An academic college at Grand Valley was named on March 30 in honor
of Holland residents Jim and Donna Brooks and their family,
recognizing their longtime commitment to Grand Valley and West
Michigan.
Signage for the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies was
unveiled during the event on the Allendale Campus. Donna Brooks,
former member and chair of Grand Valley’s Board of Trustees, said she
and her family are deeply honored to have the college named for them.
“This college is especially significant to us given my years of
service on the board and Jim’s involvement with the West Michigan
Strategic Alliance, promoting collaboration among business, government
and institutional organizations for the benefit of the region,” she said.
The College of Interdisciplinary Studies, established in 2004,
promotes innovation and encourages teaching and exploration that
challenges disciplinary boundaries. It houses a variety of academic
programs such as International Area Studies, Liberal Studies, Meijer
Honors College, and Women and Gender Studies. It also offers
university-wide programs such as the Padnos International Center,
Continuing Education, Integrative Learning, and the Sustainable
Community Development Initiative.
Jim Brooks said the college educates students who will be at the
forefront of helping to improve the area’s economy. “For West Michigan
to prosper in these challenging times, we need people from different
disciplines and views to collaborate to innovate new solutions that
meet the world’s rapidly changing needs,” he said.
Wendy Wenner, dean of the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary
Studies, said naming the college for the Brooks family is fitting.
“Our mission is to be a leader in integrative interdisciplinary
learning, high-impact educational practices, applied sustainability,
and community engagement and this fits so well with the work the
Brooks have done to support the university and the larger community.”
Donna Brooks served as a member of the Grand Valley Board of
Trustees from 1993-2009, and as board chair from 1997-2001 and
2006-2007. A longtime community advocate, she is a board member for
Homecor, and has served on other community development boards. Jim
Brooks is a managing partner of Brooks Capital Management and a
partner in Investment Property Associates. He is the founding chair of
the West Michigan Strategic Alliance.
The Brookses are current co-chairs of the university’s
comprehensive campaign, Shaping Our Future; and vice chairs
of the Grand Valley University Foundation.
DOWNLOADABLE AUDIO:
- Donna Brooks called the people at Grand Valley her second family (audio).
- Donna said she is deeply honored to have the college named after her family (audio).
- Jim Brooks said they believe in the philosophy behind the College of Interdisciplinary Studies (audio) and the coursework offered within the college will help prepare students to make a positive impact on the economy (audio).
- President Haas said the college and the Brooks name are a good fit (audio).
