Feature


Grand Valley 'Firsts'

The lore behind Lakers, Louie, logo and more

Spring 2024|Feature


Vietnam

Four decades later, refugee leads students to her homeland

Spring 2024|Feature


Two-Eyed Seeing

Dig looks beyond history of logging town to displaced peoples

Spring 2024|Feature


The Toughest Yard

1970 freshman team takes on Ionia prisoners in precursor to Laker football

Spring 2024|Feature


AWRI's research helps restore Muskegon Lake

After decades of collaborative work, the lake nears coming off of EPA's 'concern list.'

Water Issue | Fall 2023|Feature


Lakers on Water

Experts share what they have learned about appreciating and protecting this vital resource.

Water Issue | Fall 2023|Feature


Learning to solve water's 'Wicked' Problems in Traverse City

An immersive week in northern Michigan highlights the regional center's plan to prepare students for the area's blue and green economy.

Water Issue | Fall 2023|Feature


Water in the West

Studying the elements while out of your element and in the scenic vistas of the West's national parks.

Water Issue | Fall 2023|Feature


Peak Season

Summer brings a heightened pace of work and study for these busy Lakers.

Summer 2023|Feature


Responding to climate change as educators

As environmental academic programs increase, the GVSU network has expanded to offer resources to the K-12 and wider community.

Summer 2023|Feature


Supporting changemakers with research and training

The Johnson Center celebrates 30 years as operating as a leading resource for national foundations and nonprofits.

Summer 2023|Feature


Supreme relationship builder

Kyra Harris Bolden '10 said an injustice that happened to her family three generations ago fueled her to go to law school, which led to her appointment as a justice on Michigan's Supreme Court.

Summer 2023|Feature


Meeting students where they are

If John Wen had a superpower, it would be adaptability. Wen is a textbook example of who leaders had in mind when they designed the accelerated degree program.

Spring 2023|Feature


Teaching our teachers

In a changing PK-12 environment, GVSU responds with comprehensive programs to prepare tomorrow's educators.

Spring 2023|Feature


Searching for patterns in cold case class

A unique criminal justice class spent a semester helping Michigan State Police develop leads for unsolved cases.

Spring 2023|Feature


Grand Valley roots shaped photographer's career

Ben Moon '97: Photographer, filmmaker, surfer, cancer survivor. Now based in Oregon, Moon said GVSU served as the foundation for his life of creativity and exploration.

Spring 2023|Feature


Mission continues for Laker Vets president

Travis Snyder hiked more than 900 miles around Lake Michigan on a mission to raise awareness of veteran suicide.

Winter 2023|Feature


Engineering graduate realizes vision for Medical Mile Radiopharmacy

Anderson Peck and other alumni play key roles at the facility, which provides cancer patients with treatments that until now had only been available in Germany.

Winter 2023|Feature


Boosting survival for hatchlings

Student and faculty researchers have collaborated with area conversationists to give rare Eastern box turtles an impenetrable head start on life.

Winter 2023|Feature


Anchors Away

After months of lockdowns and restrictions due to the pandemic, Grand Valley's study abroad and international internship programs are coming back to life.

Winter 2023|Feature


Psychology class works with local elite hockey team to sharpen mental part of the game

Students and a faculty member helped the Muskegon Lumberjacks with setting goals and learning to quickly overcome adversity.

Summer 2022|Feature


Campus housing evolves with changing student populations

Since the debut of the first three living centers in the late 1960s, the campus population has quadrupled. Now GVSU offers 10 different living styles on the Allendale and Grand Rapids campuses.

Summer 2022|Feature


Brewing beer and studying zombies

Brewing beer to teach its molecular structure, exposing flaws in movies and TV series to improve research skills, these are the classes Lakers remember long after leaving campus.

Summer 2022|Feature


Back to school: Insider tips for life as a Laker

Which way do you walk under the Transformational Link? Read these tips to navigate around campus like a pro.

