Feature Stories
Bill Hudson, '78
Bill Hudson '78 truly is a Laker for a Lifetime. A loyal member of the Grand Valley community, Bill has maintained active involvement and support for his alma mater for the past 38 years, giving back in a number of different ways.
Bill received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Corrections from Grand Valley in 1978. As a student, Bill pursued his love of football with the Laker Navy, ultimately finishing his career as a four-year letter winner and three year starting offensive center. In 1976, Bill received all GLIAC honors and was elected by his teammates as the "Most Valuable Offensive Lineman".
A former Training Administrator for the Michigan Department of Corrections, Bill has found ways to share his 32 years of knowledge and experience with students in the School of Criminal Justice. Over the years, Bill has volunteered his time to speak in Criminal Justice classes and represent the department at the annual Grand Valley Academic Majors Fair. Bill’s involvement with Grand Valley grew when, in 2014, his daughter Kelli received her doctorate in physical therapy. Seeing an opportunity to support students in the health sciences, Bill took up working part-time as a Standardized Patient in Grand Valley’s Simulation Center where he was poked, scanned, interviewed, and examined by Grand Valley’s aspiring health professionals.
In all that Bill had done for Grand Valley, his greatest point of pride has been in his work with the Grand Valley Football Alumni Association. A charter board member since the creation of the Football Alumni Association in 1986, Bill has held the elected offices of Treasurer, Vice President and President. During this time, Bill helped establish the Football Alumni Endowment Fund supporting the operation of the Laker football program. To this day, Bill still donates his time working at summertime cookouts for the team, catering Monday night meals for coaches during the playoff season, and working the grill at the training camp cookout at the start of each season.
Bill and his wife Sue currently reside in Lake Odessa. Together, they enjoy traveling, hosting family events on the lake and, of course, attending Grand Valley football games and university functions throughout the year.
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