2010s
2010
Grand Valley researchers across the disciplines receive $1.1 million in grants from the National Science Foundation.
The Board of Trustees approves the first completely online degree program, a master's in educational technology.
Enrollment: 24,541.
Grand Valley State University celebrates 50th anniversary year.
September 21
Officials break ground for the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning
and Information Commons.
October 5
Physician Assistant Studies receives more than $2 million in
grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand
its program.
October 27
More than 300 people attend Grand Valley's first TEDx event,
centered on sustainability.
November
Grand Valley and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital partner
and receive a U.S. Department of Defense grant to provide free
rehabilitation to Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans with traumatic
brain injuries.
March 1
The Mobile Applications and Services Lab in the School of
Computing and Information Systems launches first mobile app.
March 30
The Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies is named to honor
Holland residents Jim and Donna Brooks and their family.
2011
Many paintings by Grand Rapids artist Mathias J. Alten from the university's collection are exhibited in Naples, Florida, home to many seasonal and full-time Midwesterners and alumni, for a 50th anniversary event.
Seidman College of Business announces first full-time Master of Business Administration program (FIMBA)
March 15
Steve Ford accepts first Col. Ralph W. Hauenstein Fellowship
award in honor of his father, President Gerald R. Ford.
May 25
Officials break ground for the L. William Seidman Center on the
Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
June 8
Campus leaders announce that the first university comprehensive
campaign, Shaping Our Future, surpassed the original goal of $50
million and raised $95.3 million.
June 25
The Kelly Family Sports Center is dedicated, honoring Brian and
Paqui Kelly and their family.
Enrollment: 24,662.
September 12
Grand Valley and many West Michigan partners launch the 2012 Year
of Interfaith Understanding, designed to cultivate peace through
community interest and understanding of all faith traditions.
September 29
Results of fourth campus climate study show 90 percent of
students and 76 percent of faculty and staff members are comfortable
with the overall climate in their classes and workplaces.
November 4
The Board of Trustees approves a plan to request capital outlay
funds for a new science lab building on the Allendale Campus.
2012
Laker baseball team travels to Cuba for humanitarian mission, and to play against Cuban national team.
January 30
Association of College and Research Libraries presents Excellence
in Academic Libraries Award to Grand Valley.
Februrary 10
Board of Trustees approves constructing a new research building
for the Annis Water Resources Institute in Muskegon.
Women's Center celebrates 10 years.
Numerous events are planned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the partnership between GVSU and Kingston University in London.
Regional Math and Science Center hosts first G3 Camp: Grandparents, Grandkids, Grand Valley. More than 100 participate.
Sarah Zelenka, ’09, and her rowing partner finish fourth in women's pairs in the Summer Olympics.
Enrollment: 24,654, including a record number 370 international students.
2013
January 21
For the first time, university cancels classes on Martin Luther
King Jr. Day, allowing more students, faculty and staff members to
participate in activities planned on campus.
April 15
Leaders break ground on new Science Laboratory Building on the
Allendale Campus.
April 29
Board of Trustees approves opening new charter schools authorized
by Grand Valley in Grand Rapids and Detroit that serve former
drop-outs and homeless students.
The University Club celebrates its 50th anniversary.
May 6
New L. William Seidman Center opens.
May 8
Detroit Center opens, serving southeast Michigan and housing
classrooms and a regional office for the Small Business and Technology
Development Center.
June 24
Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons opens.
July 12
Campaign to construct field station at the Annis Water Resources
Institute surpasses its goal.
September 10
Record number of first-year, students of color, out-of-state and
international students mark fall semester.
September 23
For 18th straight year, Grand Valley was named one of the
America's 100 Best College Buys.
November 1
Board of Trustees approves 11-acre expansion of health campus.
December 9
Ralph Hauenstein makes a substantial contribution to the center
that bears his name.
December 27
Two people were recognized for 45 years of service: Lynn Blue and
Samir Ishak.
2014
January 5-6
For the first time in history, the university cancels classes two
consecutive days due to weather.
January 6
Diana R. Lawson is named dean of the Seidman College of Business.
