Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 56 no. 16

G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N

Semester in Review Fall 2021

Graduates see Page 7 M O N D A Y, D e ce m b e r 6 , 2 02 1 // VO L . 5 6 N O. 1 6

@ GV L A N T H O R N

LANTHORN.COM

A2 | NEWS

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

AUG. 17

GV mandates COVID-19 vaccine for students, faculty, staff as fall semester approaches

BY AUDREY WHITAKER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University announced that students, faculty and staff will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as the university preps for the fall semester.

In an email sent to the GVSU community on Friday, Aug. 1, president Philomena Mantella said that in anticipation of FDA approval of the COVID-19 vaccination in early September, GVSU will require students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated by Sept. 30.

There will be exemptions for medical and religious reasons, however, those who remain unvaccinated will be tested weekly for COVID-19, according to Mantella’s email.

Greg Sanial, vice president for Finance and Administration and Virus Action Team director said that consequences for those who remain unvaccinated without medical or religious exemptions are not yet finalized.

“In the end, if they’re absolutely refusing to get vaccinated, we would expect them to seek their education elsewhere, or employment elsewhere,” Sanial said. “There’s going to be many steps in that process before we get to that, and we hope with engagement

and education and understanding that we won’t have to get there.”

Students, faculty and staff must report their vaccination status in the daily self-assessment, Sanial said. This information will be verified with an uploaded photo of the vaccination card or will be cross-checked with health department databases.

Sanial said that the decision to mandate vaccination is in the interest of providing a safe environment for education, which aligns with GVSU’s mission.

“We engaged across our campus community both students, faculty, staff in very deliberative consultations,” Sanial said.

“We want to have the safest campus we can, which is consistent with our mission” Sanial encouraged the GVSU community to get vaccinated as soon as possible- be it through a healthcare provider or one of GVSU’s free vaccine clinics.

“We will offer free vaccine clinics on campus when move-in begins on August 24 and as the first week of classes [begins],” Sanial said. “We’ve had similar vaccine clinics on campus during the summer.”

According to the GVSU COVID-19 Data Dashboard, about 79% of faculty and staff have been fully vaccinated, while the num-

MANDATES: Grand Valley required vaccines and masks for all students, faculty and staff, unless they recieved a medical or religious exemption. GV now has an 87% vaccination rate. GVL | SYDNEY LIM

ber for students hovers around 31%.

“Of those students who’ve reported their status on their self-assessment about 60% have had at least one shot,” Sanial said. “We have a data gap because not everybody has indicated one way or another if they’ve been vaccinated.”

Additionally, Mantella announced via email that face coverings will be required in all indoor spaces for all faculty, staff, students and visitors on all GVSU campuses

beginning August 9. This is a step back from the June 25 decision, which lifted mask requirements for vaccinated people everywhere except classrooms.

For more information regarding the vaccine mandate and vaccination clinics, visit www.gvsu.edu/lakerstogether/vaccine-information-sars-cov-2-covid-19-48.htm For more information regarding the face covering policy, visit www.gvsu.edu/lakerstogether/face-covering-policy-27.htm

SEPT. 27

Student senators investigate GV’s latest tuition hike

BY JOSH ALBURTUS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Representatives of Grand Valley State University’s administration appeared before the university’s Student Senate on Sept. 23 to offer reasoning and clarity behind its decision to raise student tuition by 2.4% for the 2021-22 academic year.

The increase, costing students an additional $158 per semester, continues the series of steady increases in student tuition each year. University officials presenting at

the Senate meeting placed responsibility for the tuition hike on the state government.

“The systematic underinvestment by the state makes tuition need to be the bigger contribution to make this university what it is today,” Vice President for Finance and Administration Greg Sanial said.

The representatives characterized what they saw as state negligence as a major component of why the campus experience needed to be shouldered by student tuition.

“If we want to have the Grand Valley that we know and love, tuition is the other piece,”

RISING COSTS: A 2.4% tuition increase for the 2021-22 school year cost Grand Valley students approximately $158 more per semester, continuing the upward trend in tuition costs. GVL | SYDNEY LIM

Sanial said. “That’s what’s happening, it’s the underinvestment of the state.”

Although the tuition hike represents the university’s lowest annual hike in 17 years and comes as the university announced an additional $5.4 million in financial aid to students this past summer, senators were intent on getting clear rationale from the university. One senator in the meeting took aim at the representatives’ language surrounding “free printing” that, due to printing credit being charged as part of students’ tuition, the senator considered misleading. Senators voiced other personal concerns as well.

“As someone who’s paying for their own college out of pocket, I think more needs to be done, whether that is offering more financial aid or making budget cuts,” said Student Senator Teagan Byers.

When asked if the university’s increase in financial aid was enough to balance out the tuition hike, Byers remained skeptical.

“It’s almost like a Catch-22,” Byers said.

“It’s benefiting some people but at the same time it’s like, ‘Oh, my tuition’s raised,’ so the uprise in financial aid didn’t really do much for some students.”

As for the university, Sanial said that, because the administration felt financial aid offerings were low, those offerings needed to be raised accordingly.

“It’s an equity and an access issue,” Sanial said. “By bringing our financial aid levels up, we can create a better opportunity for more people.”

Paired with what the representatives claimed to be lagging state allocations, public data indicates that the university has slim room for deciding how much it allocates from its general budget to cover the heightened financial aid. According to public records available on the university’s website involving student enrollment and historical tuition rates, due to a drop in enrollment, the university will incur a deficit of $2,711,020 less in tuition revenue compared to the fall of 2020, not including room and board.

Following the Senate’s meeting, however, Sanial struck an optimistic tone about how the financial aid increase was affecting the student body.

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DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

CONTENTS NEWS

| A2

OPINION

| A4

GRADUATE ADS

| A7

LAKER LIFE

| A16

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

| A17

SPORTS

| A18

VOL. 56

NO. 16

Lan thorn Layout Editor VIVIANA RUBIO

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief ZACK GOODROW Associate Editor MARY RACETTE

Layout Designer KHOI TRAN PROMOTIONS

Associate Editor XAVIER GOLDEN

Promotions Manager ALEX DAGOSTINO

News Editor ADVERTISING STAFF AUDREY WHITAKER Advertising Manager Sports Editor JOSH HENGTGEN HOLLY BIHLMAN Laker Life Editor BUSINESS STAFF SABRINA EDWARDS Business Manager A&E Editor RACHEL MCDOWELL MARY DUPUIS Image Editor MEGHAN LANGREN

Asst. Business Manager DAYTON HAMMON

Multimedia EditorHAILEIGH HUBER

At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published weekly by Grand Valley State University students 31 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community. For additional copies, at $1 each, please contact our business offices.

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A3 | NEWS OCT. 18

Midterms present new challenges as students return

BY KAY KELLER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Most college students will be able to tell people that burnout hits very hard by the time that midterms start. Everyone is exhausted, stressed and worried about their grades.

Responses to a Lanthorn survey showed that over half of the Grand Valley State University students who responded feel more confident going into midterms in their in-person classes than they felt online in previous semesters.

However, the way that students study has changed significantly since the transition to online learning and again from the move back to the physical classroom. Students are having to relearn how to study for in-person learning.

Students struggled a lot with the completely online classes in previous semesters.

While most appreciate the return to in-person learning, the change has not been easy.

“The online format over the last two years has instilled a new form of laziness in me,” GVSU student Anna Compton said. “I’ve discovered that I can scrape by not paying attention to professors and not being diligent because I could barely understand zoom lectures anyways.”

Online classes allowed students to zone out during lectures, rewatch segments that they had missed, and use their notes on quizzes and tests. Without the use of recorded lectures, students are having to rely on their memories and note-taking abilities to succeed in their classes, and may have forgotten how to.

