Grand Valley honors veterans

Grand Valley celebrated students, faculty and staff members who are veterans or active military members during the Veterans Day Breakfast November 10. The seventh annual event was hosted by President Thomas J. Haas, a retired captain in the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Haas thanked all veterans who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines, as well as ROTC students. He highlighted support services, including a grant Grand Valley recently received to establish a TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program that will support veterans with degree completion.

"Grand Valley is proud to serve those who served us," Haas said. "This new program joins a variety of support services and programs that allow us to continue our commitment to helping veterans and service members succeed during their time at Grand Valley."

There are currently 677 student veterans and dependents attending Grand Valley, including 402 veterans using G.I. Bill benefits. 

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) attended the event, as well as members from the American Legion Walter Durkee Post 311 in Grand Rapids. Euphoria, a student acapella group, kicked off the event with a performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. 

Veterans will also be celebrated November 11 at Grand Valley's football game against Tiffin University at 1 p.m. at Lubbers Stadium. The game will kick off with a special appearance by a group of professional skydivers who will deliver the game ball by landing on midfield of the stadium. The Laker football team will wear a special uniform inspired by the U.S. Navy, and two veterans will be recognized and deemed honorary game day captains. 

Grand Valley has received national recognition for its commitment to veterans. Most recently, the university received gold status — the highest status — from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for its dedication to student veterans and dependents of G.I. Bill and other education benefits.

Learn more about Grand Valley's Student Veterans Network at gvsu.edu/veterans. Learn more about the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program at www.gvsu.edu/vub.