Supporting Future Leaders


Fostering Success

Scholarship assists students from foster system

Spring 2024|Supporting Future Leaders


Read article A vision forward

A vision forward

David Hufford '67 worked on the original boat named Angus as a helmsman and with water testing. That early experience helped propel Hufford's career as aquatic biologist.

Water Issue | Fall 2023|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Honoring a family legacy by giving back

Honoring a family legacy by giving back

Deborah Rotman '93 honored her great-grandfather, Eugene Tenbrink, by establishing a scholarship to assist other first-generation students.

Summer 2023|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article The Value of a Strong Relationship

The Value of a Strong Relationship

The value Kala Gibson '94 places in community has kept him engaged with Grand Valley long after graduation as a donor and now as one of the newest directors of the Grand Valley University Foundation.

Spring 2023|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article A partnership for the future of engineering

A partnership for the future of engineering

The Verplank family and Shape Corp. continue to grow their longstanding partnership with the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing.

Winter 2023|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article A Passion to Serve the Community

A Passion to Serve the Community

The Wiest Memorial Endowed Scholarship honors Cartwright's parents and assist students who have a passion for public service.

Summer 2022|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Benefiting future generations of learners, leaders and Lakers

Benefiting future generations of learners, leaders and Lakers

Grand Valley is home for Rory '14 and Emily '14, '20 Miller and they continue to support the university through philanthropic giving and service.

Spring 2022|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Building upon the foundation of Grand Valley

Building upon the foundation of Grand Valley

For Donald '84 and Kathleen '88, '97 VanderVeen, giving back to their alma mater is about doing what they can for the university they love.

Winter 2022|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Daniel and Pamella DeVos

Daniel and Pamella DeVos

The lead donors for the DCIH reflect on their family's partnership with Grand Valley and their inspiration to support health professions.

Fall 2021|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Finding Joy in Giving Back

Finding Joy in Giving Back

Tim '73 and Cherie Duthler are Alumni Champions and give back to GVSU to provide more opportunities for Lakers.

Summer 2021|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Rowing graduate focuses on paying it back

Rowing graduate focuses on paying it back

Shane Szalai '95 was a member of the Laker rowing team and said his teammates and experiences created great memories, which is why he decided to pay it forward,

Spring 2021|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Young family focused on diversity awareness through scholarship support

Young family focused on diversity awareness through scholarship support

"If something is important to you, whether you have $1 to give or $100,000, it makes a difference."

Winter 2021|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Supporting Black Excellence

Supporting Black Excellence

Brian '08, '14 & Olubunmi (Bunmi) Parks '08, '13 work in Detroit and maintain ties to Grand Valley through support of a scholarship.

Fall 2020|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Alumni Champion couple helps students during challenging time through support fund

Alumni Champion couple helps students during challenging time through support fund

Matt '01 and Robin Dhaseleer chose to help students through an economic pandemic by giving to the Student Support Fund.

Summer 2020|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Alumni leader understands importance  of building community and giving back

Alumni leader understands importance of building community and giving back

As a first-generation American, Heather Ly Zak wanted to give back to the university and community that have given her so much.

Spring 2020|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Jim '79 and Nancy Ayres

Jim '79 and Nancy Ayres

Jim and Nancy Ayres are strongly connected to Grand Valley and Laker athletics.

Winter 2020|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Alumna overcomes odds to 'dream big'

Alumna overcomes odds to 'dream big'

Sarah Barnhard is the medical director of transfusion services at the University of California Davis. The 2005 graduate established a scholarship that honors her mother.

Fall 2019|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Football alumnus, leader gives back to program

Football alumnus, leader gives back to program

Former lineman Michael McFadden played professional football after graduating. Now a medical device sales representative, McFadden credits his GVSU experience for much of his success in life.

Summer 2019|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Honoring the 'zeal' of the Haases

Honoring the 'zeal' of the Haases

Michele Schallip is the executive officer on a U.S. Coast Guard cutter; she discusses how her master's degree helps her lead on the ship, and how the Haases welcomed her to the Coast Guard family.

Spring 2019|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Providing opportunities

Providing opportunities

Lauren Quiniff, '08, works as a behavioral health specialist for Spectrum Health; she provides therapy for patients and also links them to community resources to help them feel their best.

Winter 2019|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Giving creates balance for alumna

Giving creates balance for alumna

Leslie Riley is a teacher for Grand Rapids Public Schools and an Alumni Champion. Her family of active Lakers believes in giving back and supporting others.

Fall 2018|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Giving hearts

Giving hearts

Terry, '70, and Sandra, '68, Allen have a long history with Grand Valley and with each other. They married in 1969 after meeting as students on campus.

Summer 2018|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article The bottom line: great value

The bottom line: great value

Layna, '13, and Andrew, '13, Buthker both earned master's degrees in taxation and work for Plante Moran. The public accounting firm is one of many corporations that match employee gifts.

Spring 2018|Supporting Future Leaders

Read article Creating new pathways

Creating new pathways

Gerard Kwiatkowski graduated in 2008 and is now teaching and impacting students in Houston, Texas.

Winter 2018|Supporting Future Leaders