Grand Valley announced that Karen M. Loth has been named vice president for University Development.

The announcement that Loth, who has been serving as the interim vice president, would be given the position permanently came at the university’s April 27 Board of Trustees meeting.

President Thomas J. Haas praised Loth’s experience, history with the university and her performance as interim vice president since January when he made the announcement.

“Karen’s history with Grand Valley and her track record of performance and integrity will lead the Development unit of this university in the direction in which it needs to go,” Haas said. “We’ll rely on her leadership to make sure our long-time supporters and new supporters continue to see the value that Grand Valley brings to the people of this region. Her experience with Grand Valley is critical as private gifts become even more integral to the university’s future.”

Loth joined the university in 2000 and has led 11 campaigns, helping to raise more than $130 million dollars for Grand Valley in the past ten years.

“It is an honor to work with our donors who have given so much of their time, talent and treasure to support Grand Valley over the years,” Loth said. “With their help, we will continue to provide our students with an academically rigorous learning environment, and provide our region and our state with the next generation of talented leaders.”

Loth’s promotion is effective May 1, 2012.

Tim W. Selgo enters his 16th year as athletic director at Grand Valley State. He was appointed athletic director on February 12, 1996 and has put his own stamp of leadership on Laker athletics.



A promoter of a well-rounded athletic department, Selgo has been a key figure in the Lakers' rise to the top of Division II athletics. Grand Valley State University won its eighth straight Directors' Cup in 2010-11, staking a claim as the top all-around athletic department in the country. In addition to winning eight straight Directors' Cup titles, GVSU's eight total titles is tops all-time in DII. The prestigious award is presented annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Learfield Sports and the USA TODAY to the best overall collegiate athletics programs in the country. In addition to the Lakers' eight straight Directors' Cup titles (2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11), GVSU finished second in 2001-02 and 2002-03 in the Directors' Cup standings. In addition, GVSU has won 13 straight Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Presidents' Cup titles as the top athletic program in the 13-team GLIAC. The Lakers' 18 all-time Presidents' Cup titles top all GLIAC institutions. Grand Valley State, which won 45 GLIACtitles prior to Selgo's arrival, has won 117 GLIAC titles since Selgo was appointed Athletic Director in 1996.

A well respected leader in college athletics, Selgo served on the NCAA DII Management Council for one year (2009-10). A term on the NCAA DII Management Council is the highest position is DII athletics. Selgo, who is on the NCAA DII Budget and Finance Committee, was named the Division II Central Region Astroturf Athletic Director of the Year in 2006-07 and was also honored as the Central Region AD of the Year in 2002-03.

Selgo has been the key figure in the development of the athletic facilities and programs at Grand Valley State. GVSU recently added women's lacrosse as a varsity program that will begin play in the spring of 2012. Lubbers Stadium began a three-phase renovation during the summer of 2011 and a new outdoor track & field/lacrosse stadium is set to open in the fall of 2011. The Laker Turf Building, which opened for all university activities in August 2009, allows GVSU academic classes and athletic teams the opportunity to work inside in inclement weather. The 137,662 square foot facility has a 100 x 55-yard fieldturf surface, a six-lane track with nine sprint lanes and batting cages that drop from the ceiling. The Laker softball team began play on its new field in 2008 and the Laker baseball field added stadium seating behind home plate in 2010. GVSU expanded its football stadium seating capacity to 8,550, added executive suites and a new scoreboard with a ProStar video display board in 2002. The GVSU Football Center, located in the north end zone of Lubbers Stadium, has been expanded by more than 4,000 feet since Selgo's arrival. In addition, lights were installed at Lubbers Stadium and the Rob Odejewski Weight Room was built in honor of the late Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Promotions. The baseball and soccer fields have added press boxes, storage space and concession areas. In addition, the fieldhouse locker room project, that enabled every varsity sport at Grand Valley State to have its own locker room, was spearheaded by Selgo.

