Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Program provides a venue for departments to invite outstanding alumni back to campus to share their post-graduation experiences with

the GVSU community.  Through the program, our distinguished alumni have the opportunity to

share their insights about what constitutes strong academic preparation for students.

 

What is the objective of this event?

The event’s objective is to bring CLAS alumni to campus for one or two days to interact with faculty and students. While on campus, they will have the opportunity to discuss their experiences at GVSU and their career path after graduation. They will be able to share their insight with faculty regarding curriculum and career readiness/preparation.

 

When is this event?

The CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Program is traditionally held during the Thursday and Friday prior to Homecoming Weekend. What an appropriate time to acknowledge our alumni and bring them home again for a collaborative exchange and a fun weekend as well.

 

 Honorees will be publicly recognized during the highlight of the event - the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Recognition Luncheon, which will take place:

 

TBC

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

GVSU Alumni House and Visitor Center

 

Who participates in the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Program and how often will my department be eligible to participate?

All CLAS academic departments are eligible to participate in the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in- Residence Program.  Due to the size of the College, eligibility is on a rotational basis.  Though flexible, the typical event schedule permits departments to participate biennially in odd or even years. 

 

How will I know when my department is eligible to participate in this event and is participation required?

Departments will be notified of their eligibility via an e-mail message sent by Roxanne Mol of the CLAS Dean’s Office.  At a CLAS Unit Head Meeting in February or March of the academic year prior to the event, unit heads will be informed of their department’s eligibility to participate and will be asked to provide the name of a unit representative/liaison who will work with Roxanne. The department representative/liaison will be responsible for communicating with the honoree during the summer months and coordinating the necessary arrangements for his or her campus arrival.  CLAS departments are not required to participate in the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in- Residence Celebration during any specific year. However, all departments are strongly encouraged to take part in this event.

 

My department participated in this event last year.  Are we allowed to participate again this year?

Departments are typically eligible to participate in the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Program on a biennial basis.  Please contact Associate Dean Donovan Anderson regarding exceptions.

 

What are the responsibilities of my department when planning this event? Does the CLAS Dean’s Office carry any responsibility or share in the cost?

Responsibilities surrounding the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence celebration are shared between academic departments and the CLAS Dean’s Office as shown below:

 

Responsibilities of the Dean’s Office

• Provide funds for the honoree’s travel including airfare and mileage
• Provide up to two nights stay for the honoree at a hotel or the Alumni House
• Provide funds to cover meals for the honoree and, in the case of group meals, for the honoree and three other people. Please submit itemized receipt for all meals.
• Advertise to campus through campus signage
• Sponsor a luncheon for the alumni, guests, and the departments involved in the exchange (held the Friday of that week)
• Create a brochure that highlights alumni backgrounds (distributed at the luncheon)

 

Responsibility of Departments

• Contact the honoree and make arrangements for visit
• Make sure that alumni know well in advance of the event that they will be asked to speak at the Friday luncheon for 2-3 minutes about their experiences at Grand Valley
• Cover the costs of travel that exceed a reasonable expectation as determined by the

Dean’s Office.

• Arrange the honoree’s itinerary and submit a copy of itinerary to the Dean’s Office:
• Student involvement such as class visits, clubs, majors, gatherings, etc.
• Faculty and staff involvement to discuss curriculum, careers, etc.
• Circulate department flyers for presentations or class sessions
• Commit to staying with the alumni guest for the entire two-hour luncheon on Friday
• Work with department staff to track expenses and have them forward one final IDC to Dean’s office for reimbursement

 

What are the criteria for choosing an honoree for this event and what are the expectations of each honoree?

The CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Program is intended to recognize GVSU alumni who have achieved success since their time at Grand Valley State University.  There are no specific rules when selecting an honoree, as the definition of the term success varies according to each individual and discipline.  Therefore, each department must determine its own criteria surrounding the term.  Past honorees have varied in all aspects including age and gender and have ranged from students to professionals.

