Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 56 no. 30

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

M O N D A Y, A P R I L 1 8 , 2 02 2 // VO L . 5 6 N O. 3 0

Year in Review

@ GV L A N T H O R N

LANTHORN.COM

A2 | NEWS

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

NOV. 22

GV students face impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on life following graduation

BY GRACE SMITH NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Students, faculty and staff at Grand Valley State University have seen a return to some normalcy on campus. Along with masks and mandatory vaccines, the GVSU community has returned to in-person classes, sports and activities on campus.

The graduation ceremony is one important tradition for all college studentsand GVSU students are no exception.

In-person commencement is returning this semester. Students are allowed to bring up to four guests and must be masked per the GVSU alert level two guidelines. While there is no procession, students will be able to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas in person.

While there is a lot to celebrate for graduates, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted plans beyond graduation as Lakers leave the university.

Senior Lauren Mroczek said the pandemic continues to impact her life as she leaves GVSU. Like many others, she has been forced to alter her post-graduation plans as a result of the consequences of the pandemic.

“Attending college has not been as easy, so when I decide to go back to school to earn a professional degree, I would like the pandemic to not affect my education as much,” Mroczek said.

When COVID-19 shut down schools and moved classes online, internships and volunteer opportunities that students rely on for resumes and graduation requirements were impacted as well. Due to nationwide closures and cancellations, students of all academic standing lost out on vital experiences which are important rites of passage towards settling on a career after graduation.

The GVSU Career Center has helped students ways to explore career options and build their resumes despite the challenges, career advisor Meghan Veltri said. Although many students were not able to do traditional internships, job shadowings or volunteer hours, the Career Center has worked to still prepare students for post-graduation life through other methods.

“I’ve just been telling students to try and do what they can despite it,” Veltri said. “For example, if you can’t do job shadowing, can you do informational interviews with people

in the field.”

Advisors like Veltri help students build proficient resumes cover letters and other job application materials during their time as GVSU students despite the challenges of COVID-19. Through their services, students were directed to alternative ways of gaining experiences that are important for future employers or graduate schools to see when considering applications.

The Career Center has also hosted many virtual events over the last year to help students explore job and internship opportunities in the Grand Rapids area as well as potential higher education resources, Veltri said.

The Career Center has also assisted many students with their virtual interviewing skills, Veltri said. As an increasing number of employers now use Zoom or similar video conferencing platforms in their repertoire, applicants must learn or relearn skills for virtual interviews.

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PREPARATION: Students reflect on COVID-19's impact on their college experience and their plans for the future. GVL | MEGHAN LANDGREN

OCT. 18

GV looks to the future as vaccine mandate deadline passes

BY LAUREN FORMOSA NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Students, faculty and staff attending or employed at Grand Valley State University are now required to have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, hold a postponement or exemption in order to be in compliance with the university’s vaccine mandate. As of Oct. 15, the university will begin contacting those who are not in compliance.

As of Thursday, Oct. 14, 82% of all facul-

POLICY: Grand Valley State University implemented a vaccine mandate for students, faculty and staff in the fall '21 semester. GVL | ARCHIVES

ty and staff as well as 78% of students have been reported on their daily self-assessment that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In total, about 93% of the campus community is in compliance with the vaccine mandate.

Some students, staff, and faculty have been granted exemptions or postponements from getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Of the roughly 10% of the GVSU community who were reported exempt, according to the GVSU Virus Action Team, 90% of recipients received a religious exemption.

According to the Virus Action Team’s most recent email, outreach to the remaining 8% of students, staff and faculty who are not in compliance with the vaccine mandate ended on Friday, October 15.

Following that deadline, students and employees will be contacted by the Registrar’s Office and Human Resources respectively, however, it is the Virus Action Team’s goal to not “disrupt learning or employment during fall semester.”

Data on the GVSU COVID-19 Data Dashboard, which is regularly updated by

the Virus Action Team, shows that there are currently 110 active COVID-19 cases in the campus community. This number factors in cases reported by faculty staff, on-campus students, and off-campus students in Ottawa, Kent, and other surrounding counties.

The Virus Action Team continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in and around GVSU’s campus. Rapid testing will still be offered on campus and students, staff, and faculty are expected to complete their daily self-assessments to help with contact tracing.GVSU also has two more scheduled COVID-19 vaccine clinic dates on Allendale campus: Wednesday, Oct. 20, and Thursday, Oct. 21.

“The health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and community are our top concerns,” said Dottie Barnes Associate Director of news with University Communications. “The COVID-19 vaccine is the single most effective tool in slowing, even stopping, the spread of the virus. It reduces disease severity, hospitalizations and deaths.”

Students around GVSU’s campus are already starting to feel the effects of being

on a majority-vaccinated campus. Some have expressed feeling safer attending in-person classes and events now that the deadline for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine has passed and the majority of campus is fully vaccinated.

“I got vaccinated before Grand Valley mandated it because I knew as long as I did my part to help myself and other people, then it was worth it,” GVSU student Payton Perry-Radcliffe said. “It makes me a lot safer knowing that not only am I protecting myself but students and faculty are helping protect me and I’m helping protect them.”

Many GVSU students are now eager to return to normal campus operations. The past two months have given students a taste of normalcy with the return of GVSU Football and other on-campus events that were either canceled or moved online last fall, but there is still a ways to go before the university can fully open up to preCOVID operations.

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A3 | NEWS

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

CONTENTS NEWS

| A2

OPINION

| A4&5

LAKER LIFE

| A6&7

A&E

| A8&9

SPORTS

| A10&11

PHOTOS

| A12

GRADUATION

| A13-28

PHOTOS

| A29

CAMPUS

| A30&31

FOOTBALL

| A32&33

HOCKEY

| A34&35

PARKING

| A36&37

CONCERT

| A38&39

VOL. 5 6

NO. 3 0

Lanthorn Videographer KATE KIRBY

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief ZACK GOODROW

Layout Editor KHOI TRAN

Associate Editor AUDREY WHITAKER Associate Editor XAVIER GOLDEN

Layout Designer DONOVAN LOPEZ PROMOTIONS

News Editor MARY DUPUIS Sports Editor HOLLY BIHLMAN Laker Life Editor JACOB DEWEERD A&E Editor

Promotions Manager GRACE O’BRIEN ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager JORDAN GREEN BUSINESS STAFF

SABRINA EDWARDS

Image Editor MEGHAN LANGREN Multimedia EditorHAILIEGH HUBER

Business Manager MORGAN JOHNSTON Asst. Business Manager LUKE KREGER Distribution Manager DAYTON HAMMON

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.

JAN. 31

VAT discontinues classroom contact tracing

BY AUDREY WHITAKER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s Virus Action Team (VAT) and COVID Awareness Team (CAT) have discontinued contact tracing in classrooms and in faculty and staff meetings.

Faculty and staff were notified of the change via email on Jan. 24 as the third week of winter semester classes began. The message said that cases had decreased since the first week of classes and that the VAT anticipates fewer cases moving forward.

“The Virus Action Team and COVID Assessment Team (CAT) have on-going discussions with the Ottawa and Kent County Health Departments on best practices for close contact notification and quarantine,” the VAT said via email. “Based on these discussions and our experiences in 2021, the decision has been made to discontinue contract tracing in classrooms.”

While this part of GVSU’s COVID-19 mitigation plan has come to an end, other strategies will continue, according to the email. Faculty will still be notified when students in their classes test positive for COVID-19 and continue to require quarantine for unvaccinated household contacts and close unmasked contacts.

Greg Sanial, vice president for Finance and Administration and director of the VAT, said that the CAT will now focus their ef-

forts on household members and unmasked close contacts of those who test positive.

“CAT continues to contact trace close contacts of positive cases, focusing efforts on those who are most at-risk: household members and unmasked close contacts,” Sanial said. “Discontinuation of contact tracing in the classroom allows CAT to notify those at highest risk sooner.”

Sanial said that contact tracing in the classroom led to many students unnecessarily isolating during the fall ’21 semesterthey never tested positive for the virus after

masked exposure in the classroom. Ultimately, this disrupted students’ learning and didn’t provide any health or safety benefits to others in the same classroom “During fall semester, we quarantined unvaccinated students who may have been exposed in a classroom,” Sanial said. “None of those quarantined students tested positive and needed isolation.”

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FEB. 7

GV Counseling Center starts conversation on health and social justice

BY LAUREN FORMOSA NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

This semester the Grand Valley State University Counseling Center is helping students facilitate conversations about social justice and healthcare in the United States.

On Feb. 3, the Counseling Center hosted its first event at the Kirkhof Center.

These weekly events focus on episodes of the documentary series “Unnatural Causes,” which aims to answer the question: is inequality mak-

The Lanthorn is published on recycled paper and is printed with soy bean ink. This means that our newspaper is entirely compostable. Help us do our part to be kind to the environment by recycling or composting this newspaper after you enjoy reading it.

POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to: Grand Valley Lanthorn 0051 Kirkhof Center Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401

CASES: GVSU decided to discontinue contact tracing in classrooms as well as in faculty and staff meetings following a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases across campus. GVL | SYDNEY LIM

INEQUALITY: Grand Valley's counseling center held a series focused around a documentary titled, "Unnatural Causes." GVL | MAX RITCHIE

ing us sick?

“Unnatural Causes” events are INT 100/201 approved. All GVSU students are welcome to attend and learn more about social disparities in healthcare.

Associate Director and Director of Prevention and Community Education at the GVSU Counseling Center, Melissa Selby-Theut, said that conversations about health inequalities related to social justice issues are important for everyone to take part in.

She said learning how social determinants interact with healthcare can open students’ eyes to the consequences of health inequality and the importance of future healthcare reforms.

“We all have a responsibility to both acknowledge and play a part in breaking down these health barriers,” Selby-Theut said. “Regardless of one’s major or what field they’re pursuing, as a member of our campus community, of our larger community and of our society, we’re making sure people understand so that they can actively dismantle these systems.”

Each session, which is led by peer educators from the Counseling Center, will look at how different factors such as race, socioeconomic status, geography and gender impact health

and longevity amongst Americans.

After watching the week’s episode, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in discussions about key themes and takeaways from the documentary. “’Unnatural Causes’ is one of the ways we practice our commitment to social justice in the campus community,” Selby-Theut said. “We determined that it would be important, not just for us as members of the staff to be out talking about this stuff, but for students to be having conversations with students about social justice and talking about the importance of eliminating barriers to access and barriers to care.”

Last week’s “Unnatural Causes” episode, titled, “In Sickness and In Wealth,” examined how wealth disparities among classes impacted people’s health and life expectancy.

Although the episode length didn’t allow time for a group discussion, peer educator and GVSU junior, Jodi Jenkins, said she hopes attendees were able to reflect on their own experiences and learn something new about wealth inequality’s relationship to health.

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A4 | OPINIONS

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN

GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

04/18/22

By Xavier Golden

editorial@lanthorn.com

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

Review: “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is a web of nostalgia

BY ZACK GOODROW SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

As one of the most popular superheroes in the world, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” was also going to be a commercial success.

The film has already grossed over $1.16 billion. While a typical Spidey adventure featuring a brand-new villain would be profitable,

“No Way Home” is acclaimed for its integration of several former actors in charters from previous Spider-Man series.

The new Spider-Man film follows the typical Marvel format; dynamic action-sequences, clever one-liners and interactions between characters and villains from other series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

This formula has been extremely successful for the MCU as the franchise led into the final Avengers movie. Several years later, the blueprint has run dry and “No Way Home” brings a superb idea to revitalize it.

Integrating the likes of Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina and Jamie Foxx to reprise their former roles makes this movie fresh and it’s extremely well done. “No Way Home” is a distinguished and entertaining film that is easily one of the best movies of 2021.

The action sequences are tense, and the cinematography is stunning–particularly when the audience sees three different Spi-

der-Man battling together for the first time.

The acting is tremendous. Dafoe steals the show as Norman Osborn with his devious monologues and devious laughs. Maguire portrays an older, more mature Peter Parker in perfect fashion and Garfield portrays a young man who has learned from his mistakes and has grown past them. Every performance in this film seems true to their characters.

The best parts of the film are seeing these diverse performances for the colossal number of actors in the movie. I found myself uninterested in the overall plot and more on what character was going to be introduced next. I was uninvolved with Peter’s (Tom Holland) relationship with MJ (Zendaya), Ned (Jacob Batalon) and Aunt May (Marisa Tomei). I was more interested in seeing Maguire finally battling Dafoe again after 19 years.

