Mantella: 'Our work is worthy, it's essential and it's absolutely thrilling'

Knowledge is the only currency that grows exponentially by sparking the new ideas, insights and innovations that propel it to continually bloom, President Philomena V. Mantella said August 20 at the annual University Address.

During her remarks in the courtyard of the DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus, Mantella emphasized how education carries enormous value by encouraging critical thinking, fostering a more inclusive and interconnected society, nurturing individuals' skills and abilities and enhancing personal and professional growth.

"Our work is worthy, it's essential and it's absolutely thrilling," Mantella said. "Knowledge is the holy grail and we are all lucky enough to be in the knowledge business. And frankly, there's no better business to be in."

With 2025 nigh, Mantella praised her colleagues for the progress made in delivering on the mission of GVSU’s Reach Higher 2025 strategic plan. She offered several examples of successes.

• GVSU is on pace for another large and diverse incoming class, despite demographic challenges and significant issues at the federal level with FAFSA. In addition, there are improvements in retention; an additional 15 advisors and a new exploratory advising center are helping in those efforts.
• For the first time since 2016, Grand Valley has been in a position to grow faculty. This fall, GVSU has added more than 150 new faculty members, which is a net increase of 48 for full-time and tenure-track faculty.
• The creation of Omni at Grand Valley State University is boosting opportunities for location-bound Michiganders by enriching learning and career experiences in their regions.
• The new College of Computing and the continuing development of the Blue Dot ecosystem are part of expanding support for the digital transformation touching every industry.
• Philanthropy and sponsored program support has flourished. So far, GVSU has raised more than $30 million, the second-highest year in university history. In addition, GVSU has secured more than $26 million in research funding, government sponsorships, earmarks and grants for applied research, support services and scholarship.
• Other Impactful work includes the CLAS Voyage ; a $1.8 million grant awarded to the College of Health Professions to address a shortage of rural physician assistants trained in behavioral health services ; state funding for the College of Education and Community Innovation to support future teachers through the West Michigan Teacher Collaborative and a $10.3 million donation from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to expand GVSU offerings through Omni in Battle Creek.

The key to achievement is to face strong headwinds with courage and purpose, as well as the agility that has been GVSU's guiding principle, while embracing the humility to ask if there is a better way, Mantella said.

Noting that the nation is entering a fall that "promises to engage us in polarized political discourse, geopolitical conflict and the numerous complexities of our time," Mantella said it's important to deepen the commitment to inclusive and respectful dialogue.

"We can't ask of students what we do not exhibit ourselves. Together, we can set the standard and choose, every day, to care," Mantella said. "I'm grateful for the diverse perspectives that enrich our work and the ability to disagree with care and respect as we seek alignment around the profound purpose, value and impact of our work."

The address included remarks from Courtney Karasinski, chair of the University Academic Senate, who also acknowledged attendees including Board of Trustees Chair Beth Emmitt, President Emeritus Thomas J. Haas and Marcia Haas, faculty and staff members.

"This is always a special time filled with pride and anticipation as we welcome back our students and prepare to continue doing what we love," Karasinski said. "It is a privilege to be part of a university community that since its founding has always embraced collaboration and doing whatever it takes to help students succeed and help our school grow."

Jennifer Drake, acting provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, closed the address by telling audience members, "Our work is powerful and our work is empowering." Then Drake, an English scholar, read by a poem, noting, "The more poetry the better; the more art, the better."

The poem by Alberto Álvaro Ríos is titled "Don’t Go Into the Library," which is a tribute to the appeal of libraries. The poem ends:

"The library is dangerous, full

Of answers. If you go inside,

You may not come out

The same person who went in."