While on campus, honorees are requested to participate in any number of activities scheduled by the inviting department.  Activities may range from formal presentations to classroom visits. During the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Recognition Luncheon, each honoree is expected to speak for 2-3 minutes reflecting on “how the Liberal Arts has influenced their current life”.

 

How many honorees can my department invite to participate in the event in a given year and how soon should my department attempt to select an honoree for this event?

Departments typically invite one honoree to participate in the event every other academic year. However, exceptions have been made.  Please contact either Associate Dean Anderson with questions or concerns regarding this matter.  In order to accommodate the schedules of busy individuals, efforts to select an honoree should begin as soon as possible.

 

How long should my abstract be and when will information pertaining to my department’s honoree be due?

Information pertaining to the event will be due at the beginning of the fall semester.  Required submissions include a completed online form (found on the event website at https://www.gvsu.edu/clas/alumni-in-residence-38.htm), a 250-word-maximum biographical abstract about the honoree, and an itinerary detailing the honoree’s activity while on campus. Flyers detailing opportunities for student/faculty and staff involvement may be submitted as well. Please view the sample abstract shown below:

 

Katie Mawby

B.S. in Psychology & Physical Therapy (1987)

 

Katie Mawby earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and in physical therapy at Grand Valley

State University in 1988. She earned her Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Western Michigan University in 2004, and she is the director of a well-regarded, multi-site physiotherapy clinic. She has also earned a B.A. in theology from Aquinas College, in 1994. When Mawby was 15 years old, she lost her vision in an accident that damaged her optic nerve. Just as she has pursued demanding university studies and a challenging career with great success, she has also pursued athletic activities with similar panache and success. An accomplished athlete, her competitive focus has been in competitive water skiing including slalom skiing and ski jumping. She has set world water-skiing records. She has been inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, has been the ESPN Athlete of the Week, and has been repeatedly recognized as Athlete of the Year by the Water Skiers with Disabilities Association. Amongst the many ways Mawby serves her community, she is an outreach speaker for Leader Dogs for the Blind and she volunteers her services as a physical therapist at St. Mary’s Heartside Clinic.

 

 

 

What if my honoree can only attend one day of the event?

Honorees are encouraged to be on campus during both days of the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Celebration. However, it is understandable that doing so is not always possible.  Ideally, the honoree would be present to attend the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in- Residence Recognition Luncheon during which they will be recognized publicly.  Please contact Roxanne Mol or Assistant Dean Donovan Anderson in such cases.

 

What if my honoree arrives at the Alumni House after hours?

Guests who arrive on campus after the Alumni House has closed may access their rooms by picking up their key from the front desk of the Department of Public Safety, which is located in the GVSU Service Building.

 

 

Who attends the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Recognition Luncheon and what is its format?

The CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Recognition Luncheon is a “cozy” gathering that celebrates the accomplishments of the University’s alumni.  Attendees typically include the chosen honorees, 2-3 of each honoree’s former professors or favorite staff members, and 2-3 of

each honoree’s family members or friends. The University’s President and Provost are also usually in attendance as well as members of the CLAS Dean’s Office and Alumni Relations. The event usually begins with a short luncheon, which is followed by an award ceremony and

brief speeches given by each honoree.

 

 

Is my honoree allowed to bring guests or past professors to the CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Recognition Luncheon?

Yes, each honoree is allowed to invite three faculty/staff members and two outside guests to the event.

 

Is there parking available at the Alumni House?

Yes, parking is available in the circular drive of the Alumni House as well as in the lot behind the building. GVSU parking permits are not required when parking in these areas.

 

How will photographs, video and other media from the event be used?

Photographs, video, and quotes from the event may be used on the college or university website and for publicizing the event in future years. We will request that the honorees sign a release form for publicity and display materials. We will video and archive the speeches given by the honorees who have agreed to be taped and have signed the release.