Campus Comes Alive:
GVSU Move-in 2024
After a quiet summer, Grand Valley's campuses were bursting with life once again as new and returning Lakers moved into living centers, preparing for the 2024-25 year.
Lakers move-in on Allendale Campus
President Philomena V. Mantella said the moment students are back on campus is always a joyful one.
“The campus comes alive in an incredible way,” she said. “The students are starting a new part of the journey, and the families are making a transition of some kind or another.
“You feel the excitement and joy and then the awesome responsibility to be sure that everything we're doing here is caring for that moment in time and life.”
Over at the Frey Living Center, a first-year student, Camden Stec, and his family were gathering his belongings on the lawn after a three-hour drive from their home in southeast Michigan.
Camden’s mom, Tiffany, said they toured several universities but found Grand Valley to be the place for him.
“This was the first place we toured over a year ago,” she said. “It was the first one we came to see, and we just loved it.”
The Niemeyer Living Center RAs do a handshake cheer before vehicles start arriving for move-in on August 19.
The Niemeyer Living Center RAs do a handshake cheer before vehicles start arriving for move-in on August 19.
President Mantella takes a turn directing traffic with Louie the Laker during move-in.
President Mantella takes a turn directing traffic with Louie the Laker during move-in.
Jaylen White gets a handshake from an RA while waiting in line for move-in.
Jaylen White gets a handshake from an RA while waiting in line for move-in.
Layla Hoskins, left, along with her mom Tonya Hoskins, carry belongings into her living center during move-in.
Layla Hoskins, left, along with her mom Tonya Hoskins, carry belongings into her living center during move-in.
Philly on the Street: Freshman Philly
President Philomena V. Mantella hit the streets (and living centers) during move-in week to give the newest Lakers a special welcome.
Philly on the Street: Freshman Philly
President Philomena V. Mantella hit the streets (and living centers) during move-in week to give the newest Lakers a special welcome.
Home sweet home
As Lakers make themselves at home, living centers that were once blank and bland are now decorated and personalized, showcasing students' diverse personalities. Becca Dewey, a psychology major, moved into Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center for her junior year. Swipe down to see a before and after transformation of her living space.
Grand Valley Pioneer class members help newest Lakers move in
Among the many groups of volunteers helping students move into their living centers were three members of Grand Valley’s pioneer class: Alan Bosch, Mary Ohm and Tom Ebels, '67.
“We couldn’t move in… because there were no dorms yet,” said Ohm, reflecting on her time at GVSU, when it truly was a college in a cornfield. “We had one building and an unpaved parking lot.”
When asked about advice for current students, Bosch said: “Get involved with as many things as you can. The different organizations, different concerts they have, the football games. Don't stay in your dorm. Get to know other people."
GVSU alumni from the pioneer class of '67, Mary Ohm, Alan Bosch and Tom Ebels, give an Anchor Up sign during move-in.
GVSU alumni from the pioneer class of '67, Mary Ohm, Alan Bosch and Tom Ebels, give an Anchor Up sign during move-in.
Grand Valley Pioneer class members help newest Lakers move in
Among the many groups of volunteers helping students move into their living centers were three members of Grand Valley’s pioneer class: Alan Bosch, Mary Ohm and Tom Ebels, '67.
“We couldn’t move in… because there were no dorms yet,” said Ohm, reflecting on her time at GVSU, when it truly was a college in a cornfield. “We had one building and an unpaved parking lot.”
When asked about advice for current students, Bosch said: “Get involved with as many things as you can. The different organizations, different concerts they have, the football games. Don't stay in your dorm. Get to know other people."
GVSU alumni from the pioneer class of '67, Mary Ohm, Alan Bosch and Tom Ebels, give the Anchor Up sign during move-in.
GVSU alumni from the pioneer class of '67, Mary Ohm, Alan Bosch and Tom Ebels, give the Anchor Up sign during move-in.
Finding community: Affinity group orientations
Lin Bardwell, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, talks with students during Native American Maajtaadaa! Student orientation.
Lin Bardwell, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, talks with students during Native American Maajtaadaa! Student orientation.
Students from Laker Familia and Black Excellence affinity groups pose for a photo during move-in.
Students from Laker Familia and Black Excellence affinity groups pose for a photo during move-in.
Senior Asian Student orientation leader Brandon Minor plays pool with fellow leaders.
Senior Asian Student orientation leader Brandon Minor plays pool with fellow leaders.
Dancers with the student organization Monarcas perform traditional Mexican folkloric dances during the Laker Familia Kickoff.
