November 2010

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 will be held in the Performing Arts Center and 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.

GradFest Volunteers Needed - 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.

Thousands Return to Allendale for 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration

Thousands of Laker alumni and friends returned to GVSU's Allendale campus October 4-9 to take part in more than 21 Wonka-themed Homecoming activities held for the sweet celebration of Grand Valley's "golden ticket" anniversary.

• 50th Anniversary Homecoming Address, Expo and Pep Rally
  The official kick-off to the Homecoming celebration was held in the Laker Turf Building, where President Haas welcomed back Lakers from all eras and honored the first ever graduating or "Pioneer" class. Guests enjoyed a truly amazing birthday cake, signed a GVSU birthday card, enjoyed family activities and had the chance to win a coveted "golden ticket" through a candy bar fundraiser for the new Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons. There were also performances by GV Groove, an a capella group who crooned a medley of songs from throughout the decades of the university's existence, the Laker Marching and Alumni Marching Bands, and the Laker Cheer and Dance Teams.  View photos
• Reunion Row
  Developed specifically for the 50th anniversary, Reunion Row accommodated mini reunions for alumni and campus groups during the Homecoming tailgate party. 26 organizations, including Grand Valley's Pioneer class, Student Senate, and fraternities/sororities gathered to reconnect countless numbers of graduates.
  See group listing |   View photos
• Alumni Tailgater
  Nearly 1,000 guests made their way to the Laker Turf Building grounds for the family-friendly tailgate party with music, limitless entertainment, and a scrumdiddlyumptious meal featuring the GRANDest candy buffet in all the land!  View photos
• Homecoming 5K/Run Walk
  A record-number 255 runners (including 62 alumni) got a running start to their Homecoming day at the annual 5K Run/Walk. GVSU alumni topped the leader board in 11 of the 21 adult race categories, including overall winner Nathan Fujioka, '06, who outpaced the pack to claim his third straight victory.
  Get race results |  View photos
• Pancake Breakfast
  Runners and those wishing to get an early start to the day's festivities fueled up on candied apple and schnozberry-topped pancakes, sausage and hot coffee on the beautiful October morning.
   View photos
• Homecoming Concert featuring Jason DeRulo
  Alumni and students packed the Fieldhouse Arena for the sold out show sponsored by Spotlight Productions. The triple-platinum singer, songwriter, and entertainer treated the crowd to his chart-topping hits like "Whatcha Say" and "Ridin' Solo".  View photos.
• Laker Football Homecoming Game
  The festivities came to a sweet end as our Lakers claimed a 28-7 victory over Northern Michigan before a 50th anniversary Homecoming crowd of 12,307. The much lauded GVSU LipDub video was then premiered on the jumbotron after the game.
  Game highlights |   View photos |  View LipDub video

Careerfest 2010 Helps Put Lakers to Work 

Grand Valley's Career Services office hosted 131 area employers (view list) at the DeVos Place Convention Center on October 13 for the annual fall Careerfest. More than 1,100 job seekers, including over 120 alumni, came out to look for a job and to hire talented Grand Valley graduates. GVSU continues to do its part to put Michigan back to work!

Alumni Artists Compete at ArtPrize 2010

A host of talented Grand Valley State University artists exhibited at venues throughout downtown Grand Rapids during ArtPrize 2010 held September 22 - October 10. Thirty-four GVSU alumni competed against 1,700 artists from around the world for prizes totaling nearly half a million dollars. Fellow graduates met artists and got an exclusive look at alumni exhibits during the GVSU ArtPrize Reception and Alumni Art Tour held September 28, helping launch four GVSU artists into top 25, 50, 75 and 100 spots.
Artist listing |  View photos

Alumni Volunteers Make a Difference

GVSU alumni and student volunteers headed to the John Ball Zoo Goes Boo event October 23 for Make a Difference Day. In celebration of Halloween at the zoo, volunteers helped pass out treats, painted faces and helped with children's games and crafts. Volunteers assisted nearly 3,000 families during the event.  View photos

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Upcoming Events

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.
• November 8 - San Francisco, CA - Hosted by club leader Tim Rice, '08, at the Gordon Biersch Brewery with Assistant Alumni Director Susan Proctor, '98.

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Celebrate Grand Valley's History with Commemorative Book

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. 

 

Creating Opportunities - Changing Lives

Did you know that there are currently more than 275 privately funded scholarships available to Grand Valley students…and that 30 of these were started by GVSU alumni? Essential to Grand Valley, these scholarships are impacting the lives of students as we prepare them to be tomorrow’s leaders. Learn more about how you can make a difference!

 Check out the scholarship video.

Grand Valley is an Economic Engine for West Michigan

The communities that host GVSU's campuses are among the state's most vibrant - each enjoying greater economic health because of Grand Valley's presence. Grand Valley creates nearly $650 million in economic activity in west Michigan, leading to the creation of more than 10,000 private sector jobs. Our 77,000 alumni are the bedrock of the communities in which they live and work. Our business development centers work every day to help entrepreneurs and small business owners succeed and prosper. Our research centers in water resources and alternative energy preserve and protect our environment. We're nationally recognized as a green campus. The philanthropic community has helped Grand Valley to construct new facilities, easing the burden on taxpayers while creating thousands of construction jobs. For more details, refer to Grand Valley's Economic Impact brochure.

Share Your Presidents' Ball Memories

Grand Valley is celebrating its 25th annual Presidents' Ball amidst the university's 50th anniversary. This year's ball, The Golden Gala, will be held Friday, February 4, 2011. Alumni who have taken part in this great tradition in the past are asked to share photos, stories, and memories to commemorate this special milestone year. Please send submissions to senates@gvsu.edu by December 31, 2010. 

GVSU Issues Sustainability Guide

Have you ever wondered how you could live more sustainably or just want to know what the heck sustainability means? The new GVSU Sustainability Guide will help answer these questions and more. The guide explains what sustainability is as well as action steps you can take to live a more sustainable lifestyle. It also features stories of sustainability related projects by GVSU alumni, students, faculty and staff as well as GVSU sustainability initiatives. To view the guide, visit www.gvsu.edu/sustainabilityguide
 

 

Information Sessions to be Held for Teaching Fellowship

The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation is hosting two information sessions about the W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s Woodrow Wilson Michigan Teaching Fellowship. The Fellowship is designed for those who have degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and are interested in teaching science or math in Michigan’s high need secondary schools. GVSU is developing an innovative graduate program that leads to a M.Ed. degree and a secondary teaching certificate. Learn more about the Fellowship at two upcoming information sessions or by visiting www.gvsu.edu/teachingfellowship.

• November 17, 2010 - 5:30 - 6:15 p.m., Pew Grand Rapids Campus, Kennedy Hall, Room 122
• November  17, 2010 - 7:00 - 7:45 p.m., Allendale Campus, Mackinac Hall, Room    D-1-117