Upcoming Events

May 21 Art on the Ravine

May 23 Royal Oak Club Gleaners Community Food Bank Volunteer Event

June 24 Life 101 - What You Didn't Learn in College, Young Alumni Event

July 11 Sleep Inn & Suites All-Alumni Benefit Golf Outing

July 11 Traverse City Cherry Festival Parade

July 15 West Michigan Whitecaps Game

July 27 Young Alumni Volunteer Project at Camp Blodgett

August 6-8 United Stage Theater Event

August 27 - 30 West Texas Alumni Trip

October 17 Homecoming

Megan Ward, '06 Few people land the job they dreamed of having in college, and even fewer realize that dream just a few years after graduating. Megan Ward, '06, made the decision her sophomore year while working for GVSU's Fred Meijer Center for Writing that she someday wanted to direct a center of her own. At the young age of 23, Ward is now Writing Center Director at Northwestern Michigan College. Her Grand Valley experience was invaluable in helping her accomplish this goal, and she counts her time at the Meijer Center for Writing as one of the best aspects of her undergraduate education. "I found my niche, and met a group of friends with personalities and interests similar to my own," says Ward. It was with some of these friends and writing faculty member John Lestat, that she co-founded the student organization, Writers'Club, a creative writing group on campus. "I received excellent support from the faculty in both the English and Writing Departments, who all provided ample opportunities to go above and beyond and explore our own ideas." After graduating magna cum laude from GVSU in 2006 with bachelor's degrees in writing and English, she earned a master's degree in rhetoric and composition at Miami University of Ohio in 2008. A key influence for Ward has been Meijer Center for Writing Director Ellen Schendel, who assisted her in narrowing down graduate school options to top programs, and connecting her with individuals who attended various programs across the nation.   Megan found the perfect career fit at Northwestern Michigan College. "I enjoy the smaller atmosphere, as there seems to be a large deal of collaboration happening across campus. I'm also seeing students extremely engaged in the material and eager to learn." Her primary responsibility is managing the writing center within the communications department of NMC. In addition, she manages a reading tutor program, where college students are placed into local elementary schools, as well as a teaching assistant program in conjunction with basic writing classes. She oversees 20 students in the writing center and another 10 students in the reading tutor program. Every day is a new experience and I'm incredibly thankful to have such a motivated and resourceful staff."

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Art on the Ravine to Benefit Art Scholarships

Entertainment, food, networking and a silent art auction are the highlights of this year's Art on the Ravine event set for May 21 from 5:30p.m.-9:00p.m. at the Calder Art Center on the Allendale campus.  The silent auction pieces feature the works of GVSU Art and Design alumni. 

Proceeds from the event will directly benefit current GVSU Art & Design students through the Branstrom Fine Arts Award and the Nedra J. Smith Otis Faculty Scholarship. A portion of the cost of artwork purchased is tax deductible.

Cost is $20 per person. Please RSVP by May 13. Please contact Kim Schmidt with questions or for more details. 

Thank You Volunteers!

Close to 80 alumni volunteers gathered at the Alumni House on April 21 to receive special recognition for their volunteer efforts for alumni programs and events during the 2008-09 school year.  For the second year in a row, nearly 500 alumni volunteered their time throughout the school year to assist with efforts in helping current students and various community projects.  Volunteers enjoyed an evening of great food, drink and socializing.   President Haas sent his greetings and thanks via video and Alumni Association Board of Directors member Julie Bulson, '99 and '07 emceed the wonderful evening which also included a video highlighting the numerous volunteer opportunities held throughout the year.   Thanks again volunteers!  We appreciate what you do and we couldn't run our programs without you.

Join us for the 2009 Enrichment Dinner - June 2

Alumni, community friends, donors, faculty, staff and retirees are invited to the 2009 Enrichment Dinner, a gala event set for June 2 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids and hosted by the Grand Valley University Foundation. The Enrichment Dinner is a celebration of giving and of the wonderful things happening at Grand Valley; it is our way of recognizing those whose gifts are creating opportunities and changing lives of students at the University. Honorees this year are Thomas and Joyce Wisner, Kate Pew Wolters, and Ron VanSteeland. The 20th anniversary of the Leadership Award will be celebrated; alums Doyle Hayes '75 and Randy Damstra '82 have received this award in past years. Please join your fellow alumni for an evening to remember. For questions or an invitation, contact gvufound@gvsu.edu or 616-331-6574. Visit www.gvsu.edu/development for more information.

Career Services Offers Workshop for Alumni

Career Services is hosting an Alumni Workshop on Thursday, June 18th, from 9 to 11 a.m. Several professional staffing firms will be on hand to help you revitalize your job search and present new options. An investment professional will also be available to discuss COBRA, rollovers, retirement planning, etc. This event is being held on the Pew campus in Building C of the DeVos Center on the main floor. For more information and to arrange for a parking pass, contact the Career Services office at 616-331-6708. Whether you recently graduated or are in the middle of a career change, take advantage of the great resources available at this workshop!

Life 101: What You Didn't Learn in College

Presented by the Young Alumni Council, Life 101 is an opportunity to attend informational sessions on topics of special relevance to young alumni. Network with young alumni, enjoy great food and drinks, socialize with friends and learn about "Real World" topics from expert presenters.  Sessions include Budgeting 101, Living a Green Lifestyle, First-Time Home Buying, cooking courses and much more! The networking and educational event takes place the evening of June 24 at the Eberhard Center with a reception starting at 5:15 p.m. and the sessions beginning at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and include food and two beverage tickets. See session topics and RSVP  for the event by June 19th.

All Alumni Golf Outing set for July 11

Grab your golf bag and get ready for another day of fun at The Meadows .  The 2009 GVSU Sleep Inn and Suites All-Alumni Benefit Golf Outing is set for Saturday, July 11 (1:30 p.m. shotgun start).  Enjoy 18 holes of golf, a GV logo item, refreshments, and a post-event BBQ and awards ceremony for just $95.   Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available.  All proceeds from this event will be contributed to the Learning and Information Commons, a new library for the 21st century and centerpiece of Shaping Our Future:  The Campaign for Grand Valley State University.  For more information or to sign up to play, sponsor or volunteer please contact alumni@gvsu.edu. 

Also on July 11th
Not ready for the Tour just yet?----Then join us for an instructional program aimed at helping you improve your game.  For $50, enjoy instruction from a Meadows staff member, a beginners kit, and a BBQ dinner with participants of the 2009 GVSU Sleep Inn and Suites All-Alumni Benefit Golf Outing.  Start time is 3:30 p.m.  Instruction will take place at The Meadows Practice Facility.

One additional golf note:
Alumni can play The Meadows for $35/golfer (18 holes w/cart) PLUS the alum may host up to 3 guests at the same $35/golfer rate. This rate is valid Sunday afternoon and Monday--Friday before 2pm.  

Gleaners of Southest Michigan Volunteer Event

Gather together in service at the Gleaners Community Food Bank of SE Michigan to sort food donations and pack donation boxes. The event is hosted by the Royal Oak Alumni Club, led by Ashley G. Barnes, '06.  Enjoy breakfast with fellow alumni prior to engaging in the community service project. Find more information and sign up, by May 20.

GVSU in the Traverse City Cherry Festival Parade

Walk with Louie the Laker, GVSU cheerleaders and alumni, family and friends in the Traverse City Cherry Festival Parade. Enjoy a pre-parade breakfast during line-up at 9:30 a.m. and walk in the parade proudly representing GVSU. Sign up and confirm your participation.  Please note that due to order deadlines, parade t-shirts may not be available to those who sign up after July 1, 2009.

The Lakers Are Going to West Texas A & M

Watch the first GVSU football game of the season and four women's volleyball games over the weekend of August 27-30 at West Texas A & M in Canyon, TX.  Travel with fellow alumni and Lakers sports fans for an eventful weekend in West Texas.  A full package and a la carte travel arrangements are available with the flight leaving Gerald R. Ford Int. Airport on August 27. If you live in Texas or near Canyon, join the festivities at the volleyball game, or football game and tailgater! Space is limited, so sign up today!

GradFest Volunteers Greet Newest Alumni

Twenty-eight alumni volunteers greeted 2,328 graduates at the GradFest celebration and welcomed them into the Alumni Association, now 72,000 strong. Alumni volunteers presented the new alumni with a graduation gift and provided information about the Alumni Association and membership benefits.

Alumni Participate in the GVSU Relay for Life

On April 3-4 the GVSU Alumni Association Relay for Life® team raised $5,870 total dollars to help the American Cancer Society advance its mission to save lives, help those touched by cancer, and empower people to fight against the disease. Seven of the twenty team members were in the top 10 for fundraising, including 1st place Team Captain Tim Duthler, '73 and 2nd place team member Kim Schmidt, '88 and '00.  The 2009 Relay For Life® of GVSU was a big success with more than 105 teams and 1,600 participants.  Since the start of the Relay season, almost $90,000 has been raised.  Next year's Relay for Life will be held on April 9 - 10, 2010. 

Club & Chapter Corner

GVSU is coming to you! Join us when the University comes to your area...Meet up with fellow GVSU alumni and receive the latest information about Grand Valley State at these great events.

• May 23 - Royal Oak Club Detroit Gleaners Volunteer Event
• July 11 - Traverse City Cherry Festival Parade Enjoy a pre-parade breakfast, and walk with alumni, friends, Louie the Laker and GVSU Cheerleaders!

Event Recaps (View event photos)

April 4 - The Atlanta Club hosted alumni & friends at an Atlanta Braves Game. Twenty alumni gathered with club leader Amy Nicholson, '98 for a day of baseball between the Braves and the Tigers.
April 9 - Club leaders Carrie, '98 and Pete, '96 Finley welcomed Athletic Director Tim Selgo and close to 50 alumni and friends to the Old Town Tortillia Factory in Scottsdale on April 9 for an evening of networking.  Selgo provided the group with an academic and athletic update. 
April 10 - The newly formed Royal Oak Club, led by Ashley G. Barnes, '06 hosted 44 alumni and friends in two private suites for the Detroit Pistons game versus the New Jersey Nets.