Investiture for President Mantella set for November 15

The investiture of President Philomena V. Mantella as the fifth president of Grand Valley State University will be held Friday, November 15, with a series of events leading up to the ceremony.

During inauguration week, President Mantella will engage with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members on topics surrounding the past, present and future of Grand Valley and innovations in higher education.

Students celebrations be held at the Health Campus November 13 and on the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses on November 14.

The investiture ceremony will be held in the Fieldhouse on the Allendale Campus, November 15 beginning at 11 a.m. 

Three former GVSU presidents will be in attendance: President Emeritus Arend D. Lubbers,  President Mark Murray and President Emeritus Thomas J. Haas, who will offer remarks. 

Representatives from colleges and universities around the country are expected including Richard Pappas, president of Davenport University; Patricia Harris, president of Kuyper College; Matthew Scogin, president of Hope College; Kevin Quinn, president of Aquinas College; Tara McCrackin, interim president of Kendall College of Art and Design; Joseph Stowell, president of Cornerstone University; and Bill Pink, president of Grand Rapids Community College.

Richard Freeland, professor emeritus and former president of Northeastern University, and Joseph Aoun, president of Northeastern University, will also be in attendance.

A campuswide luncheon begins at noon at the Mary Idema Pew Library.

Philomena V. Mantella is Grand Valley's fifth president and the first woman to hold the position. She is a recognized leader in strategy, market expansion and educational innovation. Her drive and expertise come from more than 30 years in higher education administration, serving as an officer at public and private universities in New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Massachusetts. She has a strong student-centered philosophy and a comprehensive understanding of both sides of the educational market – learners and employers.

The November 15 investiture ceremony will be webcast live at gvsu.edu/gvnext. The current university news website, GVNow, will change to GVNext on November 13 to reflect the next chapter for Grand Valley.

For a complete list of inauguration events, visit https://www.gvsu.edu/inauguration/schedule-of-events-6.htm