Summer 2022|Feature


Caring for Michigan Tourism

Professor's project reaches 10th anniversary and $1 million in volunteer value.

Spring 2022|Feature


Level Up

Laker Esports Center provides access to gaming, creates community.

Spring 2022|Feature


Striking a Chord

Bill Ryan, an avid outdoor enthusiast, got to thinking several years ago: Is there a way to combine two of his passions -- nature and the GVSU New Music Ensemble that he leads?

Spring 2022|Feature


Fossil Clues

Student and faculty researchers dig for fossils in South Carolina to better understand climate change.

Winter 2022|Feature


Changes in senior leadership announced

Two new people were named to the university's leadership team: Fatma Mili as provost and Jennifer Hall-Jones as the inaugural vice president for Student Affairs.

Winter 2022|Feature


GVSU Police Academy cadets learn, practice mediation tactics

The academy is the only one in the country to offer extensive mediation training.

Winter 2022|Feature


Small Business Development Center creates opportunities for businesses still finding their way back from pandemic

Nearly two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began to cripple or cause the closing of some small businesses across the state, owners like DeAnna Gantt are still trying to find ways to survive.

Winter 2022|Feature


Art Matters

More than 400 pieces of artwork in the DCIH were selected for their ability to prompt people to think and encourage them to ponder the human connection.

Fall 2021|Feature


Engineering Regatta

30th anniversary of the regatta presents students with tradition and a design thinking challenge.

Fall 2021|Feature


Growing a Mile

As the first educator on the Medical Mile, Grand Valley deepens its impact by opening the DCIH.

Fall 2021|Feature


Innovative Spaces

The 17 classrooms and 12 labs in DCIH are equipped to create interprofessional team environments and encourage collaboration.

Fall 2021|Feature


The Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health

Tour the building and learn why students in health professions say the DCIH labs and its technology will enhance their learning and prepare them for the workforce.

Fall 2021|Feature


Steel Sharpens Steel

A veteran entrepreneurship program offers a trusting atmosphere for vets to succeed.

Summer 2021|Feature


THE PATIO

An outdoor space at Calder Art Center became a muse and welcome place to gather for pandemic-weary students and their instructor.

Summer 2021|Feature


(wider) Open Doors

Development of recent pipeline and financial aid programs have opened the university's doors even wider to diverse students and helped diversify the area's workforce.

Summer 2021|Feature


Delivering serious medical news

The unique training simulation paired health and theater students to practice delivering bad news to patients or their family members.

Spring 2021|Feature


Math Making a Difference

David Austin found the right angle during a meeting with City of Grand Rapids leaders: applied math students who can help with real-world problems.

Spring 2021|Feature


GVSU celebrates 60 years

The university may have celebrated an anniversary, but it's the campus community members who received gifts in the form of untold stories.

Spring 2021|Feature


'An educated person helps the next generation'

Members of a historically Black sorority may be small in number, but they are mighty in their reach and plan to raise $450,000 for a scholarship fund.

Winter 2021|Feature


The academic approach to COVID-19

For faculty members with academic training in issues related to a pandemic, the academic year presents a unique window for research and for sharing expertise with students.

Winter 2021|Feature


When life gives you lemons ...

A new program in the Seidman College of Business pairs students with business owners to help them develop or strengthen their businesses, while providing opportunities for students.

Winter 2021|Feature


Steps to a military friendly campus means building bridges with student veterans

The 400 student veterans on campus represent a small segment of the population, yet they have received increased attention over the years from university leaders.

Fall 2020|Feature


Innovation Fund grant designed to turn computing program into talent pipeline

Computer science students will have increased access to a growing program designed to give real-world experiences, thanks to the university's first Innovation Fund grant.

Fall 2020|Feature


A paradigm shift for the teaching profession

The COVID-19 pandemic created an extraordinary opportunity for Grand Valley experts to offer materials and resources to support K-12 students and teachers across the globe.

