Water is a connecting force between people all over the world. It’s a necessity for life and a central focus of the Laker community because of our proximity to beautiful bodies of water like the Grand River and Lake Michigan. This was the inspiration behind GVSU’s Making Waves Initiative. Through various water-related classes and events, the Making Waves Initiative aims to unite the GV community and inspire collaboration among students, faculty, and staff.

The program will work to define Grand Valley as an institution and use discussions of water to prepare students for the real world. Additionally, the two-year campaign encourages students to learn more about GV’s extensive sustainability efforts and work to engage the entire campus community.

This school year and next, GVSU is offering courses that students can take to truly get immersed in the program and further connected within the Laker community. Some of these classes, such as BIO 323 Aquatic Wetland and Plants, allow students to study the science of water and how it impacts our ecosystem and the world. Other courses, such as ENG 383 Literature and the Environment, focus on literary texts that explore a range of issues and the relationship between human beings and the natural world.