While these parts of the movie make it satisfying to watch and be engaged in, the rest of the movie–mostly the extreme plot holes and

scenarios–suffer just to justify bringing in all these former characters.

After Peter’s identity as Spider-Man is revealed, he and his friends face their biggest challenge to date; getting accepted into MIT. After Peter, MJ and Ned are rejected because of their association with superhero antics, Peter asks Doctor Strange to do some moronic spell that will make everyone in the world forget that Peter is Spider-Man. As predicted, this spell goes terribly wrong.

This is the center point of the story–not getting into the same college as his friends– despite the fact that Peter is literally Spider-Man, he can concoct outlandish formulas to cure villains’ powers, he’s really good at geometry and that he’s close friends with the director of Stark Industries (where he could probably get a job without having a degree).

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Lorde’s land of solar power and self-awareness lacks sonic diversity

BY MARYBETH STANZIOLA GRADUATE MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

As summer draws to a close for students returning to Grand Valley State University this semester, it’s only beginning for singer/

songwriter Lorde. Her third studio album, “Solar Power,” is born out of a fictitious land where worldly anxieties no longer exist, girls skip through sandy beaches together, and the biggest conflict is choosing which seashell to take home.

The Auckland native has spent the last four years out of the limelight following her sophomore effort, “Melodrama,” which was met with universal critical acclaim and is featured in “Rolling Stone’s” ‘500 Greatest Albums of all Time’ list.

Like Lorde, GVSU students have spent a considerable amount of time disconnected from campus, daydreaming of a similar utopia. Finally, welcome week is upon us, and “Solar Power” is a tuned down, self-aware reflection on modern times and is the perfect soundtrack for the optimistic yet chaotic return of campus life.

“Solar Power” is littered with satire and self-awareness, so littered in fact that it is difficult to decipher at times. “Mood Ring”, the third single off the album, exemplifies Lorde’s experimentation with satire best in my opinion: the airy vocal tracks pair well with lyrics about spirituality, astrology, crystals, and other holistic healing methods that have managed to become popularized more than ever over the two years.

The songwriter makes it clear that she isn’t referencing their use in the ancient societies that originated them, more so calling out their shallow trendiness by including other satirical phrases, like “love and light”, in multiple verses. I find that this satire falls flat on tracks like, “Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen it All)”; which appears to sound sincere in its initial verses but concludes with an over-the-top spoken word section.

Lorde’s inclusion of buzzwords/phrases like “welcome to sadness”, and “emotional baggage” lack the sincerity revealed moments earlier and establish a muddled tone.

The other main issue I have with “Solar Power” is its’ lack of sonic and vocal range.

Every song aside from the album’s closer, “Oceanic Feeling”, rely heavily on either simple acoustic chords reminiscent of Jack Johnson’s earlier discography or low, reverb-heavy bass lines that could have been ripped off Phoebe Bridgers’ “Punisher” without question.

The former is on full display on the lead single, “Solar Power”, which reminded many of the cheap, overly optimistic songs on rotation in department stores.

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A5 | OPINIONS

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

By Athena Jasman

CONFIDENTIAL

04/18/22

editorial@lanthorn.com

“Nightmare Alley” is just another uninspired remake

BY ZACK GOODROW SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

In the latter half of 2021, blockbuster movies have been dominated by several franchises and remakes like “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “The Matrix Resurrection” and “Dune.” In an effort to watch and review a movie that has the slightest bit of originality, I decided to check out “Nightmare Alley.”

“Nightmare Alley” is a remake, however. This is a Guillermo Del Toro adaptation of the 1946 novel and 1947 film of the same name. While the 2021 film brings new editing, set pieces, CGI that the mid-twentieth century movie lacked, Del Toro’s version is first and foremost still a remake.

The idea of “Nightmare Alley” isn’t original. For Del Toro however, this film is a departure from his typical monster and action movies. Instead of using grotesque creatures – which is one of the biggest things Del Toro is known for – the director instead uses humans and their aspirations and lust for power as the driving point for the story.

“Is he man, or beast?” This was the question consistently asked throughout the film.

Del Toro withdraws perfectly from his regular humanoid monsters to articulate meaning and discussion through the purely flawed nature of man.

Del Toro sets this idea and atmosphere

perfectly in the opening 20 minutes of the film. The neo-noir atmosphere is splendid and evokes thrills, sinister motives and creepiness. This is the driving point of the film as the music and setting immediately draws the viewer in. However, this original ambiance and world-building runs entirely too long.

The first and second act of the film spend the majority of their time still building the framework and environment of the film, without much action and plot points. Act one begins with Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) as he joins a travel circus. Stanton eventually becomes ambitious as a con man and a “medium” as he is eager to learn more about several circus acts, seduces a younger woman to join his new act and kills an experienced “medium” to take his notebook and learn the secrets of the trade.

The second act begins with Stanton and his new wife, Mary Elizabeth Cahill (Rooney Mara), as they leave the circus and perform shows for high-class audiences. Carlisle soon meets psychiatrist Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett) as she attends one of his shows and tries to debunk his persona as a true “medium.”

Stanton and Lilith then work together to perform his biggest con yet, pretending that Stanton can communicate with Ezra Grindle’s (Richard Jenkin) former lover who died after Ezra forced her to have an abortion.

The third act of the film is fantastic as Stanton’s con ultimately fails and he’s betrayed by Lilith. The construction of this final act is completely necessary in the first two acts. However, those acts ran entirely too long and the excellent plot points in the ending would’ve been achieved if the first two acts were 25 minutes shorter. At points the film became a drag despite its ultimately satisfying payoff.

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A6 | LAKER LIFE

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE

JAN 24

GV Rocket League team wins match against Davenport at LEC grand opening

BY STEVEN LAWRENCE LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

On Jan. 18, the Grand Valley State University Esports team hosted the grand opening event for the Laker Esports Center (LEC).

President Philomena Mantella attended and made remarks to commemorate the opening of the LEC. The event concluded with a Rocket League match against Davenport. The teams played a seven-game series and GVSU got to celebrate its first esports victory after a game-winning goal in overtime of game seven.

Esports, which is highly competitive computer gaming, is growing rapidly on college campuses everywhere. Players from teams all over the world, compete against each other in both online and in-person matches. Esports games played at GVSU include Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, Overwatch and more.

Second-year student Spencer Deitrick is a member of the Rocket League Blue Team, the most competitive Rocket League team at GVSU. Each player on the team competes against high-ranking collegiate and professional players regularly and it takes thousands of hours of practice to play at their level.

“I always enjoyed video games as a kid,

and to be able to play the same game I grew up loving and obsessed with at a high level of competition and organization feels slightly like a dream,” Deitrick said. “Not to mention the community is great and there are lots of resources available for players looking to grow and improve in whatever game they are focused on.”

Much like athletes from other sports, esports players are constantly training to get better. This effort and dedication proved to benefit the team in their victory against Davenport. Deitrick, along with the rest of the team, is very proud of how the match turned out and knows that it took the whole team to win.

“Well, it was our first LAN event ever as a team and individually as well, so we definitely had to work through some nerves,” Deitrick said. “However, we managed to come out on top, which felt amazing not just because our hard work paid off, but also because we were able to celebrate a victory with our friends, coaches and supporters, which made it all the sweeter.”

Despite the nerves and the thrill of their first in-person competition, Deitrick and the rest of the team had to stay grounded and keep in mind that Davenport wanted to win just as badly as they did.

“Shoutout to the Davenport guys as

VICTORY: The newly-built Laker Esports Center, which features gaming PCs available for use by all students, was the site of the Rocket League team’s first official victory. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

well for coming out and giving us quite the challenge, the series could’ve just as easily gone their way. They’re really solid Rocket League players and a really nice group of people in general,” Deitrick said. “Shoutout to my teammate Ryan, aka Rilla, for clutching up with the open net shot in game seven as well.”

For students interested in getting involved, picking up a controller and trying out a new game is a great way to get into esports. More ways to get involved, according

to Deitrick, include visiting events, asking questions and not being afraid to try something new.

“I personally discovered GVSU’s esports club by attending a Student Life event or something similar, and everyone I have met in the club so far has been really helpful and really kind when it comes to guiding new players through the esports world,” Deitrick said.

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MARCH 14

GV faculty and students deliberate over college affordability and rising costs

BY CLEMENCE DANIERE LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

MONEY: The discussion featured analysis on the rising costs of attendance at GV and colleges across the country. GVL | MEGHAN LANDGREN

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and Grand Valley State University’s Diversity Affairs Committee of the Student Senate held a virtual discussion focused on college affordability on Feb. 28. Students, staff and faculty came together to discuss the rising costs of college and learn about the factors impacting students’ tuition bills.

This event brought together students and faculty who share concerns about the affordability and accessibility of college. Students were encouraged to ask any questions that faculty could help answer, which led to discussion of solutions and help that are readily available for GVSU students.

Professor Denise Goerisch, an assistant professor of integrative, religious and intercultural studies, opened the virtual event by sharing stories from students she inter-

viewed for her research on how the rising cost of college impacts students’ educational experiences.

Goerisch’s fieldwork showed that students needing to balance a job while putting meaningful effort into their studies often leads to burnout and disengagement in the classroom. This produces advantages for students who don’t have to work or take out loans to pay for school and can focus more on their studies.

Following Goerisch, professor Michelle Miller-Adams from the Political Science Department explored the subject of free and accessible college. GVSU tuition has been steadily rising for the past several years due to issues such as declining state support, rising administrative costs and rising amenity costs. Calls for cheaper and more accessible prices have accompanied these rises in tuition costs.

“This is a conversation that has been going on since the early days of the Obama ad-

ministration,” Miller-Adams said.

Declining state support was identified by faculty as one of the highest contributors to the rising cost of college. Currently, 17% of GVSU’s budget comes from the state, making it the second lowest-funded university in the state of Michigan. Joel Stillerman, professor of sociology and President of GVSU’s AAUP Chapter, added his concerns about the allocation and use of those funds and questioned whether the university should be investing more in the education of GVSU students instead of new buildings and amenities.

“Our main goal is to increase faculty and student input in university decisions so that we can be a better university that cares for the well-being of everyone in our community,” Stillerman said.

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A7 | LAKER LIFE

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE FEB. 14

GV Office of Multicultural Affairs hosts Zoom discussion on disparities in missing Black women

BY MELIA WILLIAMS LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

On Feb. 8, the Black History Month series of events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) and the Center for Women and Gender Equity (CWGE) held a virtual event titled “Who is Worthy?: The Invisibility of Black Women.” This presentation discussed the disparities in the number of missing Black women and potential solutions for a nationwide problem.

OMA Assistant Director Juanita Davis began the event by introducing the panelists. First introduced were the CWGE’s Violence Prevention Educator Tiarrah Judkins and Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator Leah Short. Other panelists included students Laresha Lee, Selena Cade and Nieya Thompson, who’re all interns in various roles at the center.

The first facts shared as part of the presentation were various alarming statistics about missing Black women from recent years. In 2020, nearly 100,000 Black women went missing.

“We are looking at how the Black women are missing in real life, in the media and how the law enforcement responds to missing cases of Black women,” Short said. “Nearly 40% of missing persons are persons of color, yet African Americans only make up 13% of

the population. This should be eye-opening for many individuals.”

The presentation also covered Missing White Woman Syndrome (MWWS), which is the media’s extensive and obsessive coverage of white, upper-middle-class women and girls who have gone missing.

“White women’s disappearances have had disproportionate coverage,” Short said.

“The Gabby Petito case is very sad, but it is a perfect example of it.”

Panelists discussed disparities in coverage between white women and women of other races. As an example, they shared that the press is four times more likely to report when a white woman goes missing compared to someone who is Black.

“The Gabby Petito story went viral, but we find out about a lot of missing Black women through social media like The Shade Room or Instagram,” Judkins said. “We never see that many missing Black women in the news.”

The discussion moved to past examples of how white women have been valued more than Black women by the rest of society. Judkins said that the most common reason for public lynchings used to be the perception that white women needed to be protected from Black men.

“Black men were lynched and punished even if they didn’t rape the white woman,”

ANALYSIS: As part of Black History Month, the Office of Multicultural Affairs looked at the differences in the numbers of missing Black women compared to other groups. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

Judkins said. “When it comes to slave owners, on the other hand, they could rape the Black women without any issue because they were just seen as property.”

