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Graduates in blue caps and gowns are reflected in the sunglasses of another graduate wearing blue sunglasses with a 2025 blue and white tassel hanging from their cap.

GVSU in photos, April 2025: Celebrating Lakers for a Lifetime

BY University Communications
Image credit - Photos by Cory Morse, Kendra Stanley-Mills, Ashley Streeter, Macayla Cramer and Emily Riddle

Apr 29, 2025
A soon-to-be graduate smiles while posing for pictures in front of a Laker for a Lifetime blue backdrop.
Soon-to-be graduates Maureen Muthengi, left, poses for pictures taken by Kilel Joyce before the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A soon-to-be graduate poses for pictures with a school-themed graduation cap.
Soon-to-be graduate Sarah Koch poses for pictures before the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
Graduates pose for pictures as multi-colored confetti flies through the air.
A group of film and video graduates celebrate their graduation by throwing confetti after the Saturday afternoon Commencement at the Van Andel Arena April 26.
Image credit - Emily Riddle
Graduates help each other with their graduation regalia decorated with flowers and Polynesian leis before posing for pictures.
(From left) Graduates Alaysha Cannon, Anahi Villeda and Nani Leakehe adjust their regalia before pictures on April 26. The three were wearing leis to honor Leakehe's Polynesian heritage.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A soon-to-be graduate poses for pictures with Kenyan Maasai beaded jewelry.
Soon-to-be graduate Naomi Sang poses for a picture with Kenyan Maasai beaded jewelry before the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A sign with an enlarged picture of a child can be seen in the Commencement crowd outside the arena in downtown Grand Rapids.
A large crowd of family and supporters gather outside Van Andel Arena including the family of first generation graduate Joshua Zavala-Sanchez. They held up a photo of Zavala-Sanchez from the first day of first grade. Zavala-Sanchez received a degree in business economics.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
Soon-to-be graduates help each other with their academic regalia before the Commencement ceremony.
Soon-to-be graduates (from left) Kenneth Mbugua, Emmanuel Chirchir, and Alhaji Kamara help each other with their academic regalia before the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A soon-to-be graduate with their mother wave in a crowd of people outside the arena.
Soon-to-be nursing graduate Andrian Silva, right, along with mother Patricia Silva, wave to get the attention of another graduate as they wait outside of the Van Andel Arena April 26.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A mother shares a moment with her daughter during an embrace outside the arena.
"I'm just really proud of her," said Patty Hemphill, left, as she shares a moment with her daughter, Lauren Hemphill, who graduated Saturday with a double major in marketing and entrepreneurship. "She worked hard for this."
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A cell phone displays the photo of a soon-to-be graduate.
A graduate sends a Snap on their cell phone before heading in to find their seats for the Commencement ceremony April 26.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
Soon-to-be graduates hug outside the arena before the start of Commencement.
Recreational therapy graduate Sydney Affholder, left, is hugged by marketing and finance graduate, Kayley Gallagher, before the start of the Saturday morning Commencement April 26.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A soon-to-be graduate wearing a decorated mortar board depicting an anchor is pictured outside with buildings and clouds outside the arena.
A picture shows the hands of students playing a card game.
A group of graduates plays a game of euchre to occupy their time before the start of the Saturday morning Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A decorated mortar board depicts a cardboard train with ribbons.
A decorated mortar board depicts a cardboard train as a soon-to-be graduate makes their way to Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A smiling graduate holds a locket with a photo of an elderly woman from her tassel.
"Everything I do is for her, honestly," said Emily Tremonti as she displays a photo of her grandmother from her tassel. Tremonti said her grandmother was always persistent in staying true to herself and taught her to "make yourself proud everyday, no matter what that looks like."
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
Soon-to-be graduates hold up their hands to signal their locations to loved ones in the crowd.
Soon-to-be graduates, including Sophie Stevens, center, wave to loved ones while waiting for the Commencement ceremony to begin at Van Andel Arena on April 26.
Image credit - Cory Morse
Soon-to-be graduates hold up their hands to signal their locations to loved ones in the crowd.
Soon-to-be graduates wave to loved ones while waiting for the Commencement ceremony to begin at Van Andel Arena on April 26.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A woman in the crowd holds a "Go Levi" and "He did it!" signs in each hand during the ceremony.
The crowd waits for the Commencement ceremony to begin at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A student is silhouetted against GVSU banners on the Commencement ceremony stage.
A decorated mortar board displays a 1st generation college graduate ribbon.
Blue caps from graduates are pictured from above inside the arena.
The tops of caps from members of the Winter Class of 2025 can be seen from above at Van Andel Arena on April 26.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A woman gesturing the Anchor Up hand sign created with two fingers and a thumb walks onto the stage with a golden retriever.
President Philomena V. Mantella walks onto the stage with her golden retriever, Lily, before the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A graduation cap is placed onto the head of a golden retriever.
President Philomena V. Mantella's golden retriever, Lily, gets prepared to take the stage before the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
A giant crowd of graduates, faculty and spectators fill an arena.
Over 3,200 members of Grand Valley's Winter Class of 2025 were celebrated during three Commencement ceremonies at Van Andel Arena on April 25 and 26.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A smiling woman holding an honorary degree is congratulated with an embrace.
Former Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, right, is congratulated by President Philomena V. Mantella after receiving an honorary degree during the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A woman speaks from a podium on the stage.
President Philomena V. Mantella speaks during Friday evening's Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
A smiling woman surrounded by smiling faculty raises her arms in gratitude.