Fall 2020|Feature


Laker community adapts to fall semester with safety at forefront

University leaders monitored the four Ts (tracking, technology, testing and tracing) as students moved back to campus and the fall semester started amid challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fall 2020|Feature


COVID-19 and crisis planning

Rapid actions like moving students off campus, beginning remote learning and working from home were executed by the Incident Management Team.

Summer 2020|Feature


'Like playing basketball online'

Faculty members moved quickly in March to take their in-person lessons online when Grand Valley moved to remote learning.

Summer 2020|Feature


In their own words

Members of the Class of 2020 reflect on a disoriented semester and offer a peek at their lasting Laker Effect.

Summer 2020|Feature


GVSU gives refunds, grants scholarships, distributes hardship funds to support students

The financial effects of COVID-19 hit many students hard and fast as they abruptly left campus in mid-March to return home for what would turn out to be the remainder of the semester.

Summer 2020|Feature


The time the show couldn't go on

Students and faculty take away lessons after weeks of rehearsals for a spring dance concert that shifted to a final paper.

Summer 2020|Feature


Stay home, stay safe

More than 6,000 students moved off campus in record speed. Living center director Candice Cadena said, "It was hard to hear we weren't going to have a proper goodbye."

Summer 2020|Feature


COVID-19 journaling project seeks to preserve history

Special Collections and University Archives is leading the way to document the personal experiences of the Grand Valley community during this historic time.

Summer 2020|Feature


Transforming education in a low-performing district

The presence of Grand Valley in Battle Creek extends far beyond its office suite on West Michigan Avenue in the city's business district.

Spring 2020|Feature


Tackling Teacher Turnover

Teacher retention within the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System has been disheartening. The College of Education is among community partners working to change that.

Spring 2020|Feature


From experiment to excellence

Celebrating 25 years as a pioneer in charter school education, Grand Valley authorizes 76 charter schools that serve more than 34,000 students.

Spring 2020|Feature


Coronavirus cautions impact spring on campus

President Mantella called these challenging times, and said Lakers working together will ensure essential operations continue smoothly.

Spring 2020|Feature


Social justice begins with me

The GRPL book club is designed for children ages 4-11 and explores social justice topics that impact their daily lives through children's literature.

Winter 2020|Feature


Thompsons help students from working families realize dreams

Detroiters Bob and Ellen Thompson established the university's largest scholarship program; it is focused on opening access to education for students from working families.

Winter 2020|Feature


Laker Love

For four Laker couples, seemingly mundane locations on campus have marked the start of their love stories.

Winter 2020|Feature


'Pot of gold'

Douglas Gilbert is a retired photographer who gifted his entire collection, including rare photos of a young Bob Dylan, to Grand Valley's Art Gallery.

Winter 2020|Feature


It's OK to go Explore(atory)

Exploratory study gives students who have not declared a major a plan and a positive outlook.

Fall 2019|Feature


More than math

The first-of-its-kind camp at Grand Valley focused on the real-life responsibilities of an accountant and served as a way for local business leaders to coach and develop young talent.

Fall 2019|Feature


Seal of success

Excelencia in Education, based in Washington, D.C., awarded Grand Valley its Seal of Excelencia in June for supporting Latino students. GVSU was the only Midwest institution to earn the honor.

Fall 2019|Feature


Mantella makes bold commitments at investiture

Philomena V. Mantella announced two initiatives that will strategically position Grand Valley into what she called a "breakout university" during her investiture address November 15.

Fall 2019|Feature


AWRI partners with Project Clarity

AWRI researchers study phosphorus runoff, and the impact on inland waterways.

Fall 2019|Feature


Backstage Pass

With tasks like building sets, learning to design lighting and sound for a show, or creating and sewing costumes, students learn an array of behind-the-scenes jobs.

