Grand Valley joins Gov. Snyder in Germany

Grand Valley was among a group of universities that accompanied Gov. Rick Snyder on his trip to Germany last week.

Arnold (Arn) Boezaart, director of Grand Valley’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center, and Robert Smart, executive director of the Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence, represented Grand Valley on the trip. They met with Snyder, officials from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and German researchers, scientists and industry leaders.

Boezaart said it was a great opportunity to develop new relationships. “It was a chance to showcase what Grand Valley and West Michigan have to offer,” he said. “We shared information about how Grand Valley can be a participant in and contributor to technology and economic development, and discussed the research we’re doing at the university,” he said.

Associate professor of occupational therapy Jeanine Beasley was also present at a reception in Germany, where she met Snyder.