“I haven’t had an in-person exam in two years, and during that time had the ability to rely on my notes,” GVSU student Kiara Wheeler said. “So going into an exam, now I have to change the way that I study and memorize a lot more information.”

Many students find that they are able to focus more easily when they are outside of their home environment. The change of scenery and just the presence of other people being productive is helpful to the mindset of studying.

“I sleep and watch Netflix in my bedroom, play games and socialize in my apartment living room,” said GVSU student Natalie Price.

“I have associated the space with having fun.

When I change my scenery, I enter a space with no associations. It gives me a fresh start and allows me to focus because I don’t associate it with being distracted.”

Other students mentioned that they frequent the library for their study time. The more serious, school-centered environment makes it easier for students to focus just on their work. Being out of their apartments or dorms also forces students to be out of their pajamas and away from at-home distractions.

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SUN DEC 19 7:30PM WGVU 35.1

A4 | OPINIONS

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLEDITORIAL

GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

11/29/21

By Xavier Golden

GVL OPINION POLICY

The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity.

The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate against any other views, opinions or beliefs.

The content, information and views expressed are not approved by-nor do they necessarily represent those of-the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty or staff.

Letter to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500-650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits.

To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn.com or drop your submission off in person at: 0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ALLENDALE, MI 49401 616-826-8276

editorial@lanthorn.com

Envisioning the future of how journalism, community intersect

BY ZACK GOODROW SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

There were several factors that led me to my decision of spending four years studying at Grand Valley State University.

The school is close to home, the campus is beautiful and the class sizes are small.

I knew I had an interest in podcasting and sports journalism. I decided to major in the subject when I first came to Allendale

for orientation. Since then, the CMJ major at GVSU hasn’t disappointed me in the slightest bit.

The school offers multiple organizations such as GVTV, The Whale Radio station, the GVSU Podcast Network and of course, the Lanthorn. The university also stocked the teaching department with excellent professionals like James Ford, Jeffery Kelly-Lowenstein, Len O’Kelly and Eric Harvey.

I have learned so much from each of these professors. Like most majors I’m sure, students start out with the basic fundamentals of their traits in their early years at GVSU. Now that I’m a senior, I find myself exploring more complicated topics, changing aspects of journalism and what the field may look like after I graduate.

According to Forbes, 56% of Americans agree with the following statement: “Journalists and reporters are purposely trying to

mislead people by saying things they know are false or gross exaggerations.”

While I do disagree that journalists are purposefully reporting fake news to trick the public, (except for cases like FOX News), I do understand the distrust in the media that Americans obviously have.

The issue is that national media outlets do have a clear agenda. Profitability drives large media organizations. This can lead to sensationalizing stories, covering politics like sports and prioritizing quantity over quality. Social media, the 24-hour news cycle and the race to be the first to cover a story has led to stories being published too soon and sometimes misinformed.

All of these issues have led to the massive gates between media outlets and their audiences. In order to fix these systemic issues, journalists need to engage and help their communities more effectively.

Engaging audiences is easier said than

done. Take the 2016 Presidential Election for example. Instead of covering foreign policy, economic and domestic issues, CNN prioritized Donald Trump’s gaffs, ridiculous quotes, and running his full rallies. In 2016, this strategy was excellent television and kept viewers coming. Their coverage tackled material like “who won the debate,” “who said what about who,” and dissections of the weekly polls.

Is that what audiences really want to hear about? I’m sure most people would like journalists to follow the candidates’ policies, their fitness for office and what they would change if elected. Media organizations need to engage with their audiences to cover these topics they deem necessary.

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Reviving the 2014 aesthetic less than a decade later

BY MARYBETH STANZIOLA SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

As I set foot into Forever 21 last week, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia as the mannequins were dressed straight out of a grainy Polaroid from 2014: tennis skirts, meticulously distressed band tees, knockoff Dr. Martens and all. The racks were lined with red and black flannels layered over cropped, bleached tank tops harboring

“edgy” phrases that could’ve been created through a Tumblr buzzword generator.

I was almost overwhelmed at the sight of the store, wondering how these trends and styles were already back not even ten years later than their original popularity. It felt wrong to contemplate trying one of the outfits advertised at my current age of 22, considering the last time I wore something even relatively close to that style was when I was a sophomore in high school.

As COVID-19 brought the world to a stop just before my senior year of college began, I personally found myself resorting to certain pieces of pop culture for a sense of comfort and a reminder of a simpler time in my life.

I searched “2014 Tumblr aesthetic” on Pinterest to admire the collective obsession with boxed water, succulents, oil slicks in the street, and romanticism of cigarettes; all toned down and distorted by pre-made

filters on VSCO. I tore through my vinyl collection in search of artists who peaked at that time: Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, Halsey, Lana Del Rey, The Neighbourhood, the list goes on and on. Soon enough, it felt like all of Twitter and TikTok were on the same nostalgia train, posting about how they too were longing for a time full of teenage angst minus any “real” responsibilities.

Now that the world is beginning to open back up and these trends are being brought back in the mainstream before they even had a considerable amount of time to be missed, it begged the following questions: did other people in my small town have a shared experience of this time period, what were their biggest influences/interests in this era, and would they like to relive 2014 in their twenties? I took to my Instagram story to post polls regarding those questions and watched the results, mainly from other GVSUstudents, roll in.

Much of my curiosity stemmed from wondering how others memorialized 2014 pop culture. When I uploaded an open question box containing the phrase, “when I think of 2014, I think of _____”, I was met with a copious amount of responses.

Out of the 76 participants, 65% listed off at least three of the aforementioned musicians, and 87% made sure Tumblr was referenced as well. The brand American Apparel was the most common response in terms of fashion, which makes sense as their legacy is forever immortalized in the song “She Looks so Perfect” by Australian pop band 5 Seconds of Summer; which peaked at #14 on the Billboard charts in 2014.

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A5 | NEWS

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS EDUCATION

Developing story: Two GV student deaths in October

BY AUDREY WHITAKER & HANNA HALSTEAD NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

On Thursday, Oct 14, emergency responders were dispatched to Pere Marquette beach in Muskegon following reports that a swimmer was struggling in the rip currents of Lake Michigan.

Several hours later, the U.S. Coast Guard found the body of Taleah Lowe, an 18-yearold Grand Valley State University student.

GVSU students were notified via email on Oct. 15. On Oct. 19, the Grand Valley Police Department shared two posts on social media with information about the Muskegon Police Department report.

GVPD said that Muskegon Police Department’s initial statement named drowning as the cause of death and that there was no foul play suspected.

A GoFundMe created by Isaiah Lane, Lowe’s cousin, on Oct. 18 is raising money for legal fees and a private investigator.

According to Lane in the GoFundMe, the family is suspicious of two other GVSU students whom Lowe was with on the night of her death.

Students took to social media to express their outrage. On Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, members of the GVSU community shared the opinion that Lowe’s death wasn’t an accident in posts and comments on GVSU, GVPD and President Mantella’s official accounts. Many said that the department should conduct a more thorough investigation.

Since the death occurred in Muskegon, GVPD does not have jurisdiction over the case, which is being handled by the Muskegon police department, Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Brandon DeHaan said.

“In this particular case, the death investigation occurred over 35 miles away from the Allendale campus,” DeHaan said. “Had the death occurred on the Grand Valley campus, Grand Valley police would have conducted the investigation.”

DeHaan said that GVPD has connected with the Muskegon Police Department in order to connect their investigator with members of Brown’s family and to inform the GVSU community.

CONVERSATIONS: “Power, Privilege and Difficult Dialogues” was the theme of the 9th annual TeachIn. The Teach-In is a melting pot of topics since anyone can propose a discussion. GVL | MAX RITCHIE

On Oct. 22, GVSU students were notified via email that another student, Katelyn Nylund, had died in a vehicle crash on Oct. 21.

