Allendale and Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Students share research at annual Student Scholars Day
On Wednesday, April 10, Grand Valley State University held their 23rd annual Student Scholars Day. Student Scholars Day is an important day for student researchers to display and discuss their research from this year. There were many presentations, including poster presentations, panel presentations, fine arts exhibits and oral presentations. More than 600 students participated in the event. After spending almost a year on research, Jorgen Reberg was ready to present his research on the history of propaganda. He even came up with a name for his own theory: stratified prioritization. He described the theory as the threshold that people cross when they reach a level of authority that changes their priority from ideology to economy.
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Student commencement speakers share final thoughts before speeches
With summer approaching and the winter semester drawing to a close, as some students are preparing for finals, others are preparing to reflect and deliver a speech to thousands. This commencement, graduating students Theresa Salas, Amy Harris and Natalie Loewengruber will serve as the first full wave of student speakers following student senate president Rachel Jenkin’s initial speech last fall. An email was sent to all graduating students inviting them to apply to speak at the ceremony. Loewengruber, who will be graduating with degrees in psychology and biology, said she was hesitant at first, but between a bit of a nudge from a friend and feelings of nostalgia, she applied to speak and was selected.
READ MOREStudents reflect on international climate change strikes
Last year, Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg began capturing the attention of the world when she elected to skip school every Friday in order to sit outside the Swedish Parliament building until her nation’s government did more to acknowledge climate change and become in accordance with the Paris Agreement. A few short months later, the sixteen-year-old schoolgirl has become the head of an international movement to stop climate change and protect the earth. On March 15, schoolchildren in over 100 countries went on strike from school to demand change, according to Time.
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AEPi brothers remember Holocaust, host silent walk
On Wednesday night, the brothers of Alpha Epsilon Phi (AEPi) and various students gathered in Lake Michigan Hall to commemorate the lives lost in the Holocaust. The silent walk from Lake Michigan Hall to the clock tower was meant to honor the 110 mile death march hiked by Jews, blacks, gays, gypsies, disabled persons, prisoners of war and more. AEPi’s march was walked in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day on May 2. Their motto focuses on developing leadership for the Jewish community and strives to give members a home away from home through their union in Jewish values and commitment of brotherhood.
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Connection naming ceremony honors Lynn Blue
Vice President for Enrollment Development Lynn “Chick” Blue received praise during her building naming ceremony on April 9 for working 50 years at Grand Valley State University. Held at the newly-named Blue Connection, the celebration focused on her longtime service to students. “We’re a college,” Blue said. “We want students to come here to grow, so they are number one.” Reflecting on her career, Blue explained she came to the university by accident, thinking she would have a temporary job. However, working with students inspired her to stay long-term. Blue said the students make GVSU because they graduate and perform brilliant achievements. Subsequently, alumni tell the university about their accomplishments.
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GVSU boxing club’s Batenburg takes home state championship
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion,” once said former heavyweight boxing champion and American sports icon Muhammad Ali. For Sarah Rae Batenburg, these words from one of boxing’s greatest rang true leading up to her Michigan Golden Gloves state championship fight on April 13. Months of practice, lifting, conditioning and dieting prepared Batenburg for the moment where she would have the opportunity to take home the Michigan Golden Gloves in her weight bracket.
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GV dance students present senior capstones in spring concert
Among Grand Valley State University’s various artistic programs, dance is a particularly demanding discipline. As students learn and grow as professional dancers at GVSU, they are required to practice rigorously, and there are few better events to see this hard work in action than the annual Spring Dance Concerts. Held on April 13, the Spring Dance Concert featured a broad, diverse display of choreography from students, professors and guests, all performed by talented and dedicated dance students. Two of the pieces of the evening were senior capstone works from dance students Allison Egrin and Domonique Chambers. Both Egrin and Chambers are immensely proud of their capstone pieces, which they have put countless hours of work into.
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Sigma Pi “Stuffs the Bus”
Each year, the Theta-Rho Chapter of Sigma Pi hosts the “Altruistic Campus Experience” (ACE) Project. The ACE Project, which was officially started in 2003, has become an annual tradition at Grand Valley State University. During this week, Sigma Pi members commit themselves to performing what they call “random acts of kindness.” This year, ACE week took place between Monday, April 8 and Friday, April 12. Sigma Pi members performed random acts of kindness – such as bringing donuts to GVPD and passing out encouraging notes with candy to students in the Mary Idema Pew Library – and then posted a picture with the tag #SigmaPiACEWeek.
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Activists take to GV following free speech executive order
After President Trump’s recent executive order for universities to uphold all forms of free speech on campus or risk losing federal funding, a group of anti-abortion activists from Grand Rapid’s Inner City Church Planting Mission showed up on Grand Valley State University’s campus April 8 to see how officials would respond. The group was directed by David Schutte who had previously demonstrated on the university’s campus. Schutte and his fellow demonstrators initially set up near the Carillon Tower (a designated free speech zone of GVSU), then later left the zone to see if campus police would respond. Police did not interfere.
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