Dancers with the student organization Monarcas perform traditional Mexican folkloric dances during the Laker Familia Kickoff.
The first day of affinity group orientation began at 9 a.m. in the Fieldhouse parking lot, where staff members from Housing and Residence Life and Grand Valley Police Department directed cars loaded with students, their supporters and their belongings to living centers.
Jalen White was behind the wheel of the first car in line. His parents, Clarence and Charisse, followed closely behind. The two-car caravan wound its way to White's new home.
White, from Detroit, said he was "feeling nostalgic" but ready to dive into the schedule prepared by Black Excellence Orientation leaders. "It's nice to have this early experience on campus and to learn the environment around me," said White, who plans to study psychology.
Clarence White, after carrying boxes upstairs to Jalen's room, called this life moment "a necessary good thing."
"I'm trying not to be sad. You raise them and need to let them go," he said.
Veterans orientation returns
Student veterans attend the Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center's orientation program.
Student veterans attend the Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center's orientation program.
President Mantella speaks with veterans during orientation at the Kirkhof Center Veterans Lounge on August 21.
President Mantella speaks with veterans during orientation at the Kirkhof Center Veterans Lounge on August 21.
The Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center held a Military Connected/Student Veteran Orientation on August 21, the center's first orientation since a one-time event prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bringing the veterans orientation back is something Director Shane Scherer called a necessity.
“Resources are significantly different for adult learners and veterans versus your traditional students,” Scherer said. “We are connecting them with resources tailored specifically to veterans and things they are going to come in contact with in their college career.”
Downtown move-in
GVSU wrapped up its move-in week Aug. 23 on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Friday’s move-in was not the first for many of the students moving into the Secchia and Winter Halls. That experience has helped many of them streamline the process.
Whether or not it is their first time living downtown, each student had their own reason for residing on the Pew Campus.
Proximity to classes was an important factor for Emre Sozen, a computer engineering major. “The engineering building is not even a minute away,” said Sozen, who is living downtown for the second time. “I also really love the dorm that they provide for us. It’s basically like a one bedroom apartment.”
For Ava Schuyler, the opportunity to experience a different environment from the Allendale campus brought her downtown. “I’m excited to see what downtown is all about,” said Schuyler. “There are more community events over here instead of just GV events.”
A welcome sign greets Lakers moving in on GVSU's Pew Campus on August 23.
A welcome sign greets Lakers moving in on GVSU's Pew Campus on August 23.
Landon Mesler, left, gets help unloading belongings from Mesler's grandmother, Debbie Duncan, during move-in.
Landon Mesler, left, gets help unloading belongings from Mesler's grandmother, Debbie Duncan, during move-in.
Madison Parrinello, center, gets help moving in her belongings from her younger brother and her roommate.
Madison Parrinello, center, gets help moving in her belongings from her younger brother and her roommate.
A student moves into Winter Hall on Grand Valley's Pew Campus with the help of their family.
A student moves into Winter Hall on Grand Valley's Pew Campus with the help of their family.
Highlights from move-in week: Convocation, class photos and finding connection
Highlights from move-in week: Convocation, class photos and finding connection
"As you look around this arena, know this: You belong here. Each of you is meant to be here, and each of you deserves the best education we can provide."
- Acting Provost Jennifer Drake
Speakers during the Convocation ceremony gave their interpretations of what a Grand Valley education means and offered advice and encouragement to new students who gathered in the Fieldhouse Arena August 22.
President Philomena V. Mantella said a Grand Valley education is specific to the student who is shaping it yet it contains ingredients common to all learners.
"The real magic is our guides, the faculty or staff with a deep commitment to you, your path and your passions," Mantella said. "These are the people shaping and lighting up your journey."
Jennifer Drake, acting provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, encouraged students to adopt a mindset of curiosity and discovery. Drake also asked the audience to consider what impact they want to make and how they will grow during their years at Grand Valley.
"Only you can answer these questions, and you are not alone on this journey," Drake said. "As you look around this arena, know this: You belong here. Each of you is meant to be here, and each of you deserves the best education we can provide."
President Mantella waves at the crowd of students during Convocation.
President Mantella waves at the crowd of students during Convocation.
Gerry Cooke, program director of mentorship for the Seidman College of Business, pumps up the audience while processing with other faculty and staff members.
Gerry Cooke, program director of mentorship for the Seidman College of Business, pumps up the audience while processing with other faculty and staff members.
Students hold up their phones with their flashlights on at the end of Convocation.
Students hold up their phones with their flashlights on at the end of Convocation.
