Photo Gallery
Voices of GVSU: Activism through the Decades (12 Photos)
In February 2017, the Kutsche Office of Local History in partnership with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship and Special Collections & Archives hosted an exhibit highlighting student activism at the university form its founding until 1979. Featuring university photographs and articles in The Lanthorn, the exhibit underscored students’ social justice efforts. The exhibit also included more recent examples of student activism on campus, inviting viewers to consider the question “How do you define activism?” Special thanks to Andrew Collier, who served as the OURS Undergraduate Research Assistant on this project, and undergraduate student Courtney Wagasky, who designed the exhibit posters.
8th Annual Local History Roundtable (52 Photos)
Held on Thursday, March 23, 2017 in GVSU's Mary Idema Pew Library and Kirkhof Center (Allendale, Michigan), the 8th Annual Local History Roundtable focused on the theme "Reconstructing Home." Highlights included presentations by Professor Bich (Beth) Minh Nguyen (MFA in Writing Program at University of San Francisco). Julie Tabberer, head of the Grand Rapids Public Library's Local History Department, and Nathan Nietering, Executive Director of Saugatuck Douglas History Center, as well as a panel discussion on the value of History Harvests, focusing on work in Oceana County.
Contemporary Examples of Activism: Student Perspectives (64 Photos)
On Thursday, February 9, 2017, a panel of undergraduate students discussed their experiences organizing on campus and how they view their social justice work. They reflected on what propelled their advocacy and work in various campus organizations.
Grand Rapids and Social Activism in Today's Political Climate: Connecting the Broader Movement to the Local Experiment (32 Photos)
Grand Rapids and Social Activism in Today's Political Climate:
Connecting the Broader Movement to the Local Experiment
A
resurgence in social activism occurred within the last five years.
Nationally, protests and boycotts reflect a desire and movement for
change that addresses societal inequalities. Dr. Louis Moore will give
a presentation examining how the national movement and actions towards
social justice impacts the local experience of those living in West
Michigan. He will highlight the origins, evolution, and deeper meaning
of the movement and how activism in today’s political climate
interacts with higher education. This presentation is sponsored by the
Kutsche Office of Local History and is part of its project, “Histories
of Student Activism at GVSU.”
Nuestra Comunidad Hispana (100 Photos)
Focusing on Holland, Michigan's Latino communities, this project collected over 50 oral histories between August and November 2016. Those materials are permanently archived in the Herrick District Library. Everyone who participated in the project received a free copy of their photograph and oral history at a special reception held February 28, 2017 at Herrick District Library. These photos are from that reception.
Telling Your Story--Holland High School (56 Photos)
On November 9, 2016 Kimberly McKee facilitated a "Telling Your Story" workshop for Holland High School seniors. She discussed the importance of oral history and storytelling traditions as a method to preserve personal and community histories. Students reflect on how social media is a twenty-first century archive.
Lunch with the Kutsche Office and "Getting it Right" Workshop (47 Photos)
Over 40 members of local community organizations gathered for lunch and discussion on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Mary Idema Pew Library and Information Commons. Following lunch, Dr. James Smither, Professor of History at GVSU, and Director of the GVSU Veterans History Project facilitated the workshop, "Getting it Right: The Best (and Worst) Practices of Oral History", which was attended by students and community members.
Growing Community: History Harvest (45 Photos)
Held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 in the Hart Community Room (Hart, Michigan), this community "History Harvest" offered a chance for individuals and families to have portraits taken, record oral histories, and have family photos, scrapbooks, and memorabilia scanned as part of the "Growing Community: Oceana's Agricultural History Project." This project is supported by a Common Heritage Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Native American Exhibit and Oral History Celebration (11 Photos)
The Gi-gikinomaage-min ("We are all teachers"): Defend Our History, Unlock Your Spirit Project is dedicated to documenting the urban Native American experience in Grand Rapids. On Tuesday, May 17, 2016, community and project team members gathered in the Grand Rapids Public Museum for guided tours of the Museum's Native American exhibits, a reception, and oral history celebration. This effort is a collaboration among GVSU's Kutsche Office of Local History, Native American Advisory Board, Office of Multicultural Affairs, GVSU Libraries' Special Collections & University Archives, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and the Grand Rapids Public Library. It is supported in part by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Growing Community: Community Training (5 Photos)
The "Growing Community" project is supported in part by a Common Heritage grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. A collaboration among GVSU, El Centro Hispano de Oceana County, and the Oceana County Historical and Genealogical Society, its goal is to collect stories and digital copies of photos, letters, scrapbooks, and related materials that will tell the history of Oceana's agricultural communities for the first time.
On Monday, May 16, 2016, project team members held a community luncheon and training session in the Hart Community Room. Many thanks to Penny Burillo, Eva Berumen, Walter Urick, Courtney Sherwood, Kassie O'Brien, Nora Salas, Andy Schlewitz, Bri Luginbill, and all of the community members who made this event such a success.
Upcoming events include an all-day Community History Harvest event on Saturday, June 18 in the Hart Community Room and Hart Public Library.
