Faculty, staff help ensure Laker Kickoff is successful
From welcoming students to Lubbers Stadium to participating in the spirit tunnel to sponsoring an activity, many faculty and staff volunteers ensured new students received a warm Grand Valley welcome during Laker Kickoff on Aug. 28.
First-year and transfer students started their evening at Lubbers Stadium. Following the Class of 2030 photo on the field, volunteers ushered them — via a spirit tunnel — to the Kirkhof Center lawn area for carnival games, food trucks, performances and a fireworks and drone display.
The Division of People, Equity, and Culture hosted an activity that celebrated community. MJ Creutz, associate director and deputy Title IX coordinator, and Ann Kaiser, office assistant for People, Equity, and Culture, were among the staff helping students place stickers on a large global map to indicate their hometown.
Students add stickers to their hometowns on a map sponsored by the Division of People, Equity, and Culture. (Kendra Stanley-Mills)
"It's about connection and also pride," Creutz said. "Pride in being able to talk about where they're from and pride in seeing where their classmates are from."
The map from 2025's Laker Kickoff hangs in the People's Place office on the first floor of Zumberge Hall.
Staff from Student Accessibility Resources partnered with Artists Creating Together to bring the Creative Cube, an accessible mobile studio trailer, and park it behind the Lubbers Student Services Center, near tabling by the social justice centers.
Jayne Fraley-Burgett, director of SAR, said the location was intentional, providing a quieter space for students to learn about resources, enjoy art activities and connect with staff members.
"The fountain provides a nice ambiance and we're away from the loud music," Fraley-Burgett said.
Quentin Henry plays a light-up ring toss game during Laker Kickoff. The activity was sponsored by the Thompson Student Success Center. (Kendra Stanley-Mills)
Mathematics faculty members Lora Bailey, left, and Lauren Keough staff an event during Laker Kickoff. (GVSU Promotions Office/Charles Groustra)
Tables were spread throughout the lawn area, offering students a variety of art supplies to choose from and a place to connect with fellow Lakers. Some used the tranquil zone as an opportunity to recharge, while others opted to spend most of the kickoff crafting.
Dogan Copeland, pre-college success coordinator for Thompson and Charter Scholars, was one of several staff members hosting a ring toss game near Zumberge Pond. Copeland wanted to volunteer to showcase the ways that Thompson and Charter Scholars can support students beyond finances.
“It’s important to be able to integrate with students as not just a scholarship cohort," Copeland said. "We host a lot of events to help expand belonging on campus, and we’re here to let students know that they can come to us for more than just scholarship requirements. We’re fun, too."
As a two-time GVSU graduate and Thompson Scholar, Copeland said he enjoyed volunteering to connect with and give back to incoming students in a new way.
West of the Cook Carillon Tower, several campus departments had tables set up to introduce students to campus life. Many current Grand Valley students volunteered to work these tables, such as senior Abrianna Imbrogno, from the Office of Student Life.
“It’s been so great to meet this freshman class and tell them about all the opportunities available to them,” she said. “I want to help them have the same experiences that I’ve had by showing them how to become involved on campus.
— Student writer Sofia Ellis contributed to this story.