More than 100 students received their degrees on April 27 as Grand Valley State Universitys largest class yet to graduate from its Traverse City center participated in Commencement Ceremonies.
The ceremony took place at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme. Grand Valley President Mark A. Murray delivered the commencement address.
More than 1,000 family members and friends of the new graduates attended the Commencement and reception, which is a jubilant and more intimate affair than larger ceremonies because of the tight-knit communities surrounding the Northwestern center. About half of the graduates are receiving masters degrees, and many of the proud family members in attendance are their children.
One of the happy graduates attending the ceremonies was Traverse City resident Cindy Gerhard, who received her bachelors of science degree in liberal studies. Gerhard, a single mom, is one of three graduates in her household this spring.
Also graduating are her two sons: Caleb, 20, who is graduating from Traverse City High School, and Clinton, 21, who graduates from the Traverse Bay Intermediate School District and receives his two-year certification from M-Tech. Even Calebs girlfriend, Corinne Fleet, is in on the commencement activities, graduating from Traverse City West High School.
Gerhard, 45, had an associates degree in plant science from Michigan State University before beginning social work classes at Grand Valley in 2002. She switched her major to liberal studies after hearing a guest speaker talk about combining her two great interests: land conservation and social work.
He said that land conservation is a combination of social work and plant science because people and land are so closely tied together. That was it! she said.
Gerhards liberal studies emphasis was on Land and the People. Following graduation, she will begin her dream job as program development specialist at the Land Information Access Association, a Traverse City-based nonprofit which helps to connect citizens, municipal officials, and local organizations in collaborative land-use decision-making.
Approximately 350 students are currently enrolled in classes at Grand Valleys Traverse City location, housed in the Northwestern Michigan College University Center. Grand Valley classes offered through the center include bachelors and masters programs in liberal studies, education, nursing and social work.
