January 7
President Philomena V. Mantella and other university leaders celebrate the opening of the Battle Creek Regional Outreach Center, a collaborative effort with partners Battle Creek Public Schools and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

February 12
During a news conference with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, President Philomena V. Mantella announces an accelerated program that will help adults complete their bachelor’s degrees and enhance the state’s productivity.

February 29
Grand Valley suspends its study abroad programs in Italy and asks students there to return to the U.S. due to raised travel advisories from the Centers for Disease Control. Earlier in the month, programs in China and South Korea were canceled.

March 12
All classes are canceled March 12-15, allowing faculty members to convert classes to remote teaching. On-campus students begin moving to their permanent residences, as instructed by the university’s Incident Management Team, which has monitored the COVID-19 virus since January.

March 26
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tours the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, which is converted to an alternative care site for Spectrum Health if needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 6
President Philomena V. Mantella leads the first in a series of virtual town halls to connect with the campus community and provide updates about the university’s response to COVID-19. Other members of the Senior Leadership Team join the meeting.

April 16
Grand Valley announces it will be “test optional” for students applying for the fall 2021 class, meaning SAT and ACT standardized tests are not required for admission. University receives $9 million in federal funds for students experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.

April 24
University names B. Donta Truss as vice president for Enrollment Development. Lynn “Chick” Blue held the position previously among her roles during her 52-year career at Grand Valley.

More than 3,000 students celebrate commencement virtually, with recorded messages from college deans, President Philomena V. Mantella and Provost Maria Cimitile.

May 28
The university’s Network of Support teams continue to provide assistance to Michigan residents during the pandemic through tutoring, assisting small businesses, supporting vulnerable populations and more activities. President Philomena V. Mantella asked the university in late March to harness their talents and the result was an army of 300 volunteers.

June 3
Grand Valley leaders announced a record conclusion to the Laker Effect campaign, which raised $130 million for students, the most successful campaign in the university’s history.

June 10
Miloš Topic is hired as vice president and the university’s first chief digital officer, with oversight of the university’s information technology portfolio.

July 7
To assist student veterans, Jill Wolfe is selected to serve as Grand Valley's first Military and Veteran Resource manager. 

August 12
The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announces a suspension of fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 24
The campus community celebrates the opening of the Laker Line, the enhanced bus service that services the Allendale, Pew and Health campuses.

September 4
About 90 percent of the university's fall semester classes are being offered online or via hybrid, a key factor to decreasing campus density. 

September 23
President Philomena V. Mantella leads efforts to create a youth summit for young learners aimed at pioneering new strategies for higher education.

October 9
Wearing face coverings and shouting “Black lives matter,” members of the Grand Valley community marched through the Allendale Campus in solidarity for racial equality. 

October 26
GVSU turns 60 this year and the campus community will celebrate throughout the academic year by learning about the university’s history from leaders and unsung heroes.

November 11
President Philomena V. Mantella announces a major initiative to support Michigan veterans, the first of its kind in the nation.

December 17
Grand Valley's Meijer Campus in Holland serves as the site where frontline workers receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, through a partnership between the university and Ottawa County Department of Public Health.

January 31
University announces The Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Program: active-duty military and veterans will receive enhanced support to pursue their educational goals at Grand Valley.

February 8
Grand Valley announces a tuition-free program for students from low-income backgrounds who live in six Michigan counties: Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Grand Traverse, Calhoun and Wayne.

February 24
Grand Valley's four living presidents join a historian in a virtual roundtable to discuss the peaceful transition of power under the Constitution, in the wake of the January 6 insurrection in the U.S. Capitol.

April 8
GVSU and Fort Valley State University leaders sign an agreement in which students from the HBCU in Georgia can earn Grand Valley master's degrees in engineering/computing.

May 1
More than 2,200 students participated in the Laker Graduation Celebration, which allowed new graduates to gather in the Fieldhouse with their supporters and pose for photos with President Philomena V. Mantella.

May 13
A national alliance of six colleges and universities formed to address equity and access in higher education is launched, setting in motion a movement that was seeded at Grand Valley, the convener and organizer of REP4: Rapid Education Prototyping for Change, Learners, Community, Equity.

June 1
The Laker men's outdoor track and field team earns its first NCAA Division II National Championship at Lubbers Stadium.

June 25
Grand Valley's Board of Trustees approves a $5.4 million increase in financial aid, an 8 percent increase over last year. At the same meeting, Provost Maria Cimitile announces her intention to step down from her position.

September 11
The campus community commemorates the 20th anniversary of September 11 through several events, including a home football game during which students write letters of support to veterans.

November 3
More than 400 people attend the dedication ceremony for the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, the third and flagship building on the university's Health Campus.

December 11
Grand Valley's soccer team wins the NCAA Division II National Championship, the team's seventh national title, with a 3-2 win (two overtimes) over Saint Rose (N.Y.).

December 11
Students, their families and friends and campus leaders gathered in the Fieldhouse Arena to celebrate their achievements during Commencement ceremonies. Nearly 1,400 students walked in the first in-person Commencement since the start of the pandemic.