February 8
The university opens a surplus store in downtown Grand Rapids,
providing the public an opportunity to buy inventory that is no longer
in use.
February 11
Recommendations are reported during a town hall meeting following
the 2011 campus climate survey.
March 19
Longtime professor Milton E. Ford dies after a battle with
cancer. The university later announces it will name the LGBT Resource
Center in his memory.
March 26
More than 1,180 people attend a session during the Teach-In,
which addressed issues of privilege, power and social justice.
April 30
The university's endowment surpasses $100.2 millio
June 4
Grand Valley expands and enhances its longtime articulation
status with Grand Rapids Community College, designed to give students
a seamless transfer to the university.
July 14
Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker delivered an address
that honored the life and service of former President Gerald R. Ford,
and was awarded the Col. Ralph W. Hauenstein Fellowship in front a
full house at the Amway Grand Hotel’s Ambassador Ballroom.
July 24
Researchers at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy receive a
$1.05 million grant to study "Pathways to Potential," which
helps school-age students and their families succeed.
August 20
The Marilyn E. Zumberge Garden is dedicated. The family of Grand
Valley's first president and first lady attends the ceremony.
August 27
Grand Valley introduces the Design Thinking Initiative, led by
John Berry. The initiative continues the university's commitment to
preparing students for lifelong learning.
September 4
Students are enrolling in record numbers at Grand Valley this
fall. Officials are welcoming a record number of first-year students
at 4,226, bringing the total number of students to 25,094, hitting a
major milestone for the university.
November 11
Grand Valley announces plans to expand its Master's in Physician
Assistant Studies program to the Traverse City Center.
December 9
Grand Valley's Board of Trustees approves a property exchange and
purchase in downtown Grand Rapids to enable the university to expand
its growing nursing and health professions programs.
2015
January 10
Grand Valley mourns the death of artist and longtime university
supporter Cyril
Lixenberg, who died at his Amsterdam home at age 82.
January 19
Sybrina
Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, addresses an overflow crowd in
the Fieldhouse at a keynote event during Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Commemoration Week on campus.
January 27
President Thomas J. Haas names Jesse
M. Bernal vice president for Inclusion and Equity.
February 12
Grand Valley was ranked second among master's degree institutions
for the number of Fulbright
Scholars and tied for 12th place for number of student Fulbright Scholars.
February 18
Engineering students create a device that allows a child with a
spinal disease to move and be independent. The
Play and Mobility Device is a collaborative project between the
engineering and physical therapy departments.
February 26
Faculty members, students and community members explore the
depths of Reeds
Lake to digitally map two sunken steamboats.
March 26
Shaily
Menon, associate dean for the College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences, is named an American Council on Education Fellow.
April 13
The new Laker
Store opens at its new location in the Marketplace, next to the
new P. Douglas Kindschi Hall of Science.
April 25
Dale Boedeker is the 100,000th
graduate from Grand Valley and is surprised at commencement with
a $1,000 check and gift basket. Michael Jandernoa and Paula Kerger
give addresses; Noreen Myers receives the Distinguished Alumni Award;
Brad Waller receives the Outstanding Educator Award; and David Hecht
and Bea Idema receive honorary degrees.
May 26
Lynn
McNamara Blue is appointed to the newly created position of vice
president for Enrollment Development. Blue has worked for Grand Valley
for 47 years.
May 29
President Thomas J. Haas receives an honorary degree from the Cracow
University of Economics in Poland. The ceremony marks the 40th
anniversary of the partnership between Grand Valley and CUE. A
delegation, including President Emeritus Arend D. Lubbers, travels to Poland.
June 17
Grand Valley will host an established medical ethics speaker
series thanks to a gift from the Richard
and Helen DeVos Foundation.
July 15
Former Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill receives the Col.
Ralph W. Hauenstein Fellowship Medal following his remarks at a lecture.
July 20
Grand
Valley and Consumers Energy break ground on construction of a
new $15 million leadership center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
July 23
Grand Valley receives more than $3.7
million in grants from the U.S. Department of Education to fund
and expand services to students enrolled in one of three TRIO Student
Support Services programs.
August 5
Tim
Selgo, set to enter his 20th year as athletic director, announces
he will retire at the end of the academic year.
August 28
Grand Valley celebrates convocation and the dedication of the P.
Douglas Kindschi Hall of Science.
November 6
J.C.
and Tammy Huizenga give a $1 million gift to the Hauenstein
Center for Presidential Studies, honoring the center's namesake, Ralph Hauenstein.
November 19
Jack Mangala is named the second Padnos/Sarosik
Professor for Civil Discourse. The endowed professorship is
housed in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies.
December 13
More than 1,000 students participate in commencement
at Van Andel Arena. Lt. Governor Brian Calley delivers the
commencement address. Nancy Lubbers and Andrzej Chochól receive
honorary degrees.
2016
January 10
Grand
Valley mourns the death of Ralph Hauenstein, philanthropist and
university friend, who died at age 103.
January 20
Patrisse
Cullors, one of the founders of #BlackLivesMatter, said the movement
was not created from a place of rage, but rather a place of
love. Her presentation highlighted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Commemoration Week activities on campus.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders holds a campaign rally in the Fieldhouse.
Events celebrate the retirements of Bart Merkle, vice provost for Student Affairs and dean of students, and Tim Selgo, director of athletics.
October 12
President
Thomas J. Haas marks 10 years of leadership on campus.
2017
February 10
Grand Valley becomes partner in Detroit
Promise, making it easier for Detroit high school students to
become Lakers.
March 20
Hundreds
of people attend a presentation by Holocaust survivor Magda Brown,
89, in the Kirkhof Center. Brown is a great aunt of Samantha
Murray, Grand Valley student and president of Grand Valley's Hillel chapter.
April 20
Provost Gayle R. Davis receives surprises at both of her
retirement ceremonies: a
scholarship is created in her honor to benefit first-generation
students, and the
women's center will be named the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and
Gender Equity.
May 1
Grand
Valley receives a $375,000 state grant to establish an
initiative to support students who have experienced foster care.
June 7
University
leaders announce the launch of the Laker Effect comprehensive
campaign. With a fundraising goal of $85 million, the campaign
will address three areas of need: opportunity, achievement and relevance.
June 21
During a special board meeting, the Board
of Trustees approves the purchase of the Ferris Coffee and Nut
building in downtown Grand Rapids to provide space to expand Grand
Valley's engineering program.
June 24
Mark
Zumberge, the youngest son of former President James Zumberge,
addresses members of the Class of 1967 during their 50th
reunion. They were the first to graduate from Grand Valley under
Zumberge's tenure.
July 14
The Board of Trustees approves a construction project on the
Medical Mile, next to the Cook-DeVos
Center for Health Sciences, to accommodate the growing demand
from nursing and health professions students and employers.
September 5
Researchers at the Robert
B. Annis Water Resources Institute will be able to investigate
topics that government funding programs are typically not willing to
take on, thanks to a new endowed fund created by Allen and Helen Hunting.
October 11
Grand Valley earns a $1.3 million, five-year grant from the U.S.
Department of Education to establish a TRIO
Veterans Upward Bound program, providing free academic support
services to low-income veterans who want to complete degree programs.
November 12
Alumnus
Tommy Remengesau, president of the Pacific island nation of
Palau, tells a crowd in the Kirkhof Center that he succeeded because
Grand Valley had the perfect learning environment for him.
2018
January 20
Gregory
Sanial is named Grand Valley's new vice president for Finance.
He had served as chief of staff for the U.S. Coast Guard Fifth
District in Virginia.
February 2
The Board of Trustees approves funding for a parking ramp that
will be constructed east of the Cook-DeVos
Center for Health Sciences on Michigan Street. The project is
jointly funded by Spectrum Health.
February 8
Hundreds
of campus and community members celebrate the 10th anniversary of
the Division of Inclusion and Equity at a reception in Grand
Rapids. Vice President Jesse Bernal announces the establishment of
a scholarship to support students pursuing social justice-focused careers.
February 28
President
Thomas J. Haas announces his retirement, effective June 30,
2019. The Board of Trustees holds a special meeting to begin the
search for the university's fifth president.
April 17
Bob and Ellen Thompson, from Detroit, increase their investment
and expand the Thompson
Working Family Scholarship Program; now 125 students will each
receive $20,000 over four years, and the number of qualified student
recipients will continue to grow.
April 23
Loren
Rullman is named vice provost for Student Affairs and dean of
students. He had worked at the University of Michigan for 10 years
and was a principal of higher education strategy for consulting firm.
May 7
Raleigh
J. Finkelstein Hall opens for classes. Located at 500 Lafayette
Ave. NE, Finkelstein Hall expands the university's health campus and
houses a sonography and cardiovascular sciences suite, therapeutic
recreation lab, occupational therapy lab, therapeutic modalities lab,
and communication sciences and disorders laboratories.
May 8
Lakers are studying and teaching abroad in high numbers. Grand
Valley students earn more nationally competitive Gilman Fellowships
than any other institution in Michigan, ranking the university among
the top 25 schools in the nation. The
university is also a top producer for both student and faculty
Fulbright awards.
June 28
Grand
Valley joins six other area higher education institutions committed
to increasing the number of students of color who choose health care
majors while in college. "Pathways to Careers in Health
Care" is funded by a $400,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg
Foundation and administered by the Grand Rapids African American
Health Institute.
July 17
More
than 400 people attend a dedication ceremony for Raleigh J.
Finkelstein Hall and celebrate the expansion of the Health
Campus. Finkelstein Hall has 16 teaching labs, 90 faculty and
staff offices and received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green
Building Council.
August 24
A
dedication ceremony is held for the Arend and Nancy Lubbers Student
Services Center. New to the building is the Laker Experience
Suite, a 112-seat room with large video wall to welcome prospective
students and their families.
September 6
The
campus community mourns the death of Rich DeVos, who died at age
92. DeVos served as president of the Grand Valley University
Foundation for 24 years. His support for Grand Valley began at its
founding in the 1960s.
September 10
Grand
Valley welcomes one of its largest first-year classes in its
history, with 4,369 new students. Total enrollment is 24,677
with a 6 percent increase over the previous year in new students of color.
October 16
Grand
Valley joins Grand Rapids Public Schools and tourism industry
leaders to announce a new college-career prep academy. The
Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Management will open in the fall
2019 at Ottawa Hills High School.
October 23
More
than 300 people attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the Daniel and
Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health. When it opens
in 2021, the building will be the third and flagship of the
university’s Health Campus.
November 2
The
Board of Trustees approves the naming of the Connection as the Lynn
M. Blue Connection, honoring the vice president for Enrollment
Development. Blue is the longest-serving employee at Grand Valley,
having achieved the 50-year mark in September. She helped design the
building that opened in 2010 and includes dining, classroom and study areas.
November 27
The
campus community mourns the death of Richard Kaufman, who died at
age 91. With the support of Richard (Dick) and his wife, Sylvia,
the Kaufman Interfaith Institute was created at Grand Valley in 2007,
following two decades of their work developing interfaith programs in
Muskegon and around the world.
2019
April 9
Lynn
“Chick” Blue, vice president for enrollment development, is honored
for her 51-year-career during a naming ceremony for the Lynn M. Blue
Connection on the Allendale Campus. The building houses
Disability Support Services, dining, classrooms and study areas.
June 19
More
than 400 people celebrate the dedication of the Jamie Hosford
Football Center. Features of the renovated building include a
larger athletic training room, all-team meeting room and space for
equipment maintenance and laundry.
September 6
Eighty
students each receive $2,000 scholarships to use for a study abroad
program within four years of their start at Grand Valley. The
first cohort of Laker Go Abroad scholarship recipients resulted from a
unique collaboration between campus departments.
December 14
The
Laker soccer team beats Western Washington, 1-0, to win the NCAA
Division II National Championship. It’s the sixth national title
for Grand Valley’s soccer program.
Photos are courtesy of the Grand Valley University Archives and Special Collections