Tim Selgo speaks to the media to announce the 131 Showdown at Van Andel Arena.

Prior to his arrival at Grand Valley State, Selgo was an Associate AD at the University of Toledo. While at Toledo Selgo was responsible for the day-to-day operations for Toledo's 10 women's and nine men's sports teams that competed at the Division I level in the Mid-American Conference. Selgo was instrumental in the marketing and promoting of all 19 sports that the Toledo athletic department sponsored.

A native of Pettisville, Ohio, Selgo was inducted into the Toledo Athletic Hall of Fame in February of 2001. He was a standout basketball player at Toledo from 1977-80, earning four varsity letters. The Rockets posted a four-year record of 87-26 during Selgo's playing days on the hardwood. Selgo participated in two NCAA Midwest Regional Tournaments for Toledo. His 1978-79 Rocket squad claimed a first-round, 74-72, win over Iowa, before dropping a 79-71 decision to Notre Dame in the second round. In 1980, Selgo scored 18 points in Toledo's 94-91 loss to Florida State in a first-round NCAA Tournament game. Selgo was part of two MAC Championship teams (1978-79 and 1979-80) and was co-captain of the `79-80 squad. He earned Mid-American Conference All-Academic honors in 1978, 1979 and 1980 and was named Senior Scholar/Athlete-of-the-Year at Toledo in 1980. Known as an outstanding shooter, Selgo still holds the UT record for free throw percentage in a single-season, converting 92.3 percent (48-of-52) during the 1978-79 season. He also holds the Toledocareer free throw percentage record in MAC games, hitting 86.1 percent (62-of-72) and the single-season Rocket mark for MAC games of 93.9 percent (31-of-33).

Selgo graduated from Toledo in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and a minor in mathematics. Following graduation, Selgo remained at Toledo as a graduate assistant for the Toledo men's basketball program and earned his master's degree in education administration in 1982. He then served as an assistant men's basketball coach at Toledo from 1982-1985.

In 1985 he was named head women's basketball coach at Toledo. Selgo served as head coach of the Rockets women's basketball program for three years, turning around a program that is now at the top of the MAC.

Selgo is married to the former Terry Bush and together the couple have three children: Jennifer (26), Rachel (24), and Daniel (18).

 

Congratulations to the following University Club members, who were recognized for their years of service to GVSU on December 6, at the annual Service Awards and Holiday Gathering.

 

35 Years -			30 Years -
Scott Richardson			Andy Beachnau	Tom Butcher

25 Years -
Cheryl Anderson	Barb Hackley		Matt McLogan

20 Years -
Linda Kennedy	Kim Schmidt

10 Years -
Charles Baker-Clark		David Burlingame	Paul Mudde

Mick Doxey has been named as the first director of risk management for Grand Valley. Doxey, who came to Grand Valley in 1986, has served as director of business services, handling campus dining, university bookstores, risk management, vending and other auxiliary related services.  



Risk management will formally become part of the University Counsel office. “As the university has grown and increased in complexity, so has the importance of risk management,” said Tom Butcher, university counsel. “Risk management has a natural alignment with compliance, university-wide policies and various legal matters.”



“This is a major step forward in incorporating the identification and treatment of risk as a crucial component in the successful strategic management of Grand Valley,” said Doxey. “I am looking forward to the challenge and to continuing to make a contribution to this great academic community.”



Mick began his new position July 1, 2011.

Erin Harbour was in the fifth grade in 2001 when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City.

The biomedical sciences major and Honors College student said, at the time, teachers shielded students from the news. “They told us the smoke clouds were a swarm of bees,” Harbour said.

She was among 16 students in an Honors College seminar, “Remembering 9/11,” taught by Rob Franciosi, professor of English, and held in the Niemeyer Learning and Living Center. “What happened that day is a part of our history, and that’s why I wanted to take this class,” Harbour said.

