February 4, 2011 February 10, 2011 February 16, 2011 February 17, 2011 February 19, 2011 February 22, 2011 Michigan Department of Human Services Statewide Recruitment and Interviews: Event Kickoff Information Session (Grand Rapids) March 7, 2011 March 7, 2011 March 19 March 21-26, 2011 March 23, 2011 March 28, 2011 March 31, 2011 April 8-9, 2011 April 16, 2011 May 12, 2011
The 50th Anniversary Presidents' Ball
Chicago Alumni Reception: 50th Anniversary Celebration | RSVP
Volunteer! KCON Alumni Chapter / SNA Roundtable
Young Alumni Collaborative | RSVP
Women's Basketball Reunion
Careerfest and Health Career Day
Out of State Teacher Fair
Washington, D.C. Reception | RSVP
Tampa Club Detroit Tigers Spring Training Game | RSVP
Community Outreach Week
Career Conversations
Graduate Showcase 2011 (featuring 10 graduate programs)
Graduate Showcase 2011 (featuring 12 graduate programs)
Relay for Life at GVSU
16th Annual Laker Football Spring Classic Celebration and Cash Draw
New York City Alumni Reception: 50th Anniversary Celebration | RSVP
TOP BRASS: Take a trip to Jacksonville, Florida, and get tickets to see the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra playing at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. When you arrive for the concert, look in the first chair of the trumpet section and you’ll see the earnest but happy face of Hunter Eberly, ’09. He’s delighted to be there as the principal trumpet for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and he should be. It’s among the leading orchestras in the Southeast and ranks in the nation's top 30 to 40 orchestras. (Listen to Hunter and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.) Eberly began with the orchestra last November at the age of 24. He earned the prized spot earlier through a grueling and nationally competitive audition in which he was one of 94 trumpeters who vied for the position. During the day-long audition, he performed through four rounds as the field was narrowed and narrowed again before he won the principal trumpet position. “Each round meant performing several different pieces of music, with only about an hour’s notice of what that piece would be,” said Eberly. “I was excited, but also felt prepared because of the excellent training I had at Grand Valley. Professor Rich Stoelzel prepared us for just this type of experience in the orchestra repertoire class. I can’t thank him enough.” Eberly studied at Grand Valley with Stoelzel, associate professor of trumpet and the brass department coordinator. “Professor Stoelzel’s experience playing in orchestras had a huge impact on my development and education,” says Eberly, noting that Stoelzel currently fills the principal trumpet position in the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra. “Being instructed by a current professional orchestral musician was a huge benefit,” adds Eberly. “He deserves a great deal of credit for my accomplishments.” Eberly is no stranger to success... Full Story
Alumnus Makes the Grade in Jacksonville
Lakers Nationwide Called to Volunteer
Alumni volunteers are growing a greater Grand Valley and greater communities! We invite you to join the cause during Community Outreach Week, March 21 to 26, by signing up for an event or creating your own. This week of service is aimed at uniting Lakers everywhere in providing volunteer support and outreach in their own communities and in ways meaningful to each individual or group. Just imagine the collective impact that over 100,000 current and former GVSU students can make! This year we have adopted the ambitious goal of 50 projects for the 50th anniversary! We still need your help in identifying fun and worthwhile group service projects.
If you have a project close to your heart or would like to lead a group in your area, please contact alumni@gvsu.edu or call 800-558-0541.
Join GVSU Alumni to Fight Cancer - April 8-9
Sign up now to join the GVSU Alumni Association team in the 2011 American Cancer Society Relay for Life event at Grand Valley State University. Beginning at 6 p.m. on April 8 until 6 a.m. on April 9, walkers will take shifts circling the track in the Fieldhouse and collect money to help eliminate cancer. We hope you will join us as a walker or by sponsoring alumni team participants. Visit www.relayforlifegvsu.com and click "Sign Up" to register as a walker or "Donate" to sponsor team GVSU Alumni Association. Survivors can also sign up to participate in the survivor lap!
