Grand Valley mourns death of Grand Valley University Foundation advisory cabinet member

The Grand Valley community is mourning the death of philanthropist and Grand Valley University Foundation member John (Jack) Batts, who died on November 30 at age 87. 

Batts, an avid sailor and industrialist, was a longtime supporter of Grand Valley and took part in campaigns to support numerous projects at the university. 

Batts served the Grand Valley University Foundation as a director for 30 years, most recently serving on the advisory cabinet. 

“Jack will be greatly missed by all of us here at Grand Valley,” Grand Valley President Thomas J. Haas said. “His leadership in expanding the university into downtown Grand Rapids and his generous support throughout the years is much appreciated. He will always hold a special place in our hearts.”

Batts helped secure resources to increase Grand Valley’s presence in downtown Grand Rapids, and served as an honorary chairperson for the fundraising campaign that established the Richard M. DeVos Center, which received major support from his family foundation. He was also an early leader in helping generate support for the Annis Water Resources Institute in Muskegon.

His involvement as a member of the capital campaign committees for both the Keller Engineering Laboratory and the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences also significantly benefited Grand Valley. To recognize his contributions that helped make the facility possible, the fifth floor of the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences Building was named for Jack and his wife Nancy. 

Generous support for the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons from the Batts family was also recognized by the naming of the library’s second floor in their honor. 

Batts was also commended for his leadership as an honoree at the Grand Valley University Foundation’s 2002 Enrichment Dinner.

“Jack was a close personal friend,” Grand Valley President Emeritus Arend ‘Don’ Lubbers said. “It saddens me when friends leave us. Jack was also a friend of Grand Valley and contributed significantly to what the university has become.”