At the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Franciosi said he wanted to teach the course partly because, in about six years, there will be Grand Valley students who weren’t even in elementary school on that day.

In class on September 7, Franciosi had students brainstorming different ways media and communities would commemorate the attacks in the week prior to the anniversary date. He also discussed cultural differences that would occur if the attacks took place in 2011, rather than 2001.

“There are technological differences,” Franciosi said. “In 2001, there were no cell phones with cameras. No one could video-capture what was happening inside those buildings.

“In 2011, people would be sending real-time images via a 4G network.”

Franciosi began the course by having students watch television coverage from 2001 and by reading a book that recounts the Twin Towers attack “from the inside looking out.”

For most people, he said, 9/11 lacks those types of first–person accounts. “We see the burning Twin Towers through a long, telephoto lens,” he said.

Students will also create a 9/11 archive of events and responses to the anniversary, and complete an assignment asking them to consider how the attacks are viewed through the perspectives of their particular 

academic disciplines.

Mary Seeger is a retired professor and dean of advising resources and special programs at Grand Valley State University.  She taught German and linguistics from 1965 to 2005.  Dr. Seeger is currently an author of critical works on detective fiction and a member of Sisters in Crime, a national organization of authors, editors, and critics.  Her interest in women's and local history led her to serve as president of the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council and as a board of directors member for the Women’s Resource Center.  She is a member of the Swedish Club and the Edelweiss Club for German Heritage.



Dr. Seeger contributed an interview during GVSU's recent 50th Anniversary Celebration. She remembers that one of Don Lubbers' strengths was "throwing something out in front of us and helping us grow into it."  View the Mary Seeger interview clip.

Exceptional faculty and staff are also inducted into the Society to further the OΔK Idea of collaborative leadership. The fall 2011 semester’s Honoris Causa Inductee is Teri Losey, Special Assistant to the President and Secretary of the GVSU Board of Trustees.



OΔK® was founded in 1914 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and now has more than 300 Circles on campuses across the United States. The purpose of Omicron Delta Kappa is to recognize and foster leadership in all areas of campus life and in the community, and to bring together students, faculty/staff and alumni together on a basis of mutual interest and understanding. OΔK® members have opportunities for career networking, community service and leadership development, and scholarships for graduate study.

About

Jo Ann Litton, preprofessional advisor in the CLAS Academic Advising Center has won the 2011 AP Commitment to Students Award. 

In the letter of nomination for this award, colleagues and students were happy to sing her praises:

"She has guided many students to achieve their goals. One student in particular was struggling with the study time and preparation to sit for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Testing) exam. Jo Ann discovered a summer program at MSU and contacted the student and assisted in arrangements for her to enroll in the program while working and taking care of her two year old daughter. The student is now preparing her application for admission to medical school.  Another student, part of our pre-dental population and a non-traditional student, has commented on how much he appreciates her willingness to meet after hours as well as attend the professional club meetings which are often much later in the evening.



Each student who visits the CLAS Academic Advising Center is surveyed to insure that we are meeting their needs. Many have taken the time to add personal comments regarding their experiences with JoAnn."

Congratulations. Jo Ann for a job exceptionally well done.

In celebration of GVSU’s 50th anniversary, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Alumni Association hosted the Multicultural Cohort Programs Reunion on November 12. Over 200 GVSU faculty and staff members, cohort alumni and current student members gathered to celebrate the many successes and achievements of the cohort programs. Guest speakers included Ray Bennett, ’92, alumnus of the MBEC program and senior vice president of lodging development for Marriott International, and Dean Emeritus Don Williams.  



The evening included a surprise announcement from Bennett that he endowed a new scholarship in honor of Williams. The Dean Emeritus Don Williams Sr. Multicultural Business Education Scholarship was established by Bennett and will recognize and assist business majors in the MBEC Multicultural Business Education programs with the cost of education. 

