attended a football tailgate hosted by the Young Alumni Council.

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Upcoming Events

• October 9 - Physical Therapy Alumni Chapter - The Physical Therapy program is celebrating 25 years of graduating talented GVSU alumni. PT graduates are invited to reconnect and share in the celebration during Homecoming festivities at the PT Reunion Row tent near the Laker Turf Building and football practice field.
• October 28 - Accounting Alumni & Friends Reunion - Reconnect with former accounting classmates, faculty and staff, and make new connections at this annual reception. Complimentary cocktails and appetizers will be served and there will be prize drawings. RSVP
• December 12 - Detroit, MI - Join Metro-Detroit Alumni Club leader Brad Gibbons, '08, and fellow Laker alumni and friends for a Detroit Lions game vs. the Green Bay Packers. Help support former Laker football standout Nick McDonald, '09, who now plays Guard for the Packers. Attendees will enjoy a pre-game buffet and reserved seating for just $55 per person. Get Tickets

Regional 50th Anniversary Celebrations
The GVSU 50th anniversary celebration is coming to you! Join us at these regional receptions to celebrate 50 years of shaping lives and to hear the latest University advancements. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided..

• November 4 - Atlanta, GA - Hosted by Dean Breest, '74, and Angela Pirc, '06, at Truva with Assistant Alumni Director Mindy Earley, '01 & '08. RSVP by October 28.
• November 8 - San Francisco, CA - Hosted by club leader Tim Rice, '08, at the Gordon Biersch Brewery with Assistant Alumni Director Susan Proctor, '98. RSVP by November 1.

Event Recaps

• Chicago, IL - Club leaders Brian Dutkiewicz, '02, and Rachel Vanderwiel, '09, hosted a sold out group of metro-Chicago alumni at a White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers baseball game September 17. 45 alumni gathered with friends and former classmates for the outing which included a pre-game tailgate buffet.
• Future Alumni Association - Over 300 students attended the Future Alumni Association's "GVSU Birthday Party" event, co-hosted with Student Senate, to celebrate GVSU's 50th anniversary. The event was held September 27 to coincide with the first day Grand Valley ever held classes. Attendees enjoyed a cook out at the clock tower, lawn games, and signed a special birthday card banner that will be saved in the 50th anniversary archives. View photos.
• Denver, CO - Nick Janiga, '07, and Matt Muller, '05, hosted a group of 24 Colorado graduates for a party at the Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Denver on September 28. The newest alumni club enjoyed social networking and made plans for future events to host in the area. View photos.

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Book Chronicles Grand Valley's History

Grand Valley State University has published a commemorative book that celebrates the university’s five decades by highlighting its people, academics, activities and athletics. “Grand Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Shaping Lives” is just $19.95 and available online at www.gvsu.edu/ubs. The book contains more than 300 historic and newer photographs, a university timeline and countless memories of campus life. 

 

University Breaks Ground for New Library

Grand Valley officials and community leaders broke ground and celebrated the start of construction on the new Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons on September 21. Construction will begin in earnest this spring and the library is expected to be completed in 2013. In February, Grand Valley officials decided to go forward with the Pew Library without waiting for state funding. More than 530 donors have generously contributed to the project thus far but there is still $4.5 million to raise. Find out how you can help!

Full Story | Photos | Video

Grand Valley Named Best College Buy for 15 Consecutive Years 

For the 15th year in a row, Grand Valley State University has been named one of America’s 100 Best College Buys by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. in Georgia. Each year, Institutional Research identifies the 100 American colleges and universities providing students the very highest quality education at the lowest cost. Grand Valley has made the list far more times than any other Michigan institution; authors of the report say it is because of Grand Valley’s high academic performance coupled with its low cost. No other state public institution made the list.

Full Story

Alumni Invited to Leadership Speakers Series in Muskegon

GVSU alumni are invited to hear some of the area's most influential leaders share their perspectives during this personal, engaging and educational speaker series. Their Story: A Community Leadership Speakers Series is hosted by the GVSU Muskegon Regional Center and runs through December 7.

More Information
 

 

Hauenstein Center Sets Fall/Winter Calendar of Events

The Hauenstein Center for Presidential Leadership's mission is to illuminate the American presidency to raise civic literacy, learned discourse, and a new generation of leaders. The center's debates and conferences are among West Michigan's most anticipated events. See their full calendar of events scheduled for the remainder of this important political year.