The GVSU Counseling Center has stated that they are available to anyone

struggling with the two deaths of GVSU students this week.

The Lanthorn will be covering both these cases as more information unfolds.

MENTAL HEALTH

Students concerned with Aramark’s history and GV’s campus dining options

BY JACOB DEWEERD NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Since 2001, Grand Valley State University has contracted its campus dining service to a Philadelphia-based food service provider, the Aramark Corporation. Aramark is responsible for supplying food service labor to GVSU, and the company also determines meal choices and operational strategies for the university’s campus dining program.

According to a contract between the University and Aramark has been renewed several times, most recently in 2019. The contract, signed in February of 2019, states

CONVERSATIONS: Aramark has a complex history as a food service provider, one that some students have voiced conern over. GVL | MAX RITCHIE

that the agreement shall continue through June 30, 2028, unless terminated by the university in accordance with the agreement.

In the past, Aramark has been criticized for its ties to prisons, contracts with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and reportedly sub-par food quality and unsanitary kitchen conditions. Some GVSU students, including student-led groups like Students for Food Sovereignty (SFS) have called for the university to end their contract with Aramark and switch to a self-operated dining service model.

Director of Auxiliary Services Doug Wentworth said the university is always reviewing the best options for campus dining service.

“I’ve been to multiple places to look at multiple schools from other providers and self-op, and just to review the service models, the cost and food options,” Wentworth said. “We get feedback from the customers to determine the best option for our students and the GVSU community, and at the time that we reviewed those, Aramark was that choice.”

In 2013, Aramark was contracted to handle food service in Michigan prisons, but that contract was terminated in 2015, only 18 months after it began. The decision was mutual between the state and Aramark, but

it came after reports of many issues including meal shortages, maggot infestations in kitchens, and disciplinary problems among Aramark employees.

Self-operated dining service is an alternative to GVSU’s current method of contracting service out to a third-party company like Aramark. If the university were to switch to a self-op model, it would shoulder all the responsibilities that Aramark currently handles, including training food service staff, sourcing ingredients for meals, and developing operating procedures for on-campus dining locations.

Most Michigan universities, including Michigan State, Northern Michigan, Ferris State, Western Michigan, and Michigan Tech use self-op service models.

“All those models are good, but I’ve been at all (types of) schools,” Wentworth said.

“Some self-ops run very well and some run very poorly. Some other contractors run very well and some run very poorly. It depends on the people and the involvement that the university that’s managing it has with that partner.

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DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A6 | NEWS NOV. 22

Global supply chain disruptions impact the GV community

BY GILLIAN HANTON NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages and increased prices of products such as food, gas and household items have caused distress for people around the world. These stressors are largely due to issues in the supply chain industry, which is facing large demand postCOVID-19 lockdown.

The Grand Valley State University community is no exception to these struggles, as business owners and students face difficulties related to these supply chain shortages.

The industry is taking a big economic hit as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate the world. It’s estimated that global disruptions within the industry were up 638% during the first half of 2021, almost half of which occurred in North America.

In addition, Resilinc, one of the global leaders in supply chain risk management, marked COVID-19 as a “severe” event, a level of impact which has never been assigned to an event before.

“The big change from lack of demand during COVID to a ton of demand afterward is a huge factor, and probably the primary factor in why we’re seeing global shortages,” said Daniel Pellathy, Assistant Professor of Management at GVSU. “Companies right now are trying to deal with this imbalance between supply and demand.”

As companies struggle to increase product availability, the West Michigan popu-

lation continues to cope with limited resources. One of the biggest challenges has been providing food for students in the school system.

Georgetown, Jenison, and Hudsonville Public Schools have all reported shortages in their usual lunch items and have had to make replacements and accommodations. College students are also being impacted by supply chain shortages and increased prices, especially those who’re working to pay off student loans or save money for the future.

“When I go to the store, there aren’t always products available that I’m used to buying,” said GVSU junior Katelyn Meeker.

“I also have to avoid some things that are getting more expensive because they no longer fit into my budget.”

Businesses in the Grand Rapids area are also feeling the impact of these shortages.

Essentials such as food products, packing and shipping materials and electronic equipment necessary for sales have become nearly impossible to obtain. Even if they do become available, small businesses often encounter increased shipping times and prices.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, these issues leave owners wondering how to deal with an influx of orders and limited products.

“I do a lot of work with local businesses, and they are absolutely feeling the shortage at all levels of input, from raw materials to component inputs and parts,” Pellathy said.

“There are also real cost increases local companies are feeling, and it’s constraining to the

SHOPPING: GVSU students are feeling the impacts of delays in the global supply chain industry. As items become more scarce, prices are increasing, impacting students’ budgets. COURTESY | FLICKR

local economy.”

Unfortunately, there isn’t much the public can do on a large scale to lower the demand for certain products. However, adjustments can be made to limit individual spending.

“Short-term, look for substitutes for products you normally buy,” Pellathy said.

“Long-term, look more closely at supply chains. Really see where your products are

coming from and make that a part of your purchasing decisions.”

Experts believe the financial crisis, labor shortage and product shortage should be resolved or at least improved by the end of 2022. In the meantime, companies, small businesses and schools will continue to adjust to this new way of life.

NOV. 15

Reach Higher 2025 committee seeks faculty feedback as strategic plan is revised

BY SARA COLLINS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

The Reach Higher 2025 (RH2025) steering committee is continuing to draft a strategic plan aligning with Grand Valley State University’s vision for the future of the university. The draft will be presented to the board of trustees in Feb. 2022. After the draft passes this necessary step, it will then be used as a guide for divisions and colleges of all programs within the university.

The draft is undergoing a delay due to a lack of approval from The University Academic Senate (UAS), GVSU’s faculty senate, on Sept. 24. Schaub said the UAS wanted the RH2025 team to revise the language to further ensure they have the approval of the entire campus community.

“The delay is because we want to get it right,” Schaub said.

Student feedback is another important element of the RH2025 is student feedback.

GVSU’s Student Senate discussed the

STRATEGIC PLAN: The Reach Higher 2025 steering committee continues to work on revisions to the RH2025 strategic plan the GVSU faculty senate gave a lack of approval. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

RH2025 plan in early Sept. and went on to endorse the initial version of the RH2025 plan, Student Senate President Autumn Mueller said. However, the new plan will require re-endorsement from the Student Senate.

The RH2025 steering committee is continuing to collect input on the strategic plan from faculty, staff and students. They have hosted a number of events, such as the Faculty Leadership Conversation Series, which focuses on conversation rather than presentations, and an online form to collect feedback.

Mark Schaub, one of three co-leads of the steering committee and the Dean of The Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, said the RH2025 strategic plan helps define the university’s mission, goals and priorities over the next five years.

“This is an expectation for everyone that works at a large organization so that they know what the priorities of the institution are, what we are trying to do and why we exist,” Schaub said.

The draft focuses on three main aspects: lifelong learning, educational equity and student agency. Each part will play a key role in advancing the overall mission of the university. The goals for lifelong learning put emphasis on the importance of students’

learning after their time at GVSU. “Learning is a lifetime endeavor, not just for the years you’re at GVSU or working on a degree,” Schaub. “We are trying to think of our work as preparing students to learn and adapt for their entire lifetime.”

Student agency looks at the way the university is empowering pathways for learners. It is about students being lifelong learners and making choices in order to advance their own learning, explained Schaub.

“Students have input and choices in developing their education,” said Schaub.

After the mission statement is established and approved by the board of trustees, all of the divisions and colleges of all of the programs then use that as a north star to guide what the specific plans are and what specific tactics will be put into place, said Schaub.

