Upcoming Events

February 3 Public Administration Alumni Reception

February 4 Job Search 101

February 5 President's Ball

February 9 GVSU Careerfest & Health Career Day

February 11 Nursing Alumni Open House

February 11 Classic Pairings

February 18 Indulge In A Cause

February 24 GVSU Educator's Forum

March 9 Phoenix Alumni & Friend Reception

March 22 Raleigh/Durham Alumni Reception

March 27 - April 1 Community Outreach Week

April 9 Relay for Life

April 17 Laker Football Spring Classic and Cash Draw

Save The Date...
June 8 GVSU Enrichment Dinner

September 16  Rocking on the Detroit River

October 9  Homecoming

Zach Kinstner’s got an app for that. At least he does if you are looking for a 3-dimentional puzzle game of skill, strategy and timing for your iPhone and iPod Touch device. A 2007 computer science graduate, Kinstner created Fragmental 3D, which was made available for purchase from the Apple App Store in January. A free, five-minute version called Fragmental 3D Lite is also available. Fragmental 3D was Kinstner’s first foray into smartphone application development. The owner of Aesthetic Interactive, a Grand Rapids-based software design and development firm, is pleased to add the technology to the company’s growing list of capabilities which include rich internet applications, Web sites, software, games, simulations, and graphics.

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Lakers Across the Nation Called to Volunteer During Community Outreach Week (COW) - March 27-April 3

Help put a smile on someone's face by volunteering during COW. This week of service is aimed at uniting Lakers from around the globe in providing volunteer support and outreach in their own communities and in ways meaningful to each individual or group. Just imagine the collective impact that over 96,000 current and former GVSU students can make! Search the schedule of projects online and to sign up today (check back often as new projects are added regularly!)

www.gvsu.edu/cow

Can't participate in one of these scheduled events? If you are unable to participate in a scheduled event, we encourage you to get involved in your own way, wherever you live! Plan a project for yourself/your family or for a group of alumni in your area.

An Alumni Valentine's Celebration - February 11

The Alumni Association invites alumni couples back to GVSU for a special Valentine's Day celebration. Enjoy "Classic Pairings - Me and My Baby Down Route 66" featuring gourmet food and wine pairings at the Alumni House in Allendale. Cost is just $70 per couple. Purchase tickets now - space is limited!

Make History - Share Your Laker Lore

As part of Grand Valley State University's 50th anniversary celebration in 2010-2011, alumni are invited to share Grand Valley memories with the Laker Lore audio recording project. If you can tell a story, you can be part of Laker Lore! You tell your story; we record your story. It's that simple. Find out more and schedule a recording time at www.gvsu.edu/lakerlore.

Join GVSU Alumni in the Fight Against Cancer - April 9-10

Sign up now to join the GVSU Alumni Association team in the 2010 American Cancer Society Relay for Life event at Grand Valley State University. Beginning at 6 p.m. on April 9 until 6 a.m. on April 10, walkers will take shifts circling the track in the Field House and collect money to help eliminate cancer. We hope you will join us as a walker or by sponsoring alumni team participants. Visit www.relayforlifegvsu.com  and click "Sign Up" to register as a walker or "Donate" to sponsor team GVSU Alumni Association. Survivors can also sign up to participate in the survivor lap!

Music Alumni Connect at Annual Reception

More than 80 alumni, students, faculty and staff members of GVSU's Department of Music attended an hors d'oeuvres and cocktail reception on January 22 during the Michigan Music Conference. It was the largest turn out to date for this annual event. Current music educators were able to share ideas, reconnect with former professors, and provide valuable advice to future teachers during the reception. View photos.

Young Alumni Hockey Event Sells Out

A sold-out crowd of nearly 70 Young Alumni and guests gathered in the private Griff's Nests at Van Andel Arena on January 22 to cheer the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team. Guests connected and networked in a fun and casual atmosphere and in their favorite vintage gear - it was 80's night! Despite the Griffins loss, it was a great night for all. View photos.

Cultural Celebrations at GVSU

Join GVSU and the Office of Multicultural Affairs in recognizing and celebrating the rich cultures of the world and in demonstrating Grand Valley's commitment to embracing and promoting diversity.

Upcoming cultural celebrations...

• Black History Month is a celebration of African American history and contributions throughout the United States. Events encompassing a variety of subjects including African American culture, education, religion and music will be highlighted through lectures, panel discussions or performances. Calendar of Events.
• Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration encompasses a variety of cultural events, professional speakers, arts and music. Asian Pacific Americans are one of the most highly diversified ethnic groups in the United States with more than 50 distinct ethnicities, languages, religions and cultures. Calendar of Events.

February is Matching Gift Month

Does Your Company Match Gifts?
Your gifts to Grand Valley could be doubled! Nearly 16,000 companies match their employees' charitable gifts nationwide. Find out if your employer matches gifts by visiting www.matchinggifts.com/gvsu.

GVSU Women's Center Hosts Signature Event

On February 18, the GVSU Women's Center will hold its annual fund-raising event, Indulge In a Cause, featuring an array of the area's finest chocolate desserts and a silent auction for fabulous prize packages. All proceeds will benefit the vital programs and services the Women's Center provides. More info | sign up

GVSU Alumni Will Have Chance to Apply for New Teaching Fellowship

President Barack Obama announced on January 6, that Grand Valley State University is one of six Michigan universities chosen to participate in a fellowship program aimed at increasing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers in Michigan’s high-need secondary schools. The fellowships are funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Woodrow Wilson Michigan Teaching Fellowship program. GVSU will train up to 20 fellows, who will each receive a $30,000 stipend, admission to a specialized Grand Valley-created master’s program, and preparation in a high-need urban or rural secondary school in exchange for a three-year teaching commitment. The program is scheduled to begin enrolling in Fall 2011. Full Story . Alumni interested in receiving future information regarding the fellowship are encouraged to contact josephj@gvsu.edu.

College of Education to Survey Graduates

Later this month, GVSU's College of Education will be inviting a target audience of alumni to complete an alumni survey to obtain feedback regarding the quality of GVSU's professional preparation programs. Invitations will be sent either via email or by US post. If you receive this invitation, please take the time to complete the survey. Your participation will allow the COE to continue to provide first-class teacher and administrator preparation programs.

Club & Chapter Corner

Upcoming Events

GVSU is coming to you! Meet up with fellow GVSU alumni and receive the latest information about the University at these networking receptions. Food and beverages will be provided.

• February 11 - Nursing Alumni Open House
• February 24 - Traverse City - GVSU Educators Forum
• March 9 - Phoenix Alumni & Friends Reception
• March 20 - Tampa Alumni Outing - Tigers Spring Training Game
• March 22 - Raleigh/Durham Alumni & Friends Reception

Event Recaps

• Charleston, SC - Charleston-area alumni gathered December 3 at the Southend Brewery for a reception, and to hear GVSU updates. Club leader Tammie Hoffman, '90, hosted the group to connect Lakers in the Charleston area. View photos. Up next, the Charleston Club plans to participate in a service project during Community Outreach Week.
• Atlanta, GA - Chase Turner, '04, hosted a reception for Atlanta-area alumni and friends on January 14. University President Thomas J. Haas traveled to the area to give graduates the most up-to-date University news and guests celebrated another stellar Laker athletics season with Athletic Director Tim Selgo, and other athletic department staff members. View photos.
• Tampa, FL - On January 27, club leader, Tara Crow, '97, and Pioneer Class graduate Bob Monaghan, '67, welcomed 26 alumni and friends to the Quorum Hotel for an evening of networking and fun. Attendees enjoyed hearing about new GVSU programs and initiatives including plans for the new Learning and Information Commons. View photos.
• Orlando, FL - Orlando-area alumni had the opportunity to meet with President Haas at a January 28 reception at the Gaylord Palms Hotel. Alumni hosts Jill Kincaid, '88, Diane, '87, and Larry, '90, Reed were among 25 alumni and friends that enjoyed an evening of networking, food and fun. View photos.
• Chicago, IL - The Chicago alumni club is in full swing in 2010. Alumni got out of the wind and into the warmth of a local Chicago hot spot for a regional alumni gathering on January 28. Guests gathered at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba! for tapas, drinks, and to connect other area Lakers. Club leaders Brian Dutkiewicz, '02, and Rachel Vanderwiel, '09, hosted nearly 70 guests at the outing where Alumni Champion and avid GVSU supporter, Bill Padnos, '79, shared his passion for contributing to the future of GVSU with his fellow graduates. View photos . The Chicago club is also planning two service projects during Community Outreach Week and a networking event in June aimed at connecting new graduates who move to the area with established local alumni.

Club/Chapter News

• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Forms Alumni Chapter - Graduates of the GVSU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are invited to become part of a newly forming alumni chapter. Use your talents, experience and knowledge to help make this chapter meaningful in striving to meet the GVSU Alumni Association mission to draw together alumni for mutual service to each other, the University and our communities. Consider the potential in gathering interests and abilities for mutual benefit, while staying connected, maintaining relationships, and identifying opportunities to support each other via networking, career discussions and services benefiting CLAS alumni. Watch for more communications and an official invitation to join the CLAS Alumni Chapter. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Tim Bulson and include your preferred email address. More information.
• California's Other Lakers
  As one of the many GVSU graduates who have made their home in sunny California, we know you cheer for a different variety of Lakers. Keep your Laker pride burning strong by connecting with other GVSU grads in the area.
  - San Francisco - A new San Francisco alumni club has formed, headed by club leader Tim Rice, '08. Tim is researching community service projects for Community Outreach Week, but would also like feedback from  San Francisco alumni on future program ideas. Please contact timothy.rice@hotmail.com.
  - SoCal/Los Angeles - The SoCal alumni club has a new leader! Cindy Scott, '08, is looking for event and program ideas for graduates in the greater Los Angeles area to connect. Please contact cindy_a_scott@yahoo.com.

Find and Network With Fellow Alumni