Upcoming Events

February 15 GVSU Alumni Outing at the Detroit Red Wings (SOLD OUT)

February 17 Accounting Community Breakfast

February 19 Young Alumni Wine Tasting Event (SOLD OUT)

February 21 40 Years of Women's Athletics

February 24 Career Fair

February 28 Tampa Alumni Outing - Tigers vs. Mets Spring Training

March 4 Ft. Lauderdale Alumni & Friends Reception

March 11 San Antonio Alumni & Friends Reception

March 12 School of Social Work Alumni Event

March 12 Houston Alumni & Friends Reception

March 19 Kalamazoo Alumni & Friends Reception

March 21-27 Community Outreach Week

April 3-4 Relay for Life

April 9 Phoenix Alumni & Friends Reception

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

October 17 Homecoming

Mary Epps, '05

With the lead up to the original February 17, 2009 deadline for the conversion of nationwide television broadcast signals to digital, it has been nearly impossible to avoid the onslaught of media coverage regarding the switch. In Michigan, much of the thanks for this broad awareness can be credited to Mary Epps, ‘05, DTV project coordinator for the Michigan Association of Broadcasters in Lansing, MI.

Epps was hired by MAB in June of 2008 as DTV project assistant. After just a few short months, she was named project coordinator for the state, providing support and DTV-related communications to the organization’s over 300 member stations. One of her main goals has been to help broadcasters around the state in informing and preparing the general population for the conversion through public service announcements and other means.

“We achieved 100 percent awareness of the transition according to a recent Michigan State University poll,” she explains - a tremendous accomplishment, especially in light of the fact that the U.S. House of Representatives last week passed legislation postponing the conversion deadline to June 12, 2009 amid concerns that millions of households in the nation were still not prepared.

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Give to GVSU

Community Outreach Week - March 21 - 27

Help put a smile on someone's face by volunteering during COW, with a different service experience available every day.

• Saturday 3/21/09, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Allendale, MI - Kids Food Basket Trail Mix & Snack Sack Project: Bring your family and help kick off this great week of service by assembling take home snacks for hungry children in West Michigan. Supplies will be provided but donations are welcome. 100 volunteers needed.
• Saturday 3/21/09, 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. and/or 12:15 - 4 p.m., Allendale, MI - Michigan Science Olympiad: Volunteers are needed for the 25th anniversary Michigan Science Olympiad celebration for part or all of the day to help facilitate competitive events for middle and high school students in a variety of science disciplines. 350 volunteers needed.
• Saturday, 3/21/09, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Indianapolis, IN - Horizon House: GVSU's Indianapolis Alumni Club is coordinating volunteers to help sort, fold and reorganize clothing at this homeless shelter. 10-12 volunteers needed.
• Monday 3/23/09, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., Grand Rapids, MI - Renucci House Meal Preparation: The Young Alumni Council is coordinating volunteers to meet and prepare a meal for families staying in the Renucci House which provides overnight accommodations for families whose loved ones are hospitalized at Spectrum Health Hospitals. Approx. 10 volunteers needed.
• Tuesday 3/24/09, 7 - 9 p.m., Grand Rapids, MI - Degage' Ministries: Host and facilitate an engaging activity for individuals staying at Degage' Ministries which provides a safe alternative to the streets for those living in the Heartside neighborhood. 6-10 volunteers needed.
• Wednesday 3/25/09, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Grand Rapids, MI - Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association: Assist with neighborhood clean-up and home improvement projects. 5-8 volunteers needed.
• Thursday 3/26/09, 12 - 4:30 p.m., Grand Rapids, MI - God's Kitchen: Assist kitchen staff with meal preparation and serving of Capitol Lunch to those in need of nourishment and meal-time respite. 7-10 volunteers needed.
• Friday 3/27/09, Muskegon, MI - March Is Reading Month Volunteers: Marquette Elementay school needs guest readers to come in and read to students for March is Reading Month activities. Guest readers would have 30 minutes to read their a favorite or pre-selected book, share a little about their job/career, and answer questions. Times would range from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:10 - 3:10 p.m. No experience necessary, just a love of literacy! Contact Christina McElwee, '05 & '08, for more information.
• Week Long Activities - Goodwill Donation Drive: Alumni are encouraged to drop off new or gently used items, like clothing, appliances and furniture, at GVSU's Allendale and Grand Rapids campuses to be sold in Goodwill retail stores. Donations will be delivered to Goodwill on 3/27/09. Relay for Life: The GVSU Alumni Association will have a team of walkers participating in this 12-hour cancer walk benefiting the American Cancer Society. Sign up to walk a shift or sponsor team GVSU Alumni Association 2009.

