Rita Grant is an Associate Professor in the School of Accounting and teaches financial and international accounting. Her research interests include international reporting, entrepreneurship and family-owned business. Rita has been a loyal donor to Grand Valley State University for 36 years, making her a part of the valued Lubbers Society. In addition to her support of accounting students, she has also supported program funds, priorities in Seidman College of Business, and other areas of the university. Rita considers giving to an endowed scholarship an important investment in the future. 

Getting to know Rita:

1. Rita, tell us a little about yourself (family, hobbies, etc.)  

I am married to my husband, John, and have two children, Sara and Michael (a GVSU alumni) and three grandchildren.  Our family enjoys skiing in the Michigan winter and beach activities in the summer since we live on Lake Michigan.  I love to travel and have been fortunate enough to travel far and wide.

2. How long have you been with Grand Valley? 

I have been with Grand Valley for 41 years.

3. What are some of your best memories of being at GVSU?  

My best memories are when one of my students would come in to my office to tell me they landed their dream internship or job or passed a part of the CPA exam.  It is always a great experience to see your students achieve their goals.

4. What got you into teaching financial and international accounting?  

The entire economy depends on a true and transparent reporting system.  Financial accounting provides that.  International accounting makes sense because it fits with my love of travel.

5. What are your favorite things about teaching in the School of Accounting at GVSU? 

The students and colleagues. I have been blessed to work with talented and dedicated colleagues, and our accounting majors are great people.  They are bright, hard-working and good people.  So many of my former students are real leaders in our community today.

6. You are an executive board member of the International Council for Small Business. What prompted this interest in small businesses?  

West Michigan is a hotbed for entrepreneurial spirit, so it made sense to be involved in an organization that promotes entrepreneurship.

7. Do you have a few favorite small businesses that you like to support? 

One that comes to mind is Kennedy Floral.  The owner, Lori (a GVSU alumna) started working there in high school and while attending GVSU.  It was a very small shop.  She later bought it, moved it to East Grand Rapids and eventually to a bigger store in Cascade.  Since being at her current location, she has expanded the store to almost double the original size.  She is a great example of an innovative entrepreneur.  She is always coming up with new ideas to grow her business and it is a very happy place to visit.

8. You have been a 36-year loyal donor of GVSU, specifically in support of accounting students. Why do you feel that it is so important?  

My husband and I are very fortunate to have been able to obtain great educations that allowed us to have rewarding careers.  I am a first-generation college student and my family could not afford to pay all my college costs.  I was lucky to receive scholarships and have a crazy collection of part-time jobs.  Many of my students are also facing a gap between the cost of college and the resources they have available.  These students have great potential and will make a difference in our world.  I was blessed by people willing to fund scholarships that made my education possible.  I can’t pay them back but I can show my gratitude by returning the favor to students in the future.  I consider giving to an endowed scholarship an important investment in the future.

9. You rallied your colleagues to help establish the Accounting Faculty Scholarship. What benefit to students do you hope to see from this scholarship?  

I know what it is like to look at an empty wallet as a student and wonder how I can make ends meet.  I would wish that this scholarship would relieve some students of some of that worry. Additionally, when we started that scholarship, we set a goal of raising $35,000 from the School of Accounting faculty within five years.  It took us less than three years.  The School of Accounting faculty have always been generous in their support of student scholarships.

10. What would you say to others to encourage giving back? 

Think about what a difference you can make in someone’s life and how they can contribute to the well-being of the population as a whole.  If we all contribute, no matter how insignificant it may look to you, it can add up to something powerful.

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