Feature Stories
Mary K. (Schneider) Ohm, '67 & '88
Mary K. Ohm earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature in 1967, having the distinction of being part of Grand Valley’s Pioneer Class. She also earned a Master of Education from GVSU in 1988.
As an involved member of the first-ever graduating class, Mary has continuously given of her time and energy to Grand Valley since its earliest days. She has always been among the first to step forward in support of her alma mater, helping to create the tradition of excellence that the University is known for today.
During her senior year, Mary sat on the committee for the formation of the GVSU Alumni Association and was one of the initial members of the Association’s advisory board, serving as secretary in 1969. She has remained actively involved and continues to be an ever-present volunteer at alumni events and programs, including Habitat for Humanity builds, Freshman Move In, Grad Fest, Homecoming and alumni community service projects.
She also regularly volunteers for WGVU, Grand Valley’s public broadcasting station, manning pledge drives, auctions, and other fundraising events. In recognition for her dedicated service, she was recently named WGVU’s Volunteer of the Month.
GVSU is just one of the many causes that Mary champions. A retired teacher from the Grand Rapids Public School district, she dedicates much of her time to helping in her community. She delivers Meals on Wheels, mentors students through Kids Hope, acts as a traveling light house keeper, is a regular volunteer at Frederik Meijer Gardens, and has helped with ArtPrize and other community events, to name just a few of her volunteer endeavors. She is a shining example of the best of the GVSU alumni community, in word, deed, and spirit.
For her longstanding loyalty, energy, and service, it is with great pleasure that we present Mary K. Ohm with the 2010 Grand Valley State University Alumni Service Award.
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