The idea of white women weaponizing their white femininity is also part of the issue, Short said.

“Think of Emmett Till, he was accused of whistling at a white woman and he was murdered for it,” Short said. “The woman admitted years later that she made it up.”

The presentation concluded with a

quote by journalist and activist Erika Marie Rivers.

“It’s not to say stop searching for that white woman,” Rivers said. “It’s just a fight for equality. Search for our women as much as you do anybody else. Make sure that you place all the energy you put in their cases into ours as well.”

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MARCH 28

GV alum and current NYU librarian working to preserve the dynamic web

BY JACOB DEWEERD LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

As the internet has expanded and evolved over the last several decades, websites used by billions of people around the world have become more sophisticated, but also more difficult to save. Dynamic websites, like as those that hold data from journalism projects like COVID-19 maps,

ARCHIVING: Katy Boss is utilizing her experiences in journalism to archive digital data.

COURTESY | KATY BOSS, COPYRIGHT ALAN BARNETT

are impossible to preserve using conventional tools like The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.

To combat this issue, Grand Valley State University alum and current New York University Librarian for Journalism, Media, Culture and Communication, Katy Boss, is working with a team dedicated to preserving the dynamic web.

Boss, along with co-principal investigator Vicky Rampin and lead developers Remi Rampin and Ilya Kreymer, is developing a tool called ReproZip-Web that preserves dynamic web apps and websites.

ReproZip-Web is an open-source program that bundles together all the files necessary to run dynamic web apps and saves them as a downloadable .rpz file.

“When you’re thinking about really big data analysis, like astrophysics and those kinds of experiments, to reproduce them you have to have a way to pack them up in order to see what you’re reproducing,” Boss said.

Popular examples of dynamic data journalism projects that ReproZip-Web is built to preserve include “Old Oil Wells”

from the “Los Angeles Times,” “Where Harvey’s effects were felt the most in Texas” from “The Texas Tribune” and “Are Hospitals Near Me Ready for Coronavirus?” from “ProPublica.”

Aside from archiving all the background data needed to populate elements like maps and astrophysics experiments, ReproZip-Web also acts as an emulator for dynamic websites. Emulators are typically used to allow programs to run on devices they weren’t originally designed for and are most commonly used for running video games originally designed for consoles on PCs or smartphones.

In this case, ReproZip-Web allows the emulation of dynamic web environments and even discontinued platforms like Adobe Flash, which were the backbone of many popular internet functions in the 2000s-10s. ReproZip-Web needs this functionality because those platforms are not officially offered for download or updated anymore. When update support for tools like Flash shut down, it’s usually only a matter of time before the websites built upon them become inaccessible.

“Nobody saved those old browsers that would render Flash, and browsers today are not rendering flash because it’s no longer supported by Adobe, they’ve sunsetted it,” Boss said. “So it’s issues like that, we don’t really know what the next Flash is going to be.”

Flash’s demise is a perfect snapshot of a problem that’s going to get more common as the pace of internet evolution speeds up. New web development standards are emerging all the time, and as old ones get left behind, so will the data encased in the websites built upon them. This is why tools like ReproZip-Web are necessary, especially for libraries.

While libraries are known for offering reading material and other ways to access information, they also put a considerable amount of effort into preserving as much as they can.

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A8 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

JAN. 18

GV professor powers through grief in metalsmith exhibition

BY AYRON RUTAN ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Grief is a universal emotion. It’s felt and experienced by every living person at some point in their lifetime. To explore this incredibly complex idea is the mission of Grand Valley State University professor Renee Zettle-Sterling and company with their upcoming metalsmith exhibition “Sorrow/ Fullness: A Reflection on Mourning,” which will be showcased Thursday at the Haas Center for Performing Arts Gallery.

With the help of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania professor Sue Amendalara and studio artist Adrienne Grafton, “Sorrow/Fullness” will feature metalsmithing works that are meant to represent and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed on.

This collaboration was born out of a 20-plus-year friendship between the three artists, as Zettle-Sterling studied under the tutelage of Amendalara while attending graduate school at EU, where Grafton was an undergraduate student at the time.

All three artists have dealt with loss and grief over the past 20 years and have developed work surrounding the difficult emotion during their careers. In order to come together to create something even more

meaningful, the three metalsmiths decided to join forces for “Sorrow/Fullness.”

“We realized we were making similar work and decided to make a proposal for an exhibition at the Erie Art Museum,” Zettle-Sterling said. “It’s about our own personal losses and it speaks universally. We’re all coming from different perspectives and different stages of grief.”

After a brief conversation with Nathan Kemler and Joel Zwart of the GVSU Art Gallery Team, the exhibition was on its way to Allendale.

Grief is a very personal and meaningful topic to Zettle-Sterling, who lost her brother, Tommy, in 2002 in an unfortunate hunting accident. Since then, loss has been an important inspiration for her work.

“After Tommy died it took a couple years for me to process it and then I started making work about it,” Zettle-Sterling said. “I started to use his clothes by making quilts out of them for my family and when I saw that it brought them comfort I realized that this was really powerful.”

Zettle-Sterling’s work in “Sorrow/Fullness” shows her expanding on her previous work, exploring the kinds of emotions and connections someone experiences while grieving.

GALLERY: Grand Valley State University professor showcase their process through dealing their grief by creating metalsmith art in collaboration with other artists in gallery exhibit. GVL | RACHEL SLOMBA

“I started thinking about relationships formed and lived and the people in my life,” Zettle-Sterling said. “I wanted to start coming out of the grief and talk about those ideas, and focus on the living. In the show you’ll see a lot of cast hands from my son and I and my husband and I.” Much of Zettle-Sterling’s work in the ex-

hibition is also inspired by generations of the past, where she pays tribute to the grieving process of those from the Victorian era through the use of different colors associatLOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

MARCH 14

Butterflies bloom at Frederik Meijer Gardens

BY COLLEEN GARCIA ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park has opened their annual Fred and Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. The exhibition draws in nearly 1,000 visitors each week, with guests coming to watch the butterflies’ transformation. “(Attendees can) enjoy thousands of butterflies as they fly freely in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and learn about the

positive and powerful impact flowers have on the world,” said John Vanderhaagen, media representative for the park.

The garden now homes more than 7,000 tropical butterflies, which started hatching on March 1. The butterfly habitat in the West Michigan garden is the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation.

There are now 60 species coming from regions all over the world, including Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Philippines and Kenya.

NATURE: The butterflies are still on display at Frederik Meijer Gardens, they began hatching March 1 and will be on display throughout April in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. GVL ARCHIVES

The exhibition will host the animals in a heated conservatory. The conservatory will also feature a variety of colorful flowers including plume flower and blue porterweed, as butterflies are attracted to brightly-colored flowers.

The goal of this year’s project is to highlight flowers’ ecological impact.

“We’re highlighting the power of flowers this year more than ever,” said Steve LaWarre, Vice President of Horticulture. “Our goal is to bring an awareness of the important relationships butterflies and humans have with flowers and to show the positive and powerful impact flowers have on butterflies, people and the world.”

The Caterpillar room in the Grace Jaeki Seasonal display greenhouse is home to the monarch caterpillars. This greenhouse will be used as an observatory for guests to learn and see how flowers are used in the life cycle of butterflies as they transform from caterpillar to butterfly.

The young monarch caterpillar will feed on milkweed host plants mixed with flower-

ing spring plants within the seasonal display greenhouse. However, the monarch won’t be the only species of caterpillar in Grace Jaeki greenhouse.

“Species of butterflies expected to arrive include the blue common morpho, whose iridescence impresses in flight, as well as brushfoot varieties such as the clearwing, lacewing and zebra mosaic,” Vanderhaagen said. “Likewise, the longwings captivate with distinctive wing patterns as seen on the small blue Grecian, doris, postman and tiger butterflies. Gliders like the emperor, ruby-spotted and orchard swallowtails will also add to the diverse assortment.”

Future events to be aware of at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. Include Tuesday Night Lights. The park is offering lecture talks as well for people to learn more about butterflies and their environment. The first lecture was SMART Gardening to Support Monarchs on March 13. The second is Flower House Detroit on Sunday, March 27 at 2 p.m. as well as Flower Power Exploration Stations on Sunday April 24, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

A9 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FEB. 28

MTD Department closes out Black History Month with student concert

BY AYRON RUTAN ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Black History Month is a time to celebrate, appreciate and acknowledge the rich history and achievements of African-Americans. Grand Valley State University’s Music, Theater and Dance Department closed out this month-long celebration with a livestreamed concert that was broadcasted on Feb. 25.

The show featured GVSU voice and piano students performing 12 pieces from renowned African-American composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “24 Negro Melodies, op. 59.” Organized by GVSU professors Dr. Sookyung Cho and Dr. Kathryn Stieler, the event celebrated Coleridge-Taylor’s music which features an interesting blend of sounds from South African and African-American culture. Stieler was excited about the music and thought it proposed something new for her and her voice students to learn.

“This event has given me and my students an opportunity to see how folk songs – songs that reflect both South African and African American culture – have been passed down through a singing tradition and expertly arranged for piano by a composer who, in spite of not growing up in ei-

ther culture, effectively captured the essence of the cultures musically,” said Stieler.

An opportunity to learn also appealed to Lindsey O’Donnell, a GVSU student who performed at the concert.

“These particular works of Coleridge-Taylor are based on spirituals,” O’Donnell said.

“It’s our job as vocalists to sing a few lines of the spiritual that each piano piece is based on. By doing this, the audience was able to hear glimpses of those vocal melodies in the piano pieces. It’s also fun because these spirituals are generally well-known, so even people watching who had never heard of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor may have recognized some of the music being performed.”

The most important aspect of the concert was the music, as Coleridge-Taylor had a unique background that shined through in every piece he composed. O’Donnell said this element was a motivating factor.

“The music and composer are the most significant part of this recital – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor had a very interesting background and he wrote music that reflects that uniqueness,” O’Donnell said. “It’s been a fun challenge working on it over the past few weeks and it’s inspired me to look into other composers who, like Coleridge-Taylor, may be outside the realm of what we usually consider to be standard classical

PERFORMANCE: The Grand Valley State University Music, Theatre and Dance department closed out Black History Month with a recital, performing music by Black creators. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

repertoire.”

O’Donnell said that she enjoyed the diverse group of themes that the music expressed, hoping it moved those who experienced it live.

“I love the variety of human emotion expressed through the pieces and vocal melodies,” O’Donnell said. “We get a full spectrum of feelings throughout the recital

– from desperation to triumph and everything in between. I hope it was a very moving performance for both the audience and the performers.”

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FEB. 7

GRAM features new exhibits highlighting creators

BY SABRINA EDWARDS ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) is now featuring two new exhibits that celebrate and bring awareness to Black culture. These first exhibit highlight the work of Dawoud Bey and Carrie Mae Weems in “Dawoud Bey & Carrie Mae Weems: In Dialogue.” The second, “Seen and Not Seen,” features work from local Grand Rapids art-

GALLERY: The Grand Rapids Art Museum hosted a tandem art exhibit with work from Dawoud Bey and Carrie Mae Williams. GVL | MAX RITCHIE

ists. Both exhibits opened on Jan. 29 and will be at the GRAM until April 30.

“GRAM’s Chief Curator Ron Platt conceptualized ‘Dawoud Bey & Carrie Mae Weems: In Dialogue’ when he met with the artists back in 2018, whose questions and contributions significantly informed the framework and outcome of this exhibition,” said Alaina Taylor, GRAM Communication Assistant. “Dawoud Bey and Carrie Mae Weems are two of the most important and influential photo-based artists of our time.”

Bey and Weems are showcasing a focused selection from over 40 years of work.

Both were born in 1953, during a time of social change in America. Bey and Weems have both tackled the same topics, race, class, representation and systems of power in work surrounding African American events. The two focus on the human condition and how real people have been affected by these situations.

“This exhibition spans five decades in their careers, shedding new light on their distinct artistic approaches and trajectories, as well as their shared focus on amplifying

communities and experiences that have been underrepresented throughout history,” Taylor said.

Their work is centered on Black experiences throughout their lives and how their communities have experienced major social events. Many times this has been seen through the eyes of white creators, but it impacts every community in different ways.

“From the beginning of their careers, both artists knew their lived experience as Black Americans was vastly different from the narrow and prescriptive representations in mainstream American culture,” Taylor said. “Both saw how they could use the medium of photography to visually record their own presence in the world, and to create authentic images of Black Americans. This exhibition is grounded in those specific African American realities while simultaneously speaking to the universal human condition.”

