Upcoming Events

January 15 Washington D.C. Alumni & Friends Reception

January 24 Seidman Alumni Basketball Tailgater 

February 3 Academic Major Fair

February 4 Alumni Public Administrators Reception

February 4 Indulge in a Cause

February 5 KCON Alumni Open House

February 6 Presidents' Ball

February 12 Classic Pairings - Alumni Valentine's Dinner

February 14 - March 14 Building a High Performance Organization

February 15 GVSU Alumni Outing at the Detroit Red Wings

February 19 Young Alumni Wine Tasting Event

February 21 40 Years of Women's Athletics

February 28 Tampa Alumni Outing - Tigers vs. Mets Spring Training

March 21-27 Community Outreach Week

The Chase Away Foundation, co-founded by Brenda (Rogers) Brosnan, BBA in Finance, ’89, and Brendan Brosnan, BS in Criminal Justice, ’89, and foundation advisory board member Mike Babcock, head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, made a donation of $50,000 to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan on December 8, 2008.

The couple who met as students at GVSU, started the foundation in 2005 as a result of their son Chase’s battle and survival from Neuroblastoma, a rare cancer of the sympathetic nervous system -- a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body, and OMS (Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome), an even rarer autoimmune neurological disorder in which the body attacks its own healthy cells.

Chase’s battle lasted for six long years but today, he is medicine free, cancer free and OMS free.

“We were blessed and extremely fortunate to have excellent medical coverage and the means to provide Chase with toys and other items to distract him during his many long hours, months, and years in treatment,” says Brenda. “Our hope is to be able to help make a positive impact on the children and families of those suffering from pediatric cancer and OMS who aren’t as fortunate.”

The recent $50,000 donation, given to help renovate the oncology floor of Children’s Hospital of Michigan and which will be named The Chase Away Treatment Room, is the largest donation the non-profit has made to date.
 

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Honor Your Fellow Alumni

Do you know a GVSU graduate who deserves recognition for his or her tremendous personal and professional accomplishments? If so, please let us know! Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2009 GVSU Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni Awards. The awards recognize alumni who have made outstanding contributions to society, and whose accomplishments and careers reflect favorably upon Grand Valley. Nominations may be made by alumni, faculty, or staff members and must be received by January 16. Visit www.gvsu.edu/alumni/awards for full award criteria and to nominate a deserving candidate today!

Share Your Career Expertise With Undecided Students - February 3

The GVSU Alumni Association is seeking alumni who are interested in sharing advice and information about their careers with students who are undecided about or considering switching majors. The Academic Major Fair offers a great opportunity for students to meet with experienced graduates along with faculty members and advisors to learn about potential career paths in an informal environment. Shift times are available in one or more hour blocks between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

If you are interested in participating, please forward your resume or bio and the times that you are available to proctors@gvsu.edu.

Classic Pairings, An Alumni Valentine's Celebration - February 12

Where It Began - Where You Grew Together - Where The Memories Live

The Alumni Association invites you back to GVSU for a special Valentine's Day celebration. Enjoy Classic Pairings - Tastes from the Caribbean featuring gourmet food stations and wine pairings for just $40 per person.

Please RSVP by February 6.

GVSU Young Alumni Wine Tasting - February 19

Join us for a wine tasting event for Young Alumni & their guests. Enjoy an evening of sampling including appropriately paired appetizers to compliment the wines. For just $15, (really - that's it!) get unlimited samples of five wines, two glasses of your favorite wine and appetizers. Sommeliers will be on hand to enhance the educational experience, but we promise - this guy won't be there!

Please RSVP by February 13.

Celebrating 40 Years of Womens Athletics at GVSU - February 21

In appreciation of your support of Laker women’s athletics, the GVSU athletic administration and alumni relations office invite you and your family to join us in Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence! For just $10 per person you can participate in the following activities:

• 3 - 5 p.m. -  Reception and brief GVSU update at the Alumni House, Coaches and Athletic Director Tim Selgo will be present
• 5:15 p.m. - Laker Turf Building Tour
• 6 p.m. - Women’s Basketball vs. Saginaw Valley State - Recognition at halftime for all former female athletes
• 8 p.m. - Men’s Basketball vs. Saginaw Valley State

Please register for this exciting event online at www.gvsu.edu/alumni/womenathletes by February 16.

Community Outreach Week - March 21 - 27

Alumni volunteers are growing a greater Grand Valley, and a greater community! We invite you to join the cause during Community Outreach Week with a different volunteer experience available every day! During this week of service, the Alumni Relations office will provide coordinated opportunities for alumni to volunteer in the name of Grand Valley. But we need your help in identifying fun and worthwhile group service projects. 

If you have a project close to your heart or would like to lead a group in your area, please contact proctors@gvsu.edu or 800-558-0541.

Shake the Winter Blues - Travel with GVSU!

If you've got the winter blues or just need to get away for awhile, then take advantage of great travel programs offered exclusively to GVSU alumni. The GVSU Alumni Association offers alumni and friends discounted travel and education opportunities to exotic destinations around the world. Our travel vendors are carefully screened to ensure that partners are highly reputable and experienced. Destinations are selected with the highest standards for traveler safety in mind.

View upcoming opportunities:

• Spring 2009 Excursions
• Best of the Mediterranean & Greek Isles Cruise Package
• 2010 Travel Deals

Presidents' Ball - February 6

University President Thomas J. Haas and Student Body President Autumn W. Trombka cordially invite you to the 23rd Annual Presidents' Ball on February 6 at the DeVos Place Ballroom in downtown Grand Rapids. This year's Ball is themed "A Roman Triumph", signifying Grand Valley's accomplishments over the past year and offers you the opportunity to mingle with current students, staff, faculty, community members and fellow alumni. Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner/dance and an awards ceremony. Tickets for the dinner and dance are $30 and include a gift. Please contact Natalie Bush at Cabinet@gvsu.edu to reserve a ticket, or for more information visit www.gvsu.edu/studentsenate.

Building a High Performance Organization - February 14 - March 14

Are you currently involved in a Lean project or interested in learning about Lean? Transform your business to Lean and beyond in just 5 weeks! This cutting edge seminar will take place over five Saturdays at GVSU's John C. Kennedy Hall of Engineering.

To register, or for more information visit www.gvsu.edu/learn or call Continuing Education at 800-690-0314.

Club & Chapter Corner

Upcoming Events...

January 15 - Washington D.C. Alumni & Friends Reception - 6:30 p.m. at the National Press Club. Get the latest University news from President Tom Haas and Athletic Director Tim Selgo. Please RSVP by January 9.

February 5 - Kirkhof College of Nursing Alumni Open House - 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at GVSU's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences. Enjoy food, networking, and the opportunity to hear from KCON Dean Cynthia McCurren. Please RSVP by January 31.

February 28 - Tampa Alumni Tigers Spring Training Game - 11:30 a.m. at Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, FL. See the Detroit Tigers take on the NY Mets in a Spring Training Game. Tickets are $17 each for reserved seating. Contact Club Leader, Tara Crow, '97, for more information or buy tickets online by January 9.

Event Recaps...

Seattle Alumni & Friends Reception - Seattle Club Leader Holly Cofer, '95, hosted over twenty graduates at Seattle’s Metropolitan Grille on December 3, 2008.

GVDC - Members of GVDC, Grand Valley's Washington D.C. alumni chapter, attended The Bush Legacy, a conference coordinated by GVSU's Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies on December 11 - 12, 2008. Pictured from left are GVDC Events/Program Coordinator Rick Rossow, '98, Molly Arndt, '96, and Charles Hoff, '99.