Unpack your Impact
Michael ’00 and Kate ’01,’13 Herrema
College move-in day is a whirlwind for both students and parents. For students – especially those arriving for their first year – it’s the excitement of stepping into independence, finding community, and embracing the promise of transformation. For parents, it’s the bittersweet joy of watching their child take a major step toward adulthood, knowing they are beginning to create lifelong memories.
For Michael ’00 and Kate ’01,’13 Herrema, their student’s first move-in day at Grand Valley was especially meaningful. Michael, a proud alum, recalls, “Watching my child walk into a place that had such a huge impact on my life was emotional in the best way. Move-in day brought back so many memories of my own first day on campus, and I found myself feeling proud, excited, and honestly, a little nostalgic."
The Herremas found peace knowing that the Laker community would be there to support their student in the same ways it supported both of them.
Supporting Students
As part of the Unpack Your Impact campaign that ran during move-in week, the Herremas stepped forward with a challenge gift to inspire others. They committed $1,000 to the Laker Family Fund if 29 parents made a gift (to any fund) in honor of the incoming Class of 2029.
Their generosity – combined with gifts from parents, alumni, and friends – helps ensure students have access to vital resources and opportunities throughout their time at Grand Valley. The Laker Family Fund specifically expands access to free academic resources including tutoring, counseling, and advising so every student has the tools they need to thrive. The fund also fuels career readiness by supporting the GVSU Career Center, which offers career planning, major exploration, internship connections, and career fairs.
The Laker Legacy
These resources are part of what makes Grand Valley more than a university; it’s a community committed to helping. For Michael, “The culture at Grand Valley encourages curiosity, compassion, and collaboration. Whether you’re in a classroom, on campus, or out in the professional world, you can spot a Laker by their work ethic and their willingness to lift others up.”
Michael goes on to explain the valuable connections he found during his time on campus, describing the ways his professors, peers, and mentors were invested in his goals and genuinely cared about his continued success. “That mentorship helped me build the confidence and skills I needed to thrive in my career. Grand Valley taught me how to lead, how to think critically, and how to stay grounded in my values, no matter where life took me.”
Investing in the Next Generation
The Herremas’ leadership through Unpack Your Impact demonstrates what it means to be Lakers for a Lifetime. Their challenge gift wasn’t just about dollars. “It was about investing in the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and change-makers,” Michael said. “It was about keeping the Laker legacy strong.”
Supporting Grand Valley helps guarantee every student who unpacks their bags here can also unpack their full potential.
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Are you interested in making a challenge gift for an upcoming campaign? Reach out to Shannon Dale, Senior Director of Annual Giving and Digital Strategy at [email protected].