This is the first time their work has been shown together like this and after it will be traveling to other cities to be shown in the same way.

“’Dawoud Bey & Carrie Mae Weems: In Dialogue,’ as the title suggests, centers around a relationship between two artists,” said GRAM Chief Curator Ron Platt. “Their relationship is rooted in personal, social, and aesthetic concerns, and demonstrates the two artists’ instincts for interpersonal connection, as well as the strategies they have learned and engaged to navigate and succeed in an art world with narrow confines. For Bey and Weems, dialogue is as crucial to their art practice as unique creative vision.”

“We hope guests find inspiration in the historic and culturally significant work of Bey and Weems and can reflect on their own identity and self-exploration,” Taylor said.

“This exhibition is accompanied by two large-scale timelines in the galleries: one of significant personal and historical events tracking across Bey and Weems’ careers, as well as an interactive community timeline.”

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A10 | SPORTS

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

OCT. 4

Allante Leapheart’s journey to GV: A decade in the making

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The recruitment process for the Grand Valley State University football team doesn’t begin and end with statistics and headshots, especially when someone like Allante Leapheart enters the room. When coach Matt Mitchell evaluates new recruits to build his team, high character personalities are what he looks for first and foremost.

When Leapheart entered the transfer portal at 28-years old, he had already played football for a number of years at several schools. Mitchell was interested in meeting the person behind the impressive statistics that Leaphart racked up since his high school graduation.

“He was in my office for a while and just kind of went through his whole backstory,” Mitchell said. “(He was in) a very unique situation and we just really appreciated his grit. You know, he’s been through a lot, and we really saw a guy that was hungry yet humble and we thought he’d be a great fit for our squad.”

The story behind GVSU’s newest cornerback starts when he was a kid, growing up on the west side of Detroit with his mom, grandma, and two uncles. Leapheart was always told from a young age to focus on school by his grandma, who was a thirdgrade teacher.

“I was pretty much a momma’s boy; really grandma’s boy,” Leapheart said. “I love my

grandma. She installed into me that school is going to be the way to get out because you know, we lived in a not-so-good area, so she was like, ‘this is going to be your way to get out of all this.’ And she was right.”

It wasn’t until he was old enough to throw a football that his uncle signed him up to play. As a natural-born athlete, Leapheart can’t remember a time without football always being a part of his life. He remembers being around the game whether it was going to see his uncles play on Fridays with his grandma, watching it on Sundays with his family, or wishing he was tall enough to play quarterback.

When his grandmother passed away, Leapheart was only ten years old. With her gone, it never stopped Leapheart from listening to her words of advice and he found a way to honor her.

Graduating from high school in 2011, Leapheart and his family were set on encouraging him to try out for the Grand Rapids Community College football team. Due to the circumstances with his family life, however, he made the bold and brave decision to stay behind and help his mom. Yet to him, it was hardly a decision at all.

“It was just easy for me to do,” Leapheart said. “Even though I love football, I love my mom even more. My mom wanted me to go to school because she wanted me to get away. I felt as though if I did get away and she ended up in a bad place, I would’ve felt bad. I just felt like I needed to do that.”

Once his mom settled down with her new husband after Leapheart spent four years or so working odd jobs and helping out with the bills, Leapheart finally made the jump to college, ending up in Ukiah, California at a junior college called Mendocino.

The season was nothing short of rewarding after his football hiatus. Leapheart nabbed five interceptions and 49 tackles, earning himself all-conference honors.

“I went from having a really good freshman year, having some really good schools, power fives and stuff looking at me, to not even having a team anymore within a month,” Leapheart said.

Mendocino College ended its football program due to a lack of on-campus housing and affordable living costs for the student-athletes. Leapheart’s opportunity shattered within what felt like moments of him having his passion back.

Among the frustration and hardship that came with that set of bad news, Leapheart got a call from back home informing him that one of Leapheart’s closest family members was shot and killed, and that the gunman was never found. Alongside the devastation and fury of losing his uncle, he also found an incredible motivation to study sociology in hopes that he would one day become an investigator.

“Seeing the pain and suffering of my family, my mom and my other uncle, and never getting that satisfaction of knowing the person did that to my family and got their due

PERSEVERANCE: The 28-year-old cornerback has never let the obstacles in life prevent him from chasing his dreams. GVL | LAUREN SEYMOUR

justice (was heartbreaking),” Leapheart said.

“I want to be the person that figures things out and be able to tell the family that we found the person that did this.”

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JAN. 18

MMA to UFC: Grand Rapids fighter Brett Martin

BY JAMES HERRICK SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

FIGHTER: Working two jobs to help support his family, Brett Martin is one of the few MMA fighters growing with the scene in Grand Rapids over the past few years. COURTESY | MYMMANEWS

Local Grand Rapids fighter Brett Martin started his MMA career back in 2015. Ever since, he’s been forced to balance his pursuit of the UFC with the need to provide for his family, all while dealing with the crazy world of regional MMA. For many MMA fighters, becoming a UFC fighter is a dream; unfortunately, the path to the top is a rocky road that athletes like Martin have to attempt to navigate.

When Martin started fighting, the UFC was always in the back of his mind.

Throughout his life, Martin excelled in any sport he put his mind to. This culminated in a tremendous wrestling career where he was a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Wrestling All-American at Muskegon Community College in 2014 and a DIV state champion in 2014 at Hesperia High School. Martin transitioned to MMA shortly after his time at MCC and his goal was to be the best fighter he could be. For him, this means making it to the UFC. “I’d say right away the goal was always to be in the UFC, just so that I’m making

money,” Martin said. “I’m not just beating my brain cells up and beating my body up for no reason.”

Despite being an elite-level athlete with the goal of becoming a UFC fighter, Martin still wakes up in the morning and heads to work. He does this to ensure he can provide for his pregnant wife Kelli and their newborn-child.

Martin is employed by the City of Coopersville where he works in the department of public works. He works a seven to three shift where he’s a handyman, doing any job the city needs done. This includes maintaining parks, plowing in the winter, mowing lawns in the summer, landscaping, masonry, plumbing and much more.

This job has become crucial to Martin’s life as he receives a pension and benefits for his entire family. This allows him to ensure his family is taken care of, both now and in the future, which to him, is more important than being a professional fighter. “(I’ll keep fighting) as long as my life allows (fighting) and it does not affect my family or my day job that I worked very hard to get,” Martin said. “I am sitting really good at my day job and it’s the benefits for

my family.”

Thankfully for Martin, he has mastered the ability of balancing his day job with his training. With the job running from seven to three it gives him time to see his family in the afternoon before heading to train in the evening. Martin also said that his employers are understanding and he rarely has to work overtime.

Being a heavyweight plays into his favor since the level of cardio needed to be successful is less than it is in lighter weight classes. This is a sentiment that Martin expressed and other heavyweights in similar situations have proven this to be true. This has allowed Martin to acknowledge the fact that he will always be able to work and fight at the same time.

The chase of a UFC contract is more common today than ever. The sport of MMA has recently peaked in popularity as Endeavor, the UFC’s parent company, announced the best first-half financial performance in UFC history.

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A11 | SPORTS

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS FEB. 28

Unsung heroes of record-breaking women’s basketball season

BY JUSTICE STEINER SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

When a sports team is in the midst of a special season, it can be easy to only pay attention to who’s scoring the most points or coaching the team to success. However, there’s a lot more that happens behind the scenes in a successful college basketball programs and that includes the players on the bench.

This is no exception for the no. 2 Grand Valley State University (25-1) women’s basketball team, who just ended their regular season on a school-record 20-game winning streak.

“Our bench is definitely one of the best or the best in the conference,” said senior guard Emily Spitzley. “There have been instances even during the game where I’m guarding someone and they’ll turn to me and they’re like, ‘Hey, your bench is just really getting into it right now.’ They bring a ton of energy for us.”

Leading the way from the sidelines are six redshirt freshmen, who make their presence known every game, most notably through performing creative celebrations.

“Our team makes it very easy to be energetic,” said redshirt freshman Lexi Plitzuweit. “They’re very talented players and off the court, we all have a very special relationship and we get along as a

team, so we are genuinely happy when we see them succeed.”

That off-the-court bond is something that Plitzuweit said has made redshirting and sitting out her first season as a Laker a more pleasant experience.

“I couldn’t imagine getting along with people (fellow redshirt freshmen) better; it feels like I’ve known them my whole life,” Plitzuweit said. “Then the older kids also did a great job of welcoming us to the team.

It’s super fun to be a part of — super special.”

The Laker bench takes pride in bringing more energy than their opponents, creating celebrations that involve all six freshmen.

“All of us, we are on this team, we have a level of competitiveness and I’ve never seen (an opposing bench) match our energy,” Plitzuweit said. “If a bench is getting really rowdy, we are going to one-up them, we are going to be better.”

Coach Mike Williams said he has never actually seen his redshirt freshmen celebrating during the game but enjoys seeing the photos and videos after the game.

“I haven’t seen one (celebration) this year,” Williams said. “The only time I know they’re going nuts over there is when the officials come over and tell me to get them down, but I see the videos and I say, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s unbelievable;’ it puts a big smile on your face.”

Their value to the team extends much

SUPPORT: The women’s basketball team’s success this year was made even sweeter with their freshman-heavy roster making their mark on the program from the bench. GVL | DOMINIC STANKIEWICZ

greater than being loud on the sidelines throughout the course of the team’s games.

During practice, the six redshirt freshman serve as the “scout team” and emulate the Laker’s upcoming opponents.

“They bring it every single day in practice,” Spitzley said. “A lot of times they’re our scout team and they help us get ready for each team we’re playing. They do a great job of being each player and I think when we get into the game we feel really prepared for each of our individual matchups and what to expect.”

Williams said the scout team used to con-

sist of helpers, usually students on campus or alumni, who would volunteer to help fill the role of the scout team. After COVID-19 hit, it was easier to have the redshirt freshmen now fill that role.

“It’s been unbelievable,” Williams said.

“They are the other team; every time we practice they’re the other team’s players and they do an unbelievable job of it and I think at the same time it’s making them better.”

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JAN. 10

GV Soccer revels in their back-to-back championship win

BY JOSH CARLSON SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

CELEBRATE: The GV soccer team brought home their second NCAA trophy in a row even after a coaching change. COURTESY | iSAIAH J. DOWNING

The Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team knew that the road to winning a championship wouldn’t be easy heading in this season. Coming off a year without soccer and the hiring of new head coach Jim Conlon, the team’s success this season sets a new precedent for the strength of GVSU soccer.

Despite all the obstacles created by COVID-19 as well as regular season ups and downs, the Lakers battled through the year and achieved their back-to-back national championship in a 3-2 overtime victory against Saint Rose on Dec. 11 in Colorado Springs. The win marks the Lakers’ seventh national championship since 2009.

The championship game started in the Lakers’ favor when sophomore forward Kennedy Bearden scored just four minutes into the match, making it 1-0 for the remainder of the first half. Saint Rose answered in the 61st minute to tie the game in the second.

Senior defender Cecilia Stienwascher answered the bell in the 72nd minute to push

the Lakers into the lead again. Saint Rose refused to go away easily, though, with an answer of their own in the 76th minute to tie the game once again. As the final goal in regulation, the championship was sent into the first of two overtimes.

Neither team could find their way to victory, resulting in golden goal overtime, this being the second for the Lakers in playoff history. For the win, Bearden sealed the game for the second time in the playoffs with a goal in the 100th minute of the match, making the Lakers the 2021 Division II women’s soccer champions.

Bearden—a member of the 2019 national championship roster—grew her role throughout this season, becoming a key player on the offense that led to the Lakers’ victory. For Bearden, it made her second ring that much more exciting.

“Honestly, it was really rewarding for me,” Bearden said. “In 2019, I was a freshman and still learning the game, and a lot of it just comes from experience. Playing with my seniors and just learning from them, they helped me a lot to step into that role.”

The Lakers also achieved this victory

with a new coach at the helm, who only had limited time in the preseason to get to know his players. For Conlon, he gives credit to his staff and the team for helping him along the way.

“We have got great people here at Grand Valley,” Conlon said. “We were able to keep a couple of coaches on staff, have a great group of women, and I’m fortunate that Becca (Roller) came with me. We just learned over the course of the fall that if you lean in on each other, that anything is possible. There is a lot of different things that we had to learn about each other, but at the end of the day, we were able to pull together as a team and get the results we wanted.”

