Veterans Day Celebration

Wednesday, November 11, 2026
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus
Alumni, Community, Faculty, Staff, Students

JJ Cummings Headshot

Grand Valley State University's Office of the President and Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies invite you to join us this Veterans Day as we come together to honor the service and sacrifice of West Michigan and Laker veterans past and present. This year's program will explore what leadership, sacrifice, and service look like at the highest levels of military life.

We are honored to welcome Navy Captain J.J. Cummings, a TOPGUN-trained fighter pilot and former commander of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, who will share reflections on his path of service and the lessons in leadership he's carried from the cockpit to the flight deck.

For more information about Laker Vets and veteran resources on campus, visit the Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center!

About the Speaker

Retired Navy Captain J.J. Cummings is a former Navy fighter pilot and commanding officer of the most technologically advanced vessel in the world, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. He also served in leadership roles as the executive officer of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Anchorage, and commanding officer of an FA-18F Super Hornet squadron.

Prior to assuming command positions, J.J. was an F-14 Tomcat instructor pilot, a TOPGUN graduate, and successfully completed the prestigious Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program. He was the first Technical Advisor for the 2022 film, TOPGUN Maverick. He completed multiple overseas aircraft carrier deployments, logged 3,900 hours and 740 aircraft carrier landings in fighter aircraft, and has 137 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan.

Program Schedule

5:00 p.m. Free Public Veterans Celebration Reception Begins
5:30 p.m. Doors Open & Check-In Available
6:00 p.m. Program Begins
7:30 p.m. Program Concludes

Know Before You Go

All are welcome! We invite students, faculty, staff, and community to attend.
Admission is free, but registration is required. Please check in when you arrive.
We offer a free Community Conversations dessert reception following the program to reflect and chat about what you heard.
In-person attendance is encouraged. However, to ensure our events are accessible to all, we offer a virtual option.
This event takes place on GVSU's City Campus in downtown GR. Free parking is available with validation.

About the Hauenstein Center

Inspired by Ralph Hauenstein’s life of leadership and service, the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies is dedicated to raising a community of ethical, effective leaders for the twenty-first century.

Consider supporting our work by becoming a member. Members enjoy special benefits like pre-event receptions at events.

More About Membership