Selgo surprised by scholarship named in his honor

Athletic director Tim Selgo thought he was attending an alumni reception to give a brief update on Laker athletics.

He didn't know that the 45-plus people in the room were there to surprise Selgo and his wife, Terry, by announcing they established a scholarship to honor them.

The Tim and Terry Selgo Student Athlete Endowed Scholarship began covertly last fall, according to Kim Schmidt, associate director of Alumni Relations. "Two alumni approached me and wanted to do something to honor Tim," Schmidt said, adding that the fund snowballed quickly. 

In August, Selgo announced plans to retire at the end of this academic year after leading Laker athletics for 20 years.

The scholarship fund reached endowment status and will be disbursed in the fall. It will benefit student athletes who have completed their athletics eligibility but still have some coursework remaining to complete their degree. The scholarship will be distributed to those who demonstrate financial need.

Selgo's entire family was at the December 8 reception at the DeVos Center. "It was truly a wonderful evening and was very special to me that Kim, Grand Valley's athletics staff members, and so many friends and supporters of Laker Athletics would begin this fund in our name and come out on a December weekday for this reception," Selgo said. "It was a special night to remember."

Donations to the scholarship can be made online at www.gvsu.edu/giving/selgo.