For example, Schaub will develop The Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies plan to shape their priorities for the next several years.

“We look at the direction the institution wants to go, then we plan accordingly and do our work to support student learning,” Schaub said.

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A7 | GRADUATION

A8 | GRADUATION

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Madalyn Bacon

You will be the teacher that makes the difference in the classroom. Without a doubt, you will be a FABULOUS educator! We love you!!

Mom, Dad & Marisa

Taylor Blackburn

Congratulations Taylor!

We are proud of you and your accomplishments while at GVSU. Your passion and drive will continue as you begin your journey as a nurse.

Love, Mom & Dad

Jenna Saleh

Congratulations Jenna! You have worked very hard, faced every obstacle and let nothing get in your way. Now, one of your dreams is a reality..You have earned your PA degree! We are so proud of you! We look forward to watching all of your successes unfold. Live your best life, continue to be kind, and be happy!

Love,Mama and Baba

Gabrielle Brancheau

Gabi Marie, We are so proud of you today!

You have worked so hard to get to this point. Keep trusting Jesus each step of the way.

Love, Dad, Mom, and family

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A9 | GRADUATION

Adam Brown

Adam, We are very proud of you. Congratulations on graduating and here’s to your next adventure!

The sky is your limit! Fly high!

Love, Mom and Dad.

Isabella Doyle

Congratulations Isabella!

Always be grateful, work hard and keep smiling your beautiful smile!

We are so proud of you and this great achievement!

All our love, Mom, Dad, Spencer, Beau, Kevin & Ivy

Morgan Hitchings

Congratulations, Morgan!

We’re so proud of your hard work and know that you’re going to be an amazing nurse!

We love you - Mom and Dad

Olivia Carlson

Congratulations Olivia!

We are so proud of you, remember as you graduate don’t think school is over, the school of life is just beginning! You have many roads to choose, we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you, we will be there to cheer you on!!

All our Love, Mom and Dad. Xoxxoo

Kailey Dettmann

Kailey, RN - precious daughter, whom I adore!

Once again, you have amazed me. Tenacity should be your middle name. You are such a wonderful young woman full of love, kindness, caring, and compassion. Know that you are loved beyond your wildest imagination! The nursing world is lucky to have you. I love you, Kailey, forever!

Love, Mom

A10 | GRADUATION

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Nicole Hinman

Lauren Mroczek

Trinity Horne

Kathleen Ries Roberts

Stefani Merchant

Kaylee Allison Roberts

Congratulations, Nicole!

We’re so incredibly proud of you and all of your accomplishments! We look forward to what your bright future holds!

Much Love, Mom, Dad, Madison, and the Grandpas

Congratulations Trinity!

You are going to be an amazing nurse and will be a blessing to many!

We love you! Mom, Dad, Brock & Gami

Congratulations Stefani! We are SO proud of you and all your accomplishments!! Reach for the stars and dream BIG! You can do anything!

Love, Mom and Dad

Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off! We couldn’t be prouder of you!

Go out and conquer the world!

Love, Mom, Dad, Matthew, Brandon, Nicole and Hunter

Congratulations to you, Katie, who pursued nursing because you truly care about the human person, seeing each one’s God-given dignity.

Wholeheartedly, you believe the logical response is Love.

Congratulations on your outstanding mathematics degree! So proud of you.

Looking forward to celebrating more amazing adventures.

Love always from your family members!

Mom, Dad, Aubrey, Morena & your Grandparents

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Julian Sanders

The family of Julian Sanders say: CONGRATULATION and EXCELLENT job WELL DONE. WE LOVE YOU & VERY PROUD OF YOU. Keep your favorite scripture in your heart, always! Proverbs 3:5-6.

Reshmi Sivadasan

Congratulations!! We are so proud of your accomplishment and glad that your hard work paid off!

- Mahesh, Ishaan, Sia

Hannah Truskowski

Hannah Truskowski Congratulations on your amazing accomplishments, Hannah! We look forward to your next adventure in life and hope you enjoy the journey. We are incredibly proud of you and we love you more than you can imagine!

Love and hugs, Mom & Dad and Jason

A11 | GRADUATION

Marybeth Stanziola

We are so proud of you Marybeth!

Congratulations on your graduation and on all of your accomplishments at GVSU. Your perseverance, grit, and courage have brought you where you are today; you have so many reasons to be proud of yourself. Your future is so bright, and we will always be cheering you on!

Love, Mom and Dad

Marcel Wadley

What a milestone achievement you have earned! You will soon be able to reap all the fruits,from all your hard work! So proud of you son!

Congratulations Love, Mom and Dad

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A12 | GRADUATION

Caitlin Williams

Your smile and positive attitude breathe life into any situation. Your courage in the face of adversity is in an inspiration to all that know your story. Your hard work and diligence continues to improve your life and the lives of those around you. You are intelligent, courageous, compassionate and beautiful. Your parents and family want you to know that we are incredibly proud of your achievements. We love you. We are excited to watch your future unfold and see how you continue to make this world a better place.

LeeAnn Wilson LeeAnn, for the past 21 years we’ve watched you grow into an intelligent, mature and beautiful young lady.

This graduation symbolizes another accomplishment to your long list of achievements earned over the years.

Your hard work and dedication to your academics has been relentless and graduation from GVSU signifies one the greatest days of your life. When commencement day arrives, take it all in. You’ve earned every word spoken, every smile received and every hug given today. Our family couldn’t be more proud than we are right now.

We love you!

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A13 | GRADUATION

Kay Keller As a staff writer, Kay brought their professionalism to every story they covered. They consistently published outstanding work. Even as a student journalist, Kay holds an experienced skill set. They were always willing to collaborate with fellow writers and share sources. Kay has a knack for finding more information from press releases and an ability to dig deep with interviews. Wherever they land next, Kay will continue to do excellent work.

Viviana Rubio Viviana started at the Lanthorn in 2019 as our Layout Designer. She moved to the Layout Editor position a semester later and has held the position until she graduated. Her graphic design skills are matched by no other. She has a knack for InDesgin and has created several artist front pages over the years. There wouldn’t have been a Lanthorn for the past three years without Viviana. She will continue to do excellent work in her professional career.

Mary Racette Mary started working for the Lanthorn during her freshman year at GVSU. She quickly climbed the ranks at the Lanthorn becoming the Arts and Entertainment Editor, then News Editor, and finally the Associate Editor. Her attention to detail, news coverage, and creative ways to cover local artists in the Allendale and Grand Rapids areas always made her a valuable member of the Lanthorn staff. Mary will bring her professionalism and her distinguished journalism skills to her next publication.

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A14 | GRADUATION

Allison Rafferty

Alex Dagostino

As a staff writer for many years, Allison has mastered the Lanthorn’s arts and entertainment section. She consistently and effectively covered multiple campus art events and several galleries in Grand Rapids. Allison always found the heart of the story in her work. Her motivated and responsible nature made her one of the most reliable staff writers the Lanthorn has employed. As Allison graduates, the Lanthorn will miss her coverage as one of the best staff writers that the paper has seen.

Marybeth Stanziola

Marybeth started working for the Lanthorn in the summer of 2021 as an intern. She quickly grew into one of the best columnists the Lanthorn has ever had. Her work reviewing albums and culture has a professional and entertaining tone. Whatever the assignment, the Lanthorn could count on her to create excellent material.

Wherever she goes next, she will continue to write astonishing columns.

Congratulations to our graduating Promotions Manager, Alex!

The Lanthorn values your positivity and contribution to the team.

We are incredibly thankful for your hard work and commitment to the Lanthorn throughout your college career. We will miss having you on the team next year, but we cannot wait to see what you do next. We wish you nothing but the best!

