Lakers kick off new year with exuberant celebration of GVSU life: 'Embrace it all'

The inaugural Laker Kickoff created a buzz on the Valley Campus on Aug. 22 as students gathered to celebrate the new school year and what it means to be at Grand Valley.

Wyatt Addleman, a biochemistry major, liked hearing from President Philomena V. Mantella at the opening of the Laker Kickoff at Lubbers Stadium as well as the overall atmosphere of the event. "It was a good way to feel connected to this place."

Mantella during her remarks told students they'd leap from first-year jitters to first-job offers. She urged them to make the GVSU journey their own.

“My advice is simple: Embrace it all – the good times, the struggles, the late nights, new friendships, moments in the classroom and in the living centers where connections are made academically and personally."

The perfect venue for a kickoff

In game-day fashion, thousands of first-year students streamed into Lubbers Stadium and were enthusiastically greeted by cheerleaders, dance team members, the Laker Marching Band, Louie the Laker, Student Senate leaders and Mantella. And another crowd favorite, the T-shirt cannon.

The scoreboard was used to poll students about their futures with questions like “What do you want to make reality?” and “What inspires you the most?”

Students then moved to the football field for the Class of 2029 photo. After the photo, faculty and staff handed out bags of popcorn and cheered on new Lakers as they made their way to the Kirkhof Center lawn area for more evening activities.

Abigail Dowland sat in the bleachers with others from her living center. A native of Grayling, Dowland is the first in her family to attend college. 

"This is fun and I'm ready to meet people," said Dowland, who plans to study criminal justice and psychology.

Roommates Ava Frazier, Kathryn Shampine, Kaitlyn Miros and Sonja Dewilde have different majors but they all said they are excited to become involved in undergraduate research.

Lubbers Stadium was an appropriate spot for first-year student Bailey White, who has been a cheerleader since middle school and is most excited for football game days.

“Move-in was great, but here I get to meet people my own age and get a feel for the atmosphere here compared to where I came from."

– Anthony Fisher-Reid, a pre-radiation therapy major

“Being a cheerleader, it’s obvious, but also I’ve heard such good things about game days at GVSU," White said. "I’ve never heard a bad thing about GV, so I’m just excited. I feel like I picked the best choice.” 

Just before the Laker Kickoff event, transfer and commuting students gathered to have ice cream and connect with others who have had similar paths to Grand Valley.

Shaan Chanda, a philosophy major who is commuting, was excited to participate in the different events and was grateful for how they were bringing people together. Meanwhile, transfer student Anthony Fisher-Reid, a pre-radiation therapy major, praised the "well-tailored events."

"Move-in was great, but here I get to meet people my own age and get a feel for the atmosphere here compared to where I came from," Fisher-Reid said.

A lawn party with lots of extras

The grounds around the Kirkhof Center came alive after the stadium kickoff, where Lakers clustered to enjoy food trucks, music, activities and some good perching spots on the tiers along Zumberge Pond.

Following the student parade from Lubbers Stadium, many students made a beeline toward the foam pit. Even Mantella could quickly be found covered head to toe in foam.

“I've found some people. It makes me feel less nervous.”

– Kyra Casteel, elementary education major

Zumba instructors from Recreation & Wellness lead a series of high-energy Zumba routines for students. Once students have had a chance to dance (while getting a workout in), student groups like Monarcas and Euphoria took the main stage.

Standing at the foot of the Cook Carillon Tower, you could see it all: carnival games and inflatables, a photo booth, caricature artists drawing students, GVSU departments and divisions tabling to make students aware of the resources they offer, and a group of new GVSU Lakers who were quickly making friends and making themselves at home on campus.

Enthusiasm among students continued to run high at the lawn party.

Blake Johnson, finance major: “This feels bigger than last year. Everything feels bigger, louder and more fun.”

Ben Catania, group social studies and education major: “Having everyone here increases that chance meeting.”

Kyra Casteel, elementary education major on what this event means heading into the school year: “I've found some people. It makes me feel less nervous.”

Finale

Cheers swelled from the crowd as a drone show displayed messages such as "Anchor Up" and "GVSU Bound." Fireworks followed. And then a night of collective positive energy started coming to a close.

Thomas Chavez, Michele Coffill, Sarah Dudinetz, Julianna Schrier and Sofia Ellis, University Communications student writer, contributed to this story.