Not many teams in the country get to say that they are champions, let alone back-toback. Bearden said there was a turning point in the season that elevated the Lakers into second gear.

“We always had that mindset that we wanted to win the national championship,” Bearden said.

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A32&33 | SPORTS

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

Moving On Up?

RECRUITS: There’s been miscommunication between the GVSU Football coaching staff and the 2022 football recruits after published interviews with recruits point towards the Division II team moving to the FCS in 2023. GVL | ARCHIVES

GV Athletics disputes football recruits’ claims of a move to DI

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN AND ZACK GOODROW SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

As one of the most successful schools in Division II football, Grand Valley State University has been dogged for years by speculation that the school is looking to move up to Division I. Recently, these rumors have gained momentum.

As the verbal commitments for GVSU’s 2022 recruiting class started coming in, quarterback recruit Aidan Lucero gave an interview to Tim O’Halloran of Rivals.com that seemed to confirm the rumors of a 2023 move to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2023.

“GVSU is also leaving D2 and will be playing at the FCS level in the Ohio Valley conference in 2023 so it’s really exciting times for the school and the football program,” Lucero told O’Halloran.

In a separate interview with the Lanthorn, Lucero elaborated.

“I know that they’re (GVSU) a really good program, and this was before I knew they were going to make the transition to the FCS,” Lucero said. “And obviously that kind of played a big role in my commitment. It was actually Coach Mitch (that told us) when I went there for my visit; all the recruits were sitting in the room. Most of the

kids that are in my commitment class, I believe, pretty much all had DI offers, so Coach Mitch was kind of the one that broke the news, and that was in-person while we were there.”

While not every verbally committed recruit took the same tour of the GVSU football facilities and visited with the team, several others have made similar claims in separate interviews with the Lanthorn.

Offensive lineman Mathew Haan, a current high school senior, claims Mitchell told his parents about the possible move to the FCS during his photoshoot.

“Coach Mitchell sat down with all the parents while we were doing our photoshoot in our uniform, and he told them that all signs point towards FCS,” Haan said. “It’s not for sure, but they’re treating this recruiting class like Division I so that they’re going to be prepared when they take the jump, and they are expecting to.”

The prospect of being part of GVSU’s first DI roster is exciting news for new recruits, and could influence their decision to commit to GVSU with offers from other Division I programs.

“We didn’t make much of it because, yeah they (the media) probably say that for every successful DII,” Haan said. “But when we got (the news about the FCS) from the coaches we were like,

FCS MOVE: GVSU’s transition to Division I has always been a topic of conversation, but recent media attention has led the Lanthorn to recruits and the Athletic Department for further clarification. GVL | ARCHIVES

‘whoa, this is serious. Holy crap, this might be a FCS school,’ and that’s so awesome.”

In several more interviews with committed recruits, it is apparent that other GVSU coaches were relaying the same information during these visits. Safety-linebacker Kyle Johnson heard the news from Associate Head Coach and Secondary Recruiting Coordinator Nick Postma.

“He said that we’ll be joining the Ohio Valley Conference pretty soon,” Johnson said. “I think he said class of ‘23 will, so probably after this following year. I always knew Grand Valley was, like, top tier among the DII schools; they have everything they need to take that big step, so I kind of saw it coming but I just didn’t know when until Coach Postma said it.”

Athletic Director Keri Becker is used to these questions. In 2018, she was interviewed by the Duluth News Tribune about why Division II schools in the NCAA are having trouble moving up to Division I. When asked by reporter Mike McFeely if GVSU was considering moving up, Becker’s response was to the point: “The short answer, to make this simple, is no,” Becker said.

Yet the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s (GLIAC) ongoing membership issues might make a decision come sooner than later. With multiple teams leaving the conference in the past seven years, members of the GLIAC, including GVSU, are often forced to scramble to find teams to fill out a full regular-season football schedule.

The GLIAC has been in turmoil for the past several years, with multiple teams leaving the conference: Ashland University (2021) Tiffin University (2018) University of Findlay (2017) Hillsdale College (2017) Lake Erie College (2017) Ohio Dominican University (2017) Walsh University (2017) Malone University (2016) Northwood University will also be leaving the GLIAC in 2022, resulting in 10 university members, only six of which have football programs. This leaves GVSU needing to find five non-conference opponents to complete their schedule from Divisions I, II, or III--each of which has its own obstacles.

“It makes zero sense for a FCS school to play a Division II school; it makes zero sense for that to happen,” Mitchell said. “You don’t see that in the landscape of college football.

It makes no sense for us to play any Division III opponent we played this year. We played Wisconsin-Lacrosse and that did nothing for us. When I’m on the Division II national football committee, one of eight members that selects the postseason field, that game was not even counted. In regards to our record, it’s like it didn’t even occur. So for us to play one of those contests, it gives us nothing to bolster our resume for postseason play, and you run the risk of injury.”

With recruits seemingly assured of a move during their visits, the Lanthorn asked Becker, Coach Mitchell, and Associate Director of Athletics Tim Nott for clarification.

“I think everybody’s evaluating their athletic department where it sits with what’s going on in the GLIAC,” Becker said. “We’re doing the same exact thing. We’re evaluating our status within the GLIAC, looking for all of the opportunities that exist because our league continues to lose members. That’s a real concern. The question is not, are we looking to move? The question is, we are keeping our eye on what opportunities exist for Grand Valley.”

Yet the question remains: are coaches promising a move that has not been officially made?

“They’re talking about the potential move because I addressed it,” Mitchell said. “I addressed it in the room; I’m not going to shy away from the fact that I addressed it. I addressed it with all of our recruits. When they came on a visit, I told

MISCOMMUNICATIONS: In interviews from several recruits and the head coach of the football team, Matt Mitchell, different accounts of the information relayed to prospective future players seems to have created confusion and misinformation regarding GV Football’s position in the NCAA in 2023. GVL | ARCHIVES

them all, like, listen, if you had to ask me as a football coach, there’s a high probability this thing’s (GLIAC) not sustainable. Again, what type of picture am I going to paint: a dying fruit on a tree that’s called Division II football, GLIAC football, an attempt to try to entice people to come to this university to play football? Or not trying to be optimistic and try to provide a picture of like, listen, we’re really good at Division II, but we’re also entertaining looking at some possibilities.”

If GVSU were to jump to the FCS, it would not be a simple move. Every other GVSU sport--basketball, soccer, tennis, swim and dive, cross country, track and field, baseball, softball, lacrosse and golf--would have to do the same.

Furthermore, any DII school looking to make a move into the FCS also needs an invitation from the NCAA to join the conference.

GVSU hasn’t received one.

“GVSU’s name has become part of this con-

GLIAC STABILITY: A large factor in the conversation around GVSU’s move to the FCS is the recurring issues that the GLIAC has faced in the past few years with teams leaving for the GMAC. GVL | ARCHIVES

versation in the media, yet we have not been invited to any of these conferences,” Becker explained in an email.

The fact that GVSU has not yet been invited to make the jump to DI leaves the recruits’ recollections as an open question. The three recruits the Lanthorn spoke to confirmed that they were told GVSU was moving to the FCS by Mitchell or members of his staff, which Mitchell feels is a matter of the recruits hearing what they want to hear, or attempting to justify their commitment to GVSU over DI offers.

“When (recruits) start getting interviewed by people and things start to happen, you’ve got to provide some type of justification for why you’re going to sign with the Division II school and turn down FCS offers like Northern Iowa,” Mitchell said. “(Lucero) has a Northern Iowa offer and they’re in the FCS playoffs. You’re going to attempt to take the information that’s provided by the head football coach (himself) and a recruiting visit. And you’re going to work that in a way that would make sense to people. Like, why the hell would you turn down an FCS offer to sign with the Division II school?”

Despite what recruits have said, Becker affirms that GVSU Athletics is currently determined to stay in the GLIAC, but that a move up is always possible.

“We’re trying to make sure that we’re in the best position possible to continue our success wherever it’s at,” Becker said. “We’re working very diligently with our brothers and sisters to try and make sure our league is getting some new members. But we also have to take care of what’s best for Grand Valley.

And that’s my job as the athletic director, to make sure this university is positioned to take advantage of whatever opportunities may present themselves. And that opportunity may be Division II; continuing Division II. That’s what we’re committed to right now. We’re a Division II institution.”

A36&37 | NEWS

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

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BY SHAWN ROBINSON & ZACK GOODROW EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University students – like the majority of college students in the U.S. – have tight budgets. Students have to manage paying for tuition, rent and food while earning their degrees for their future careers while also considering expensive parking costs into their budgets.

But at GVSU, parking makes a bigger dent on student finances than any other university in the state of Michigan.

Out of all the public universities in the state, GVSU has the most expensive commuter parking permit, according to an exclusive Lanthorn analysis of parking data it compiled. For off-campus commuters, GVSU students pay $240 a semester for a student commuter permit. There is another, cheaper alternative for commuting students – a Lot J permit that costs just $105 a semester. However, this cheaper permit is still more expensive than the majority of other university’s permits. Students who live on-campus in Allendale pay $210 a semester to keep their cars on campus.

What some students consider to be eye-popping prices have continued to climb upward since 2015 – a period during which student enrollment has dropped by more than 10%, according to an analysis of GVSU parking and student enrollment data. Along with the violations, the permits have netted GVSU nearly $4.5 million from Sept. 1, 2021 to March 3, 2022, according to data the Lanthorn secured through a public records request.

GVSU’S administration explains that the money goes towards paying parking personnel, maintenance and construction.

“Parking permit revenue goes towards payroll of parking staff, general lot/ramp maintenance, and capital projects such as reconstruction of existing and construction of new lots/ramps,” said Chris Swank, GVSU Manager of Parking, Transportation and Services. “It also goes towards debt service for parking projects which can include capital improvements, ramp construction, and repaving. A portion of the revenue also goes to the long term parking reserve to fund future parking projects” But some students already grappling with taking out thousands of dollars of loans questioned the university’s prices and parking haul.

“I feel like the prices are a little too much for the amount of parking spaces available,”

said GVSU student Karlee North. “Also I think they should add more parking spaces available to students because there aren’t many on campus. I think they (need to) limit the amount of passes they give out to the amount of spaces.”

Swank explained that the university’s Board of Trustees generally sets parking rates in June.

“Prices increase to cover annual operating expenses which include maintenance, debt service for parking capital improvements and construction of parking ramps, and snow removal, etc,” Swank said.

Victor Cardenas, a Board of Trustees member since 2015, explained that the Board of Trustees and GVSU Parking Services compare rates with other major Michigan universities. When making these financial decisions for student parking, the Board of Trustees balances consideration of students’ financial situations with the university’s fiscal sustainability, he said.

“How this has bearing on students has always been taken into consideration – be it for any kind of fees, parking fees, tuition, room and board – those all are taken into account,” Cardenas said. “I think that’s paramount in our minds when we make decisions. But obviously with inflation, cost increase and wages increase, we have to take that into account as well. So it’s always the sustainability of the university and making sure it’s financially sustainable in the future, but we also want to make sure that we’re not putting that burden on the students. We’re trying to find ways to make sure that it’s less of a burden for them going forward.”

GVSU has steadily increased the prices of their parking permits during the past seven years. In 2015, a student commuter pass cost students $380 annually. In 2022, that price is now $480. Every lot pass has increased by $20 a year since 2015 – excluding 2020 where prices remained the same. Throughout the past seven academic years, the student commuter permit price has increased by 26.3%.

In 2015, a Lot J permit cost students $110 a year. In 2022, the price is $210 a year, a 90.9% cost increase.

But while the price of parking permits have risen, GVSU’s student population has decreased. In 2015, there were 25,325 students attending GVSU. In 2021, that number decreased to 22,406. In total, the student population from 2015 to 2021 fell by 11.5%.

Some students took issue with the continued price hikes during a time of decreased enrollment.

“I mean that’s kind of ridiculous,” said GVSU student Brooke Campbell. “I mean as students decline, the prices should probably decline.”

Some GVSU students expressed surprise at how much revenue the university has received from Allendale parking alone.

GVSU has received $4,227,255 from parking permits from the beginning of the fall 2021 semester to March 3, 2022, according to data obtained from a public records request.

This includes: 13,432 student commuter permits sold, 5,822 resident permits sold and 592 Lot J permits sold during the 2021-22 academic year.

According to GVSU Parking Services, there are approximately 7,400 parking spaces on GVSU’s Allendale campus. As of March 3, each parking space has made GVSU $607.46 – not including how many of these spaces are restricted for just faculty/staff who park for free. Excluding holidays and weekends, every parking space on campus generates $5.42 in revenue each day.

From the beginning of the fall 2021 semester to March 3, the date at which the public records request was fulfilled, there had been 112 days of class – the majority of which are held in the in-person format. During those 112 days, GVSU made an average of $40,135.77 per day from students.

“I got paid minimum wage,” said former Parking Services student employee and current GVSU student Laura Andres. “Wow, ($40,135.77) is a lot worse than what I thought.”

Despite the decline of enrollment at GVSU over the past five years, GVSU students have still experienced difficulties finding parking spaces. Several students who have received parking tickets state that the violation was due to not having available spots on Allendale’s campus. Due to the high volume of parking passes sold, some student drivers are forced to park in lots that their parking permit isn’t registered for.

During the winter 2022 semester, GVSU sold 9,146 student-parking permits. That is almost 2,000 more passes than parking spaces on GVSU’s Allendale campus. GVSU’s administration says the high volume of parking permits is feasible due to a survey that Parking Services conducts every year.

“A week-long parking survey is done each fall to evaluate parking demand,” Swank said.

“It has shown that even though more students are driving to the Allendale and Pew campuses, we have enough parking to accommodate them. The Health campus didn’t have enough

parking. As a result, we partnered with Spectrum Health to construct a new shared ramp on the Health Campus consisting of 600 new spaces to be used by GVSU students, faculty, and staff.”

However, some students feel that this week-long survey doesn’t accurately reflect the student parking demand.

“The available parking for students fills up very quickly,” Analise Robinson, a student at GVSU said. “If I try to find a spot on campus anytime after noon, I drive around in the lots and can’t find a spot or I end up having to park very far from the building my class is in.

The prices of parking passes are very expensive, yet you might not be able to find a spot.”

An anonymous survey of 97 people found that more than half of the respondents received at least one parking violation.

GVSU has received $267,952 from parking violations since Aug. 30, 2021 to March 3, 2022, according to data obtained by the Lanthorn in a public records request.

Naturally, some GVSU students that haven’t purchased a parking permit still park on campus. They may try to park in a lot for a short period of time while doing something on campus – buying a book at the Laker Store, stopping by a professor’s office during office hours or going to the library to print a paper. Several students have stories of when they stopped by campus and received a ticket for not having a permit.

“I’m an art student,” said GVSU student Kylie Zito. “I’m a photography major so I go to Calder a lot. It’s really cold in the winter and I’m just not a fan of parking all the way in (student parking). So sometimes I’ll park in this Calder and that’s what they get me for.”

More than half of the respondents didn’t purchase a permit, the survey found. In some cases, this decision was the outcome of a deliberate calculation to pay whatever tickets they accumulated rather than the $240 permit price.

“I didn’t buy one this semester and decided I would just go as long as I could before getting too many tickets,” said one anonymous-survey responder. “So far I have gotten four tickets totaling $140 which is of course $100 cheaper than the actual pass.”

GVSU has similar violation prices as other public universities in Michigan.

“I actually got ticketed twice in three days,” said GVSU student Kendall Robertson. “I parked where I wasn’t supposed to. I was parked for my practice. It was a convenient location to get to my practice and then it wasn’t convenient for parking.”

A30&31 | NEWS

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Campus Dining competes with offcampus jobs for student workers

BY JACOB DEWEERD LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University students have dealt with campus dining issues like location closures, long lines and limited menus since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of which can be attributed to the ongoing student employee shortage.

A year and a half later, despite campus dining’s efforts to attract workers, there are still not enough employees to staff many on-campus dining locations. If campus dining cannot attract more employees, these issues seem likely to stay.

GVSU sent out an email on Sept. 8 that said campus dining had only employed around 30% of the usual number of student workers and 70% of full-time staff. Since then, incentives like wage increases during certain shifts and bonuses for working through the end of the semester have been offered to entice students to work for campus dining.

Some students feel that those incentives are not enough.

In response to a question about this matter on r/GVSU, a Reddit forum for GVSU-related posts, students aired their frustrations with the limited incentives being offered by campus dining.

“As a campus dining employee, I feel I should state that the bonus system isn’t even as lucrative as you state,” said user u/lesbianclarinetnerd. “You have to work a minimum of eight hours a week, not an average, a minimum (so if you get sick and miss a shift

you’re out of the running for the bonus). I’m personally only scheduled 6.5 hours each week and I am not allowed to stay longer to get to that point, (so I’d have to pick up another shift to receive the bonus). The scheduling is absolutely awful.”

Regarding wage increases, the current wage for campus dining employees is listed at $9.87 per hour on Handshake. Currently, campus dining employees earn an extra $2 per hour if they work after 3 p.m. or on weekends, but that wage still pales in comparison to other food service jobs in the area.

Grand Rapids Brewing Company is offering $1000 sign-on bonuses and kitchen staff wages starting at $17 per hour, and Grand Coney in Allendale is hiring part-time line cooks for wages from $14 to $17 per hour.

User u/JaySeebricks said campus dining wages are not at all competitive.

“Off-campus jobs (within bus distance) offer far superior wages and seemingly better conditions,” u/JaySeebricks said. “I feel really bad for campus dining employees sometimes.”

Campus dining also has to compete with job opportunities at other on-campus locations that pay just as well or better than they do, and also offer the opportunity to complete homework or work at their own pace.

Student positions like office assistants, tour guides and major-specific positions like clinical assistants and tutors offer similar or better pay and work environments compared to campus dining positions.

“I worked for campus dining before the pandemic and I wouldn’t go back even

EMPLOYMENT: GV campus dining is suffering through an intense employee shortage. COURTESY | MLIVE

with the incentives they’re offering,” said u/ teach_sped. “The library is offering equal pay to what (campus dining) has listed on Handshake and I get to do my homework there and not work in a hectic environment with a lot of COVID policies.”

Still, student workers are necessary to keep campus dining operations open for all students on campus.

“Obviously the campus dining workers (especially the student workers) are doing all they can and I’m grateful for their hard work so I can get lunch and dinner in between my busy schedule times,” u/teach_sped said.

Students with allergies, vegan or vegetarian diets and other dietary restrictions or preferences are faced with a diminished number of options for where they can safely eat on campus. Multiple dining locations that offered vegan or allergy-safe options like Which Wich have been closed all year, which leaves students with far less variety for what they can use meal swipes on.

“My (significant other) had extremely limited options last year with her allergy and half the time would experience mild-to-moderate reactions due to cross-contamination,” u/JaySeebricks said.

Another student echoed concerns about cross-contamination for those with specific diets, saying they had experienced difficulties with allergies at campus dining locations as well.

“Cross-contamination happens at every location, as well as already very limited allergy-friendly options,” said user u/dvd-player.

“Your best bet is the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at Fresh or just spending your dining dollars at the pod stores to buy food you know you can eat.”

One student complained about a lack of proper training due to staff shortages. Failure to properly train food service employees can lead to issues like cross-contamination and the potential for allergic reactions.

“The training is near non-existent,” u/lesbianclarinetnerd said.

As COVID-19 continues to affect labor availability, there’s currently no concrete expectation for when dining at GVSU could see a return to normalcy.

“That’s difficult to predict given that this is a state, regional and national situation,” said campus dining marketing manager Deb Rambadt. “As people apply and are hired/ trained, additional openings could occur. On Nov. 8, 42nd Street Deli inside Kleiner reopened and with a continued applicant pace, more stations will follow.”

For students looking to share their thoughts with Campus Dining, www.yourdiningvoice.com offers surveys that share feedback with managers of on-campus dining locations. Responses can be provided anonymously, or users can provide contact info for follow-ups and sweepstakes entries.

QR codes are posted in dining locations all over campus for easy access, and there is a link at www.gvsu.edu/campusdine/.

DIETS: Students are concerned with cross-contamination at campus dining locations. COURTESY | MLIVE

INCENTIVES: Current employees find it difficult to reach the bonuses, like an extra $2 an hour after 3 p.m., that campus dining is offering due to the way their scheduling system works this year. GVL | ARCHIVES

JOBS: Campus dining is losing employees because of other job opportunities on and off-campus. On-campus jobs like working at the library may be more enticing, while off-campus jobs pay more. GVL | ARCHIVES

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

A38&39 | ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

BY SABRINA EDWARDS ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

This past weekend the Campus Activities Board hosted rapper Yung Gravy for the annual spring concert.

This was the first spring concert since Blackbear performed at Grand Valley State University in 2019.

Yung Gravy took the stage at the Fieldhouse Arena on April 2.

The event sold 4,500 tickets, which was the maximum capacity for the Fieldhouse Arena. This comes after T-Pain’s performance was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Matthew Raymond Huri, also known as Yung Gravy, is a 26-yearold rapper from Minnesota. His career took off in 2017 with his song “Mr. Clean,” which samples “Mr. Sandman” by The Cordettes.

Since its release, Yung Gravy’s song has gone platinum.

The concert was opened by DJ EDERZ, also known as Matthew Ednie, an emerging DJ from the Detroit area. He opened the set by mixing popular songs, giving them a house-party twist. He played both classic pop hits and new favorites, sampling Labrinth’s “Still Don’t Know My Name,” which was made popularized on “Euphoria.”

“The best part is the way I feel when I’m performing,” EDERZ said. “It’s awesome to make a bunch of people happy in a live setting, live music obviously brings everyone together. For everyone to be vibing and having a really good time to the same song in the same moment, it’s unexplainable really.”

EDERZ tries not to conform to one specific genre. He blends dubstep, house, trap and hip-hop turning each song into a unique experience. EDERZ has been DJ’ing for seven years, starting when he was a junior in high school. EDERZ is a Central Michigan University alumnus and often plays in Mt. Pleasant at venues such as Wayside and Encore The Nightclub. This is his first time playing a set on the west side of the state.

“My vision is always to bring fun, I always want to throw the crowd

something that they might not expect to hear in a DJ set,” EDERZ said. “I want to play them music and mix things together that they’re not going to be able to hear on the radio or something that you’re only going to be able to hear at a live show. I don’t really want to combine to one genre specifically; if it gets a good reaction, I love it.”

EDERZ is a self-taught DJ and he advises anyone who is interested in learning to buy a mixing board and start practicing. He recalls the hardest part of starting out is getting the first paid gig, recalling that the most important thing is networking to get connections. He describes the moment of being told he was opening for Yung Gravy as “pure excitement.”

“I was thrilled, my buddies that play hockey actually put me onto him years back when he was still growing as a musician,” EDERZ said. “I loved his music back then, so for everything to come full circle is just amazing.”

After DJ EDERZ’s set, Yung Gravy’s DJ, DJ Tiiiiiiiiiip, came out to play to warm up the crowd for the rapper.

He played classics like “Sweet Caroline,” “Party in the USA” and “Burning Up” to get the crowd ready.

Throughout his other shows, Yung Gravy often throws out items to the crowd. During this show, he stopped the show to throw out signed Lunchables and water bottles. One audience member held up their prosthetic leg, getting the rapper’s attention and received a Lunchable.

Unlike previous years, CAB didn’t send out an email to students to gauge who they would want to see perform at the spring concert. Erin Westberg, Director of Live Music, was in charge of finding an artist that would fit best. At Campus Life Night, CAB had a whiteboard where students could write down artists they wanted to see or genres or music they enjoy. After pooling them all together, Westberg noticed that people were interested in pop and party music.

“I figured out demographics, different genres and different age

groups,” Westberg said. “I found that pop and party music was a big thing with people our age, so I went from the genre to looking at the list the agent provided for us, when I saw his name (Yung Gravy) we went from there.”

CAB has been planning this concert since last semester. The longest part was filling out the paperwork with the agencies and solidifying the contacts. After months of work, their efforts paid off.

Some of the CAB members have been a part of the group for all four years while at GVSU, so this experience made up for the previously canceled 2020 concert.

“I have a unique experience of being in CAB for four years but this is only the second spring concert we’ve had,” said CAB president Jay Chapa. “My first year I didn’t get a lot of the behind the scenes, but it’s been really cool to see how Erin has taken autonomy in this role and how they’ve found ways to listen to what the student body wanted and work with our advisors to make it all come together.”

