September 29, 2011 - April 4, 2012 October 11, 2011 October 16, 2011 October 20, 2011 October 29, 2011 November 2, 2011 November 7, 2011 November 13, 2011
Wheelhouse Talks | Details
GVSU Fall Career Fair - DeVos Place More Details
Colts vs. Bengals Alumni Tailgater | Info
Accounting Alumni & Friends Reunion Info | RSVP
HOMECOMING: Events | Volunteer
Academic Major Fair Info | Volunteer
Meijer Lecture Series: Bonnie Wesorick
Dolphins vs. Redskins South Florida Event | Tickets Call: 800-558-0541
ALUMNI SERVICE AND YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS RECOGNIZED Linda Masselink, '68 and Eric Maino, '05 were recognized on Saturday October 1, for their commendable accomplishments and dedication to their communities and Grand Valley. Masselink is the recipient of the 2011 Alumni Service Award. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Group Science from Grand Valley State University in 1968. She also earned a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Michigan in 1969. In 1999 Masselink accepted a position at Zumberge Library on the Allendale campus. A year later she was asked to assist with the opening of the Steelcase Library on the Pew Campus in Grand Rapids. Her guidance and dedication led her to a promotion as Senior Librarian in 2007. During her tenure Linda has assisted with the annual Alumni Freshman Move-In event and has been an annual GradFest volunteer for nearly 10 years. She is also a supporter and volunteer for the Faculty/Staff Giving Campaign, and is a consistent donor to university projects. Linda was presented with the Michigan Library Association Librarian of the Year in 2011. Eric I. Maino was honored as this year's Young Alumnus. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems from Grand Valley State University in 2005. Maino’s skill sets and foundation of software engineering and development from Grand Valley led him to a position with the Microsoft Corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington. For the past 6 years he has been employed full time in the Visual Studio organization within the Developer Division. On a daily basis, Maino, a senior engineer, works to improve the efficiency of Microsoft’s internal developers and testers. He also has recently full endowed a scholarship in his name; the Eric Maino Community Technology Award. Both award recipients were honored with a luncheon and ceremony, and presented by President Haas during half-time of the football game on October 1.
Reconnect at Homecoming 2011
It's a Monster Mash full of food, fun and excitement for the entire family! Join us for this time to reconnect with old classmates and make new friends at Homecoming 2011. Cap off the evening with a football game under the lights!
GVSU, You Put a Spell on Me provides all the fun you need with a 5K run, pancake breakfast, Reunion Row and football game vs. Michigan Tech that's sure to make you scream! Check out the Homecoming 2011 website and make your plans to return to Allendale to enjoy the weekend of activities for everyone. Schedule of Events | Volunteer (FREE t-shirt!)
Volunteers Needed for Academic Major Fair - November 2
The 2011 Academic Major Fair is in need of your expertise! Offer up first-hand information to current students looking for advice. The event takes place from 11-2 p.m. on November 2 at the Allendale Campus. The fair is a tremendous resource for students who have not yet decided upon a major or are contemplating a change. Each major offered at GVSU will be represented. Volunteers are especially needed in the areas of English, liberal studies, languages, history, and nursing. Parking and lunch are provided. Please contact Kim Schmidt schmidtk@gvsu.edu or 616.331.3592 for more information or to volunteer.
Alumni Association Board Elects New Executive Committee
The Alumni Association would like to extend a warm welcome to the new Executive Committee board members, President, Julie Bulson, '99 & '07, First Vice President, Victor Cardenas, '00, Second Vice President, Alan Kimber, '93 (not pictured), Third Vice President, Clay Grueber, '05, Secretary Laura Elsner, '99 and Immediate Past President Jeffery Weatherall, '78 . Thank you for your leadership! Committee members began their duties October 1.
Volunteer at GradFest 2011
Remember the exciting, overwhelming and unexpected feelings you had right before graduation? Our future alums are having the very same feelings. Help welcome them into the Alumni Association with open arms at this year's GradFest events. You are invited to join us as a volunteer on November 15 at the Allendale Campus and November 16 at the Pew Campus in Grand Rapids from 9am to 6pm! Volunteer an hour, or for the whole day!
More Info | Facebook Event Email Abigayle Sloan at sloanab@gvsu.edu to sign up today!
FREE GVSU Fall Career Fair - October 11
Are you looking for a job or to make a career change? Let your alma mater help! The Fall Career Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job search and begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni of all majors. Over 125 employers with hundreds of immediate openings are expected to attend. Join us October 11 from 1-5 p.m. at the DeVos Place Convention Center in downtown Grand Rapids, and get on the path to the career of your dreams!
More info | Participating employers | www.gvsu.edu/careerfairs
Event Recaps: Alumni Art, Football Games and More
ArtPrize Reception Unites Alumni Artists, Friends
Laker alumni gathered on September 27 right in the middle of ArtPrize 2011 at the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology in Grand Rapids. Just over 85 alumni attend the reception in support of all of the alumni ArtPrize participants. Alumnus and photographer Dan Watts, '79 spoke about the impact of art in the community before guests ventured out on their own to explore the art! More than 70 Grand Valley alumni artists displayed their work in 42 locations around the city. View Photos | View Video
Alumni Gather in Large Numbers to Cheer on Lakers
The Alumni Association in conjunction with the Seidman College of Business Alumni Association and the Young Alumni Council welcomed alumni, family and friends to the first Saturday home football game of the year on September 24. Nearly 300 people enjoyed food, beverages, music, giveaways, and Kids Club Day on the Allendale Campus. President Haas, Athletic Director, Tim Selgo, and Seidman College of Business Dean H. James Williams all addressed the crowd. Also on hand for a performance were members of the GV Pom Pon Club and Louie the Laker who made a cameo appearance. View Photos
Alumni at Atomic Object are Raising the Bar
Atomic Object is an up-and-coming software design company employing many Grand Valley State University alumni and student interns, who have a drive for raising the bar. Atomic Object and its employees raised more than $28,000 through their challenge for the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons, scheduled to open in fall 2013.
