September 2010

Celebrate GVSU's 50th Anniversary in Detroit - September 16

Join us at the Renaissance Center as we take the GVSU 50th anniversary celebration to Detroit. Rockin' on the River will feature a special anniversary video screening, presentations from President Thomas J. Haas and Athletic Director Tim Selgo, and the live vocal stylings of Detroit's own motown group Horizon. Cost is just $15 per person and includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and complimentary parking.

Alumni Association to Honor Top Graduates

The GVSU Alumni Association will bestow its Young Alumni and Alumni Service Awards at a September 18 luncheon held during Family Weekend. Filmmaker Michael J. Judd, '99 (see sidebar) will receive the GVSU Young Alumni Award. Mary (Schneider) Ohm, '67 & '88, and Jessica (Vandermeer) Scudder, '01, will accept the Alumni Service Awards. All honorees will be recognized by President Haas during the Laker football game later that evening. Please RSVP for the luncheon by September 11.

Join Us Before the Game - Football Tailgate Parties

Enjoy food, drinks and fun for the whole family at these Laker football pre-game tailgate parties. Cost is just $5 (football tickets sold separately.)

• Alumni and Family Tailgate
  Lakers vs Hillsdale - September 11, 5 - 6-30 p.m.
  Sponsored by the GVSU Alumni Association, Seidman College of Business, Track and Field Alumni and GVSU Family Association.
• Young Alumni Tailgate
  Lakers vs Indianapolis - September 18, 5 - 7 p.m. (Family Day)
  Sponsored by the Young Alumni Council

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

• Homecoming - October 9
  Help celebrate the University's 50th anniversary by assisting with the biggest Homecoming celebration to date! Volunteers are needed for multiple shifts throughout the day such as assisting with the pancake breakfast in the morning or with the Campus Expo and Reunion Row in the afternoon.
• 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 - 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.

Homecoming 2010: Redeem Your Golden Ticket - October 8-9

Homecoming 2010 will be a sweet celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of Grand Valley State University. Look out for your Golden Ticket inviting you back to campus to join the many activities planned. Wonderful surprises and fantastic events await you!

www.gvsu.edu/homecoming

ArtPrize Reception and Alumni Art Tour - September 28

A host of talented GVSU alumni artists are scheduled to exhibit at venues throughout downtown Grand Rapids during ArtPrize September 22 - October 10, 2010. GVSU alumni will compete against artists from around the world for prizes totaling nearly half a million dollars, including $250,000 for the artist who receives the most public votes. Show your support by voting for fellow GVSU graduates! Get an exclusive look into alumni exhibitions during a Reception and Alumni Art Tour on September 28, 2010 - 5:30 p.m.



If you are an alumni exhibiting at ArtPrize but not currently listed in our GVSU promotions, please contact proctors@gvsu.edu or 616.331.3590.

Alumni Moving Crew Lift Boxes and Spirits at Freshman Move In

A record number of alumni volunteers returned to campus August 23 during Freshman Move-In week to help the newest Lakers move into their campus homes. 100 alumni volunteered their time and welcomed freshman and their families to campus, offering a helping-hand and experience-based advice during an exciting and emotional time.

View Photos.

Thomas Jefferson and William James College Graduates Reunite

United Stage, the performance theater group of Thomas Jefferson College returned to Grand Valley August 12-15 to engage in four days of story theater and improvisation workshops lead by United Stage founder and former instructor Bob Moyer. The performers were given a tour of the Allendale campus by current theater professor Karen Libman. The group then performed on August 14 for nearly 80 fellow TJC and William James College alumni who had gathered for a reunion reception.

View Photos.

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Metro-Detroit Alumni Club

Brad Gibbons, '08, is pleased to take over as Club Leader for alumni in the metro-Detroit area (formerly Royal Oak Alumni Club) and welcomes your suggestions for fun and engaging programs and activities. Contact Brad at brad_gibbons@yahoo.com.

Upcoming Events

• September 17 - Chicago, IL - Club leaders Brian Dutkiewicz, '02, and Rachel Vanderwiel, '09, will host metro-Chicago alumni at US Cellular Field to watch the Chicago White Sox play division rivals the Detroit Tigers. The outing is sold out!
• September 22 - Latino Alumni Chapter - In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, you are invited to spend an enchanting evening reminiscent of old Mexican tradition and culture. Enjoy a serenade under the moon by a traditional Mexican Mariachi, Mariachi Nuevo Oro y Plata. Learn more about the music and culture as you experience this romantic event led by Professor Carlos de La Barrera who will give a brief presentation on the history of Mariachi music.

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.

• September 28 - Denver, CO - Hosted by club leader Nick Janiga, '07, and Matt Muller, '05, at the Rock Bottom Brewery with Associate Alumni Director Kim Schmidt, '88 & '00. RSVP by September 24.
• 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

• Raleigh/Durham, NC - Club leader Jackie McLaughlin, '03, hosted fellow Lakers at a Durham Bulls baseball game on August 7. Twenty alumni gathered with friends and former classmates for the outing which included a pre-game tailgate buffet. View photos.

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Family Weekend - September 17-19

As a valued member of the broad Grand Valley family, you are invited to celebrate the tradition of Family Weekend, September 17-19. With a host of events and activities scheduled for family members of all ages, you won't want to miss the fun!

 

GVSU Earns Top National Rankings

Grand Valley State University has been ranked 7th in the “Top Public Regional Universities in the Midwest” by U.S. News & World Report. For its prestigious annual Best Colleges 2011 publication, U.S. News also ranked Grand Valley third for Midwest Regional Universities in the “Up-and-Comers” category and 34th for Midwest Regional Universities in the “Best Regional Universities category.” GVSU was also listed as one of America’s Best Colleges in 2010 by Forbes magazine. Visit gvsu.edu/gvnow for more information.

Alumni Provide for Students in Need 

Remember the start of the academic year: reuniting with friends, trips to the book store, meeting your new professors - the tuition bill?!? As state funding to GVSU continues to shrink, students are shouldering more and more of the financial burden of higher education. Nearly 80% of GVSU's full-time dependant students rely on some form of financial assistance. When paychecks, scholarships, and grants aren’t enough, our generous alumni have stepped in to offer help through need-based scholarships. Please join your fellow alumni in supporting students through a gift to the Grand Valley Fund. All gifts matter so make your gift today!

GVSU Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15-October 15

Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15. In celebration of the extraordinary legacy of Hispanics in the United States, Grand Valley will be hosting a variety of events which are FREE and open to the public. Visit www.gvsu.edu/oma for a full schedule of events or more information.