Day of celebration recognizes Grand Valley founders

The campus community will celebrate the founding of Grand Valley during a day of events and activities October 23.

The second Founders Day will include a performance by the Laker Marching Band, a flag display and cupcakes donated by Meijer.

Founders Day is celebrated each year to honor the 282 individuals who came together to start the vision and foundation for Grand Valley. The actual date of observance is October 25, the day Bill Seidman convened some of these individuals to discuss what an institution of higher education would look like in West Michigan.

Events for October 23:
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: President Thomas J. Haas will celebrate with students from 11-11:45 a.m. at Fresh Food Company, and from noon-12:45 p.m. at Kleiner Commons. Cupcakes will also be distributed at various locations at the Allendale, Pew Grand Rapids and Holland campuses, and also in Traverse City and the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences.

• Noon: Laker Marching Band performance by the Cook Carillon Tower

• 7 p.m.: Laker Remembrance at the Cook Carillon Tower. The event will honor students, faculty and alumni who have died in the previous year.

• All day: A 282-flag display will be on the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses to recognize Grand Valley’s 282 founders. A trail on both campuses will include facts about Founders Day.

Students are encouraged to showcase their Laker pride by wearing Grand Valley gear throughout the day.

Last year, hundreds of students, faculty, staff members and community members celebrated the inaugural event by dedicating a statue of Seidman near the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons.

For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/foundersday.