March 26, 2024 (Volume 47, Number 15)
Article by
Peg West
Colton Comiskey, from Forest Hills Central High School, center, plays a game of Guess Who? with other high school students during the Global Language and Culture Festival March 20 in the Kirkhof Center.
The Modern Languages and Literatures Department welcomed about 300 high school world language students to the Allendale Campus recently to explore languages and cultures and find out what Grand Valley has to offer.
The first Global Language and Culture Festival at the Kirkhof Center offered a variety of activities and events as well as opportunities to learn more about GVSU, said Janel Pettes Guikema, department chair. Students from the Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Kenowa Hills and Rockford school districts visited.
"Students were able to connect with GVSU faculty and students and learn about global cultures, study abroad and the many benefits of multilingualism," Guikema said. "Language teachers in West Michigan have expressed interest in this type of opportunity for years, and their immediate feedback from the festival was extremely positive, with requests to make this an annual event."
Attendees watched performances, participated in a shadow puppet show, played games, went on a campuswide scavenger hunt and enjoyed fare from food trucks, among other offerings.
The students also learned more about language programs at GVSU, completed language-proficiency checks at the Language Resource Center in Mackinac Hall and went on campus tours led by Admissions staff, Guikema said.
The event was sponsored by MLL, Classics, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Area and Global Studies.
This article was last edited on March 25, 2024 at 4:4 p.m.
Aviation students can complete the Bachelor of Applied Science degree program in Traverse City, or online, and have tangible professional benefits within the industry.
Featured
June 16, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 18)
Article by
Kate VanDerKolk
A Detroit News article centered on university governance and a Brookings article called the Thompson Scholars program a model solution for increasing access for students from middle-income families.
June 16, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 18)
Now working in the Division of Enrollment Development and College Futures, Ngassa discusses how his background serves as a bridge between enrollment and academic affairs.
June 16, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 18)
