Marcia J. Haas Garden dedicated

Flowers, greenery and benches for sitting and reflecting adorn a new garden getaway named for and dedicated to former Grand Valley First Lady Marcia J. Haas on Aug. 23.

Located on the west side of the Haas Center for Performing Arts, the Marcia J. Haas Garden pays tribute to the former First Lady of GVSU, who President Philomena V. Mantella said is known for her compassion and care for Grand Valley and its students.

The location, close to the theater and band practice area, was perfect given Marcia Haas’ passion for theater and music, Mantella said. 

“We're so grateful for all of those aspects of who you are, Marcia, and all you've given to the university community,” Mantella told a crowd gathered for the dedication, which included Marcia and Tom Haas, members of their family, and former first ladies and Grand Valley presidents Nancy and Don Lubbers, and Elizabeth and Mark Murray.

“We are at a historic level for our entering class this year in their talents and abilities, in their size and their diversity. And it is built on the foundation of the three presidents and first ladies that are in this room and I am proud to stand on your shoulders,” Mantella said.

The dedication continued a GVSU tradition of gardens created to honor the spouses of Grand Valley’s past presidents, including the Marilyn Zumberge Garden (outside Zumberge Hall), Nancy Lubbers Garden (outside the DeVos Center) and Elizabeth Murray Garden (outside Murray Living Center).

“A garden is a perfect place to sit and think and ponder and reflect,” Marcia Haas said. “I am more than thrilled – I am so excited to have a place of such beauty to share with our students, our professors, our friends of GVSU and more. I hope you will take a garden stroll, soak up some of the floral fragments and be inspired.”

The Marcia J. Haas Garden was designed by Fishbeck with input from Marcia Haas and installed by GVSU’s Facilities Services department.