Horizons Fall 2025
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President's Desk
President's Desk
Grand Valley State University’s new Economic Impact Report highlights the university’s exceptional value to Michigan, generating $3 billion in annual economic impact and supporting 116,000 jobs statewide. With alumni earning $7.6 billion per year and a $31 return for every $1 invested by the state, GVSU continues to prove itself a powerful engine for Michigan’s growth. Thanks to generous supporters, Grand Valley is also making record investments in affordability and access, providing $81 million in student aid to help more learners achieve their dreams.
Horizons Feedback
We hope that Horizons offers you a window into the transformative impact of your generosity at Grand Valley State University. Your insights are important to us, and we would love to know what you'd like to see in future editions of Horizons, ensuring it continues to inspire, inform, and celebrate your investment in Grand Valley's future. This survey will only take one minute of your time.
Student Impact
Curiosity and Conservation
From catching bugs as a child to tracking sturgeon in Michigan rivers, John Lawrence’s '25, Class of 2027, love of nature has shaped his path as a researcher. His donor-funded internship at the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute gave him his first hands-on experience in science. Now, he is pursuing graduate research that reveals the health of entire ecosystems.
The Road That Led to Grand Valley
When Genesis Hollie, Class of 2026, first drove the long road to Grand Valley, she couldn’t have imagined the challenges and triumphs that lay ahead. From experiencing housing insecurity to finding strength through the Fostering Laker Success program, Hollie’s journey is one of resilience. Now a senior in business management, she reflects on how support from Grand Valley – and its donors – helped her stay the course and dream bigger for the future.
Donor Impact
Unpack your Impact
Move-in day at Grand Valley is a milestone for students and parents alike. For Micheal ’00 and Kate ’01,’13 Herrema, it was also an opportunity to give back through the Unpack Your Impact campaign, inspiring other Laker families to support student success. Their challenge gift celebrated both their pride as alumni and their hopes for the next generation of Lakers.
Opening New Doors at Bellamy Creek
Education changes lives, and that belief is at the heart of Grand Valley’s new prison education program at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility. With support from the Sunshine Lady Foundation, the initiative brings faculty on site to deliver a full liberal arts curriculum while uplifting leadership rooted in lived experience. Together, these efforts ensure that incarcerated students have the tools, guidance, and hope to build meaningful futures beyond prison walls.
Educators, Scholars, and a City's Future
Grand Valley and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation are transforming education and community growth in Battle Creek. A new $2.25 million grant is helping early career teachers in Battle Creek Public Schools thrive, while a $10.4 million investment is bringing the Battle Creek Innovation Hub to life. Together, these initiatives are building a stronger pipeline of educators, supporting local students, and fueling the city’s economic revitalization.
Financial Stewardship Report 2025
Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, Grand Valley students were supported by the generosity of more than 26,000 donors. Your gifts have empowered GVSU to remain at the forefront of educational excellence, and we sincerely appreciate all the ways you invest in both current and future Lakers. With your ongoing support, we’re looking forward to another remarkable year.
Fund Spotlight
Fueling Laker Success
Replenish Basic Needs Center is a lifeline for students facing unexpected challenges. Right now, more students than ever are turning to Replenish for support. This essential campus resource provides free access to nutritious food, personal care items, and other necessities that help Lakers stay focused on their education instead of worrying about where their next meal will come from. Founded in response to student-identified needs, Replenish now assists more than 2,500 Lakers every year. As demand grows, your help is critical, and your early Giving Tuesday gift will have an immediate impact. A $75 donation covers the cost of food for one student for the month. Learn more and help ensure all Lakers have the resources they need to succeed.
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New Endowments, Scholarships, and Gillett Society Members
Thank you to the donors who established new endowments and scholarships. You are empowering learners in their pursuits, professions, and purpose. Because of your gifts, Grand Valley's impact on our community continues to grow.
Events
To see a full list of recent events, view our gallery here.
REP4®FinLit Launch Celebration
A celebratory luncheon on September 23 showcased the launch of REP4®FinLit, a student-created financial literacy tool. Guests saw live demonstrations and heard how the platform equips students to take the lead in building and sharing financial education.
Leading the Way – Detroit
Grand Valley hosted alumni, parents, and friends in Dearborn on October 7 for an evening of connection and celebration. Guests enjoyed a casual reception with remarks from President Philomena V. Mantella highlighting the university’s recent progress and future priorities. The event strengthened ties with the GVSU community in Southeast Michigan.
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