Caileigh Bigger

Congratulations to our Graphic Designer, Caileigh! We are so thankful for all the work you have done for the Lanthorn. We are so delighted you had the opportunity to intern with us. You truly have done so much amazing work for the Lanthorn, We will miss seeing you around, but we know you will be doing great things after graduation!

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A15 | NEWS

NOV. 22

GV students and VAT weigh in on winter masking

BY PAYTON BRAZZIL NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s GVSU Alert Level for COVID-19 remained at level two throughout the fall semester, indicating a “medium alert” level. As the winter semester approaches, GVSU students are beginning to question whether the mask mandate will remain in effect.

The Virus Action Team (VAT) has yet to make a decision on upcoming regulations, according to VAT Associate Director of News Dottie Barnes.

“There is no way to predict right now whether face coverings will be required in January,” Barnes said. “Grand Valley’s face covering policy is tied to the GVSU Alert Level. Each alert level includes several key indicators, like community spread of the virus.”

Level two alert is a medium alert level and requires face coverings indoors unless eating or drinking.

The VAT oversees the administration of COVID-19 related interventions and health initiatives, such as testing, vaccinations, the data dashboard and mandates for GVSU. The VAT said the GVSU community has been very compliant to the current mask mandate on campus.

“We believe the mask requirement this semester has contributed to keeping our numbers low,” Barnes said. “The Grand Valley community has much lower numbers than the region or the state, and we want to con-

tinue with that trend.”

According to the Ottawa County COVID-19 data hub, there was an average of 307.48 cases reported per day over the last week, Nov. 14-20, and the level of community transmission is “high.”

Although students have been wearing their masks on campus, the number of COVID-19 cases among the GVSU community are rising. In an email sent to the campus community on Nov. 18, the VAT said there has been an increase in cases both in the GVSU community and across the state of Michigan.

However, the email said cases reported at GVSU are still lower than they were a year ago, which they attribute to the 84% vaccination rate among GVSU students, faculty and staff. According to the GVSU COVID-19 Data Dashboard, there is a 21.71 average of daily case reports and there are 190 current active cases in the GVSU community as of Nov. 19.

Based on these recent trends, some students like Hannah Hosfelt, said they feel the mask mandate should continue into the next semester in order to keep COVID-19 cases under control at GVSU. “I think we need to keep wearing masks on campus and in our classes,” Hosfelt said.

“As much as I hate masks, they do protect us from COVID.” Hosfelt said knowing people who have had the virus recently has impacted her point of view.

COVID-19: Grand Valley State University’s Virus Action Team credits the mask and vaccine mandates with keeping COVID-19 infections lower than surrounding Michigan communities. COURTESY | MLIVE

“Cases are going up right now, I even know a couple people who have it, so I don’t think we should stop wearing them any time soon,” Hosfelt said.

GVSU student Grace Hartigan said that she thinks the mask mandate should be lifted at GVSU, as long as the majority of the community is vaccinated. According to the data dashboard, 83% of GVSU students are fully vaccinated.

“I don’t have to wear one at the grocery store or restaurants because I’m vaccinated,” Hartigan said. “We shouldn’t have to wear masks at Grand Valley anymore, they’re kind of suffocating. Everyone should just get vaccinated so this can be over with.”

While students have differing opinions on whether or not GVSU should wear masks next semester, the VAT will support anyone in the community who decides to wear masks, even if it is not required on campus, Barnes said.

“I would still wear my mask even if we did not need to wear them,” Hosfelt said. “I work in healthcare, so I need to be aware of everyone’s safety. If the university said we don’t have to wear masks, I would still wear one to stay safe.”

Due to the mask mandate corresponding with the current alert level, it is unknown whether the GVSU community will be wearing masks next semester.

OCT. 4

GV signs second partnership with HBCU

BY EMMA ARMIJO NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

OPPORTUNITY: GV’s partnership with HBCU SAU allows SAU students to earn a master’s degree in under five years. GVL | LAUREN SEYMOUR

Grand Valley State University’s Dean of Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, Paul Plotkowski, and Vice President of Enrollment Development, B. Donta Truss, met with Saint Augustine’s University (SAU), to sign an agreement offering an opportunity for advanced computing and engineering students from the school to come to GVSU and further their education.

Located in North Carolina, SAU is a Historically Black University, making this the second of GVSU’s partnerships with Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs). Plotkowski said that through partnerships like this, GVSU can open up avenues for students that weren’t previously accessible and do the best possible for students at both universities.

“Particularly with smaller HBCUs, they have tremendous strength in supporting students to be successful, from very diverse and frequently lower economic situations,” Plotowski said. “They can’t offer every educational opportunity that they might like to their students.

Programs, like engineering, can be very expensive to run.”

This new agreement allows SAU students to partner with GVSU to receive a master’s degree in advanced computing and engineering in under five years. This will allow students involved to build on the educational foundation they have received from SAU with the resources and training that GVSU provides to open doors to careers such as biomedical engineering and cybersecurity.

The program operates similarly to GVSU’s own internal combined degree program. This allows students to work towards a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree at the same time, completing both up to a year earlier than average.

GVSU Dean Paul Plotkowski has co-led the group effort from an academic focus, comparing curriculum from both schools to coordinate the transition.

“The most common thing we’re expecting of students is that they will begin at St. Augustines’s to probably do three years there, and then come to Grand Valley for two years, they would transfer back some of the course from the fourth

year to complete their degree, and get their bachelor’s degree from St. Augustine’s as well as the master’s from Grand Valley,” Plotkowski said.

GVSU is eager to extend its opportunities and resources to offer SAU’s students a seamless transition. The students receiving this opportunity should have full access to on-campus support, Michigan in-state tuition rates and the ability to visit GVSU before they decide to participate.

“It really allows us just to offer the wonderful things that Grand Valley does to a bigger and broader population,” Plotkowski said.

This new partnership is not only beneficial for SAU, but for the Laker community as well. Bridging the distance between the schools, GVSU will give SAU’s students a taste of Michigan. The mix of cultures will create a new dynamic on campus, and continue to expose both universities’ students to diversity in many forms.

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A16 | LAKER LIFE

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE

SEPT. 27

The bias behind student evaluations

BY YSABELA GOLDEN LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

Contrary to many popular assumptions among students, taking the time to fill out your end-of-the-semester faculty evaluations does have a tangible effect on your professors. Far from being ignored, student evaluations can cross the desks of a faculty member’s colleagues, their department head, even the dean of their college.

“Different units, departments and colleges may have different practices,” said Ed Aboufadel, Grand Valley State University’s Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. “But ultimately, the evaluation of faculty involves student evals, and faculty evaluates faculty.

So, colleagues have to have access to your student evaluations— they become a part of your tenure portfolio and contract renewals.”

Student feedback, in accordance with GVSU’s faculty handbook, makes up onethird of the evaluation of teaching (alongside peer and self-evaluation). At its ideal, the inclusion of student impressions of faculty teaching as a factor when making important performance review decisions like granting tenure prioritizes student needs, reinforcing GVSU’s focus on teaching. On the downside, however, students can be fallible: especially when it comes to potential bias in their evaluations.

In the article “Evaluating Student Evalu-

ations of Teaching,” a review of the scholarly literature on equity bias in SETs, Krietzer et al described a number of ways in which an instructor’s gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation had been found to influence the results of their evaluations. In one 2005 study, researchers found that female instructors received average ratings that were one-half standard deviation lower than men’s ratings.

In 2011, researchers found that Black and other non-White faculty received the lowest mean scores across 26 different evaluation items. Experimental evidence from Anderson et al suggests that LGBT faculty may be seen as more politically biased and motivated than their straight, cisgender colleagues.

Another kind of biased comment the review found in student evaluations were those targeting faculty with perceived “foreign” accents, usually with the criticism that they were impossible to understand. Paul Plotkowski, Dean of the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, has observed this type of bias in SETs firsthand.

