Horizons Winter 2023
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Student Impact
Conserving Michigan Fisheries
What if we could bring back a species that went extinct years ago? For Nick Vander Stelt, Class of 2023, this idea isn’t from Jurassic Park, but rather a reality that he is working towards by researching with the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI). Nick is pursuing a Master of Science in biology with an aquatic sciences emphasis. His research at the Boardman River in Traverse City is part of the larger Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative that is working to bring back a species that went extinct in the state because of human activities such as logging.
Impact
Why We Give
A Community of Support
Robert and Kathy Cassie lived in Grand Rapids for 16 years. One thing they loved to do together was visit downtown. They would often see GVSU students walking around campus and would talk about what a great place it must be to go to school. Robert always encouraged his children and grandchildren to be lifelong learners and to pursue higher education. After Robert’s passing, the Cassie Family Foundation created the Robert T. Cassie Endowed Scholarship so his legacy of supporting learners in their educational aspirations would continue to live on through the students at Grand Valley.
Nurturing Future Generations
Compassion, kindness, and commitment to help others is what comes to mind when you meet the Paulateer family. In addition to caring for their 10 children, Jason ’96, ’05 and Chapri ’95 Paulateer are also finding ways to nurture the next generation of Grand Valley Lakers. While Jason and Chapri have been busy with their careers and raising their family, they never lost touch with their alma mater. Jason currently serves as one of GVSU’s Southeast Michigan Ambassadors, and together they make giving to the Legendary Lambda Pi Legacy Endowed Scholarship a top priority.
Fund Spotlight
Providing Student Support
The road to a Grand Valley degree isn’t a straight line. There are bumps and turns that lead students to experience new challenges. While overcoming obstacles is a key part of the learning process, many students face unexpected hardships that force them to put their dreams of graduation on hold. There is a way we can help. The Student Support Fund provides important financial assistance to students facing unexpected financial or personal hardships that would keep them from completing the final requirements in obtaining their degree. A gift to the Student Support Fund will help even more Lakers continue their education and prepare for their futures.
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New Endowments, Scholarships, and Gillett Society Members
Thank you to the donors who established new endowments and scholarships, and to the new Gillett Society members who have included Grand Valley in their estate plans. 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
GVU Foundation Holiday Reception 2022
On December 6, 2022, the Grand Valley University Foundation directors gathered together for a holiday reception. It was a time to celebrate all the successes of the year and look ahead to 2023 and all the possibilities that await.
Grand Valley University Foundation Florida Forum
The Grand Valley University Foundation held its annual Florida forum in Palm Beach on January 25 and Naples on February 15. This year Dr. Jonathan Engelsma shared how technologies are impacting our present and future lives. He also shared recent work at GVSU’s Applied Computing Institute and demonstrated how the pragmatic blending of machine intelligence with traditional West Michigan competencies offers our community new vistas of opportunity.