Summer 2019|Feature


Bois Blanc Island

Elizabeth and John Kilbourne bought property on Bois Blanc Island. Over 30 years, the Kilbournes have built five structures on the rustic Lake Huron island.

Summer 2019|Feature


GVPD Celebrates 50 Years of Community Policing

GVPD is celebrating 50 years on campus, its growth over the decades and its continuing mission to build relationships with the campus community to provide a safe environment.

Summer 2019|Feature


The Meadows by the numbers

The university's golf course celebrates its 25th season in 2019.

Summer 2019|Feature


Eat Better, Move More, Smile Often

Public health faculty and students have teamed with a community group in Lowell to offer wellness camps for elementary students.

Spring 2019|Feature


Endangered no more

From New Zealand to Grand Rapids and from snakes to butterflies, Grand Valley professors and students have conducted research on endangered or threatened species.

Spring 2019|Feature


Increasing Access

Departments team to help more students, particularly students from under-represented backgrounds, study abroad.

Spring 2019|Feature


Servant Leader

After 13 years at Grand Valley, countless selfies with students, visits to Lansing to meet with legislators and handshakes with new graduates, President Thomas J. Haas looks ahead at retirement.

Spring 2019|Feature


Classics to Career

Classics alumni find themselves prepared to face the challenges in the world today because those challenges are the same as those faced by ancient societies.

Winter 2019|Feature


Just Like Mayberry

Laurie Finney Beard, '81, purchased McCausland Food Market in an effort to save her hometown grocery store located in Virginia, Illinois.

Winter 2019|Feature


The Front Porch of Nursing

Since 2014, nursing faculty members and students have partnered with GRHC to provide health screenings, health interventions and education events for residents of Adams Park and other GRHC properties.

Winter 2019|Feature


Health students thrive with unique technology in Finkelstein Hall

Elena Brownell was shaking a bit as she carefully walked along the suspended ropes course high above the floor of the two-story therapeutic recreation lab in Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall.

Fall 2018|Feature


Greetings from Grand Rapids

Tourists and residents explore Grand Rapids for its diverse activities, from art and food to history and music. It's a city full of creativity and growth, where new businesses can thrive.

Fall 2018|Feature


Wandering seeds

A Haitian proverb that roughly translates to "The tall tree sees far, but the wandering seed sees more," served as the theme for a study abroad trip taken by a group of Lakers to Haiti.

Fall 2018|Feature


Global Heights Academy Learning Gardens

Leaders at the school teamed with Big Green, a national nonprofit organization, to pilot how beneficial a learning garden is to a school and its community.

Summer 2018|Feature


Peer support for homework

The Knowledge Market is staffed with trained students who are ready to help their peers with papers, research projects and presentations.

Summer 2018|Feature


A silver coronation

The Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival is the oldest and largest festival in Michigan celebrating the Bard's life and works. Every year, festival events attract thousands of people of all ages.

Summer 2018|Feature


Bringing medical device inventions to market

On a top level of the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, a group of students and staff members can be found building and testing new product ideas that could better human health and well-being.

Spring 2018|Feature


College dropout surprised with degree

John Records Landecker can look back on a storied career as a radio broadcaster, entertaining millions of listeners around the U.S. and Canada for more than 50 years.

Spring 2018|Feature


Laker Lineage

Lakers represent all 50 states and 84 different countries; and for many, being a Laker is all in the family.

Spring 2018|Feature


'A place where all of me is welcome'

The Division of Inclusion and Equity may be housed on the fourth floor of Zumberge Hall, yet its reach touches nearly all aspects of living, working and learning at Grand Valley.

Spring 2018|Feature


Gaming the lottery

Professor leads team of journalists, students to investigate global lottery industry

Winter 2018|Feature


Learning across generations

Unique class finds solutions to help common aging issues

Winter 2018|Feature


Give it to me straight

Mentorship program helps students grow personally and professionally

Winter 2018|Feature


Flying high

GVSU, WMAA partner to advance engineering education

Winter 2018|Feature