“I have many international faculty members in my college,” Plotkowski said. “First of all, if they could not be understood, they would not have made it through our hiring process. But to give you a sense of how silly it can be at times, a number of years ago I had two new faculty members who each received a handful of very vocal reviews about their having a ‘terrible accent,’ and those

FACING PARTIALITY: GVSU evaluations finds that students may hold biases that impact the way they review their professors at the end of the semester. GVL | GVSU PROMOTIONS OFFICE FOR LIFT

kinds of comments. ‘How could you hire this person to teach at Grand Valley?’ One professor was from Tennessee, and the other was from Toronto.”

Given that student feedback is used as a factor for decisions as serious as who gets tenured, potential bias in student evaluation results are a real concern for faculty. As part of their role as the primary advocate for Grand Valley’s faculty, the University Academic Senate (the highest elected faculty governance body) is currently examining the issue. In May 2021, the Equity in Personnel Processes Task Force was created and

charged with exploring the existing literature on the issue, consulting with other GVSU groups who have already been looking at the issue, and reviewing the policies to mitigate bias emerging in institutions of higher education nationwide.

“What we’ve been finding is more and more evidence that shows that bias itself is a part of being human, and it does show itself in student impressions of teaching,” said ProLOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

NOV. 21

Study Abroad Fair brings new opportunities for students

BY CLÉMENCE DANIERE LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

This week Grand Valley State University’s Padnos International Center will be concluding their series of in-person and virtual events as part of the Study Abroad Fair. These events aim to help students with deciding whether or not they want to study abroad during their time at GVSU. To help show students how their time abroad could benefit their degree, as well as where to fit it into their schedules, the advising center will be hosting pop-up advising sessions in Kirkhof on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 1:00 and Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 11:00.

Advising sessions for students on the downtown campus will be held at DeVos Place on Thursday, Nov. 11 from 12:00 to 4:00.

“Essentially, (I help) students going from thinking about studying to guiding them to an identify a right program, academically, financially, and also as far as location is concerned,” said study abroad advisor Meaghann Myers-Smith.

Students are excited to attend the event to see what the studying abroad provides to students.

“I’ve been interested in studying abroad in France for my French minor for a few years now and I cannot wait to attend sessions online to hear more about what every program has to offer for me,” said an inter-

CONNECTING: Students attending the Study Abroad Fair to gain more knowledge on the opportunities they can get with studying in different countries and making more connections. GVL | GVSU

national relations major at GVSU Eric Calhoun.

Calhoun is interested in attending the L’Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Commerciales d’Anger (ESSA) for their summer business program, which would not only fulfill his French minor requirements but also focus on some aspects of his major.

GVSU partners with universities around the world to be able to provide opportuni-

ties for a wide range of majors and minors.

These partners will also be talking at the fair and sharing information about their schools and programs with any interested students.

Partnership universities will be speaking with students in live sessions on Friday, Nov. 12 at 9:00 a.m.

These live sessions will hold important information about the specific programs and allow students to speak more private-

ly with qualified faculty. Kate Holloway, a prospective study abroad student through the International Studies Abroad program (ISA), is hoping to spend her summer of 2022 in Cusco, Peru through the Language, Literature and Culture program. She is hoping that this opportunity helps build her Spanish language skills as well as exposes her to an important culture for the language.

“I am pursuing this program over any others as it provides me with a creatively structured approach to intercultural bilingual learning while also combining plenty of excursions and exciting experiences into an academic opportunity,” said Holloway .

To attend the fair students will need to register to live sessions for their select programs. When registered for three or more live sessions, students will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $500 voucher for their study abroad experience.

If financial concerns are one of the main deterrents for students to apply, there will also be a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9 to inform students of potential fellowships and scholarships that are available to support them in their journey abroad.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

A17 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

NOV. 22

GV Dance Troupe performs for heartfelt cause

BY ALLISON RAFFERTY ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

For the first time in two years, Grand Valley State University’s Dance Troupe (GVDT) hosted an in-person recital.

On Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20, GVDT put on their show, “Dance Among the Stars” at the Allendale High School auditorium.

Each semester, the dance troupe uses the recital to help fundraise for a local cause.

In previous semesters, they have helped fundraise for Harbor Humane Society, the environmental justice organization The Sierra Club and a safe house for domestic violence victims called Resilience.

This semester, the troupe decided to fundraise for North Star Reach, a camp for children who are typically unable to attend summer camp due to life-threatening illnesses. North Star Reach is Michigan’s only barrier-free, fully-accessible medical camp.

Kaitlyn Holloway, GVDT Secretary and double major in communications sciences and disorders and Spanish, said this cause hits especially close to home for GVDT. Holloway said a GVDT alumni dancer who recently passed was closely affiliated with North Star Reach as an organizer and former volunteer, and that the organization was very important to her.

“Unfortunately, she passed away over the

FUNDRAISE: The Grand Valley Dance Troupe recently held “Dance Among the Stars” to raise money for North Star Reach, an organization close to the hearts of those in the troupe. GVL | ARCHIVES

summer and we thought it would be a wonderful way to honor her legacy, by bringing awareness and raising donations for their cause,” Holloway said.

In a typical semester, GVDT’s HR representative researches multiple charities and organizations that are located across Western Michigan. The representative then presents their findings to the club and they vote on which

organization to represent.

Due to the personal nature North Star Reach has with the troupe, this semester they collectively decided to fundraise for the organization instead of going through with the traditional selection process.

This semester the recital consisted of 18 dances that included solos, group dances of various styles and a finale that highlighted all of the

troupe’s dancers. Each number was intimately choreographed by its choreographer and displayed a range of skill sets, and emotions.

Holloway said she hopes those in attendance embraced the range of emotions each number brought forth.

“Some of the dances were sensitive in nature, with personal tributes to loved ones who have passed or in solidarity with those who have suffered from domestic abuse,” Holloway said. “We hoped the audience would cheer at the upbeat hip-hops, clap for the incredible pirouettes in advanced jazz routines, and embrace the emotions of lyrical ballads.”

Given that this was the troupe’s first in-person performance since the beginning of the pandemic, most of its members had never performed with the troupe live.

“I was looking forward to experiencing my first in-person recital as an Executive Board member as we hosted a special tradition that starts off every recital,” Holloway said. “From witnessing it as a freshman, to now hosting it, is very full-circle.”

Among those experiencing such full-circle moments are the GVDT seniors graduating in the spring.

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SEPT. 27

Grand Rapids Art Museum raises awareness of disabled community through ArtPrize exhibition

BY MARY DUPUIS ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) has collaborated with artist Oaklee Thiele and the Grand Rapids based Disability Arts organization, DisArt, to bring the “My Dearest Friends Project” to Grand Rapids for ArtPrize 2021.

From Sept. 16 through Oct. 31, the exhibition will be displayed on all four sides of GRAM’s exterior in large-scale hand-sewn banners and panels.

Communications Manager at GRAM, Elizabeth Payne, said the exhibition is meant to bring the presence and struggles of the disabled community to the forefront of the city’s mind.

“This outdoor presentation brings the personal and political presence of the disability community to the heart of the city, visible from Ottawa Avenue, Monroe Avenue, Louis Street, and Monroe Center Street,” Payne said.

Thiele, who is currently in her second year of art school earning a BFA from the Cooper Union Advancement of Science and Art, described herself as “a protest artist whose work calls attention to the inaccessible structures embedded within our society and addresses the ableist institutions built to keep disabled bodies out.”

She said with her artwork she works to ex-

plore the intersectional nature of disability, more specifically its relation to sexuality.

“My work serves as a very real testimony to my own disabled experience,” Thiele said. “As my disability continues to progress I am forced to adapt my way of creating.”

