In Bloom
Gardens of Grand Valley’s First Ladies
STORY BY SARAH DUDINETZ
PHOTOS BY KENDRA STANLEY-MILLS
ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHRISTINE O‘BRIEN
In the quiet corners of campus, Grand Valley’s four first ladies, revered for their leadership and contributions to the university, are immortalized through gardens.
“Our first ladies inspire me and I’m sure those of you who know them and everything they do feel the same way,” President Emeritus Thomas J. Haas remarked at the Elizabeth Murray Garden dedication. “They host events, build important partnerships and relationships, greet and mentor students, become role models for others, are asked for ideas and advice and are on call 24/7 as a sounding board for the person with the title of president.”
Here are the tranquil spaces that celebrate the legacies of Grand Valley’s leading women.
Marcia J. Haas Garden
The newest garden on campus was dedicated in August 2023 to Marcia Haas. Marcia served the university alongside her husband, President Emeritus Thomas J. Haas, from 2006-2019. The garden is located on the west side of the Haas Center for Performing Arts, a building and location that embodies the couple’s love for music. If you sit in the garden on a fall evening, you can hear the marching band rehearsing on a nearby practice field.
The location of the Marcia J. Haas Garden is shown in relation to the Haas Center for Performing Arts. It is collaged with illustrations of Shasta Daisies, Variegated Lily Turf and Dwarf Fountain Grass.
The location of the Marcia J. Haas Garden is shown in relation to the Haas Center for Performing Arts. It is collaged with illustrations of Shasta Daisies, Variegated Lily Turf and Dwarf Fountain Grass.
Marcia J. Haas Garden
The newest garden on campus was dedicated in August 2023 to Marcia Haas. Marcia served the university alongside her husband, President Emeritus Thomas J. Haas, from 2006-2019. The garden is located on the west side of the Haas Center for Performing Arts, a building and location that embodies the couple’s love for music. If you sit in the garden on a fall evening, you can hear the marching band rehearsing on a nearby practice field.
The location of the Marcia J. Haas Garden is shown in relation to the Haas Center for Performing Arts. It is collaged with illustrations of Shasta Daisies, Variegated Lily Turf and Dwarf Fountain Grass.
The location of the Marcia J. Haas Garden is shown in relation to the Haas Center for Performing Arts. It is collaged with illustrations of Shasta Daisies, Variegated Lily Turf and Dwarf Fountain Grass.
Elizabeth Murray Garden
The Murrays served Grand Valley from 2001-2006. Dedicated in September 2011, the Elizabeth Murray Garden is in the courtyard space of the Mark A. Murray Living Center, on the south end of the Allendale Campus. The space features many of Elizabeth’s favorite flowers, including delphiniums. During planning, the project’s landscape architect noted that the path through the garden, planned originally to curve to the right, would allow for better drainage if it curved to the left instead. Elizabeth herself felt this was more fitting, as she herself is left-handed.
The location of the Elizabeth Murray Garden is shown in relation to Murray Living Center. It is collaged with illustrations of Peony buds and Delphinium.
The location of the Elizabeth Murray Garden is shown in relation to Murray Living Center. It is collaged with illustrations of Peony buds and Delphiniums.
Elizabeth Murray Garden
The Murrays served Grand Valley from 2001-2006. Dedicated in September 2011, the Elizabeth Murray Garden is in the courtyard space of the Mark A. Murray Living Center, on the south end of the Allendale Campus. The space features many of Elizabeth’s favorite flowers, including delphiniums. During planning, the project’s landscape architect noted that the path through the garden, planned originally to curve to the right, would allow for better drainage if it curved to the left instead. Elizabeth herself felt this was more fitting, as she herself is left-handed.
The location of the Elizabeth Murray Garden is shown in relation to Murray Living Center. It is collaged with illustrations of Peony buds and Delphiniums.
The location of the Elizabeth Murray Garden is shown in relation to Murray Living Center. It is collaged with illustrations of Peony buds and Delphiniums.
