by Susan Howard, ’10 and ’15

Jeff Agar, ’85, was swimming as hard as he could against the punishing winds of the Pacific Ocean. He had trained for months to compete in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

Agar was swimming his personal best, but halfway into the 2.4-mile swimming portion of the triathlon, the 53-year-old knew he and his son were in jeopardy of not finishing the race.

“The winds were unpredictable and became brutal,” Agar said. “It was sheer will that pushed me through the pure exhaustion of it all. I was motivated by something greater than myself.”

Agar’s race was more challenging compared to the other elite athletes who were invited to compete in the Ironman on October 8. He was pulling his 22-year-old son, Johnny Agar, in a small boat. Johnny was born with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.

For the past eight years, Agar has run various 5K races, marathons and triathlons while pushing Johnny, so his son could know the thrill of competing.

“People in wheelchairs don’t get to experience real competition too much, so it gave me an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be an athlete,” said Johnny.

The Agar family is very athletic. While earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, Jeff played baseball for Grand Valley. Later he was a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers farm system. Jeff’s wife, Becki Agar, ’88, who earned a bachelor's degree in sociology, and their three children are active sports fans.

The Agars’ story is well-known in their hometown of Rockford, but Jeff and Johnny earned national attention when, in 2013, Johnny started walking the last mile of each race. Up until then, Johnny had only been able to take 20 steps at a time.

“If Dad can push and pull me for many miles in these races, why can’t I get up and walk?” Johnny said. “He shows me that I can do so much more than I think is possible. I wanted to let him know how much he was doing for me and what he was teaching me.”

That has been the driving force for Jeff in each race — compete fast enough for his son to be able to walk the last mile. This meant a brutal training schedule for the 2016 Ironman.

As vice president and general manager for Genesis Seating Inc. in Kentwood, Agar trained for several months every day before work, during lunch and after work to prepare for the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run, all while pulling or pushing his son.

That has been the driving force for Jeff in each race — compete fast enough for his son to be able to walk the last mile. This meant a brutal training schedule for the 2016 Ironman.

As vice president and general manager for Genesis Seating Inc. in Kentwood, Agar trained for several months every day before work, during lunch and after work to prepare for the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run, all while pulling or pushing his son.

During the biking portion of the Ironman, the Agars didn’t make the cut-off time, so they were unable to finish the race. Their feelings of discouragement didn’t last long.

“We were asked to come to the finish line, where competitors were receiving leis around their necks as they finished,” said Jeff. “The overall female winners gave Johnny and me an honorary championship lei. It was quite a special moment.”

Two days after the triathlon, the pair started training to qualify for another Ironman. Jeff said they would need to be invited to get another opportunity; Johnny was one of five people to get an exemption for the 2016 race.

“We understand that what we are doing is more than a race,” said Johnny. “Our ultimate goal really is to have people inspired to do more than they think they can.”

“He shows me that I can do so much more than I think is possible. I wanted to let him know how much he was doing for me and what he was teaching me.”
Johnny Agar

Freshmen Move-In

Nearly 150 alumni and friends of the university came out to the 10th annual Freshmen Move-In volunteer event!

Students and families were delighted to be greeted by alumni volunteers as they arrived on campus.

Upcoming events

Community Outreach Week: March 18-25

Gradfest: April 17-20

Alumni Volunteer Celebration/Service Award Dinner: May 12

Irwin Golf Outing: June 1

Football Alumni Golf Outing: June 23-24

Class of 1967 50-year Reunion: June 23-24

All Alumni Golf Outing: July 15

GVSU Night at Comerica Park: July 26

Homecoming 2017: October 28

For more information, visit gvsu.edu/alumni/events.

Hundreds of Lakers came home to tailgate, cheer our football team on to victory, and enjoy a beautiful fall day in Allendale.

These Lakers are staying connected by using the Laker Landings website, gvsu.edu/lakerlandings. Alumni can share updates of the following types: Anniversary, Award/Recognition, Birth/Adoption, Community Involvement, Career Update, Military Service, and Wedding. Share your Laker Landing today!

Brett Karhoff, 98

I have spent the past 22 years working with people and business owners in a broad range of industries: manufacturing, real estate, entertainment and media, retail, nonprofit, and professional services. I have been with Hungerford Nichols for six years and currently oversee the firm’s tax department.

Emily Miller, 14

Rory and Emily met at Grand Valley as art majors at Calder Art Center. They live in Grand Rapids with their two cats, Elpheba and Hemingway. Emily is an art teacher at Roguewood Elementary in Rockford Public Schools, and Rory is a manufacturing associate at Herman Miller in Zeeland. Emily is also the co-president of the College of Education Alumni Association.

Quyen VanHouten, 12

Quyen D. (Dinh) VanHouten, B.M.E. 2012, and Jacob VanHouten announce the birth of their daughter, Esther Quynh, born November 5, 2016. The family resides in Grand Rapids.

In Memoriam

Martha Craigie, B.S., 1969, of Muskegon, on September 3, 2016.

Nellie M. Dykstra, B.A., 1971, of Jenison, on November 15, 2016.

Leif E. Ingolfsrud, B.S., 1972, of Hudsonville, on September 19, 2016.

William F. Wright, B.S., 1972, of Muskegon, on November 20, 2016.

Edward J. Wysocki, B.S., 1974, of Grand Rapids, on November 9, 2016.

JoAnne L. Eakins, B.S., 1975, M.P.A., 1998, of Grand Rapids, on October 2, 2016.

Charles Olin, B.S., 1978, of Traverse City, on October 14, 2016.

Helen W. Hoffman, B.S., 1979, of Grand Rapids, on October 30, 2016.

Gregory Lausman, B.B.A., 1981, of Comstock Park, on November 9, 2016.

Deborah L. Ensing-Millhuff, B.S., 1982, of Ada, on October 13, 2016.

Everett Bashaw, M.B.A., 1983, of Loveland, CO, on October 12, 2016.

David Lubbinge, B.B.A., 1984, of Chippewa Lake, on September 6, 2016.

Steve V. Iwaniw, B.S., 1985, of Grand Rapids, on September 4, 2016.

Nancy A. DeHollander, B.S., 1985, 1986, of Allendale, on November 18, 2016.

Sandra S. Lueth, M.Ed., 1985, of Muskegon, on November 15, 2016.

Patrick Gemmen, B.B.A., 1992, of Allendale, on October 20, 2016.

Travers O’Brien, B.S., 2008, of Grand Rapids, on October 11, 2016.