Thiele’s “My Dearest Friends” began at the peak of the pandemic in March 2020, when she said she felt very frustrated with the response to the effects the pandemic was having on the disabled community.

“Family and friends kept saying, ‘It’s only the disabled and chronically ill who will die from this pandemic,’” Thiele said. “They were ready and willing to completely disregard disabled life as if my own life had no value. I cope through art. So, I wrote a poem alone in my studio titled ‘My Dearest Friends.’”

Thiele’s poem went as follows: “My Dearest Friends/We mustn’t let this be forgotten/The time the world gained/Perspective on a small portion/Of our struggles. We must/Make sure that this moment/Goes down in history so/ That we can build a better world/A more accessible world/A world for everyone/A world for us.”

When the co-founders of DisArt, Jill Vyn and Chris Smit, saw Thiele’s poem on her social media, they reached out to collaborate.

The poem was then shared on more social media platforms by Thiele and DisArt

AUTHENTICITY: Thiele turns experience of disabled community into art. GVL | RACHEL SLOMBA

asking disabled and chronically ill individuals to send in their stories in the same format as Thiele’s poem, starting with the phrase “My Dearest Friends…”

Participants were asked to write about their experiences with disability, and sign off with their first name.

Since the original post was made,

there have been over 400 submissions to Thiele from around the world. She responded to each submission by creating a black and white image.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

A18 | SPORTS

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

NOV. 1

Schoolman’s triumphant return to the field

BY JOSH CARLSON SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

Following Grand Valley State University women’s soccer’s 2019 season championship, senior defender Makenna Schoolman was on cloud nine. There was nothing in her way from going into her senior season in 2020 and trying for a repeat win with her team. It wasn’t until the disastrous COVID-19 pandemic and a career-threatening injury that her hope for another stellar season began to fade.

When she was sent home due to COVID-19, Schoolman and her teammates consequently spent a long summer off-season doing individual workouts from home, still trying to stay in shape for what they hoped to be another season. After the hard work spent in those long months, the team was informed that the 2020 fall soccer season was canceled.

“To have to work out by ourselves for a very long summer and put in all that work, then be told you’re not going to even get a season, that was hard,” Schoolman said.

“To know it was my senior season was even harder.”

After having to skip the fall season, the GLIAC decided to do a shortened spring season in March of 2021. But, in the leading practices to prepare for the short season, Schoolman went down with a season--and potentially career-ending injury.

“I had had a tibial plateau fracture,” Schoolman said. “Which is something that would usually happen in a car accident. One of my teammates and I went in for a tackle and didn’t really see each other. I kind of blacked out, the only thing I remember is my coach coming up to me and having to carry me off the field, and I had to have surgery a week later.”

With the injury, Schoolman’s hopes for a chance to play in a Laker uniform again were low, until the NCAA granted an extra year of COVID-19 eligibility, allowing seniors who missed out on their season to return. Schoolman was all for it.

“I had put in all of that work (that summer),” Schoolman said. “And especially after the result we had in 2019, I couldn’t just walk away from something when I knew I could have that feeling again. I wanted to stay because I wanted to have that feeling again and be a part of this program a little

PERSEVERANCE: Senior defender, Makenna Schoolman comes back with an incredible recovery from a serious bone fracture to compete one last time for the 2021 season. COURTESY | JAKE LEVY

bit longer.”

Schoolman went to work rehabbing her injury, determined to persevere and join her teammates back on the field in the fall of 2021.

“I was told right when I broke it that I would never play soccer again,” Schoolman said. “Much less play this year and this fall. It was my goal to, my friends and I have joked,

prove science wrong. I worked really hard through the summer to make sure I was on top of my injury and on top of the rehab.

So, it’s just awesome to step back out on the field and have a role on this team not just as an encourager but as a player on the field.”

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AUG. 2

GV track and field alumnus, Chris Hammer, eyes gold at 2020 Paralympics

BY SHAWN ROBINSON SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The 2020 Olympic Games have begun with the 2020 Paralympic Games right around the corner. Grand Valley State University alumnus, Chris Hammer, will once again compete for Team USA in the Paralympic Games. Hammer, a 2009 graduate and five-time NCAA Division II Track All-American, will try and go for the gold medal in the Paratriathlon in August.

Hammer found a passion for running at a young age, but it wasn’t his first sport of choice.

“In high school my favorite sport was ice hockey,” Hammer said. “I played ice hockey all through senior year for a city league and actually won the state championship. I was all about it, but it was apparent that my challenge worked in distance running. If I was going to continue playing sports in college it was not going to be ice hockey, it was going to be running. I liked running, I liked the fact you could push yourself and it’s so simple. It’s basically you trying to beat someone else, and I liked that aspect of that.”

Hammer was born without a left hand, the result of a congenital condition, but he hasn’t let that slow him down at all.

PARALYMPIC ALUMNUS: Chris Hammer, 2009 GVSU graduate, plans to compete for gold in the 2020 Paralympic Games for his third time running for Team USA’s triathlon. COURTESY | WORLD TRIATHLON

“I never, ever considered myself to have a disability and never let it be an excuse for anything,” Hammer said. “Every sport I played was played just like a regular sport.”

During his time at GVSU, Hammer ran cross country and helped his team to nine conference championship victories and finished top four at nationals twice. He also ran other races including winning the 2007 Outdoor GLIAC Championship 3000-meter steeplechase and the 2007 Indoor GLIAC Championship 5k run.

Hammer also showed his hard work ethic each and every day whether it was at practice or at meets. He brought lots of energy and enthusiasm to the team and was a joy to have as a teammate.

“Chris is a very easygoing, great-spirited and very passionate person,” said GVSU track and field coach, Jerry Baltes. “His work ethic was top-notch as a Grand Valley student-athlete, and to this day, has done an incredible job of maximizing his talent and getting the most out of his God-given ability by working hard, staying fitted and disciplined in training and living the proper lifestyle to become one of the best in the world.”

Hammer’s journey to the Paralympics was different than others. He was first approached by a U.S. Paralympic coach at an indoor track invitational at the University of Washington when he was still a student at GVSU. The coach introduced the idea of the Paralympics to Hammer but it took some

time for him to decide on what to do.

“I never heard of the Paralympics, so the only thing I could think of is Special Olympics and I was like, this doesn’t apply to me,” Hammer said. “I kind of blew it off at first and it actually took a decent amount of convincing from my teammates and coaches there, and they told me I should look into the opportunity more. It was something I was hesitant to pursue to begin with but then the more I learned, and I saw what a great opportunity it is to continue to be an athlete post-college and to represent your country at the world stage has been life changing.”

Since joining the U.S. Paralympics track and field team, Chris has participated in many events and made a name for himself on the national and world stage. In 2011, Hammer was the World Para Athletics (IPC) Champion in the 1,500m race. He then participated in his first Paralympic Games in London in 2012, where he ran the 1,500m and the Marathon. But Hammer wanted to go further and try a new challenge in 2013 and participate in the triathlon, which consists of three segments; a 750m swim, 20km bike and a 5km run. He didn’t have any swim or bike training prior to entering the race but felt his cross-country and long-distance running background would be well suited for a triathlon.

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A19 | SPORTS

DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS NOV. 22

Men’s and Women’s Club Wrestling moves up to varsity status for the 2023 season

BY JAMES HERRICK SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University will be adding men’s and women’s wrestling to their catalog of club varsity sports for the 2023 season. GVSU alumni John and Diane Harris, from the classes of 77’ and 76’, fueled the addition after a generous lead donation of three million dollars.

GVSU has been without a men’s wrestling team since 1993 after the University canceled the program. The team’s first season was in 1967-1968, and in its short history, the program saw success as they won the GLIAC conference five times, had six National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) individual national champions, and three DII individual national championships.

