Campus mourns death of faculty member

Natalia Gomez, professor of Spanish, died October 8 after a battle with cancer. She was 50.

Gomez joined Grand Valley's faculty in 2000. Majd Al-Mallah, professor and chair of Modern Languages and Literatures, said Gomez was a pillar within the department and will be "deeply missed by her colleagues and students."

"She built a good rapport with her students and always worked with compassion toward others," he said. "An accomplished poet, Natalia regularly brought speakers to campus and was very engaged in the life of the department and university. Her legacy also includes working tirelessly to advocate study abroad and also community-university connections, especially with local schools."

A celebration of her life is set for Friday, October 14, from 5-7:30 p.m. at Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids, 1806 Bridge St. NW. Participants are encouraged to bring a dish to pass, instrument to play or a story to share. 

Donations in Gomez's memory may be made to Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids.