GVL / Emily Frye Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss on Wednesday April 4, 2018.

Grand Rapids Mayor Bliss talks about leadership at GVSU

by Arpan Lobo

Grand Valley State University students had the opportunity to learn about effective leadership from the chief of the second-largest city in Michigan. Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss spoke at GVSU on Wednesday, April 4, for the Kenneth Venderbush Leadership Keynote. Bliss, who in 2016 became the first woman to become mayor in Grand Rapids, shared advice on believing in others, finding balance and making the most out of transitions in life.

READ MORE 
GVL / Emily Frye Student leaders from Forest Hills Northern High School direct the March For Our Lives protest in Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday March 24, 2018.

'March for Our Lives' an example of increasing youth activism, GVSU administrators say

by James Kilborn

Local members of the West Michigan community, including current students, came together at the "March for Our Lives" to call on representatives in Congress to address what they see as ineffective gun-control legislation.  Mark Richards, chair of the political science department at Grand Valley State University, sees the student activism displayed in the "March for Our Lives" as an opportunity to get students more involved in politics and more civically engaged. 

READ MORE 
GVL / Emily Frye       Marisa Kwiatkowski talks about the role she played in breaking the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal on Monday, March 26, 2018.

'You have given so many women their lives back'

by Arpan Lobo

The USA Gymnastics scandal has sent shock waves through the sporting world in recent months. A highly publicized trial culminated in former USAG and Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar being sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for sexual abuse in January. 

READ MORE 
GVL / Emily Frye       Marisa Kwiatkowski talks about the role she played in breaking the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal on Monday, March 26, 2018.

GVSU alumna Marisa Kwiatkowski returns to campus to discuss USA Gymnastics investigation

by Jenna Fracassi

“There’s this public perception of stranger danger, … but the vast majority of sexual abuse cases, the person knows their perpetrator; they know the person who’s doing it to them,” said Marisa Kwiatkowski, Grand Valley State University alumna and investigative reporter for The Indianapolis Star (IndyStar).  Kwiatkowski, alongside two of her colleagues, produced an immense investigation into USA Gymnastics and Larry Nassar that has garnered national attention. On Monday, March 26, Kwiatkowski was welcomed back to GVSU to participate in two separate talks. 

READ MORE 

Student senate president reflects on year

by Rachel Matuszewski

As the Grand Valley State University student senate wraps up its last meetings before welcoming next year's senators and cabinet members, senate president Jonathan Bowman recalls the goals that have been accomplished this year and what changes he hopes will continue to be pursued when he leaves his position.  

READ MORE 
GVL / Sheila Babbitt GVSU's Geography and Sustainable Planning Department provided T-shirts and water bottles at the Grand Rapids by Design event on March 27th, 2018.

Grand Rapids city designer speaks at GVSU

by Drew Schertzer

The city of Grand Rapids can expect major changes in the next few years. To talk about the city’s master plan, Suzanne Schulz, managing director of design and development for Grand Rapids for 13 years, gave a presentation at Grand Valley State University. The event, “Grand Rapids by Design,” took place Tuesday, March 27, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center.  

READ MORE 
GVL / Courtesy - gvsu.edu

Grand Rapids mayor to speak at GVSU

by Sarah Hollis

Grand Valley State University has been honoring the memory of Kenneth R. Venderbush since 1999 with an award in his name and a series of annual leadership lectures. This year, instead of bringing in three speakers for the Venderbush Leadership Lecture, GVSU will be hosting Grand Rapids’ first female mayor, Rosalynn Bliss.  

READ MORE