Convocation kicks off new year

The traditional opening of Grand Valley's academic year provided both an opportunity to welcome new students and give faculty and staff members a status report on the university.

President Thomas J. Haas addressed faculty and staff members in his second Opening Address on August 22 in the Louis Armstrong Theatre in the Performing Arts Center. Following that address, faculty and others processed into the Fieldhouse Arena for Convocation.

During the Opening Address, Haas gave updates on building construction, North Central Association re-accreditation progress and Grand Valley’s strategic plan. The strategic plan, he said, includes expanding relationships with area community colleges and other partners, broadening the fundraising base, being fiscally responsible and engaging in community development.

Haas said assessing the university’s strategic plan and goals can be done best by assessing outcomes. “We’ve tied those outcomes to accountability,” he said. “To define success at Grand Valley is to define the outcomes like student success, access and affordability, diversity, partnership with the state, efficiency, public-private partnerships and economic development.”

He then thanked the Board of Trustees for their leadership on two resolutions in July: approving household benefits and setting tuition rates. “The Board of Trustees made strategic decisions that fulfill promises to our students and state,” Haas said. “Household benefits and approving budget and tuition rates set our future in such a positive way.”

Many first-year students attended the Convocation ceremony and heard remarks directed to them by Haas, Provost Gayle R. Davis, University Academic Senate Chair Kristine Mullendore and Student Senate President Autumn Trombka.

Davis introduced the academic regalia to students, saying the costumes paid homage to centuries of tradition of people pursuing academic dreams.

Haas told the audience of recent construction project completions, Laker Turf and the Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center, in addition to renovations to Mackinac Hall and Kirkhof Center. He then highlighted national accolades and rankings for Grand Valley from U.S. News and World Report, Kaplan and other publications.

“You’ve chosen a great place, but we dream and plan for more,” he said. “To continue our standards of academic excellence, in addition to the new facilities, we’ve added more than 30 faculty members — outstanding individuals from all over the world who join the others on the faculty and staff who are committed to your successes.”

Mullendore, professor of criminal justice, said the new students who have spent a week or so in orientation have something in common with faculty, who have spent a week or so in meetings. And despite coming from different backgrounds and different high schools, she said the students do have one thing in common. “You chose to come to Grand Valley, and I hope you continue to make wise choices while you’re here,” she said.

Downloads: The full text of Haas' faculty and staff remarks is available here , and the full text of his convocation remarks can be downloaded here

STREAMING VIDEO: Video of the Faculty/Staff Address is available at this link . The Convocation can be viewed at this link .