While the organization of the event went smoothly, there were still some issues that CAB faced when putting together this event.

“It has been hard seeing students not be as receptive to some things,” Chapa said. “We definitely want to have a space where students feel comfortable sharing those feelings with us, but we’d like to hear maybe a bit more on why students are upset. We also think it’s a great opportunity to know if students are looking for something different or something more.”

Chapa said she wants students to share their feelings with CAB moving forward. For CAB, it was difficult to figure out the one artist that fits what everyone wants to see, but they feel like with Yung Gravy they achieved that as best as they could.

“I’m very excited and I’m very interested to see how it’ll go because the campus culture is so different,” Chapa said. “Not in a good or bad way, it just is different, and I’m very

excited to see because I feel like the demographic and what we’ve heard people say as well as the people we’ve seen buy tickets come from all sorts of areas on campus. So, I feel like it’ll be a unique event in terms of all sorts of people are going to come.”

Returning students who went to the Blackbear concert were happier with this concert. So the changes CAB made were well received by some.

“I think that Yung Gravy was a good selection for Grand Valley and what everyone likes,” said Holly Heathfield, a GVSU student. “I didn’t go to the Blackbear concert and I know a lot of other people didn’t go, so this made more sense to me.”

While many students had fun at the concert. there was some confusion about specific rules, like if masks were acquired at the event.

Before the event, there were questions being asked on CAB’s Instagram asking if they were required.

“It was super fun, but I remember there being some confusion about whether or not we need masks, which was interesting that we didn’t need them for the concert but had to wear them in class,” Heathfield said. “It just doesn’t make sense because everyone is piled in on top of each other, but we need them in the classroom.”

CAB is recruiting new members for next year and their applications are currently open. Those who are a part of CAB have the opportunity to plan events like these, Chapa said.

With the spring concert having been canceled for a few years, CAB knew that students were excited for the event to come back, but they didn’t feel any pressure. Westberg said she felt all of the events flowed together nicely.

“I think something really awesome about this year is that we had the opportunity to start with a clean slate,” Chapa said. “The students that we have that are engaging with CAB are almost entirely different than they have been before. It’s not so much of a sense of pressure but an opportunity.”

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APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

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APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A34&35 | SPORTS

Team captains Zach Borchardt and Shane Haggerty lead GV hockey through their first DI season

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN SPROTS@LANTHORN.COM

As the men’s DI club hockey team gears up for seat announcements in the Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League (GLCHL) Conference at the end of the month, team captains Zach Borchardt and Shane Haggerty already have a great deal to celebrate.

Just three weeks ago, Haggerty hit his 50th point in the 2021-22 season, followed

by Borchardt’s 50th season point just two weeks ago. Along with this accomplishment, Borchardt also hit his 50th career goal earning himself the Franchise AllTime Goals Per Season record with 39; though, the pair of captains are practically in-step with each other when it comes to putting pucks in the back of the net.

With their back-to-back games this past weekend against Michigan State University, they both raked in their 100th American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) career points to top it all off. With their various GLHCL Player of the Week honors throughout this season alone, it’s no surprise the team captains have made such an im-

pact on Grand Valley State University’s club hockey program in the two seasons they’ve played together.

Although their journeys started when they were both barely old enough to hold a hockey stick, Borchardt found his way into midwestern hockey culture a little bit later than Haggerty did.

“I’m originally from St. Louis Missouri, so hockey is not — well it’s getting there — but it wasn’t as big as it is here,” Borchardt said. “My dad never played, my mom never played, but for some reason they just got me started into it at like, two or three, and I haven’t really looked back since.”

Growing up watching the St. Louis Blues with his younger brother and dad, Borchardt wasn’t exposed to the kind of hockey that is played in Michigan until the end of sixth grade when they made the jump up north to get closer to family.

While Borchardt and his brother have always enjoyed hockey with each other, his two younger sisters are dancers, often splitting his parents up between competitions, tournaments, games and weekends.

Haggerty’s mom on the other hand, has come incredibly close to attending

LEADERSHIP: Junior forwards Shane and Zach have taken the reigns this season, leading their first season together as a Division I club team. GVL | LAUREN SEYMOUR, SHANE HAGGERTY

every game that he’s played, but since he’s grown up here, it’s not so hard for her to make them all.

“I’m from Grandville so my home rink is the rink we play at now,” Haggerty said.

“So, nothing has really changed for me.

After high school I played at Metro Detroit for a year and then came here, but most of my hockey career’s been through that rink down 48th Ave, so it’s been fun.”

With his sister’s softball season always being opposite to his hockey seasons, it makes it easier to have her support there along with a handful of the other parents, Borchardt’s dad included.

Since Haggerty decided to come to GVSU for the Sports Management program after playing for the junior league Metro Jets for a year, he’s been able to continue his love for the game throughout college. Borchardt knew he wanted to come to GVSU for Accounting and Finance before he knew how much he wanted to play hockey too.

“I had decided I was going to come to GV and just kind of be a student at GV and be fine with not playing hockey,” Borchardt said. “Then one of my buddies who I played against in high school was one of the returners (on GVSU’s hockey team), and he was like, ‘if you want to play, we have a spot,’ and I just said, ‘I’m fine, thanks.’ And then I went to my brother’s tryouts for the high school team, just to watch, and then I was like, ‘oh, yeah. I kind of miss it.’”

After having the opportunity to play on the same team as the younger Borchardt in high school, he’s been able to make some amazing memories as part of that duo over the years.

“My senior year of high school, he (Borchardt’s younger brother) was a sophomore and made our varsity team, and we went on to win the state championship that year,” Borchardt said. “There were so many memories from that year that have just been great to think about and even still relive them all the time.

That year overall is probably the best

year I’ve had hockey-wise, and even after the state championship game, being there to hug him and being there together was incredible.”

Haggerty’s story from that same year went a little differently.

“I came close to the state championship my junior year,” Haggerty said. “I ended up losing to him (Borchardt), actually. Senior year we kind of chocked, but playing junior hockey was pretty awesome, because it’s like playing in college, but you don’t have to go to school. It was just 24/7 hockey, so we got really close with the teammates and it was really fun.”

While the two have had their fair share of ups and downs through all the different teams and seasons, the one thing that they, along with every athlete now shares, is overcoming the year off with COVID-19.

“We’ve both played hockey our entire lives,” Borchardt said. “Having a year off when we’re 19/20-years-old after having 16/17 years of continuous hockey was more of just like, a weird feeling I think more than anything.”

The pair seemed to use that extra year off to do some similar things without a season going on in their busy lives.

“The year off made me really start to loosen up and not get so frustrated about certain things,” Haggerty said.

“Because for me, it made me realize I only have a couple years left, so I started to enjoy it a lot more. It’s really made a big impact on me.”

Borchardt concurred, dedicating a little bit of the pandemic to their combined maturity on the ice now.

“Two years of maturing in general has been a lot of it,” Borchardt said. “With the pandemic, we’ve had, basically a year — not off — but just to reflect on where you’re at and where you want to be, and I think that helped us to be who we are now. I know for me, it’s just a little bit of a break and a reset, and I’m just trying to have a lot more fun with it.”

While fun is always the driving force

behind any great team, the two leading scorers on the team understood what it meant to make the jump to Division I this season.

Working even harder to match up with their new opponents and lead an incredibly young roster to the success they’ve seen this year has been no easy feat, but with a strong team to back them up, it’s certainly not impossible.

“DII and DIII is treated like club hockey, but in DI, the Aquinas, Calvin, Davenport teams, they all treat it as varsity and they’re all fully funded,” Haggerty said. “So, people go there to play hockey. That’s been the biggest adjustment, is that you have schools who are fully funded and take it a lot more serious, which I think was kind of a surprise to some of the new guys.”

With these adjustments for both the team captains, coaches and the rest of the team, they’ve started to come together as a competitive team willing to take on the challenges of DI club hockey.

“Everyone now is on board with, ‘we’re playing hockey,’ and fun is more of a byproduct than the goal of it,” Borchardt said. “I think there’s just a lot more eyes that see it and a lot more attention than there would be otherwise, for the better and the worse, so there’s a lot more opportunity to leave a bigger impact.”

As far as their individual success has gone this season, they humbly dedicated a great deal of it to the younger players on the team who’ve stepped up and made their jobs that much easier.

“Zack Kippe and Nick Sommerfield have been really coming along, and I don’t think they get enough credit,” Haggerty said.

“They’re on my line and I think I get too much of the credit when it’s really, I just give it to them and they go and score, because all my points are assists.”

Similarly, on Borchardt’s line, a lot of the heavy lifting is done as a unit rather than as just one person.

“Playing with Josh Suzio and Sam Lechel, they make it so easy for me to score that it’s not really fair for me to get attention, or for everyone look at me and think, ‘that’s the leading goal scorer on the team,’” Borchardt said.

“They’re just easy placement shots resulting

from plays that they made. Even on the powerplay too, Shane passes it to me sometimes and I don’t even know how it gets on my stick, and then it’s just finishing it with a shot. I get the fun part for sure.”

With both captains having three years of eligibility left due to the five-year eligibility in a normal year and then the complications of COVID-19, the two plan to continue next season on the team and possibly for their fifth years as well.

While Borchardt plans on grad school after his senior year at GVSU, hockey will always be in his future, though his competitive playing days may be winding down by then. For Haggerty, he wants to become an athletic director so he can always be surrounded by the environment he’s grown so close to over the years.

As for the rest of the team that they’ll leave behind when they graduate, the younger players will have some big skates to fill.

“In terms of (goals for the team’s future), having a good identity and good character overall,” Borchardt said. “Because I know when we got here, there really wasn’t much set up like that and everyone was kind of just figuring out what we wanted to do and what we wanted to be like. So, I think at least getting started on a good, sound idea of what we want Grand Valley hockey to be like every year is a good start.”

Now that the roster is full of experienced players who are dedicated to GVSU hockey’s legacy, there’s no telling what the team could accomplish, even before Borchardt and Haggerty say their goodbyes. Through all of the late-night practices, the win and the loses and the friendships that they’ll be able to keep forever, their legacy in the program has only just begun.

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A13 | GRADUATION

A14 | GRADUATION

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Abigail Maureen King

Amanda Paler Amanda Paler, Congratulations on your graduation from GVSU! You have accomplished so much over the past four years; including an outstanding academic performance, along with serving on the Executive Board of the Dance Troupe and becoming the President this year! We are so proud of you, and we love you very much!

Congratulations Abigail!

We are so very proud of you and your accomplishment of Graduating GVSU with a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice! You are a Leader, you are Strong and Driven. You have the world at your feet, Go make it yours!

Love, Mom, Dad, Jessie, Christina, and Odie

Love - Mom, Dad, Emily, Sarah and Jackson

Amy Olthoff We are all so proud of your graduation. You already have accomplished so much in your life and career and this was one that you always dreamed of adding. You worked hard and earned every bit of it. The Moscos Family; Mom, Dad, Erin, Brandon, Ashley, Haley, Chloe, Millie and Heath. The Olthoff Family; Mike, Kay, Jason, Jamye, Nancy, Sydney and Kalen. It has truly been inspiring to see you stick with it day in and out.

We love you so much, Chris and your "study buddy" Brick

A15 | GRADUATION

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Amanda Johnson Congratulations Amanda! So proud of you! All your hard work has paid off. Wishing you all the success & happiness in the world!

Love, "243" Mom, Dad, Nicole & Jared

Amber Overlay Amber, With love and pride today and always!!!

We love you, Mom, Dad, Demi, Jenna, Grandma Small & Grandma O.

Brock Buozis

Amber Anderson Congratulations Amber!

We're so proud of you!

Your hard work and dedication has paid off, we are wishing you continued success in all that you aspire to do!

Love Mom, Dad, and Ashlei

Ayanna Smith Congratulations! We are so proud of you. You are an amazing daughter. #beautyandbrains

Catherine Laurain

So proud of you honey, I knew you could do it!

Congratulations Catherine!

You Did It! We are so proud of you and look forward to celebrating this awesome accomplishment!

We Love You!

-Cullen

Love Mom and Dad

There can be 100 people in the room and 99 don't believe in you, you just need one.

A16 | GRADUATION

Elaina Elliott

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Chloe VandenBosch

Congratulations Elaina! We are proud of you and your accomplishments! We know you will always make a difference with compassion and kindness.

Chloe, Words cannot describe how proud we are of you! Congratulations!