SIGN UP! - If you would like to participate in one or more of the volunteer projects, please contact alumni@gvsu.edu and indicate, project name/date/time, your name/address/phone, and Tshirt size (unisex). A representative will be in touch with further information.

Can't participate in one of these scheduled events? We encourage you to get involved in your own way, wherever you live. You can organize a project for other alumni in your area, or simply volunteer for your favorite cause - give blood, volunteer for a local agency, or donate to your charity of choice. Drop us a line to let us know what you did in the name of Grand Valley during COW at alumni@gvsu.edu.

We've Got a New Look!

The GVSU Alumni Relations Web site has a fresh look. Check out our new and improved site at www.gvsu.edu/alumni. We hope you will find all the information you need easier to find and enjoy our new interactive features! Let us know what you think at alumni@gvsu.edu.

Career Fair - February 24

Seeking employment or contemplating a job change? You won't want to miss the February 24 West Michigan Career Connections & Health Career Day at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. The event provides an excellent opportunity to visit with representatives from as many as 150 organizations reflecting business, human services, government, and health related careers. Meet with multiple employers at a single event and "sell" yourself as a candidate. Get full details online about this and other upcoming career-related programs offered through GVSU Career Services, or email career@gvsu.edu.

Celebrating 40 Years of Women's Athletics at GVSU - February 21

In appreciation of your support of Laker women’s athletics, the GVSU athletic administration and alumni relations office invite you and your family to join us in Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence! For just $10 per person you can participate in the following activities:

• 3 - 5 p.m. -  Reception and brief GVSU update at the Alumni House. Coaches and Athletic Director Tim Selgo will be present
• 5:15 p.m. - Laker Turf Building Tour
• 6 p.m. - Women’s Basketball vs. Saginaw Valley State - Recognition at halftime for all former female athletes
• 8 p.m. - Men’s Basketball vs. Saginaw Valley State

Please register for this exciting event online at www.gvsu.edu/alumni/womenathletes by February 16.

Cultural Celebrations at GVSU

Join GVSU and the Office of Multicultural Affairs in recognizing and celebrating the rich cultures of the world and in demonstrating Grand Valley's commitment to embracing and promoting diversity.

Upcoming cultural celebrations...

• Black History Month is a celebration of African American history and contributions throughout the United States. Various collaborative campus-wide events are held during the month of February, including films, lectures, and presentations in various formats. View full events schedule.
• Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration encompasses a variety of cultural events, professional speakers, arts and music. Asian Pacific Americans are one of the most highly diversified ethnic groups in the United States with more than 50 distinct ethnicities, languages, religions and cultures. View full events schedule.

Join the Fight Against Cancer - April 3-4

Sign up now to join the GVSU Alumni Association team in the 2009 American Cancer Society Relay for Life event at Grand Valley State University. Beginning at 6 p.m. on April 3 until 6 a.m. on April 4, walkers will take shifts circling the track in the Field House and collect money to help eliminate cancer. We hope you will join us as a walker or by sponsoring alumni team participants. Sign up is easy online - click "Sign Up" to register as a walker or "Donate" to sponsor team GVSU Alumni Association 2009. Survivors can also sign up to participate in the survivor lap!

School of Social Work Alumni Event - March 12

Don't miss this opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and the School of Social Work and enjoy a complimentary Continuing Education Course and Career Fair. The event is scheduled for March 12, 2009, at GVSU's Pew downtown Grand Rapids campus.

• 8 - 8:30 a.m. - Registration
• 8:30 - 9 a.m. - Alumni Welcome
• 9 - 11 a.m.- "Ethics in Practice" by Dr. Joan Borst, 2 CEU Credits
• 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Lunch (optional)
• 12 - 2 p.m. - Career Fair (optional) - Free table space provided to share information and opportunities from your agencies for current students

Contact Sean Bain for more information: bainse@gvsu.edu or  616-331-6550.

Alumni Provide Career Advice to GVSU Students

25 alumni returned to their campus home on February 3, 2009, to provide guidance and support to current GVSU students at the GVSU Academic Major Fair.

