Hundreds of students toast to graduation with President Haas

Nearly 500 students joined President Thomas J. Haas April 16 for a toast — and a series of selfies — to celebrate their upcoming graduation.

Toast with T. Haas, which took place in the L. V. Eberhard Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus, is a campus tradition that began in 2013. It is held at the end of the fall and winter semesters for graduating undergraduate and graduate students.

“Whenever I’m asked about the best part of my job, I always say the students,” said Haas during the toast. “We have a great university and it’s because of all of you — our students, I’m so proud of you all.”

Student Senate President Ricardo Benavidez joined Haas for the toast. “Whatever your favorite memory of Grand Valley is, tonight is all about celebration and reminiscing on your time at Grand Valley and how you’re a Laker for a Lifetime,” he said.

Grand Valley will celebrate graduating students at two commencement ceremonies April 26 at Van Andel Arena.

For more information about Laker for a Lifetime, visit www.gvsu.edu/lakerforalifetime.