We love you very much and know the best is yet to come!

We love you forever!

Mom, Dad, and Danae

Love, Mom (and your entire family)

Damaiya Harper We are so Godly proud of you and your accomplishments over the past 4 years at GVSU. This is only a glimpse of what God has in store for you.

Behind you, all your college memories Before you, all your future dreams Surrounding you, all of those that love you Within you, all the God you need Love your family I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.

Phil 4:13

Emma Baynes Jem~ Words cannot express how proud we are of you! We know that God has big plans for you & can’t wait to see where He takes you next!

Some words of wisdom from the Greek philosopher Abraham Lincoln, If it ain t my guap I’m gone.

We love you the most!

Dad, Mom, Ellie & Ruby

A17 | GRADUATION

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Clara Kissling

We are proud beyond words!

Shoot for the stars, my love!

Gabrielle Closser Congratulations, Gabrielle! We are so proud of you. You will continue to do great things! We are so excited for you!

May God bless you always!

Love, Mom, Dad and Alexandra

Gwendolyn Trautman Congratulations, Gwen!!! We love you, and we’re so proud of you!! Always remember to take chances; make mistakes; get messy!

Love Mom, Dad, and Ian

Jack D.Sumners

Holly Moser Congratulations Holly! Can t wait to celebrate you & your BS in Nursing! We are so proud of you, and we couldn’t love you more!

Mom & Dad

Jaden Russell

Jack, Be Bold!

Be Courageous!

Be Your Best!

(And we know you will!)

We are Super Proud of You!

Jaden, We are all so proud of you. This world will be a better place because of your caring heart and passion for helping others.

Congratulations! We love You!

Love , Mom and Dad

Love, Mom, Dad,& Ethan

A18 | GRADUATION

Jocelyn Prinz Jocelyn Meredith Prinz You are a relentless competitor both on and off the field. Excited about your future endeavors!

Forever Proud of our “Prinz Twins” Love, Mom, Dad, Jacob, Grandma, and Henry

Jacob DeWeerd Congratulations Jake! We’re so happy to share in the excitement of your graduation with you! We’re proud of the sincere, hard-working, and determined young man you ve become! Your academic dedication and your success in your various employment endeavors at GVSU will undoubtedly pay off! Best of luck as you begin your next chapter in life!

Love, Mom & Dad

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Julia Moss Julia, We are very proud of you and excited for your next adventure in the big real world! Keep everyone laughing. That is truly your gift.

Love, Mom and Dad

Katelyn Maranda “Ain’t it funny how life changes You wake up, ain’t nothing the same and life changes You can’t stop it, just hop on the train and You never know what’s gonna happen You make your plans and you hear God laughing Life changes, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.” Thomas Rhett Go change the world, Katelyn Grace!

We love you, Mom & Dad

A19 | GRADUATION

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Julie King

Kaitlyn “Katie” Daiek

Julie We are so proud of your amazing accomplishments and who you have become. Your potential is infinite. Congratulations!

In 4 years you completed a double major -amazing job! You have demonstrated resilience, dedication, passion, and we are excited for your future.

Love, Mom, Dad, Zak, Gramme & Papa

Love, Mom, Dad & Your Entire Family

Katherine Meaton Words can’t say how PROUD I am. The world is open for you. When you have a Dream, Hope, Faith...everything will come together. CONGRATUATIONS, Kate!

Love Mother.

Lindsay VanSumeren Congratulations Lindsay You are our sunshine, and we are so proud of you! Your life is a sacred journey, follow your path with courage and love.

Your Loving Family

Kaylee Annis Kaylee you are an amazing woman. We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. Now and forever you’re a star.

We love you, Your family

Linnea Byl Linnea, since you were a baby, you’ve had a clear-eyed gaze and that’s been especially true these past couple years going through this program. You’ve been amazing to watch! Congratulations!

Your family

A20 | GRADUATION

Matthew Fleming Congratulations! Wherever your future takes you, enjoy the journey, each step is opportunity for growth.

We are so very proud of the man you are.

Love, Mom & Dad

Ryan Pyszel Congratulations Ryan, we are beyond proud of your dedication and commitment.

We are so excited to see what your future holds. Continue to be you.

Love, Mom,Tom,& Brenna

Savannah Kramer

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Riley Brooket Riley, we are so proud of your hard work, perseverance, and accomplishments! We look forward to seeing where your next journey leads.

Love, Mom, Dad, Regan,& Nolan

Sabrina Garascia CONGRATULATIONS SABRINA GARASCIA! We are so very proud of you, Lovey, and wish you a future filled with joy, fulfillment, and adventure!!!

XOXO, Mama, Dan, Joe, Julia, Sam, Joe, and Daisy

Shannon Mae Dingman

Savannah, we are so proud of you. Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.

Congratulations! Dad and I are so very proud of you. Your determination is inspiring! Your future is now! Go for it!

Love, Mom and Brauley

Love, Pops, Momma Bear & Nathan

A21 | GRADUATION

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Nadine Afton Congratulations Nadine Afton!

All your hard work has got you to this amazing moment, Graduation day!

We are all so proud of you!

Love, Mom(Norine), Bill, Nicole, Ben Dad(Todd), Ronda, Elizabeth Grandma and Grandpa Korte Grandma Jean Afton Grandma Arlene Schoolcraft Grandpa Jack Follett Grandpa William Bissell

Sydney Tinson Sydney, Watching you grow and achieve so many wonderful goals has been an honor and a blessing from above.

Your ‘go-getter’ spirit, kind heart, beautiful smile and genuine goodness will continue to soothe your spirit, quiet your mind and bring you peace and success in all you do! We love you and couldn’t be more proud!!! Keep the faith.

LOVE, Mom & Dad

Stephanie Grahn Steph, We are so proud of the fine young woman you have become. You have exceeded our biggest wishes for you. Your drive, discipline and passion for your academics, work and various causes are truly inspirational. We canýt wait to see the healthcare professional plans you have in the future. Continue to dream big and reach for the sky.

Love, Mom and Dad

Stephen Arnold Stephen you translated a dream into a goal and with effort, and discipline you've finished with Honors.

Congratulation! Well done!

Cherish this moment and keep the dream alive!

Semper Fi Love Dad & Mom

A22 | GRADUATION Valentino Franco Laurich Valentino Congratulations you did it! We are proud of you and all of your accomplishments! We are so excited to see what you will achieve on your next adventure Love, Mom, Dad, Brittney, Fredericka & Luna

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Victoria Buscemi Tori, From the time you were little and drew on any restaurant placemat you could get your hands on until today, you have made all of us very proud of your accomplishments.

Your creative side has a great outlet in the occupation that you have chosen.

Congratulations!

Love, Mom, Dad, Tony and Grandma

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A23 | GRADUATION

HOLLY BIHLMAN Holly started working for the “Lanthorn” sports section as a staff writer in 2019 and was promoted to sports editor in 2021. As a writing major, the “Lanthorn” has seen her improve her journalistic skills and professionalism inside the newsroom. Holly has covered every GVSU sport during her time with the “Lanthorn.” In 2021-22, she covered the men’s DI and DIII club-hockey teams as they both won championships. Wherever she lands next, we know she will continue her impressive career.

HAILEIGH HUBER Haileigh started as a news writer for the “Lanthorn” in 2021. She quickly joined the editorial staff as the first-ever multimedia editor for the “Lanthorn.” With her hard work, the “Lanthorn” saw tremendous growth on social media and with our audio and video production. Haileigh improved the “Lanthorn” as a product during her time with her professionalism, keen eye for audio stories and creative ideas.

After graduation, Haileigh is relocating to the East Coast where she will continue her young-journalism career.

A24 | GRADUATION

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

JACOB DEWEERD Jacob began writing for the “Lanthorn” in 2020 and quickly became a member of the editorial staff in 2022. During his time as the Laker Life editor, he shaped the section and supported his staff writers with his excellent leadership abilities. As a writing major, the “Lanthorn” has seen Jacob improve his journalism skills and has become a vocal and integral part of the editorial board. Through his coverage of the GVSU Campus Dining issues during the 2021-22 school year, Jacob has proven his investigative skills with public records requests, interviewing sources and fact checking.

After graduation Jacob will join Geonexus as a content writer.

XAVI GOLDEN Xavi began working for the “Lanthorn” in 2019 and has served the paper as its web associate editor and as a cartoonist. Xavi is a skilled artist and writer – especially with the paper’s weekly editorials. In the newsroom, Xavi was a vocal leader and was an advocate for professional and ethical writing. After graduation, the “Lanthorn” wishes him luck with his future career.

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A25 | GRADUATION

KATE KIRBY Kate worked as the first-ever videographer for the “Lanthorn” in 2022. As a film and video major, Kate brought her professional videographer skills and editing abilities to every video she produced. Kate showed an eagerness to learn and grow in the newsroom. Kate was extremely reliable and never missed a deadline. Kate plans to continue working as a wedding videographer and photographer after graduation.

ZACK GOODROW Before he was Editor-in-Chief of the “Lanthorn,” Zack wrote for the sports section and served as the sports editor during the 2020-21 school year, when, he will remind you, there were no sports. Along with perseverance, Zack brought his skills as a journalist, his dedication and his sense of humor to the newsroom. As Editor-in-Chief, Zack motivated the entire “Lanthorn” staff to performe at their best ability and improve the “Lanthorn”.” Zack set a strong foundation for the future of the publication in-print and online. In 2021, Zack recieved three MPA awards in the Better Newspaper Contest. The “Lanthorn” will miss Zack and his cat Silver as he continues his bright-journalism career.

A26 | GRADUATION

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

KHOI TRAN The “Lanthorn” has been lucky to have the talents of Khoi on our staff since 2019. Khoi began as layout designer and moved to the Layout Editor in 2022. Khoi brought his artistic talents to the newsroom, creating striking visuals to bring “Lanthorn” stories to life each week. Khoi’s work at the “Lanthorn” is only a small portion of his impressive design portfolio as a graphic-design student. Khoi has become an integral member of the “Lanthorn” staff during his three years due to his outgoing personality and sense of humor.

We are excited to watch his career flourish after graduation.

Shawn Robinson Shawn worked for the “Lanthorn” as a staff writer during 2021-22. As a sports writer and intern for the Grand Rapids Griffins, Shawn has used his love of sports to fuel his sports coverage. He most notably covered the GVSU football team during the 202122 season. We are excited to see Shawn continue his journalism career after his graduation.

Justice Steiner

Justice worked as a sports writer for the “Lanthorn” during his senior year at GVSU. He has proven himself to be one of the most reliable and talented staff writers the “Lanthorn” has ever employed. During the 2021-22 school year, Justice covered the GVSU women’s basketball team all the way to their Final Four appearance. Through his professionalism and connections to the team, Justice expertly covered the sport through their NCAA tournament run. After graduation, Justice plans to move to Kentucky where he will work as an intern for the University of Louisville Athletic Department.

A27 | GRADUATION

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

Athena Jasman

Jordan Green

Athena worked as a cartoonist for the “Lanthorn” starting in 2019. Throughout her time with the paper, Athena has shown her creativeness and thoughtprovoking art. Athena is passionate about her work and the “Lanthorn.” The “Lanthorn” will miss her cartoons and wish her luck in her career post-graduation.

Congratulations to our advertising Manger Jordan.

The “Lanthorn” is thankful for all you have done in developing our advertising department. We appreciate your dedication and commitment to your work. We will miss your smiles and positve energy around the office. We wish you the best in your futures endeavors.

Dayton Hammon Dayton began working for the “Lanthorn” during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but quickly grew into his roles as assistant business manager and later on, distribution manager. He’s enjoyed getting to know the Allendale and Pew Campuses better on Monday mornings, and will miss the sense of community and friendship he’s found at the “Lanthorn.” Dayton has also been involved with Grand Valley TV since his freshman year and has been their social media manager for three years now. Dayton has spent five years at GVSU working towards obtaining a degree in marketing and a degree in film and video production — now setting him up to begin his career in marketing, advertising and perhaps one day filmmaking.

Josh Carlson

Josh joined the “Lanthorn” staff in 2020 as a sports writer. Josh brought his talent as a journalist, as well as his confidence and outgoing personality to the “Lanthorn” staff. Josh made meaningful connections with the coaches and athletes he covered, especially the women’s soccer and softball teams. Josh has a skill and passion for covering sports, and hopes to continue to work in sports media after graduation.

A28 | GRADUATION

APRIL 18, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS