Alumni win state seats

Voters in the November 5 general election sent two Grand Valley alums to the state Legislature.

Republican Bill Hardiman (pictured), '77, won the race for a Michigan Senate seat from the 29th District (Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Cascade). Hardiman, the mayor of Kentwood, received 54 percent of the vote to beat Democratic challenger Steve Pestka. Hardiman was Grand Valley's commencement speaker in December 2000.

Democrat Mike Sak, a 1992 graduate, was elected to the Michigan House representing the 76th District (Grand Rapids' west side). Sak captured 61 percent of the vote, beating fellow GVSU alum Mark Kubick, '96.

The last time a Grand Valley alumnus served in the Michigan Legislature was 1978, when Assistant Professor Jeff Dongvillo was elected to the House from Manistee.