Nancy Lubbers Garden
The only garden not located on the Allendale Campus is the Lubbers Garden, which is outside of the Regency Room of DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Walking on the north side of the sidewalk along Fulton Street, you may catch a glimpse of the garden through two metal gates. Nancy Lubbers was the longest-serving first lady in Grand Valley’s history, serving with her husband, President Emeritus Arend D. Lubbers, from 1969-2001.
The location of the Nancy Lubbers Garden is shown in relation to the Richard M. DeVos Center. It is collaged with illustrations of Chinese Tree Peony and Sawara False Cypress Boulevard.
The location of the Nancy Lubbers Garden is shown in relation to the Richard M. DeVos Center. It is collaged with illustrations of Chinese Tree Peony and Sawara False Cypress Boulevard.
Nancy Lubbers Garden
The only garden not located on the Allendale Campus is the Lubbers Garden, which is outside of the Regency Room of DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Walking on the north side of the sidewalk along Fulton Street, you may catch a glimpse of the garden through two metal gates. Nancy Lubbers was the longest-serving first lady in Grand Valley’s history, serving with her husband, President Emeritus Arend D. Lubbers, from 1969-2001.
The location of the Nancy Lubbers Garden is shown in relation to the Richard M. DeVos Center. It is collaged with illustrations of Chinese Tree Peony and Sawara False Cypress Boulevard.
The location of the Nancy Lubbers Garden is shown in relation to the Richard M. DeVos Center. It is collaged with illustrations of Chinese Tree Peony and Sawara False Cypress Boulevard.
Marilyn E. Zumberge Garden
Marilyn Zumberge was the wife of James Zumberge, who served as Grand Valley’s first president from 1963-1969. The Zumberge Garden was dedicated to Marilyn, who died in 2008, in August 2014. It is fittingly tucked near the northwest corner of Zumberge Hall, which served as the university’s first library and is now the administration building, aptly named in memory of her husband. Sitting in Zumberge Garden provides a beautiful view of Zumberge pond and the ever-bustling Kirkhof Center.
During the dedication ceremony, Marcia Haas said: “We hope that she would have liked the selection of the flowers, flowering shrubs and the design of the garden. It has been designed to be beautiful in every season. Most importantly, this garden will bring generations of students past a well-traveled junction on our campus to view the lovely reminder of [Marilyn’s] spirit and dedication to Grand Valley.”
The location of the Marilyn E. Zumberge Garden is shown in relation to Zumberge Hall. It is collaged with illustrations of Fothergilla and Japanese Rose.
The location of the Marilyn E. Zumberge Garden is shown in relation to Zumberge Hall. It is collaged with illustrations of Fothergilla and Japanese Rose.
Marilyn E. Zumberge Garden
Marilyn Zumberge was the wife of James Zumberge, who served as Grand Valley’s first president from 1963-1969. The Zumberge Garden was dedicated to Marilyn, who died in 2008, in August 2014. It is fittingly tucked near the northwest corner of Zumberge Hall, which served as the university’s first library and is now the administration building, aptly named in memory of her husband. Sitting in Zumberge Garden provides a beautiful view of Zumberge pond and the ever-bustling Kirkhof Center.
During the dedication ceremony, Marcia Haas said: “We hope that she would have liked the selection of the flowers, flowering shrubs and the design of the garden. It has been designed to be beautiful in every season. Most importantly, this garden will bring generations of students past a well-traveled junction on our campus to view the lovely reminder of [Marilyn’s] spirit and dedication to Grand Valley.”
The location of the Marilyn E. Zumberge Garden is shown in relation to Zumberge Hall. It is collaged with illustrations of Fothergilla and Japanese Rose.
The location of the Marilyn E. Zumberge Garden is shown in relation to Zumberge Hall. It is collaged with illustrations of Fothergilla and Japanese Rose.
More Grand Valley Gardens
Japanese
Garden
Located on the north side of Zumberge, next to the Marilyn Zumberge garden
Shakespeare Garden
Located near Lake Superior Hall, dedicated in 1993
Demonstration Garden
North of Au Sable Hall, an extension of the Sustainability Agricultural Project
Memorial Garden
Located behind the Cook-DeWitt Center, names of students and others with GVSU connections are etched on a wall
