Honors College named for Meijer

Frederik Meijer said he regretted not going to college and said the value of education today is absolutely imperative. Meijer made his remarks at a reception before the Grand Valley University Foundation luncheon, October 29. Before a crowd of more than 100 people, Grand Valley and the Meijer family announced the university’s Honors College will be named the Frederik Meijer Honors College.

“I’ve always been a strong advocate of higher education and we encouraged our children to go to college,” said Meijer. “This university has been a symbol of excellence, not just here in West Michigan but nationwide. We hope that through this Honors College and our support, we have an opportunity to assist young minds and help them achieve their goals.

The Meijer gift will benefit the Honors College in four ways: scholarships will be established for first-generation college students, an endowed chair will be created for a permanent faculty member who will provide expertise in leadership in entrepreneurship, an on-going lecture series will be established to expose students to local and national talent, and career development opportunities will be established for graduate students.

“Fred Meijer’s support has spanned our history, and now he is helping us reach for new heights,” said Thomas J. Haas, president of Grand Valley. “This generous gift for the Frederik Meijer Honors College and its promising students will allow us to offer additional academic rigor and benefits. We will be able to attract a broader range of students to West Michigan and as graduates they will be our future leaders in their communities and vocations.”

The Meijer Honors College enrolls about 900 honors students, 450 of whom live and learn in the Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center.