Help Support Laker Football - April 16
Laker fans—don't miss the 16th Annual Spring Classic Celebration and Cash Draw sponsored by Outback Steakhouse. Preview the 2011 Laker Football team at an inter-squad scrimmage at noon, then mingle with Head Football Coach Matt Mitchell and the entire football staff at the post-game reception. The annual Cash Draw offers ticket holders multiple chances to win cash and prizes throughout the day. For information, please email Kim Schmidt or call 616-331-3592.
Help Liberal Arts Students Connect Majors with Careers
For many students, deciding on a major can be a daunting task. Connecting that major to a career path can be even more challenging for liberal arts and sciences students. As alumni who have “been there and done that”, you are invited to help students by sharing your personal experiences with these difficult life decisions. The Office of Career Services is seeking alumni volunteers to serve on a panel discussion entitled Career Conversations on March 23. The event is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on the GVSU Allendale Campus and aims to bring back alumni who have found fulfilling and successful careers after majoring in: Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, History, Biology, Liberal Studies, English, Art/Design, Photography, Foreign Languages, Classics, or Political Science. If you would like to serve on the panel, email Susan Proctor or call 616-331-2765.
Collaborate with Young Alumni at GRid70!
Collaborate. Connect. Show off your "flare"...
The Young Alumni Council invites you to take part in a vibrant evening of networking at GRid70 , Grand Rapid's newest workspace collaborative, and design hub. Enjoy food and drink catered by Martha's Vineyard, and create your own special "flare" filled nametag. Special gifts will be given to alumni working at GRid70's partner companies: Amway, Meijer, Steelcase and Wolverine World Wide. Cost to attend - a cheap and chic $10. RSVP today! More info
Young Alumni at the Griffins: A Good Mix
Over 80 GVSU Young Alumni and guests attended the Grand Rapids Griffins Hockey game on January 5th, watching them defeat the Hamilton Bulldogs. Prior to the event, the attendees enjoyed a pre-game reception at 25 Kitchen & Bar to network, socialize and hear GVSU updates. At the pre-game reception, the Young Alumni Council made announcements about upcoming programs. See event photos.
- February 10 - Chicago Alumni Reception: A 50th Anniversary Celebration - Join Metro Chicago Club Leaders Brian Dutkiewicz, '02 and Rachel Vanderwiel,'09 at the intimate and exclusive private club in Hub 51 for an evening of networking and connecting with Laker alumni in the Chicago area while enjoying great food, drink, and GVSU updates. More info | RSVP
- February 16 - Kirkhof College of Nursing Alumni Chapter & Student Nursing Association Roundtable - The KCON Alumni Board is looking for alumni volunteers willing to share their nursing career stories with students in a "speed dating" format on February 16 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in Room 123 of the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences. Light refreshments will be served. If interested, contact Ruthann Brintnall.
- February 19 - Women's Basketball Reunion - Laker Head Coach Janel Burgess invites Women Basketball Alumnae and their families to a reception and basketball game. More info.
- March 7 - Washington D.C. Alumni & Friends Reception - Celebrate Grand Valley's 50th Anniversary and hear the latest University news from President Thomas J. Haas; the fun starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Please RSVP by March 1.
- March 19 - Tampa Club Detroit Tigers Spring Training Game - Forget the blizzards, it's never too early to "play ball" and get out to the ballpark for America's national pastime. Details | RSVP
- January 13 - Allendale, MI - Alumni artists and friends celebrated MultiMedia III, an invitational exhibit celebrating Grand Valley’s 50th Anniversary and featuring new work by outstanding Art & Design and School of Communications graduates. See Laker works here (starting on page 74). The exhibit continues until February 25. More
- January 21 - Grand Rapids, MI - More than 90 alumni, students, faculty and staff members of GVSU's Department of Music attended an hors d'oeuvres and cocktail reception during the Michigan Music Conference. It was the largest turnout to date for this annual event. Current music educators were able to share ideas, reconnect with former professors, and provide valuable advice to future teachers during the reception.
