Major Donation to GVSU's Library

Mary Ann Keeler and her late husband Mike have shown their generosity and their faith in Grand Valley State University by giving a $1 million gift to the future library project.

The couple's gift is the first major piece to the improvement plan of the library facilities on the Allendale campus. The university has not begun its formal campaign for this project, but the Keelers, long-time area and Grand Valley benefactors, believe in the benefits a library's resources bring to a community.

'We are becoming a city of learning,' said Mary Ann Keeler. 'We see an immense impact on the west side of our state through this university. Mike and I have already supported important libraries in this community, and we see the university library as very critical to the growth of education.'

President Mark A. Murray and the university will publicly recognize the Keelers for their many acts of generosity at the GVU Foundation Enrichment Dinner on June 10. Mike and Mary Ann will be inducted into the Grand Valley State University Hall of Fame.

'The library is at the heart of any great university. We see this project as vital, both for serving an increasingly sophisticated community in the age of information and for continuing to enhance the value of a Grand Valley education,' said President Mark A. Murray.

In 1969, when the current central library in Allendale was built, it served a Grand Valley enrollment of 2,000 students. Today, Grand Valley's enrollment is more than 20,000. The library lacks adequate learning and support spaces and appropriate access to our growing collections. University leadership is in the early stages of planning for this facility, which is expected to require a combination of public and private support for completion.

'This gift is simply an inspiration,' said Maribeth Wardrop, vice president for development at Grand Valley. 'The university is no longer simply growing, we are increasing the quality of our academic resources. The Keelers have recognized and responded to this, showing their foresight and affection for our community with this gift.'