Fall Class of 2024 honored during Commencement ceremony

Van Andel Arena was filled with over 1,000 graduates alongside their supporters, faculty and staff as the GVSU community celebrated the Fall 2024 graduating class.

President Philomena V. Mantella welcomed graduates and commended the courage and persistence they displayed throughout their time at Grand Valley, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Your time at Grand Valley has been marked by uncertainty – by moments that demanded you pivot, adapt, and reimagine what your future could look like,” Mantella noted. “You have shown remarkable courage, and courage will remain one of your greatest allies. It will be the foundation that allows you to take risks, face change with grace and pursue your dreams even when the world is unpredictable.”

The ceremony’s student speaker was Hannah Hosfelt, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education. Hosfelt shared her struggles adapting to her new life as a college student during the pandemic. To help find the bright side through her struggles, she began writing down “Little Joys”: One moment every day that made her smile. 

“They began just that: Little,” Hosfelt recalled. “‘September 21, 2020: I made it back to my dorm with all of my groceries in one trip!’, ‘October 3, 2020: I remembered my ID today!’ But, as I grew on Grand Valley’s campus, so did they. As my sophomore year began, my first entry echoed just that. ‘I have my first in-person college class today!’ Followed closely behind by ‘I joined a club!’”

Hosfelt closed her remarks with the final little joy of her college career: “‘December 7, 2024: We did it!’”

MORE : Read more about Hosfelt and other graduating Lakers .

Following a performance of John Legend’s “If You’re Out There” by GVSU students Natalie Tripp, Madeline Cooper, Andrew Hardy and Nolan VanHouten and faculty member Chris Petersmark, guest speaker Chris Hammer, ‘09, shared his remarks. Hammer, who ran track and cross country in his time at GVSU, is a world and Paralympic champion and a 2022 inductee into GVSU Athletics’ Hall of Fame . 

Hammer recounted an experience training for a para-triathlon in 2013. During an open-water training session for the swimming portion of the event, he had a panic attack, doubting his ability to participate in a para-triathlon.

“I was thinking, ‘I can't do this, I'm going to quit, but I probably won't even have the opportunity to swim back to shore and tell them that I quit because I'll probably get eaten by a shark because, after all, we're in the ocean,’” Hammer reflected. “But I realized something. I realized that I've never given up on anything in my life because it was too hard.”

This mindset shaped his life, giving him the strength and persistence necessary to reach the many achievements he now holds. The journey that lies ahead for graduates will not always be easy, but it will be their courage, Hammer noted, that will see them through.

“You will face setbacks. You will taste failure. You will know defeat. What I want for you is the courage to not give up, to keep pursuing excellence.”

Mantella and Jennifer Drake, acting provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, led the conferring of degrees. Graduates moved their tassels and were dismissed as official members of the Fall Class of 2024.

Graduates and their supporters have the opportunity to purchase Commencement mementos as well as DVDs of the ceremony.