Assistant Professor Cheryl Boudreaux of the Sociology Department received her PhD from Brandeis University in 1993 with a dissertation on women's spirituality and feminist transformations of consciousness. She teaches Death and Dying, Families in Society, and Love, Sex, and Gender. She has served two terms as the elected president of the Michigan Sociological Association (MSA) and is an active member of the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP). Professor Boudreaux is a photographer/sociologist that sees images as a significant part of the social construction of reality. She is the Chair of the Family Division for the Society for the Study of Social Problems and served as the vice president of the SSSP organization in 2008-2009. 



Boudreaux’s research and theories of transformation inform her teaching in sociology as well as her advocacy and interest in working toward social justice.  She has given papers on images of death and dying and terrorism, race consciousness in health and illness, and marriage.  Through these papers,  Boudreaux attempts to understand transforming social consciousness.  Recent working papers include:  "Teaching About the Family," “Why Marriage:  Is Marriage Worth Fighting For?” “The Art of Death in Everyday Life,” “Images of Death and Dying in an Age of Terrorism,” and “The Pernicious Affects of Race Consciousness in Health and Illness.” 

Anne L. Hiskes, new dean of the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, was born in Grand Rapids and received a bachelor’s degree from Hope College. She previously worked at the University of Connecticut as interim associate dean for Interdisciplinary Programs and Faculty Development. Gayle R. Davis, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said "Dean Hiskes is perfectly positioned to continue to develop and enhance the college for its next stages of innovation and academic excellence." 



Hiskes said she’s ready for this next chapter in her academic career and excited to come back to West Michigan. “West Michigan is home to me,” Hiskes said. “I still have family and friends in the area. I love the lake. I’ve spent the last years developing skills and preparing myself for the role of a dean.” 



Hiskes majored in mathematics, physics and philosophy while at Hope College. She earned master’s and doctoral degrees at Indiana University in the history and philosophy of science. She joined the philosophy faculty at the University of Connecticut in 1978. She began assuming administrative roles in 2003 when she led the establishment of a new general education program. She also served as special assistant to the provost, and associate dean for Undergraduate Programs, the Humanities, and Social Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 



In 2006, Hiskes was appointed by the University of Connecticut president as founding director of the Office of Research Ethics and Education for Stem Cell Research. For nearly four years, Hiskes oversaw and advised faculty researchers on stem cell research policy and ethics, and created databases for tracking research activities.



Hiskes served as an American Council on Education fellow, serving a year at The College of New Jersey, her host institution. The ACE Fellows Program is a premiere leadership development program for higher education.



Hiskes was attracted to the position at Grand Valley because of Brooks College’s mission and focus on creativity and excellence. “It takes a special provost and president to see the value of an interdisciplinary college and to support it," she said. “It’s important to create a space where interdisciplinary students and faculty can flourish. Having a college for interdisciplinary programs sends a message that it’s valued at an institution.”

On February 23, the Boand & Rowe Endowment for Advancement of Women in Sports and Physical Activity was introduced as part of a celebration of 40 years of Title IX, but more so as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done relevant to equity in sport and physical activity. The fund is named in honor of Joan Boand and Patti Rowe, two extraordinary women whose leadership and passion for activities that encourage and promote the advancement and awareness of equality under Title IX has made a long-lasting impact on students, faculty and staff members, and the community.



Joan Boand, professor emeritus of physical education took advantage of an opportunity at a new college in West Michigan and, over a 30-year period, created countless opportunities for women to try, play and excel in sports.

Boand was hired to teach swimming at Grand Valley in 1966. She soon learned that at a relatively new institution, people are expected to be rather versatile. “Soon, I was teaching everything,” she said.

And, it turned out, she coached nearly every women’s sport. Men’s sports at Grand Valley started in 1964 with basketball; cross country followed in 1965 and crew in 1966. Boand pestered and cajoled then Athletic Director Charles Irwin for funds to support softball, and eventually, other women’s teams.