The fair was a tremendous resource providing an avenue for students who have not yet decided upon a major or are contemplating a major change to speak with individuals about their future. Each major offered at GVSU was represented with a table staffed by faculty and staff members who provided insight to students about the educational aspects of that major, as well as information on career prospects. Alumni were able to share first-hand information about what it is like to work in a particular field and how GVSU prepared them. The event also provided an excellent opportunity for graduates to reconnect with former professors and network with fellow alumni. View event photos.

HELLOGOODBYE to Play at GVSU - March 18

GVSU will welcome power-pop band HELLOGOODBYE (HGB) and opening act Sullivan Skye for a spring concert on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at GVSU's Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. with the opening act at 8:30 p.m. HGB will start at 9:00 p.m. Alumni tickets can be purchased at the 20/20 information desk located in the Kirkhof Center of GVSU’s Allendale campus for $10. General admission tickets are $15 through Star Tickets Plus.

For more information please contact Spotlight Productions: thespot@student.gvsu.edu or  616-331-2806.

Michigan Science Olympiad - March 21

GVSU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Regional Math and Science Center will be hosting the Region 12 Michigan Science Olympiad Tournament on March 21, 2009. Over 2,000 middle and high school students will spend the day in Allendale demonstrating their skills and expertise in a wide range of science disciplines. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the tournament and will feature a ceremony including a commemorative program, and science entertainment for all participants and guests.

Grand Valley alumni, who are former Olympians, coaches, teachers, or persons with engineering or science expertise, are encouraged to attend the celebration and volunteer for part or all of the day. Please visit www.gvsu.edu/rmsc for more information, or download a volunteer form. Contact dillm@gvsu.edu or  616-331-2272  for more details.

Renew Your Laker Football Season Tickets Now!

The 2009 football season renewal process is now underway, and is expected to be another big year. The 2008 football campaign set school records for season ticket sales and average attendance, while also hosting the largest crowd in Lubbers Stadium history. 14,612 fans attended the September 20, 2008 game versus Ferris State. The renewal deadline for current season ticket holders is April 17. Season and group tickets can be purchased by the general public beginning April 20 at the Athletic Ticket Office in the GVSU Fieldhouse or by calling 616-331-3200. The ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

2009 Season Ticket Prices:

• Premium Blue Sections – 4 & 5, 11 & 12 - $75
• Black Sections – 3 & 6, 10 & 13 - $60
• Yellow Sections- 2 & 7 - $55
• Green Sections - 1 & 8 - $50

Mark Your Calendars...

Mark your calendars now for these annual alumni events...

• July 11, 2009 - GVSU Sleep Inn & Suites All-Alumni Benefit Golf Outing - 1 p.m. shotgun start at the Meadows at GVSU
• October 17, 2009 - Makes plans now to return to Allendale for all of the great Homecoming activities!

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 informal receptions. Food and beverages will be provided.

• February 28 - Tampa Alumni Outing (Tigers vs. Mets Spring Training Game)
• March 4 - Ft. Lauderdale Alumni & Friends Reception
• March 11 - San Antonio Alumni & Friends Reception
• March 12 - Houston Alumni & Friends Reception
• March 19 - Kalamazoo Alumni & Friends Reception
• April 9 - Phoenix Alumni & Friends Reception

Event Recaps...

GVDC - Over 60 GVSU Washington D.C. Alumni Club (GVDC) members, including Tenzin Bhagen, '04, and David Pradko, '05, (pictured) gathered for an alumni reception on January 15, 2009. Guests from Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland met up at the National Press Club, enjoyed networking and heard the latest University news from GVSU President Tom Haas and Athletic Director Tim Selgo. The gathering was the largest event hosted by the club to date. View event photos.

Public Administration Alumni Reception - 24 Public Administration alumni gathered in Ypsilanti for a social networking reception during the Michigan Local Government Management Association Winter Institute on February 4, 2009. Also in attendance were three GVSU Public Administration students and Mark Hoffman, Associate Professor of Public Administration and Director of GVSU's School of Public and Nonprofit Administration. Attendees received an update on the university and watched a video highlighting Grand Valley achievements. View event photos.

Kirkhof College of Nursing Alumni Chapter - 20 KCON alumni and guests met up for an evening reception on February 5, 2009. The group gathered at GVSU's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences. Many of the former students got to see the new facility which now houses nursing courses for the first time and enjoyed networking and the opportunity to hear from KCON Dean Cynthia McCurren. Guests also heard from special alumni guest speaker, Julie Bulson, '99 & '07, Emergency Preparedness Manager for Spectrum Health Hospitals. View event photos.