Meanwhile, the women’s wrestling team will be the first in the university’s history.

In 2000, the men’s wrestling club was created to fill the absence of a varsity program.

This program has seen immense success and has been one of the top club programs in the nation. They won eight National Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships (NCWA) and had 23 individual national champions.

“As it stands right now, Grand Valley’s club team is one of the best college wres-

tling teams in the state,” said wrestling club president Joseph Posledni. “We constantly compete against teams like Olivet, Davenport, Alma, and we consistently win those matches, just as a club program.”

The return of the varsity program will provide the club with a mix of positive and negative changes moving forward. Most importantly, its always positive seeing the sport of wrestling grow at the DII level.

“The more wrestling the better, in my opinion,” Posledni said. “Just because I am a fan of the sport and I love to see it grow.”

Even with the varsity wrestling programs returning, the club team will continue; however, it will likely see some changes.

“The club is not transitioning into the varsity program from what I understand,” Posledni said. “The club will continue on for those guys. Obviously, it will probably continue at a diminished capacity.”

This will be a result of high-level club members having an opportunity to join the varsity program.

“As of right now we have several really, really good wrestlers on our team who could absolutely compete DII had they of chosen to go to another school,” Posledni said. “There will be a few opportunities for some of the younger guys-- the younger and better guys-- to try to walk on to that team.”

The possibility of getting scouted by the varsity program may add some extra motivation to an already motivated team for the remainder of the season.

“This new news is really exciting and it could light more of a fire under these guys,” Posledni said.

The success built by the GVSU club wrestling program will have the opportunity to help the new varsity teams see success early in their tenure as DII programs.

“If they could combine some of the good guys from our club team that we have now, and bring in a strong freshmen class, I don’t see any reason why Grand Valley State couldn’t make a real impact on the wrestling scene,” Posledni said. “But, of course, if you bring in a completely new freshmen class it takes a couple years to build up a good program.”

The return of the varsity wrestling to GVSU is far from completed right now. The initial donation from the Harris family covered about three-fourths of the initial need, and the money that has yet to be funded would be reinvested in the program to ensure the teams can compete at the national level for this exciting new change in the varsity club sports scene at GVSU. VARSITY: The men’s team moves up and the women’s team is created. GVL | ARCHIVES

OCT. 11

Abby Graham leads GV volleyball team in her final season

BY JUSTICE STEINER SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

On the Grand Valley State University women’s volleyball team, junior outside hitter Abby Graham is one of the team’s leaders this season, placing a big emphasis on the value of a healthy team comradery and a winning culture. Graham is in the midst of her fourth and final season with the volleyball team, looking to lead the Lakers to their

LEADER: Graham leads the team this season for one last time before she retires. GVL | ARCHIVES

second consecutive first-place finish in the GLIAC South.

“My class was pretty big and the class under us was pretty big,” Graham said. “We took them under our wing and we are all super close. I really think that we have made a culture that is fun to be a part of and we all just love each other and have so much fun together.”

Coach Jason Johnson, who took the program over this season after being an assistant coach on the team for 21 years prior, said that Graham’s most impressive trait is her “compassion for people.”

Compassion is something that Graham has felt inspired to obtain from both of her parents and in particular, her mother, Donna Graham.

“I’m very close with my mom and she just inspires me to be my best and be compassionate and empathetic towards others all the time,” Graham said.

That compassion has helped Graham be successful in her role as a leader, a role she has grown into over the past four years. Graham said making sure the underclassmen on the team feel at home, settled in, and included, are all major priorities in maintaining the winning culture.

“Her leadership (has grown), which is not something she wanted early on,” Johnson said. “She did not like being in a leadership role, she didn’t want to be looked at in those regards. But she has embraced it heavily this year. I think a part of that is senior maturity.”

Adding to the characteristics Graham brings to the team as a leader, she also has produced on the court over the past three seasons with the Lakers. In the condensed 2020 season, Graham was an All-GLIAC Second Team selection and helped lead the Lakers to a 12-4 record, finishing the 16game campaign with a total of 239 digs, 94 kills, 23 assists and 15 blocks.

Now, in the 2021 season, Graham was named GLIAC South player of the week after her performances to help the Lakers defeat Michigan Tech University and Northern Michigan University earlier this season.

In the early stages of her career at GVSU, Graham didn’t have the easiest time adjusting to college, both in the classroom and on the volleyball court. She also endured an ankle injury following her freshman year, which put her in a walking boot the entire summer.

“Things were not going perfect, but I think that was necessary to happen for me to be where I am today,” Graham said.

Moving away from her family, who reside in her hometown of St. Charles, Illinois, where Graham first began playing volleyball, was another factor in her struggle in adjusting to college.

The Illinois native had a bit of a late start to her volleyball career, first playing the sport competitively in seventh grade for her school team. Up until that point, basketball was the sport she was focused on. However, heading into high school, she stopped playing basketball to focus solely on volleyball.

It was a decision that paid dividends for the former basketball player, as she was a two-time All-State honorable mention and led her team to a regional championship in her senior season.

Playing at the next level was something Graham always knew was a possibility, but was also content with not playing following high school.

“I wanted to play in college, but I knew if I didn’t find the perfect place then maybe I wouldn’t,” Graham said. “Once I found GV, it’s where I felt like I belonged.”

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DECEMBER 6, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A20 | SPORTS NOV. 15

GV Football shuts out Davenport in final game advancing overall record to 9-1

BY BRIAN BLOOM SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The no. 5 ranked Grand Valley State University (9-1) football team closed out their regular season slate with a shutout against Davenport University (3-8) 42-0. The team finished their season 6-1 in GLIAC play and continued their 4-game win streak. This game was the first time GVSU shutout since 2017, when they shut out both Davenport and Northwood University.

“At the end of the day, we still have to come in and do the small things like come in and watch tape, practice hard on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and execute the walkthrough,” said senior running back Bryce Young-Walls. “It’s obviously a good thing to go into next week playing like this.”

The team came out of the gates with Young-Walls run down the right sideline for a 45-yard gain. The drive ended just three plays later, as sophomore quarterback Cade Peterson found Young-Walls for a 12-yard touchdown to give them an early 7-0 lead.

The momentum persisted after sophomore defensive end Colton Hyble recovered a fumble, leading to an 8-yard touchdown run by

FINAL GAME: The Lakers look to Nov. 20 for their first playoff game against Lindenwood (9-2) after their last regular season game ended in a 42-0 blow out against Davenport. GVL | TYLER MORRIS

Peterson, putting the team up 14-0 just a few minutes later. The team concluded their first quarter barrage with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Peterson to junior Jacob Miller to put them up 21-0 after a quarter of play.

“We had a lot of energy and pop going into the game; we were excited,” Peterson said. “The seniors on offense led us, not just this year, but years prior, and we wanted to do this for them. So having that energy and

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emotion going into a game where there’s not going to be as many people, we had it ourselves. Getting off to that hot start was a really big key in the game.”

The team took the 21-0 lead into the intermission; however, the offense wasn’t done scoring. After forcing a Davenport punt with 12:40 left in the third quarter, Young-Walls erupted for a 57-yard touchdown run, and after an extra point by true freshman kicker Kollin Kralapp, the lead was up to 28.

The fourth quarter held much of the same, as Peterson led the offense 70 yards down the field in just over three minutes, connecting with Miller once again, this time for a 21yard score. Eight minutes later, the team crossed the pylon once again. Sophomore running back Johnt’e Crawford caught a pass from sophomore quarterback Cal Endicott and took it 10 yards to the endzone, increasing the lead to 42.

Throughout the game, the offense was firing on all cylinders, gaining 449 yards, with 305 of those coming on the ground.

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