“Coaching was really by accident,” Boand said. “It was precipitated by students who wanted to play softball. At that time, the first Fieldhouse was built and the men were going in to play basketball and I thought that the women should be able to do the same thing.”

Boand said recruiting students for teams was not difficult. “That was the easiest part. The women wanted to do it; they wanted to play because they had so few opportunities in high school,” she said.

Within a few years, Boand was coaching softball, basketball, track and field, and volleyball.

“My goal was to expose women to every possible sport,” she said. “At that time, men and women had separate physical education classes. I wanted the women to play and understand sports because I knew it would prepare them for whatever situation they were in.”

She said administrative support for women’s athletics pushed Grand Valley to the forefront in the state, as the university was the first four-year institution in Michigan to offer athletic scholarships to women.

The teams Boand coached had much success. She coached the Laker volleyball team for 26 years, compiling a 557-330 record and winning six Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. Her women’s basketball teams won four straight league titles from 1974-1978.

Boand said she greatly appreciates her colleagues recognizing her and Patti Rowe by naming an endowment fund for them. “Students will have amazing opportunities through this fund and go on to do great things,” she said.

Educational Background: 

B.S. in Medical Technology, Ferris State College; M.H.S. in Health Science, Grand Valley State University

What do you like most about teaching at Grand Valley? 

Interacting and being around young people. It helps keep me young as well. Teaching in the sciences is really challenging and I enjoy learning new things everyday right along with my students.

What is your favorite class to teach? 

I like mycology. It's an important subject in microbiology that sometimes gets left out of the curriculum at other colleges. The incidence of fungal infections in our aging population is increasing while at the same time the number of professionals qualified to identify the responsible organisms is decreasing. It is imperative that our students be knowledgeable in mycology in order to provide the quality health care that will be required.

What do students like best about your class? 

Students in my class are characteristically problem solvers so they like the lab work best because it is so hands on. They call themselves the health care detectives. I also bring a lot of personal experience to the class from my 16 years of clinical work.

How do you contribute to the success of your students? 

I expect great things from students who take my classes. This challenges them to do the best they can not only academically, but also as members of society. It works because by my teaching and examples it is clear that I have set high standards for myself as well.

What advice would you give to prospective students? 

Develop an attitude that encompasses lifelong learning and curiosity. Seeking the knowledge is what makes life interesting and exciting.

What is the most rewarding aspect about teaching at Grand Valley? 

It's validating when students stop by my office after their clinical rotations or even once they've gotten a full time position and tell me that what they learned here is applicable.



Spotlight Interview

Department: 

Hospitality and Tourism Management

Educational Background: 

B.S. in Business Administration, Central Michigan University; M.B.A., Central Michigan University

What do you like most about teaching at Grand Valley? 

I like the interaction with the students and the focus on teaching and working with the students in the classroom.

What is your favorite class to teach? 

International Food and Culture. It is a general education class and I like having students from different majors in it. It is fun to talk about different cultures and food from different parts of the world.

What do students like best about your class? 

The examples I use. I am big on examples. I say, "When I worked here I did this" or "A friend who worked there did that." I always get good comments on my use of examples.

How do you contribute to the success of your students? 

I expect good work out of them. I try very hard not to adjust the class down to what they want it to be, but to bring the students up to the next level. I try to help them understand that while we teach best practices, it's not always practical to follow them in the real world.

What advice would you give to prospective students? 

One of the things that is important for students to understand is that when they come to college the focus changes from people telling them what to do to the student asking for help or seeking out opportunities outside of the classroom. No one is going to force a student to do that so they have to take advantage of that opportunity on their own.

What is the most rewarding aspect about teaching at Grand Valley? 

The opportunity to do different things. I have solitary work, I have work that is very interactive, I have administration opportunities, I get to work with students in the classroom and one-on-one. There are a lot of opportunities at the school that you can take advantage of.