Carl Erickson, former GVSU professor, and co-founder of Atomic Object says he credits Grand Valley’s impressive curriculum and educators with the success of his company. In the ten years Atomic Object has been open for business, Erickson has had more than 40 GVSU interns, and about half of his staff are Grand Valley alumni.
Erickson said he initiated the gifts to the library because, “Grand Valley provides an affordable, high quality education to students who stay in Michigan. We need smart, educated young people coming into the workforce.”
For more information on starting a program at your company go to the Alumni Workplace Connections website.
Your Gift Creates Opportunities and Changes Lives
Did you know that there are currently more than 298 privately funded scholarships available to Grand Valley students? More than 30 of these scholarships were started by GVSU alumni. Essential to the viability of Grand Valley, these scholarships are impacting the lives of students as we prepare them to be tomorrow's leaders. Learn more about how you can make a difference.
Check out our student, donor and program stories of giving to Grand Valley or to make a gift to GVSU, please visit our easy online giving page.
Start Planning - Community Outreach Week, March 26-31 2012
It's not too early to start thinking about projects for Community Outreach Week. Now is the time to think about what service project you have wanted to do with a friend or colleagues at work. More COW details will be coming in the months ahead.
Alumni Events Scheduled in Ohio, Michigan and Florida
Cincinnati Area Alums Gather for Colts-Bengals Matchup - October 16
Joe Sierawski, ’93 and Indianapolis Club Leader Jennifer Poad-Baker, ’92 are teaming up for a fall alumni event for Cincinnati area alumni. The two will host brunch at 10:30 a.m. at the Behle Street Café in Covington, Kentucky. After brunch, the group will walk across the river for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati as the Bengals take on the Colts. Cheer on former Laker great Dan Skuta, (#51) who will suit up for the Bengals.
GVSU Accounting Alumni & Friends Fall Reunion - October 20
Join us at Plaza Towers in Grand Rapids for food and drinks while reuniting with old classmates and making new connections with Accounting alumni! More Info | RSVP to Kathy Goralski.
South Florida Area Alums to Enjoy Dolphins-Redskins Game on November 13
Join Audra Vaz, '92 at this pre-game tailgater and football event on Sunday, November 13. A block of tickets have been specially reserved for GVSU alumni and friends. For $35 you'll receive your game ticket and food vouchers. RSVP by October 24! Call 800-558-0541 to reserve your spot with a credit card. Details
This is GV Country - Video Debuts
What began as a billboard in downtown Grand Rapids morphed into a new commercial highlighting the tradition of Grand Valley athletic excellence. Laker athletes, faculty, staff, and fans of all ages joined together to produce a video that airs during Laker athletic broadcasts. Take a look
Legacy Families Getting Together at Homecoming 2011
Join the Family Association October 29 at 4 p.m. on Reunion Row! There will be opportunities to sign the Legacy book, share memories with new and old friends and embrace the experience of being part of this unique group on Grand Valley's campus! The theme is "Laker Blue - It's in our Blood." Come dressed as a Laker of the past, present or future and show your Laker pride! For more information, please visit the Family Association website.
Monthly Speaker Series to Feature Prominent Leaders
Prominent state and local leaders including ArtPrize founder Rick DeVos, Michigan State Treasurer Andy Dillon and Seidman College of Business Dean H. James Williams are scheduled for the 2011-12 Wheelhouse Talks sponsored by the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University. A Wheelhouse is defined as a source of energy and innovation, a place where leaders converge. The monthly talks feature leaders who will share their philosophy and experience. Each talk will be held at the Kroc Community Center, 2500 S. Division Avenue in Grand Rapids from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Form GVSU President Mark Murray is scheduled to speak October 19. View upcoming speaker schedule
Meijer Lecture Series Bonnie Wesorick - November 7
The Frederik Meijer Lecture Series presents Bonnie Wesorick on Monday, November 7. Bonnie’s talk, “Leading Healthcare Transformation for Those Who Give and Receive Care,” will take place in the Eberhard Center at 7 p.m., followed by a reception. Bonnie, a former faculty member of the Kirkhof College of Nursing is a nationally known expert whose work integrates evidence-based practice, interprofessional teams, and technology for a sustainable health care transformation.
RSVP at http://www.gvsu.edu/honor/lecturersvp.htm or call Robyn Toth in the Frederik Meijer Honors College at (616) 331-3219.
College of Ed Looking for Feedback
The College of Education (COE) will be reviewed for accredidation by The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in February 2012. Comments addressing substantive matters related to the quality of GVSU's education programs should be submitted via email to callforcomments@ncate.org. Comments must include a name and relationship to GVSU (i.e., graduate, present/former faculty, employer of graduates) and be received by November 1, 2011.