Laker Kickoff celebrates new year with spirited welcome for students

The T-shirts for the Laker Kickoff captured the vibe: "Live like a Laker."

Students who gathered August 28 for the second annual event on the Valley Campus to welcome the new academic year said the vibrant celebration helped both introduce the university's culture to Lakers and break the ice.

"You're dancing together. You're all in the same shirt and all in the same boat," said Julia Kozik, a second-year student and English education major.

Paige Dostal, a second-year student and psychology major, agreed on the benefit of the gathering. She said she remembered feeling nervous after moving in her first year, but that coming to Laker Kickoff brought her out of her shell and introduced her to many people.

Watch a special video played in Lubbers Stadium during Laker Kickoff

The night kicked off at Lubbers Stadium with a pep rally atmosphere, where Lakers heard from President Philomena V. Mantella and GVSU head football coach Scott Wooster. Laker Marching Band Director John Martin led the crowd in some GVSU cheers, complemented by an Athletics hype video.

Mantella kept her speech short, asking the students if they wanted a long welcome speech or a short one. "You are the architect of your education."

Student Senate President Lukas Hartley told fellow Lakers that the night had the promise leading to many more college memories to come.

"My advice to you: Take advantage of every opportunity you can," Hartley said. "Every stranger is a friend you haven't met yet."

Indeed, Aidan Sprague, a first-year student and wildlife biology major, was excited about the atmosphere and the large gathering. "I've been meeting people all day."

After a longtime tradition – the class photo for first-year students on the football field – that is now part of the new tradition, all Lakers spread out through the Valley Campus to sample fare from many different food trucks and participate in a wide range of activities.

Those activities included a foam pit, tables for various Grand Valley departments and organizations, from Mathematics – which offered an interactive puzzle for students – to Multicultural Affairs to Esports. There also were dance lessons, caricature artists, lawn games like corn hole and Kan Jam.

Roommates Camille Quenioux and Karlee Nigg, first-year students who met online before coming to Grand Valley, tried the dance lessons.

Nigg, an English major: "It was fun. I love dancing."

Said Quenioux, who is pursuing pre-nursing studies: "I'm new to dancing. It was pretty humbling."

The night ended with a fireworks and drone show.