- January 29 - Grand Rapids, MI - More than 100 loyal Lakers gathered at Peppino's Downtown before heading over to the 131 Showdown with Ferris State. Spirits were high as Athletic Director Tim Selgo was joined by President Thomas J. Haas for pre-game remarks. Over 5,800 fans took over the Van Andel Arena for the Showdown. The Laker women emerged victorious while the men's team lost a see-saw contest in overtime. Photos
500 Immediate Job Openings for Social Work, Behavioral Science and Criminal Justice Majors
Put your degree to work! GVSU is pleased to be hosting the State of Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) for a three-day career event featuring an expedited application and interview process. DHS will be on campus to recruit for 500+ open child welfare service positions beginning in March or May of 2011. Qualified applicants must have a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, sociology, or family/child development; those with related degrees and work experience are also encouraged to apply.
Find out more at the event kick-off information session - February 22, 2011, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at GVSU's Eberhard Center. Free parking is available in the Fulton Street Lot (get map). Visit www.gvsu.edu/careers/events for more information and to RSVP . Email Susan Proctor or call 616-331-3311.
Indulge for the Women's Center, February 17
GVSU Women's Center is hosting their annual Indulge In A Cause event on Thursday, February 17 from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm at the Eberhard Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Tickets are $30; snow date is March 1. Call 616-331-2748 or send an email to reserve your tickets today! The Women's Center is also looking for individuals willing to sponsor an auction item or dessert. To help, call the Women's Center at 616-331-2748 and ask for Jo Ann or Rachael!
Advance Your Career: Save the Dates!
Are you looking for a job or to make a career move? Need to update your skills or resume? Your alma mater offers a host of career resources for you! Grand Valley's Office of Career Services has numerous upcoming events scheduled to help you as you travel down your career path, including:
- Careerfest & Health Career Day - February 22
- Out of State Teacher Fair - March 7
Your Laker Career Services staff is eager to help you. Make the call!
February is Matching Gift Month…Are you up for the challenge? 
Join us in celebrating "Matching Gift Month!" Did you know that nearly 16,000 companies match their employees’ charitable gifts nationwide? Find out if your employer will match your gift to Grand Valley by visiting www.matchinggifts.com/gvsu.
We invite you to join fellow alumni in making a gift to Grand Valley. Grand Valley alumni continue to annually support the university’s highest priorities, including student scholarships and programs - all gifts matter! This generosity truly reflects the ongoing commitment of Grand Valley alumni – are you up for the challenge?
Check out our student, donor and program stories of Giving to Grand Valley. Or, to make a gift to Grand Valley, please visit our easy online giving page or contact Jill Dooley.
A 50th Anniversary Gift to Remember... 
Grand Valley State University has published a commemorative book that celebrates the university’s five decades by highlighting its people, academics, activities and athletics. “Grand Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Shaping Lives” is just $19.95 and available online at www.gvsu.edu/ubs. The book contains more than 300 historic and newer photographs, a university timeline and countless memories of campus life.
GVSU, Health and News for Laker Veterans and Friends
A unique research partnership between GVSU and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital will allow some West Michigan wounded veterans to get the specialized care they need close to home. The Wounded Warrior Traumatic Brain Injury Project (WWTBIP) targets Afghanistan or Iraq veterans who received traumatic brain injuries; if you know of potentially eligible veterans, Lakers or not, please forward this information to them.
There is no cost to the wounded warrior for this care, which will complement any existing care through other veterans agencies. Funded by a $1.3 million grant from the US Department of Defense, the project includes research and training components that will allow both the GVSU Office of the Vice Provost for Health and Mary Free Bed to help improve veteran care. For more information, email Mary Free Bed project staff (toll-free phone 888-736-0208).
Graduate Showcase 2011 Invites Alums
With nearly 5,000 master’s and doctoral students enrolled in some 30 graduate programs, Grand Valley’s graduate studies are something to celebrate and share. That is what will happen at GVSU’s first-ever Graduate Showcase , set for March 28 and 31 on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Targeted to the GVSU community, alumni, employers and the larger community, the Graduate Showcase will display graduate works of scholarship and research, and act as an "open house" for potential graduate students. Sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies and the Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence, the Graduate Showcase will become an annual event. Save the date!