Through 'Untold Stories,' GVSU will celebrate 60 years

GVSU turns 60 this year and the campus community will celebrate throughout the academic year by learning about the university’s history from leaders and unsung heroes.

President Philomena V. Mantella said the anniversary presents an opportunity to share the university’s milestones, engage the campus community and external partners and plan for the decades to come.

With the theme, “Celebrating the Stories Untold: Illuminating the Next Chapter,” Mantella explained a key concept of the celebration: telling the GVSU story in 60 seconds.

“Grand Valley has been built by many untold stories and we want to tell them throughout this year,” Mantella said. “People of all backgrounds have contributed in all different ways to make this university what it is today.”

Students, faculty and staff members, alumni and community members can tell their own 60-second Grand Valley stories. Upload a video to be included in the “60 for 60” online. 

The launch of the 60th anniversary coincides with Founders Day on October 25, the day the university was chartered by the State of Michigan in 1960.

Founders Day offers an opportunity to remember the nearly 300 West Michigan community members who rallied support and met the state’s $1 million challenge to establish Grand Valley.