It's all in the family for four GVSU students

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- When Jerry Kooiman started working on his master's degree at Grand Valley State University this fall, the former state legislator found himself in familiar company — his three children.

Kooiman, who now serves as assistant dean for external relations for Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine, is working on a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in health care. He joins his daughter, Sarah, 22, who is majoring in hospitality and tourism management. His son Matt, 20, transferred to Grand Valley this fall to study public administration with an emphasis in health care and a minor in business. Youngest daughter Katie, 18, is a social work major.

They haven’t run into each other much on campus, but the shared experience has had an impact on conversation during family gatherings.

“They’re teaching me how to use Blackboard,” Jerry said, referring to the online classroom management tools that are commonly used these days. “The first time the professor said something about putting something up on Blackboard, I had to come home and ask my kids what that was.”

The quartet of Kooimans will only be current students for a short time — Sarah will graduate on Saturday. She will continue to put her hospitality studies to work at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, where she currently works and had several internships.

Each of the Kooimans said they selected Grand Valley for individual reasons. Given his current work at Michigan State, Jerry understands the value of higher education. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1984 and turned to Grand Valley when he wanted to bolster his credentials. “I have had a lot of work experience, but I wanted to get the educational background to help further my career,” Jerry said. “Grand Valley has a good master’s program, and since I work and live in Grand Rapids it is much more convenient for me than going to Michigan State.”

Sarah picked Grand Valley over Calvin College, which is where her father (and many of her Grand Rapids Christian High School classmates) went. “I had heard good things about Grand Valley,” Sarah said. “I wanted to be close to home, but not too close to home.”

Matt started off his career at the University of Michigan as an engineering major, but decided he wanted to switch fields to public administration. “I knew about the class sizes at Grand Valley, and they had the major that I wanted,” he said.

Katie considered going to Michigan State but decided she would be more comfortable at Grand Valley. “I liked Michigan State, but it was huge — much bigger of a college than I wanted to go to,” she said.