MAGAZINE Volume 11, Issue 2, Fall 2011
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FALL 2011 Change Service Requested GRAND VALLEY MAGAZINE College life expands style, opens minds: Laker fashion hits the classroom Contents GRAND VALLEY MAGAZINE VOLUme 11, ISSUE 2, Fall 2011 Features 13 From atypical to academic: Campus organizations cater to every student 16 Now trending for fall: Well-dressed Lakers 22 Local history Departments efforts get boost from Kutsche Office 4 Books Resources from Grand Valley give 4 Campus News voice to area minority groups 9 Athletics 10 Donor Impact 26 12 Focal Point Detours and orange cones 21 Sustainability Campus construction brings 28 Q&A | Kim Roberts in hundreds of workers and thousands of trucks 30 Research 31 Alumni News 38 Off the Path 2 FALL 2011 | www.gvsu.edu Editorial Staff Mary Eilleen Lyon, M.S., ’05 Assistant Vice President for News and Information Services, Executive Editor Michele Coffill Editor and Writer Dottie Barnes, M.S., ’05 Contributing Editor and Writer Mary Isca Pirkola Contributing Editor and Writer Leah Zuber, B.A. ’10 Contributing Editor and Writer Bernadine Carey-Tucker, B.A., ’99 Photography Services Manager and Contributing Photographer Amanda Pitts, B.S. ’05, M.S. ’10 Photographer Elizabeth Lienau, B.S. ’05 Photography Coordinator Abigayle Sloan ’07 Alumni Editor Sherry Bouwman Editorial and Circulation Assistant Matthew E. McLogan Vice President for University Relations Design Staff Jacqueline Cuppy, B.F.A., ’87 Creative Director Christine Parkes-Schaw, B.S., ’06 Graphic Designer Contact Us Grand Valley Magazine is a publication of News & Information Services. Comments and suggestions are welcome. E-mail [email protected] Write Grand Valley Magazine Grand Valley State University 1 Campus Drive, 133 LMH Allendale, MI 49401 Grand Valley State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution See the entire magazine online at www.gvsu.edu/gvmagazine. Connect with students, faculty, staff and alumni through Grand Valley’s official social media channels. On the cover: photo by Amanda Pitts Elizabeth Uitvlugt strikes a pose in the Calder Art Center. See her and other trendy Lakers on page 16. On these pages: photo by Elizabeth Lienau Students, faculty and staff members can now rent bikes on campus. Read more on page 21. The Grand Valley Magazine is printed on paper manufactured with electricity in the form of renewable energy (wind, hydro, and biogas). The cover includes a minimum of 10% postconsumer recovered fiber. Trees used to manufacture this paper are certified from sustainably managed forests. GRAND VALLEY MAGAZINE 3 BOOKS Bookmarks Looking for a good book? Check out these recommendations from Grand Valley staff members: Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough Courage The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: New Planet (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2002) Preparing to Practice (St. Martin’s Griffin Paperback 2011) by Bernard Waber (SkyLight Paths, 2006) by Bill McKibben Melissa Peraino, director of educational by Rami Shapiro This is a recent favorite of Bart Bartels, outreach for Continuing Education, Karen Libman, professor of theater, project manager for the Sustainable recommends this book by the children’s recommended this book of perspectives Community Development Initiative. author and illustrator known for the Lyle, from world religions that shares how to Bartels said the straightforward factual Lyle Crocodile series. Courage was written in live a life with kindness, compassion and way McKibben presents the urgency to response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. courage. “It is just so full of different ideas to address climate change may be, for some, an Peraino said that while it’s a story she likes to help us become more kind. It uses Judaism’s unexpected angle. McKibben writes that the read to her kids, it reminds us all, “There are 13 Attributes of Lovingkindness as the current focus on future generations actually many kinds of courage. Awesome kinds, and framework for cultivating a life of goodness, detracts from the reality that the planet has everyday kinds.” The illustrations are simple but Shapiro also draws from all the world’s already been changed (hence the different and yet fairly inclusive. When reading it with religions and spiritual practices,” Libman said. spelling of Earth). Far from the typical eco- her kids, Peraino said, “We always end it with She added that she usually reads a chapter shocker, in Bartels’ opinion, Eaarth contains asking each other to finish the statement, each night, then considers the teachings and enough wit and satire to keep readers ‘Courage is...’” exercises the next day. “It’s very accessible engaged with the disconcerting parts and the but also very deep, and it challenges the pages turning. reader to be the change that you want to see in the world through being kind,” she said. Special order these books at University Bookstore and receive a 20 percent discount. Contact: [email protected] or (616) 331-3521. Representing Grand Valley Pictured in the GVSU rowing T-shirt is Shane Szalai, ’95, and his family. Szalai wore the shirt during a stop at the University of Notre Dame, where he was stopped by someone who inquired about the crew team. Do you represent Grand Valley when you travel? If so, send a photo of yourself wearing a Grand Valley T-shirt with a brief description to Grand Valley Magazine at [email protected] and it may be seen in a future publication. 4 FALL 2011 | www.gvsu.edu CAMPUS NEWS Research buoy will aid offshore wind assessments A research buoy was the most advanced dedicated near Lake Michigan wind measurement on October 7 that will aid the technology offshore wind assessment study available.” conducted by Grand Valley, the Following a University of Michigan and week of tests on Michigan State University. Muskegon Lake, the The research buoy, one of buoy moved four three in the world, is an eight- miles offshore on ton, 20-by-10 foot boat-shaped Lake Michigan for a structure that can measure wind month-long trial. characteristics up to 150 meters Real-time data above the water using advanced will be transmitted wind sensor technology. from the platform to “The buoy for the offshore researchers at Grand wind study is a symbol of Valley, U-M and the forward thinking and economic Michigan Natural development opportunities for Features Inventory West Michigan,” said President of Michigan State Thomas J. Haas. University. The photo by April Joy Galbreath The launch of the buoy in research will provide A collaborative research partnership with Grand Valley, U-M and MSU is highlighted by the Great Lakes is the first information to an eight-ton buoy in Lake Michigan that will aid offshore wind assessments. introduction of this technology support possible anywhere in North America, future development of offshore said Arn Boezaart, director of wind energy technology in the understanding of the potential wind energy technology. In the Michigan Alternative and Great Lakes. MNFI research of offshore wind energy, as well 2010, the project secured $3.3 Renewable Energy Center. will focus on bird and bat flight as other physical, biological and million in grants and research “The research buoy represents patterns and migration studies. environmental conditions on funds, including a $1.33 million an amazing new capacity for The primary objective of the the Great Lakes. The research energy efficiency grant from wind research in the Great Lake Michigan offshore wind will provide information for the the Michigan Public Service Lakes,” he said. “It includes assessment is to gain a better future development of offshore Commission. 9/11 anniversary launches ‘Year of Interfaith Understanding’ In a bold response to the Interfaith Institute at Grand Muskegon throughout 2012. Students Office is sponsoring 10th anniversary of the 9/11 Valley, provided an overview “The goal is for participants small interfaith discussions terrorist attacks, a large of the variety of events and not only to learn about each throughout campus. A series West Michigan group has community partners. other’s faith and culture, but of events, screenings and launched the “2012 Year of The endeavor was developed how to live in community with speakers on campus throughout Interfaith Understanding,” through a unique partnership respect for their differences,” the year is also planned as designed to cultivate peace led by the Kaufman Interfaith said Kindschi. “Unlike interfaith part of the Migrations of through community interest Institute, Grand Rapids Press, dialogues that stress similarities, Islam programming, and the and understanding of all faith WGVU, the mayor’s office and this effort will frankly confront Grand Valley Women’s Center traditions. three organizing councils. differences and encourage will sponsor a campuswide The project was announced Hundreds of events will be personal experience of other presentation with special guest at Grand Valley’s Pew Grand sponsored by participating faith traditions.” Ana Louise Keating in March. Rapids Campus September 12. congregations, campuses and As part of the Campus For more information, At the news conference, George community organizations Council, 25 Grand Valley including a list of participants, Heartwell, Grand Rapids mayor; including sacred space tours, faculty members from 10 visit www.2012gr.org, or call Paul Keep, Grand Rapids Press study groups, speakers and departments are incorporating (616) 331-5702. editor; and Douglas Kindschi, interfaith service projects in interfaith topics in their class director of the Kaufman Grand Rapids, Holland and curriculum. The Dean of GRAND VALLEY MAGAZINE 5 CAMPUS NEWS Engineering students aid special needs students A unique back-to-school with faculty and students — then tool that was designed and transitioned to groups of senior developed by a team of Grand students studying product Valley engineering students design and manufacturing will help special needs engineering. Throughout the students at Kent Intermediate year, Grand Valley students and School District this year. Farris met with Gallery and her On August 29, two students to test the product and kindergarten students make modifications as needed.