Grand Valley to celebrate Founders Day

The Grand Valley State University community will celebrate the founding of the university during a day of events and activities.

The third annual Founders Day will celebrate the 282 individuals who came together to start the vision and foundation for Grand Valley.

Bill Seidman, recognized as the founder of Grand Valley, convened some of these individuals to discuss what an institution of higher education would look like in the Grand Rapids area.

The celebration will take place October 22, (the actual date of observance falls on Sunday, October 25). 

The day will start with "birthday cake." Cupcakes will be handed out from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Allendale Campus at the Mary Idema Pew Library, Cook Carillon Tower, Fresh Food Company and Kleiner Commons. Cupcakes will also be available on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

At noon, the WHOJ living centers will be celebrated during a reopening ceremony at the courtyard in between Ott and Weed living centers on north campus. The living centers are named after some of the university’s founders: Ella Koeza-Weed, Icie Macy Hoobler, Arnold C. Ott and Paul A. Johnson.

During the ceremony, President Thomas J. Haas will give remarks and introduce a time capsule that will be opened on Grand Valley’s 100th birthday in 2060.

Throughout the day, a 282-flag display will be on the Allendale Campus next to Zumberge Pond, and on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus in the DeVos Center courtyard.

This year’s Founders Day celebration falls on the same year as the university’s 55th anniversary.

For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/foundersday. Learn more about Grand Valley’s history at www.gvsu.edu/anniversary.