SPRING 2024 — ORIGINS ISSUE

FEATURE

Two-Eyed Seeing

Dig looks beyond history of logging town to displaced peoples

Two-Eyed Seeing involves using one eye to understand the strengths of Indigenous knowledge and the other to understand Western knowledge, then braiding those perspectives together for mutual benefit.

Affiliate professor of natural resources management and a member of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Rob Larson on a double exposure with tree branch in background Affiliate professor of natural resources management and a member of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Rob Larson on a double exposure with tree branch in background

FEATURE

Two-Eyed Seeing

Dig looks beyond history of logging town to displaced peoples

Two-Eyed Seeing involves using one eye to understand the strengths of Indigenous knowledge and the other to understand Western knowledge, then braiding those perspectives together for mutual benefit.

Affiliate professor of natural resources management and a member of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Rob Larson on a double exposure with tree branch in background Affiliate professor of natural resources management and a member of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Rob Larson on a double exposure with tree branch in background

FEATURE

Grand Valley ‘Firsts’

The lore behind Lakers, Louie, logo and more

Brush up on your Laker lore and learn the stories behind your favorite campus landmarks, trivia and traditions.

two people in scaffolding lifted by crane to install clock face two people in scaffolding lifted by crane to install clock face

FEATURE

Grand Valley ‘Firsts’

The lore behind Lakers, Louie, logo and more

Brush up on your Laker lore and learn the stories behind your favorite campus landmarks, trivia and traditions.

two people in scaffolding lifted by crane to install clock face

PRESIDENT’S GREETINGS

Transforming
Michigan’s Future

Philomena Mantella standing in a group having a conversation. A banner with burry text on it is behind. Philomena Mantella standing in a group having a conversation. A banner with burry text on it is behind.

PRESIDENT’S GREETINGS

Transforming
Michigan’s Future

Philomena Mantella standing in a group having a conversation. A banner with burry text on it is behind. Philomena Mantella standing in a group having a conversation. A banner with burry text on it is behind.

FEATURE

The Toughest Yard

At one time, the Michigan Reformatory in Ionia was the oldest prison in Michigan. At one time, it was also the site of one of the earliest games in Grand Valley football history.

old prison wall with guard tower in center, tree on right old prison wall with guard tower in center, tree on right

FEATURE

The Toughest Yard

At one time, the Michigan Reformatory in Ionia was the oldest prison in Michigan. At one time, it was also the site of one of the earliest games in Grand Valley football history.

old prison wall with guard tower in center, tree on right old prison wall with guard tower in center, tree on right

FEATURE

Vietnam

Four decades later, refugee leads students to her homeland

Even four decades later, Connie Dang’s face showed a lot of emotions and her voice cracked at times as she retold the story of the day in 1979 when she and her family fled their home in Vietnam.

Connie Dang in colorful, cultural dress from Vietnam

FEATURE

Vietnam

Four decades later, refugee leads students to her homeland

Even four decades later, Connie Dang’s face showed a lot of emotions and her voice cracked at times as she retold the story of the day in 1979 when she and her family fled their home in Vietnam.

Connie Dang in colorful, cultural dress from Vietnam

On the cover

The print cover of the spring issue features artwork from Michigan artist Alan Compo

ARTIST STATEMENT BY ALAN COMPO

I am an Anishinaabek Artist from the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, and Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa. I create paintings of the stories, culture and Circles I’ve grown up within.  Since the beginning of my art-making career, these stories have always found their voice within my work. These connected Circles within Circles that tell stories of living art, and lessons to be found.

I start with an idea of one of these stories, and allow it to branch out into baskets, floral patterns, and, in essence, its own Spirit. I use color and patterns other Anishinaabek may recognize as being a part of Our stories.

These stories and patterns are not mine alone. They are created with the many Circles of Anishinaabek, family and Spirit that have helped me bring them out, within my way of creating. My work allows me to be apart of that voice of our land, and its multilayered narrative. 

Ngushe Aki, “Mother Earth,” was created to tell a story of beginning, strength, and growth. I want my art to be another extension of the viewer’s Circles, and for them to be inspired, learn, and ask questions.

The cover of the spring 2024 magazine. In the corner is a white GVM and the text 'Grand Valley Magazine.' A profile of a woman looking off into the distance. Behind her is a sky filled with stars and water lapping up on the shore of a turtle shell (turtle island). Her hair mergest with blue, orange and white flowers, berries and a feather and beaded turtle.

On the cover

The print cover of the spring issue features artwork from Michigan artist Alan Compo

ARTIST STATEMENT BY ALAN COMPO

I am an Anishinaabek Artist from the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, and Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa. I create paintings of the stories, culture and Circles I’ve grown up within.  Since the beginning of my art-making career, these stories have always found their voice within my work. These connected Circles within Circles that tell stories of living art, and lessons to be found.

I start with an idea of one of these stories, and allow it to branch out into baskets, floral patterns, and, in essence, its own Spirit. I use color and patterns other Anishinaabek may recognize as being a part of Our stories.

These stories and patterns are not mine alone. They are created with the many Circles of Anishinaabek, family and Spirit that have helped me bring them out, within my way of creating. My work allows me to be apart of that voice of our land, and its multilayered narrative. 

Ngushe Aki, “Mother Earth,” was created to tell a story of beginning, strength, and growth. I want my art to be another extension of the viewer’s Circles, and for them to be inspired, learn, and ask questions.

The cover of the spring 2024 magazine. In the corner is a white GVM and the text 'Grand Valley Magazine.' A profile of a woman looking off into the distance. Behind her is a sky filled with stars and water lapping up on the shore of a turtle shell (turtle island). Her hair mergest with blue, orange and white flowers, berries and a feather and beaded turtle.
close up of sculpture of Mathias Alten

Campus Stories

Starting a scholarship fund, an app that showcases GVSU’s robust art collection, a community garden that grew into so much more

crowd seated on grass outside Kirkhof Center for a concert

Alumni Stories

A graduate races around the world, seeking stories of happiness; the Kirkhof Center celebrates a milestone

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable Agriculture Project

Community garden grows into community space

Now at four acres, the Sustainable Agriculture Project got its start in 2008 when a group of students took on the challenge of creating a community garden on campus.

person in red moves between rows of green in a garden

ALUMNI FEATURE

Journey of happiness

Alumnus filmmaker races across the world to break a world record, while collecting stories of happiness along the way.

Michael Zervos sits on a rock in the Pacific Ocean