Vendor donates to scholarship fund for veterans

Three days a week during ArtPrize, Grand Valley student Steve Brown can be found downtown with his hot dog stand selling Michigan-made soda and hotdogs for a special cause.

Ten percent of his profits will be donated to benefit the WGVU LZ Veteran Scholarship.

Brown, who served a total of 11 years in the U.S. Army and National Guard, is back in the classroom to earn a degree in criminal justice. Currently, he works for Steven Lipnicki, assistant dean of students, assisting with the Veteran’s Network, which helps veterans on campus and in the community.

Brown said he is amazed at the support and advocacy that the university gives to veterans to make it possible to return back to school.

“Many veterans are facing physical and psychological disabilities, like PTSD or memory loss, and it can make it very difficult to receive a college degree, but Grand Valley provides so much support to help them succeed,” he said.

Brown will staff his hot dog cart Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through the end of ArtPrize, October 6.