Lakers' pride shines as students begin new year

Hundreds of first-year students arrived at Grand Valley’s Valley Campus in Allendale on August 20 with vehicles filled with belongings and family members, ready to move into living centers and begin their journeys as Lakers. 

Many were eager to settle in and start exploring the opportunities awaiting them in the 2025-2026 academic year. 

Caleb Dominguez and his mom Becky, ’02, were among the first to arrive on campus at 8 a.m. Caleb said his parents often shared their college experiences with him, but it wasn’t until he toured campus that he knew GVSU was the right fit.

“I thought I’d come check it out, and after the campus tour, I said, ‘Yeah, this is the place,’” he said. 

“Everybody that I know that's in college all said that once you get to meet all the new people in the first couple of months it's fun, and you'll have a great time.”

For Becky, it was a moment to relieve her own Laker experiences. 

“I’m excited for him,” she said. “I remember the whole process, leaving and getting out on your own. It's sad, but it's exciting to see him get his life started.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Jenny Hall-Jones greeted the Dominguez family to campus, presenting Caleb with the keys to his room. 

Hall-Jones spent the morning alongside resident advisors and student volunteers, greeting families as they pulled through the busy move-in queue in Lots C1 and C2.

Between helping students, Hall-Jones also spoke with local media about the milestone day. Moments later, she was back among the cars, lending a hand and encouragement to students. “All right, you got this,” she called out as one car pulled away.

Across campus, President Philomena V. Mantella greeted students and parents across the Valley Campus, spending a few moments chatting and pausing for photos. 

Outside the Niemeyer West Living Center, Mantella talked with first-year student Ainsley Steinys, one of the newest residents of the Meijer Honors College, as she and her family unpacked their vehicle. Steinys said she and her family were on the road at 5:30 a.m. for the drive from her hometown of Batavia, Illinois. 

Steinys said Grand Valley met a lot of the requirements she was looking for in a university. 

“I didn’t want to stay in Illinois, I wanted to branch out,” she said. “GVSU seemed like a cool college, it’s close to the lake and affordable. I really liked the Honors College and its opportunities.

“I liked that the class sizes are smaller and more intimate, and I also found out that there are a lot of study abroad opportunities, which I definitely want to do.”  

Bittersweet goodbyes