Former Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, center, reacts before receiving an honorary degree near Board of Trustees member Susan M. Jandernoa, left, and Jennifer Drake, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, during the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A student speaker dressed in graduation regalia gestures while speaking from the podium.
A student speaker dressed in graduation regalia gestures while speaking from the podium.
A student speaker dressed in graduation regalia gestures while speaking from the podium.
Pictured from left, Cabdulcasiis Ciise, Bex Takacs-Britz and Anna Schlutt were the student speakers for the Commencement ceremonies.
A member of the faculty dressed in graduation regalia wipes tears away.
Sarah Bradley, placement coordinator in the recreational therapy program, wipes away tears as student speaker Anna Schlutt gives her speech during the Saturday morning Commencement. "I'm so proud of her," Bradley said.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
Members of the faculty dressed in graduation regalia smile.
Chasity Bailey-Fakhoury, associate dean within the College of Education and Community Innovation, smiles as she processes into the Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
Members of the faculty dressed in graduation regalia enter the arena.
Cybersecurity Graduate Program Director Samah Mansour stands with members of the faculty during Commencement at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
Graduates wearing blue caps and gowns are pictured from above inside the arena.
Over 3,200 members of Grand Valley's Winter Class of 2025 were celebrated during three Commencement ceremonies at Van Andel Arena on April 25 and 26.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A graduate celebrates while walking past the stage after receiving their diploma.
Diploma in hand, Brooklyn Smithers reacts on stage during the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A graduate waves while walking past the stage after receiving their diploma.
A graduate walks past the stage after receiving their diploma during the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
Laughing graduates in the crowd hit a beach ball.
A graduate makes a kissing gesture while holding up their diploma as they walk past the stage.
Graduates in the crowd wearing blue caps and gowns smile while celebrating.
Smiling graduates smile and cheer from the crowd
A graduate waves and smiles while walking past the stage after receiving their diploma.
A graduate waves and smiles while walking past the stage after receiving their diploma.
A graduate waves and smiles while walking past the stage after receiving their diploma.
A graduate hugs their German shepherd dog during the ceremony.
Graduate Stephine Arends shares a hug with her dog Lexi before they both will cross the stage during the Winter Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena April 25.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
A graduate jokingly bites a medallion while walking past the stage after receiving their diploma.
A graduate bites a medallion after receiving a diploma during the April 26 Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Macayla Cramer
A graduate raises their diploma up and cheers on stage.
Diploma in hand, Rebecca Ferry reacts on stage during the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A graduate raises their hands and cheers while sitting in a crowd.
A graduate smiles while being hooded on stage.
A graduate holds their hands out in celebration after receiving their diploma.
A graduate wearing a hijab under their cap smiles while shaking hands and walking past the stage after receiving their diploma.
Graduates celebrate with selfies in the crowd.
Three graduate hug each other while celebrating after receiving their diplomas.
Graduates react after receiving their diplomas during the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 26.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A graduate smiles during a hug on stage after receiving their diploma.
Student Senate President Quinten D. Proctor hugs President Philomena V. Mantella during the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 26.
Image credit - Cory Morse
Two graduates cheer with their arms in the air after receiving their diploma.
A mother and daughter, both graduates, pose for pictures together in their graduation regalia.
Friends photograph Yara Pena-Toy, left, and her daughter Camila Maldonado-Pena, right, who both received degrees on Saturday, April 26. Pena-Toy received an RN-BSN nursing degree while her daughter graduated with a masters in communication degree.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
Graduates smile and hug while celebrating.
Irlanda Beltran, center, receives a hug from friend, Leah Wilson, during the Saturday afternoon Commencement.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A graduate gives a thumbs up sign while smiling and celebrating.
A graduate points to their diploma while celebrating on the stage.
A graduate holds their diploma while celebrating on the stage.
A group of graduates take selfies and celebrate while moving their tassels.
Graduates move their tassels during the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena on April 26.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A graduate waves while walking past the stage after receiving their diploma.
A graduate in a wheelchair receives their diploma on stage.
A graduate holds up their fists while walking onto the stage to receive their diploma.
Graduates make their way across the stage to receive their diplomas during the Winter Commencement ceremonies.
Pictured from a high vantage point, the commencement crowd fills the area outside the arena at night after the conclusion of the ceremony.
The crowd exits Van Andel Arena after the Commencement ceremony on April 25.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A graduate holds flowers while posing for pictures with loved ones.
Grace Hasley, center, is flanked by her two sisters, Libby Hasley '19 and Anna Hasley '22 who also graduated from Grand Valley.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
Graduates smile, dance and cheer while posing for pictures.
Saturday afternoon's student speaker Cabdulcasiis Ciise, center, celebrates his graduation with his family and supporters outside of the Van Andel Arena April 26.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A woman sheds tears of pride near graduates.
With tears of pride, Rakesha Holmes hugs her brother-in-law as she looks toward Jason Ward II who graduated with a degree in business. "He's my only nephew," Holmes said.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
Graduates smile while posing for pictures outside.
Graduates smile and hug outside after the ceremony.
Graduates smile, dance and cheer while posing for pictures.
Jason Ward II does the Omega Psi Phi fraternity chant with a fraternity brother after he graduated Saturday morning with a business degree. Ward's father was also in the same fraternity and said he's been doing this chant since he was 2 years old.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills

And here are a few more of our favorites from April

Hands embrace and wrap around one another during a contemporary dance and theatre performance.
Performers from Grand Valley's Dance and Theater Departments merged for a presentation of "FRAGILE" at the Mary Idema Pew Library in Allendale on April 9. The performance was directed by assistant professor Edgar L. Page along with assistant professor Demetria Thomas.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A college students basks in the sun on a college campus.
Freshman Toby Okhnysen, a nursing major, lounges on the lawn outside the Frederik Meijer Honors College and relaxes in the spring sunshine.
Image credit - Emily Riddle
A person wearing regalia dances during a pow wow.
Jasmine Hosier dances during the 24th annual Walks of Life Pow Wow at Grand Valley State University on April 12. The annual event celebrates Indigenous culture through song, dance, feasting and socializing.
Image credit - Emily Riddle
A Sheltie dog, with ears perked up, poses with a GVSU Lakers bandana around its neck.
Luna, a one year-old Sheltie owned by Kelsey York, '18, is pictured at Zumberge Pond on April 8 for a social media photo shoot before National Pet Day on April 11.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A college student wearing a bright teal suit coat laughs and gestures with their hands while giving a poster demonstration.
Graduate student Michael Irungu gives a poster presentation of his research titled "A Data-Driven Analysis of Health Informatics Graduate Education in the United States" during Student Scholars Day.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A mother and daughter hug while holding a bouquet of flowers in front of a blue photo backdrop.
Natalie Colfer, left, and her mother, Jill Colfer, share a moment together during the Student Awards Convocation in the Eberhard Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus April 14. Natalie Colfer received a Niemeyer Award for undergraduate students for her leadership skills
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
Two college students use VR headsets side-by-side during an event.
Data science and analytics majors Venkanna Dora Arigela, left, and Chitti Babu Yelugubandi, interact with VR headsets during the Reach Higher Celebration April 17.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A university president wearing a blue suit jacket holds up a glass of champagne in a toast with students behind her.
President Philomena V. Mantella raises her glass to toast GVSU graduates as part of Toast to the Class of 2025 at the Eberhard Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus on April 16.
Image credit - Cory Morse
A person wearing a VR headset is silhouetted in front of a blue screen that reads "A Lifetime of Learning."
Felix Ngassa, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs in the Office of the Provost and a professor of chemistry, uses a VR headset while exploring the Reach Higher Celebration April 17 at the DeVos Center.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A long shadow is cast as a pedestrian walks past a building during a golden sunrise.
A pedestrian walks by the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health (DCIH) during an early morning sunrise April 1.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills

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