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SPOTLIGHT
GVSU President Thomas Haas welcomes freshmen onto campus BY MCKENNA PEARISO ASSOCIATE@LANTHORN.COM
From Aug. 20 to 23, over 6,000 students moved onto campus for the 2018-2019 school year at Grand Valley State University. The incoming students were helped by hundreds of alumni, students, staff and faculty members. Many students were excited to see University President Thomas J. Haas and his wife Marcia passing out ice cream near Kleiner Commons on the Wednesday of move-in week. This is Haas’ final year as university president and he is happy to kick off his the new year with his annual traditions one last time. “This is our thirteenth year doing this,” Haas said. “It really is a great tradition that Marcia and I will continue to treasure.” Each year Haas and his wife have passed out ice cream to the new freshman on campus. This is just one tradition that kicks off each school year. Haas was happy to meet students on Wednesday and express his hopes for their future at Grand Valley. “I want to see our students that are here starting today eventually walk across the stage in four years with that diploma and cap; that to me would be so satisfying,” Haas said. With his final year at Grand Valley already underway, Haas is preparing himself for a year of ‘lasts’. The president hopes it can be a year of celebration as he closes on a 35 year career as both an educator and a president. SEE FRESHMAN | A2
NEW BEGINNINGS: President Thomas J. Haas joins previous GV president Arend D. Lubbers and others for a ribbon cutting ceremony. The new student services building, named after Lubbers, aims to draw in prospective students and increase enrollemnt at Grand Valley State University. COURTESY | AMANDA PITTS
GVSU Student Services Building to be named after Lubbers family BY RACHEL MATUSZEWSKI RMATUSZEWSKI@LANTHORN.COM
Grand Valley State University’s Student Services building has received a new title this year. The dedication ceremony for the Arend and Nancy Lubbers Student Services Center took place Friday, August 24, at 2 p.m. on the Allendale Campus. Speakers at the ceremony included university President Thomas J. Haas, Vice President for Enrollment
Development Lynn Blue, Student Senate President Rachel Jenkin and Don and Nancy Lubbers. President Emeritus Arend D. “Don” Lubbers served as GVSU’s second president for 32 years, the longest tenure of any in the country. Lubbers and his wife Nancy worked side by side toward what their co-workers say was building the university. “[He was] the real thrust behind what started what is now known as
Grand Valley State University and the culture we have here. He was always concerned about the student experience.” Blue said. After fundraising with his wife, Lubbers expanded the campus piece by piece. His contribution can be found in the Cook Carillon Tower, the Student Services Building, CookDewitt Center, Henry Hall, Padnos Hall, Kirkof Center, Mary Idema Pew Library and Pew Campus. However, the work has not stopped there.
“[A couple years ago] a few of us were led by Scott Richardson, and the president said we need to make a room that can be dedicated to the admissions function of greeting prospective students.” Blue said. This idea has created the Laker Experience Suite. It replaces the former presentation room on the third floor of the Admissions Office and outshines the preceding 40 seats with a new total of SEE LUBBERS | A2
EDUCATION
GVSU offers workshop for Michigan teachers BY JAMES KILBORN JKILBORN@LANTHORN.COM
COMING TOGETHER: GVSU Charter School Office helps teachers improve Michigan school districts. COURTESY | GVSU.EDU
This September, Grand Valley State University will offer free training and workshops for Michigan teachers in efforts to bolster student achievement and improve public and private education within the state. GVSU’s Charter Schools Office is leading the initiative and will provide workshops for all Michigan educators in hopes that it not only saves school districts money in teacher education programs, but also enables teachers to learn new teaching techniques that are effective in capturing their student’s attentions by producing a more-enriching learning experience within the classroom. Michael Cousins, Communications and Technology Specialist with the GVSU Charter Schools Office, hopes the program is well-received amongst Michigan school districts and ensures that those districts understand what the program can offer them, both in terms of teacher preparedness and improving student achievement. “We sent out a press release to all media members and education entities letting them know that Grand Valley’s Charter School office was offering free professional development to all teachers teaching in grades pre-kindergarten through high school,” Cousins said. GVSU has provided similar opportunities in the past for educating those enrolled in their teaching pro-
grams, but offering the program for all Michigan educators will allow districts that face tight budgets to allocate funds toward other needs, as free teacher training will benefit both teachers and their districts. With GVSU operating 78 charter schools, mainly in the Detroit and Grand Rapids areas, containing a total estimated student enrollment of 37,000 students, the university is directly invested in ensuring students receive the quality education and care they need to succeed in an academic setting. Rob Kimball, Associate Vice President of the Office of Charter Schools, sees that assisting teachers is one of the most effective ways of spurring change in Michigan education. “The biggest challenge that all schools face is how to better support the people who are doing the most important work for kids—teachers,” Kimball said. “All too often, teachers feel overworked and under-loved. We can change that. What GVSU is offering through this professional education program is a cost-effective way for all schools to support their teachers so they, in turn, can best help students learn and grow.” A major component of this success is coursework and ensuring that teachers are armed with the best curriculum and are educated in how to apply it. This will help create a classroom setting that nurtures learning.
Readers are Leaders C a m p u s l e a d e r s re a d t h e L a n t h o rn a n d v i s i t l a n t h o rn . c o m t o l e a d t h e w ay
SEE WORKSHOP | A2
AUGUST 27, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS OFF-CAMPUS ASSAULT
A sexual assault was reported to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, Aug. 26 that occurred between 3:30 and 4 a.m. in a parking lot at Campus West Apartments near Grand Valley’s Allendale campus. The victim was a Grand Valley student who was assaulted by two unknown men. The victim was not being identified and no suspects have been named. The university issued a safety notice about the incident the morning of Sunday August 27. The case is currently under investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information should call the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office at 616-738-4022 or Silent Observer at 877-887-4536. Additional resources are available through the GVSU Center for Women and Gender Equity and Victim Advocate Krystal Diel at 616331-2748.
GVSU SURPLUS STORE MOVES TO STANDALE
The GVSU Surplus Store has reopened its doors at a new location in Standale Plaza. The store is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The store sells used university equipment to the general public at affordable prices. When items have reached the end of their shelf life, Procurement Services collects the items from the GVSU Community and makes them available for sale in the Surplus Store. This has helped create an avenue for educating students about business and sustainability practices. The GVSU Surplus Store is located near the corner of Kinney Avenue and Lake Michigan Drive. The 50 Campus Connector bus route can take students to the Kinney stop behind the fire station near the Surplus Store.
CAMPUS MINISTRY HOSTS COOKOUT AND CARNIVAL
Grand Valley’s Campus Ministry organization is hosting a free cookout and carnival on Monday, Aug. 27. The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on the clock tower lawn outside of the Cook-DeWitt Center. There will be food, inflatables, carnival games, music and prizes. For more information about the event or about Campus Ministry visit campusministrygv.com.
VOL . 53
NO. 3
EXCITEMENT: The 2018 freshman class is excited to begin their laker experience at Grand Valley State University. GVSU President Thomas J. Haas welcomed in the new students with smiles, selfies and ice cream at Kleiner Commons on the Allendale campus. GVL | DAN PACHECO
FRESHMAN CONTINUED FROM A1
“This year coming up will be a lot of these last events and we’re going to look back and say we are very satisfied with all of the efforts that everyone is putting forward to help our students. That’s really the best part of this last year,” Haas said. On Friday, Haas gave his annual faculty address in the new Haas Center for Performing Arts prior to this year’s convocation ceremony. The address centered on the critical impact Grand Valley’s faculty have
on the university’s students and future success. “We have great support from the faculty, staff and others on the administration team,” Haas said. During the address Haas also introduced a new Student Success Partnership Network initiative that will have faculty mentors assisting first-year students. The president believes it is the university’s studentoriented focus that has helped students find their talents. “We have such talent from our students and I’m really proud of that,” he said. “Marcia and I hope students achieve what they came here for. That’s what we are about, we want to make sure stu-
Lan thorn EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief BRADY MCATAMNEY Associate Editor MCKENNA PEARISO Associate Editor LAUREEN HORAN News Editor JENNY ADKINS Sports Editor KELLEN VOSS Laker Life Editor AMY MCNEEL A&E Editor
We will look back at the last 12 years with a great deal of satisfaction. But this year in particular, we’re going to celebrate.” Thomas. J Haas GVSU President dents are successful.” The president announced at the beginning of 2018 that he would be retiring following the 20182019 academic year. Haas has consistently credited his wife Marcia for helping
him during his time at the university. “We will look back at the last 12 years with a great deal of satisfaction,” he said. “But this year in particular we’re going to celebrate.”
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COMPLETED: The newest addition to campus was named in honor of previous GVSU president and his wife, Arend and Nancy Lubbers. The Lubbers Student Services Center houses the Career Center and the Registrars Office among other resources. GVL | SHEILA BABBITT
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 GVSU community. For additional copies, at $1 each, please contact our business offices.
LUBBERS CONTINUED FROM A1
112 seats. They can now accommodate the 30 to 50 prospective students who arrive in the fall with their high school class. Prospective students, admitted students deciding where to en-
WORKSHOP CONTINUED FROM A1
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“With all of the professional development Grand Valley State offers, teachers cover topics that are extremely relevant today,” Cousins said. “What they’re learning can be very practical, they can go back into the classroom and use it almost immediately.” Kimball sees the program as a way of ensuring teachers are on the same page in regards to teaching practices and assists them in developing methods for addressing needs in an ever-changing
roll and their families are invited to attend admission recruitment events in the new space. “It’s much more convenient for our prospective students because we have more availability and times to visit because we can simply accommodate more people in a presentation,” said Jody Chycinski, Director of Admissions.
The admissions office has already seen a significant fluctuation this June and July alone with the ability to accommodate 270 more students than the previous summer. “The Lubbers have been great role models and have supported GVSU since their very first day of being on campus,
which is a pride and a dedication all of us should hold as Lakers,” Jenkin said. “I am very excited to know that this new space will be just the introduction to our amazing campus for so many future students, and I cannot wait to see the positive impact it brings for us.”
classroom environment. “Offering high-quality professional learning free of charge is a win-win for Michigan schools,” Kimball said. “It equips teachers with the skills they need to stay current with changes in technology, state standards and best practices in a way that’s accessible and costeffective for all schools.” Curriculum areas will focus on improving students proficiency in reading and writing as well as educating them in technological and computer applications. A recent statewide study found only 44 percent of students were proficient in
English language arts at the end of the third grade, and GVSU hopes the coursework will help improve student performance within the subject. Similar to Grand Rapids Public School’s latest push to improve reading skills, the Charter Schools Office will educate teachers on how best to improve their students reading and writing skills, hopefully giving students a lifelong skill and desire to use these outlets long after they leave the classroom. With public education proving to be a contested topic, GVSU’s Charter
School Office hopes to quell differences between public and private districts, instead focusing on educating and investing in teachers and educators across all districts in Michigan. The program will begin in September and will be offered in Grand Rapids and Detroit. By adopting a curriculum that is applicable both inside and outside of the classroom, the Charter School Office not only looks to improve student success across all districts but hopes to instill a desire for learning in their students.
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AUGUST 27, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
NEWS | A3
FACULTY
New dean of students is ‘excited to be a part of the GV family’ BY MCKENNA PEARISO ASSOCIATE@LANTHORN.COM
DISTINGUISHED: GVSU appointed Loren Rullman as the new Dean of Students and Vice Provost of Student Affairs. Rullman has 10 years of experience in student affairs from UM. COURTESY | GVSU.EDU
Just four weeks ago, Michigan-native Loren Rullman took on his position as the new dean of students and vice provost for Student Affairs at Grand Valley State University. Dean Rullman has already made it his mission to open his ears to Grand Valley students to better understand the GV community. Originally from the northern town of Grant, Mich., Rullman was raised by two public school teachers who instilled a love for education in him. He has dedicated his 30 year career to students in higher education settings. He previously held the position of Associate Vice President of Student Life at the University of Michigan. “There I was responsible for campus housing, student activities and organizations, campus recreation, campus dining, student unions and lots of the out-of-classroom student experience,” Rullman said. The new Dean of Students now has 10 years of experience dealing with campus life at UM that will help him as he navigates Student Affairs at GV. Rullman has also had the opportunity to hire and work with Grand Valley graduates, which he said was always a great experience. Moreover, Rullman is still settling in to his new digs at Grand Valley with the intent to become immersed in the university’s culture. From joining
prospective students and their families on a campus tour to meeting RA’s and helping with move-in at the Black Excellence Orientation, Rullman has been busy learning everything he can about the GV community. “Mostly what I have done for four weeks is spend all of my time meeting with people to try to understand Grand Valley’s history and culture, hopes, things that are working really well and what people hope for from student services,” Rullman said. Even from first interactions, it is clear the new dean is someone who cares deeply about the students he works with. As Vice Provost of Student Affairs, Rullman plans to be a resource that focuses in on students and what they want for their campus life experience. “Throughout my career, and even my four weeks here, I have been incredibly impressed with students capabilities, intelligence, aspirations, organizational capacities,” Rullman said. “So I have learned not to assume that we know more than students about what students want for their experience.” Rullman is excited for students to return to campus and for the school year to begin. Coming from a larger school, the dean will now be navigating a smaller university with a different environment. He has said that the size and excellence of Grand Valley assured him to take the position.
“One of the great things about this university is that it’s big so there are lots of opportunities for students, at the same time the culture here is very student focused and I love that about this place - the bigness for student opportunities and the smallness for personal intention,” Rullman said. Moving forward, Rullman plans to create a student advisory board to meet with students directly about their needs and experiences. He also hopes Student Services can be a valuable contribution in the higher learning accreditation this November. This accreditation is important for Grand Valley’s reputation and success. However, Rullman thinks it is too early to start planning too much and is hoping to learn more from students as he settles into his new position. “Mostly I’m going to spend my first semester trying to listen to people - meet with students and faculty - so that we can figure out what it is we want to focus on in the student services division,” Rullman said. As more and more students move back to campus and classes prepare to start, Rullman can begin to see what life at Grand Valley is really like. “I am just thrilled to be here,” Rullman said. “This is such a great place. Everybody I have met has been so warm and welcoming and I’m really excited to be a part of the GV family.”
POLICY
Grand Valley Partners With MSU for new Early Admissions program BY DEVIN DELY DDELY@LANTHORN.COM
Pre-medical students at Grand Valley State University will now have increased opportunity for attending a medical school in Michigan thanks to a new partnership with Michigan State University. Up to five spots have been reserved for qualified GVSU students in MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine,
allowing for a greater overall number of Grand Valley students to be admitted into the program. GVSU officials worked closely with the MSU COM to put together the new partnership. Jean Nagelkerk, Vice Provost for Health at GVSU, says that this decision will likely benefit both institutions. “This is an example of how our public higher education institutions are collaborating to
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meet the needs of the community,” Nagelkerk said. Though more than five students can apply in the general admissions process, those participating in the early admissions program can count on some waived application fees and additional academic opportunities, which they can begin taking advantage of as early as their freshman year. “GVSU has exceptional students, and they’re well prepared, so when they get to their (medical) programs, they’re very successful,” Nagelkerk said. “With this opportunity, they can start getting mentoring, they can get some experiences shadowing a physician or a healthcare provider, they can engage in some research activities and they can have specialized advising to prepare themselves for medical school.” This collaboration is reminiscent of a previous partnership that the two universities formed in 2012, which similarly reserves up to five spots in MSU’s College of Human Medicine for GVSU students. That contract also involved Grand Rapids Community College, reserving an additional slot in the program for a GVSU student who previously attended GRCC. “As far as the overall design of the two programs, they’re very similar in that in their freshman year, they (the students) get those same specialized services and they
COMING TOGETHER: Grand Valley and Michigan State have had relations in the College of Human Medicine since 2012. This collaboration will increase opportunites for GV students. COURTESY | GVSU.EDU
learn more about what it is to be a physician so that they can prepare themselves,” Nagelkerk said. “Plus, what I’ve seen is a trend that we have more students from GV admitted to the College of Human Medicine above and beyond our five slots.” In addition to providing increased opportunities for students, another reason for these kinds of partnerships is to help combat a shortage of medical professionals in the state. “About 84.5 percent of our
students stay in Michigan after they graduate, so there’s a greater likelihood that the medical students from Grand Valley will stay in the state,” Nagelkerk said. “In addition, what we do know is that individuals who have lived in a rural community tend to potentially look at that as a potential job opportunity in the future. So, when they graduate from medical school and do their residency, they may go back to that home community in that rural area and fill a significantly critical
need for a physician.” While MSU now has similar partnerships with other institutions in the state, GVSU was the first for both the College of Human Medicine and the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Grand Valley also a similar partnership with Wayne State University, providing students with more opportunities and making the effects of this effort to combat physician shortages even wider-reaching.
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A4 | OPINION EDITORIAL
AUGUST 27, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON
By Sean Pollock
New public school initiative helps all
A
s long as Grand Valley State University has been standing, the university has made a longtime commitment to student education. Not only is GV focused on giving their students the best educational experience possible, but the overall Michigan community, as well. The Grand Valley Board of Trustees has achieved this goal for the past 22 years by partnering with Michigan charter schools in order to improve education grades K-12. GVSU now charters more than 70 schools, serving more than 35,000 students total. The initiative of Grand Valley Charter Schools will provide workshops for all educations in Michigan to ensure that teachers are staying up-to-date with new learning techniques to ensure students are being provided the most enriched education possible. Often, students struggle with teachers using an outof-date teaching style. With a vast and ever-changing society, it’s vital for educators to make sure their teaching is new and fresh, in order for students to stay engaged and proactive in their classes. Many of these new approaches come accompanied with current technology to better present new information and prepare educators for the rapidly changing world. Along with that, this program was also created in hopes to save money within school districts. It is not uncommon for school districts to be allocated a tight budget; however, this program was designed so educators can focus these funds toward other needs that will benefit the students and faculty. By utilizing
this program, teachers are receiving free training that will better their teaching strategies and their students’ classroom experience. There are multiple opposing viewpoints when it comes to choosing between public and private schools. Not only is this training program for public school educators, but more often than not, private school administrators might not have the proper qualifications to provide students the education needed. The structure and restrictions of private school can often create a learning environment that hinders student expression and critical thinking skills; this is one major component that sets private and public schools a part. In a public school setting, each student is able to explore their own interests and talents with teachers that support their ambitions whereas, in a private school, a student’s attire, class schedule and values must all fall in line with the institutions belief system. All of these factors have been a main focus for school districts. The spotlight has been on making sure each school district is held to a particular standard, where the focal point should be on improving a students learning experience. This alone is why this teaching program can give public schools even more of an advantage, and the ability to instill a desire to learn and grow for not only students but educators as well. It can be hard for elementary and high school students to be passionate about going to school. With that being said, the program was also designed to motivate students to be engaged with their learning and utilize it outside the classroom.
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Art Prize: A must visit BY KENDALL POLIDORI SOPHOMORE MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM MAJOR
EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
This September, Art Prize is returning to Grand Rapids for its tenth year and is one of the most anticipated events in the area. Rick DeVos, the creator of Art Prize, started it back in 2009 as a “social experiment” to get people together and award someone based off of public votes. I mean, when you think about it, it’s completely genius.
Editor-In-Chief Associate editor Associate editor News editor Sports editor Laker Life editor A&E editor
WHAT IS A LANTHORN? Lant • horn, n. [Old English] A lanthorn is a lantern that was used in mid-to-late 16th-century Europe. It was constructed of leather and a single lens made from a thin
piece of ox or steer horn. It was used for illumination and as a beacon. The Grand Valley Lanthorn slogan is “Give light, and the people will find their own way.”
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.
Letters 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:
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can think of. The best part of all the amazing art there, too, is that anyone can submit or display their work in Art Prize. No one selects who can participate, which makes the whole event more personal. I can’t imagine being an artist and displaying my work in Grand Rapids for 19 days, but I’m sure it’s very rewarding. As I said, I went there alone and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. I was feeling extremely homesick and being in Grand Rapids and seeing how alive it was made me feel so comfortable and it reminded me of Chicago. I love the city life and all that it has to offer, and Art Prize made me feel right at home in a time that I really needed it. I met so many people, including some artists, and I can definitely see why DeVos created Art Prize as a social experiment. It creates
conversation and nudges people to get out there and meet new people. My favorite piece last year was based off of The Beatles album “Revolver”. I got the chance to meet and talk to the artist herself and I was happy to just be connecting with someone that had a similar interest as me. Additionally, there are food trucks all over the downtown area and those deserve some recognition. They’re local businesses and are a great addition to the event. I stopped at a cupcake and coffee truck last year and all I have to say is I will be visiting them again this year. Art Prize is a must visit when in the Grand Rapids area in September. If you’re ever feeling alone or need a little boost in your day, head over there and discover something new for yourself.
Distant college friendships push friends to get creative with staying in touch
GV L EDI TORI AL B OA R D BRADY MCATAMNEY MCKENNA PEARISO LAUREEN HORAN JENNY ADKINS KELLEN VOSS AMY MCNEEL NICK MORAN
It’s not only getting people from the Grand Rapids area together but it’s also bringing in people from all over the state as well as other states. As a freshman last year, I had no idea what Art Prize was coming into Michigan from Chicago. I came to Grand Valley without knowing anyone and without ever exploring Michigan. I didn’t know what Grand Rapids had to offer until I decided to check out Art Prize one Thursday afternoon by myself, and honestly, I had the best day. There is no better feeling than going out on your own and discovering something that will mean so much to you in the future. I took the bus like any other freshman, and as soon as I arrived I saw art everywhere. Statues, paintings, sculptures, lights and absolutely anything else you
BY NICK MORAN SOPHOMORE MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM MAJOR
ARTS@LANTHORN.COM
It’s become almost a ceremonial end to summer to see your social media feeds full of friends wishing each other farewell. Goodbye dinners and soppy hugs fill Snapchat stories as one by one, the friends you spent your summer with move off to their respective schools. In a world dominated by texts, it becomes second nature to keep in contact with the
faces you spent your summer with over the phone, but people get busy, forget to reply and your conversations fizzle. That’s why the best relationships to return to are the ones you push beyond texts. My dad would tell me stories about how the guys in his dorm would crowd around the floor’s only payphone and fight each other to plop in a quarter so they could spend time with their girlfriends through the chintzy plastic receiver. We have much better ways to keep in touch, so use them. My go-to way to keep in touch with friends over longdistance is always a night of gaming. We take for granted how nice it is to do something with your friends beyond just talking. Being able to have something to show for your get-together - whether it be a team goal, digital conquest or a comical lack of any progress at all - gives us those inside jokes
and moments to laugh about when we reunite next summer. But if gaming isn’t your thing, take that same concept and apply it to something else. Google Hangouts and FaceTime let us share digital meals over hundreds of miles or get live reactions to Netflix shows you’re both watching together. When it’s late and your conversation is blowing up, dare to be bold and press the video call button in your Snapchat group chat. You’d be surprised who is willing to goof around on camera instead of hiding behind text in their pajamas. Those moments keep your friends alive rather than having them turn into just a phone number or profile picture. All of that aside, old-school can still be cool. For me, receiving a letter with my handwritten name on it always makes me excited, and that sentiment is shared by a lot of the people I talk to. Because of
that, I went out and purchased a big box of envelopes and a roll of stamps from the Laker Store that I have ready for this school year. Nothing compares to knowing that your friend, family member or significant other took time to handwrite a letter and send it to you. I’d even bet that if they’re like me, they’ll keep their letter, brag to their roommates about it and reach out to you right away to carry on the conversation - maybe even with another letter. If you’ve spent a year at college already, you may already know what I mean, but for those of you venturing away from your friends for the first time, I promise you that it’s worth the extra effort. We live in a world that’s constantly adding ways to keep people together, so keep your phones close and your friends closer.
VALLEY VOTE
THIS ISSUE’S QUESTION
QUOTE
Which of these student orgs sound the most interesting to you?
What is your new schoolyear resolution?
“Education is the most powerdul weapon which you can use to change the world.”
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QUESTION OF THE ISSUE
WHAT IS YOUR NEW SCHOOL-YEAR RESOLUTION?
SAVANNAH MAYNARD
LAUREN HUBBOCK
“To pass all my classes.”
“To work as hard as I can, and meet as many new people with different backgrounds as possible”
YEAR: Freshman MAJOR: Accounting HOMETOWN: Tecumseh, Michigan
YEAR: Freshman MAJOR: Group Social Studies HOMETOWN: Algonquin, Michigan
JON FROCILLO
WESLEY MORGAN
“Don’t blow the scholarship.”
“For the NSAC team to get to nationals.”
YEAR: Sophomore MAJOR: Computer Science HOMETOWN: Romeo, Michigan
YEAR: Senior MAJOR: Film & Video HOMETOWN: Middleville, Michigan
AUGUST 27, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
NEWS | A5
CAMPUS
GVSU Performing Arts Center to become LEED Silver Certified BY JENNY ADKINS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
Last year, Grand Valley State University completed its additions to the Haas Performing Arts Center on the Allendale campus. The remodel included the Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre as well as expansions to the costume and dressing department, two theater classrooms for costume design and fabrication and music ensemble and rehearsal spaces. These renovations created a twostory, 47,000 square-foot addition to campus. Along with the remodel came beneficial factors that only improved campus environment. These factors include site sustainability, water efficiency and prevention of habitat and natural resources. The landscape of the overall project is what improved water efficiency, while recycled material was used with locally manufactured materials. With these efforts put
in place, Grand Valley has been recognized and awarded the LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. These certified buildings use 30 percent less energy, 40 percent less water and 75 percent less material than those not certified. This demonstrates GV’s commitment and overall goal to improve sustainability throughout the Laker community. Each year, Grand Valley is committed to building and designing LEED certified buildings in order to better the campus. Brad Newman, Project Manager of the Performing Arts Center, stated that Grand Valley began constructing its first LEED building in 2002 and since has successfully completed its 25th LEED certified project. Among the Performing Arts Center, there are nine other buildings on campus that have been Silver certified as well. These include
Lake Ontario Hall, Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center and the Zumberge Hall addition and renovation. “LEED Silver is one of four certifications that can be achieved for any LEED building project. The LEED certification process focuses on what sustainable practices are incorporated in a building project con-
cerning issues like site selection, efficient water and energy usage, building materials used and indoor air quality,” Newman said. With the newest addition to the GV community, performing arts students can not only gain a better understanding and accomplishment by enjoying the new performance and production space, but also
support the environment as well. In addition, students will have a real-feel for what it’s like to perform in front of bigger crowds; the lobby alone expects to accommodate more than 10,000 patrons throughout the year. Over the past three years, Grand Valley’s music program alone has grown nearly 46 percent with more than 300 stu-
dents participating in theater productions. GVSU is always looking for ways to improve campus and overall Laker life. The new performing arts center will not only benefit and improve the Allendale campus, but performing arts students are able to see their dream of large crowds as a reality.
The LEED certification process focuses on what sustainable practices are incorporated in a building project concerning issues like site selection, efficent water, and energy usage, building materials used and indoor air quality.” Brad Newman Center for Performing Arts, Project Manager
INNOVATE: The Thomas J. and Marcia J. Hass Center for Performing Arts was completed at the end of the 2016-17 school year. The twostory, newly renovated building was named in honor of Grand Valley State University president and first lady. GVL | SHEILA BABBITT
FALL ARTS
GR A ND VA LLEY STATE U NI V ERSIT Y PR ESENTS THE 16TH A N NU A L
CELEBRATION
Enriching the Arts and Humanities in West Michigan
Grand Valley’s Fall Arts Celebration features distinguished artists, writers, poets, musicians, and dancers of our time. Please join us this fall for inspiring entertainment that is the hallmark of our signature events.
ART
Mars: Astronomy and Culture EXHIBITION RECEPTION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 5–7 P.M. ART GALLERY THOMAS J. AND MARCIA J. HAAS CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS ALLENDALE CAMPUS EXHIBITION DATES: AUGUST 24–OCTOBER 31 This exhibition was curated by Pasadena Arts Council for the Williamson Gallery, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California. It is a project of the Pasadena Arts Council’s EMERGE Fiscal Sponsorship Program.
MUSIC
An Italian Journey: Tesla Quartet Performs Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 7:30 P.M. COOK-DEWITT CENTER ALLENDALE CAMPUS
LECTURE
William Deresiewicz, Ph.D.: What is Art in the 21st Century? MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 7:30 P.M. L.V. EBERHARD CENTER SECOND FLOOR ROBERT C. PEW GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS
DANCE
Kariamu and Company: Traditions – A Celebration of African Dance MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 7:30 P.M. LOUIS ARMSTRONG THEATRE THOMAS J. AND MARCIA J. HAAS CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS ALLENDALE CAMPUS
POETRY
An Evening of Poetry and Conversation with Ada Limón and Carl Phillips THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 7:30 P.M. L.V. EBERHARD CENTER SECOND FLOOR ROBERT C. PEW GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Celebrating Holiday Splendor: Craig Jessop Conducts The Many Moods of Christmas MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 7:30 P.M. FOUNTAIN STREET CHURCH 24 FOUNTAIN STREET NE GRAND RAPIDS, MI
For event details and to view a complete list of sponsors, visit gvsu.edu/fallarts or call (616) 331-2185. MEDIA SPONSOR:
A6 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
AUGUST 27, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVARTS
PERFORMANCE
ARTS AT A GLANCE SPOTLIGHT PRODUCTIONS TO HOST POPCORN AND MOVIE
Following their outdoor screening of “Black Panther”, Spotlight Productions is showing “I, Tonya” for its first popcorn and movie event of the 2018-2019 academic year. The popcorn and movie series takes place every Friday and movies change throughout the year. The event is taking place at the Kirkhof Center big screen theater from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31. Students must bring a student ID, but admission and popcorn are free. “I, Tonya” will be showing every day until Thursday, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 9 p.m. Popcorn will only be served on Fridays. For more information about the Popcorn and Movie series, contact spotlight@gvsu.edu.
Marching Band prepares for season with record-setting first-year class
WYCE HOLDING ANNUAL RECORD SALE FUNDRAISER
Community Radio for West Michigan 88.1 FM WYCE is hosting its Annual Record Sale Fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Eastown Streetfair. WYCE is collecting used CDs, LPs and cassettes; all items should be in a good, playable condition. Collected items will then be sold at the fundraiser for just one dollar a piece. The fundraiser is an all-day event, and all profits benefit the station. To schedule a drop-off, contact cassie@ grcmc.org.
#MYFRATERNITY PHOTO SHOOT SUPPORTS GV GREEK LIFE The #myFraternity social media movement is making its way to Grand Valley on Sept. 5 with a photo shoot at the Kirkhoff Center. The campaign aims to promote the value and positive impact of fraternities on both a local and global scale. Students, alumni and supporters alike are invited from 4-6 p.m. to get their photo taken in support of the campaign and join the movement. For more information about the photo shoot, contact greek@gvsu.edu.
SILENT DISCO RETURNS TO KIRKHOF’S LAWN
Students are invited to take part in a silent rave outside of Kirkhof from 9-11:45 p.m. on Sept. 9. The disco returns for another year with three DJ’s scheduled to participate. Local musicians DJ Justin Kung, DJ Composition and DJ B-Wiz are set to headline the event with a mix of hiphop, techno, house and pop music throughout the night. Guests need to bring their student ID to receive a pair of wireless headphones that sync up to performances. Event Services is partnering with Spotlight Productions to set up lights, stages and smoke machines to create an upbeat atmosphere for the disco. To learn more about the silent disco, contact nelomsry@gvsu.edu.
FRESH FACES: Parading in front of the Cook Carillon Tower, the GVSU Marching Band rallies to a football open scrimmage during band camp to practice. The new band will perform their first show during the team’s game on Thursday, Sept. 30. COURTESY | LINDSEY WILLETT BY NICK MORAN ARTS@LANTHORN.COM
While students excitedly count down the days until the kickoff of football season, the Lakers’ loudest team of fans has been working even before anyone arrived on campus. With their largest group of new members to date, the Grand Valley State marching band is less than a week away from their football debut. With the full band uniting for band camp last week, 95 of the members are new to Grand Valley according to Director of Athletic Bands John Martin. With first-year students making up nearly half of the band, Martin said this year’s young band has been filled with a unique energy. “Every class has it’s personality, and this is a really sweet class in the best way,” Martin said. “They’re hard workers and their attitude is so good.” The program’s long-term goal is to have a band that contains one percent of the
student body, Martin said, so the size of this year’s freshman team is a step in the right direction. But within the band, the youth is extended to the leadership as well, with both drum majors being sophomores, said Marching Band President Lindsey Willett. “I think the fact that it is such a young group this year and that there’s a lot of new faces in leadership that it has made the bond a little bit stronger,” Willmett said. “It feels like we’re in this together.” Martin said that the main goals of band camp are to integrate band members on a variety of levels. The training week involves teaching new members how to perform in the same way, building a bond that creates a unified atmosphere and days full of music from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. “You don’t realize how much work you’re putting into (marching band) right off the bat,” Willett said. “Then you get home and you’re ex-
hausted and that’s when you realize that you did so much and that maybe you should have put a little bit more sunscreen on.” After finishing a “transformational” band camp, the band was able to take next steps toward game day with Fan Fest on Thursday night. For freshmen, the night was a welcome event, ending with the class forming a massive “GVSU” in Lubbers Stadium, but for the band, it was a night to showcase and apply what they have learned thus far. “(Fan Fest) works out great for us to have a first run in front of a completely unbiased group of freshmen who are just excited to be there,” Martin said. “It’s (also) great because it’s the first time our (new) students have been on the field, so it’s a new environment for them, so you put them out there and they have to trust each other.” Looking at the first football game and beyond, Willett said that aside from perform-
ing at a high caliber, the band’s leadership is working hard to invite first-year members into the family and train them to be next year’s leaders. “For first-years, my main concern for them is to make sure they feel at home and that they understand that if you’re a part of the Laker Marching Band, you’re a part of the biggest support system on this campus,” Willett said. “Just making sure that they’re at ease and they’re comfortable with the program so that when they come in as a second-year, they’re good to go.” For Martin, the days leading up to the first game will be telling, but the band’s successes so far have left him optimistic for the season to come. “It’s always fun to see how a class develops, and I’m excited because we’re coming out of the gates so good right now,” Martin said. “There’s not a lot of friction, and so I look forward to seeing how (this band) develops as a group.”
MOVIES
Feminist Film Friday spurs serious, introspective discussions
BY NICK MORAN ARTS@LANTHORN.COM
People around the world are using a various tools to have serious, introspective
conversations about gender. Here on campus, film nights are being used to open up opportunities for serious analytical discussions. Feminism Film Friday, hosted by the Gayle R. Davis
Center for Women and Gender Equity, is a monthly series that kicks off on Aug. 31. The series invites students to view a film and use it as a catalyst for conversation about a variety of topics, said Center for Women
CREATING CONVERSATION: The Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity will be the site of showing and discussion Aug. 31 with the debut of this year’s Feminist Film Friday. GVL | SHEILA BABBITT
and Gender Equity Assistant Director Alex Montgomery. “My intention for Feminist Film Friday is to keep that spirit of conversation alive,” Montgomery said. “The films that we watch may not be classified as particularly feminist. However, we’ll apply a particular series that may fall within the women, gender, sexuality spectrum and have a greater conversation.” One of Montgomery’s goals for the series is to encourage students to look differently at the media that they’re constantly consuming, whether it be on Netflix, in a book or on the radio. In this context, they said that the series is offering only a handful of lenses to apply and discuss. “The way that I’m ap-
proaching the film series is to offer a space where we can look at nearly any form of media and be able to apply a critical thinking lens to it,” Montgomery said. “Even though it may not necessarily have in the description of the movie itself (that) this is a feminist film project, I believe that we can use feminist, queer and gender theory to gleam some sort of educational material from it.” In selecting films, Montgomery said they look for aspects that create opportunities for discussion rather than specific overarching themes. With a flexible movie selection, they said the series lends itself to student participation, even in the form of movie selection. “I’m really a studentcentered programmer and I
really like to make sure that they have ownership over the event just as much as the department does,” Montgomery said. “At the end of the day, there’s no event if students aren’t wiling to come and support, so I want them to feel empowered to have conversations that won’t always take place in the classroom.” Montgomery said that because of the flexibility of both interpretations and lenses of discussion, the series lends itself to not only those interested in having difficult conversations about gender, but also to a broad spectrum of viewers from casual to highly engaged. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
COMPETITION
ArtPrize 10 awards thousands in artist grants BY ARIE NIENHUIS ARTS@LANTHORN.COM
For 10 years, ArtPrize has been a significant event for the greater Grand Rapids area. With the city lined up with thousands of artistic pieces, festival-goers are able to see work created by artists from around the globe. Recently, ArtPrize awarded $165,000 in grants to several contestants to support their artistic ventures. These grants will fund large-scale outdoor pieces as well as many smaller projects appearing in various locations throughout the city. These works include murals painted on shipping containers, crystalline glass sculptures and a large orb floating in the Grand River. These grants will allow Art-
Prize to enhance the festival and draw more attention from fine art connoisseurs around the world. Artists from regions as far as Milan and Rio De Janeiro were awarded grants, adding new perspectives to the festival. Communications Manager for ArtPrize, Jaenell Woods, said she sees these grants as a way to enhance the festival and give attendees a richer experience as well as make Grand Rapids a big name in the global art scene. “[With the grants] artists from across the country can realize projects they might not otherwise be able to bring to Grand Rapids” Woods said. “Having these immersive, interactive pieces that 500 thousand visitors can experience, as well as having some big name artists come here can
help put [Grand Rapids] on the map. These are really ambitious projects that take a lot of funding… and having these big pieces outside really enhances the public experience.” There are many reasons for the public to be excited for this year’s ArtPrize offerings. Throughout downtown, festival-goers will be able to see the same enormous number of art pieces in a huge number of venues. Woods also expressed excitement for the various multimedia attractions present in the city, with some very close to GVSU’s downtown campus. “I’m excited for the Blue Bridge Music Festival to come back, and for our film festival to come back,” Woods said. “I’m especially excited to see Cracking Art from Italy, where
alligator statues will be crawling out of the water.” ArtPrize is a common means for a student new to the Grand Rapids area to learn about the city. By exploring the city and checking out all the art, students will learn more about the culture of the city and get used to navigating the area. For students interesting in getting involved with ArtPrize, Woods highlighted the festival’s volunteer program. “Volunteering is a great way to get involved,” Woods said. “It’s very flexible, and some volunteers come every day. You can volunteer for our education program or you could help artists install their work. Signups are happening now and all the way throughout the event.”
GLOBAL GUESTS: Emerging from the water, Italian ArtPrize entry “Cracking Art” received an artist grant this year. COURTESY | ART-
LAKER LIFE | A7
AUGUST 27, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE DEDICATION
GVSU math professor presented with prestigious math award
SUCCESS: Grand Valley math professor David Clark, left, was given the Henry L. Alder award by MAA President Deanna Haunsperger, right, on Friday, Aug. 3. This prestigious award is given just once a year to three educators. COURTESY | MATHEMATICS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
VOLUNTEERISM
Go green at GV’s Zero Waste Football Games BY ELYSE GREENWOOD LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM
Take initiative to reduce waste at Grand Valley State University’s Zero Waste Football Games, starting Thursday, Aug. 30 at select home football games. Beginning at 7 p.m. at Lubbers Stadium during the first home football game of the year, GVSU’s Office of Sustainability will be hosting the fifth annual Zero Waste Football Games. This program aims to decrease the amount of waste that enters landfills during football games by educating fans on
the correct bin to dispose of their garbage. Volunteers will be near waste stations throughout the stadium to assist visitors in placing their refuse in either the recycle, compost or landfill bins. The start of this program was inspired by the amount of garbage that football games produce. “GVSU is so concerned about sustainability, and there is so much waste from the football games,” said Samuel Afoakwa, a graduate assistant for the Office of Sustainability. “There are people tailgating and drinking, and it produces a large amount of waste. This
is the GVSU effort to not let other waste end up in the landfill and to do something meaningful.” In past years, every home football game has had volunteers encouraging zero waste. This year, due to the recent difficulty in finding volunteers, the goal is to have volunteers at three of the six home games. However, the objective remains the same: To have a positive impact on the environment. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
my students do things, they don’t just listen to me talk,” Clark said. “You are going to mess up, things are going to go wrong, so I communicate the value of that.” In the classroom, Clark makes it clear to his students that failure is a part of learning. When failure occurs, he tries to demonstrate what went wrong and how stu-
GVSU Park & Ride
Additional FREE parking available at the Walker Fire Station and Meijer in Standale. The parking lot expansion is available for any GVSU student or faculty member. Hop on the Route 50 bus heading Eastbound or Westbound for FREE with your GVSU I.D.
CUMMINGS AVE NW
Transportation Services
ing other mathematicians do a good job teaching their courses,” Novotny said. Clark stands as a role model for his students, staff members and the math community. As the school year begins, Clark will continue to leave a positive effect on GVSU and mathematics.
LEADERSHIP
AWARENESS: The GVSU Hauenstein Center is bringing in Dr. Debra Furr-Holden to talk about public health in Flint, Michigan. This event is the start of their wheelhouse talk series. COURTESY | GVSU
GV Hauentsein Center to Hold Wheelhouse Talk BY AMY MCNEEL LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM
HELPING HANDS: GVSU’s Office of Sustainability is hosting Zero Waste Football Games starting Thursday, Aug. 30 to decrease the amount waste generated at games. COURTESY | GVSU GREEN TEAM
dents can learn from it. This is not the first time Clark has been recognized, he was also acknowledged by students for `his unique teaching skills. Last year he won the Student Award for Faculty Excellence, which was presented by the Student Senate. “He is doing a great job teaching his courses and help-
In recent years, Flint, Mich. has been in the spotlight due to major public health crises. On Friday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m., the Grand Valley State University Hauenstein Center is hosting a wheelhouse talk to bring awareness to public health in Flint. “Our wheelhouse talk series is intentional about bringing leaders in west Michigan and the state of Michigan in to talk about their leadership experience and perspective, and then to use that as an opportunity for our fellows and
the community to understand what aspects of leadership are important in that person’s experience,” said Chadd Dowding, Program Director of the Cook Leadership Academy. This week, the Hauenstein Center is bringing in Dr. Debra Furr-Holden to discuss leadership in Flint. Dr. Furr-Holden is currently Interim Director of the Division of Public Health and Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparitiesfunded Flint Center for Health Equity Solutions. She is also a Flint native, and with her work she has continued to give back and make a difference in the
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Flint community. “Certainly the topic of public health in Flint has been a sort of a lightning rod of topics in the public discourse in the state of Michigan for the last couple of years,” Dowding said. “So we thought it was important to bring someone in who could share some personal experience about what it has been like to be in a leadership position in Flint, attempting to respond to the public health crisis.” LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
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those kids is experience; they are incredibly bright and very neat people,” Clark said. These are just some of the many ways Clarks shares his passion with others. Clark stands out from other educators due to his focus on active learning when it comes to the classroom. “In order to learn you have to be doing things, so
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David Clark created acknowledgement for Grand Valley State University as he obtained one of the most prestigious awards presented by the Mathematic Association of America (MAA). Clark currently holds the position as Assistant Professor of Mathematics and is entering his 5th year here at Grand Valley State University. On Friday, Aug. 3 Clark attended the 2018 MathFest conference in Denver, Col. where he was presented the Henry L. Alder award. The MAA, a national organization, only presents this award once a year to three educators. This award not only exhibits Clark’s hard work and dedication, it also draws attention to Grand Valley State University. “It is a very nice recognition and I think it should reflect really well on the University and not just me,” Clark said. “Anybody who went to this meeting, which is one
of the two most important mathematics professional meetings, would see in the program that he had won and was from Grand Valley,” said Karen Novotny, Professor and Department Chair of Mathematics. “It raises Grand Valley’s standing within the larger mathematical community.” This powerful award is a representation of excellence in teaching. One of the main reasons Clark was nominated for this award was for his influence beyond the classroom. Clark teaches a wide variety of different math courses such as Calculus 1 & 2, Linear Algebra, Geometry and Communicating in Mathematics, but there is more than just the typical classroom setting for him. He also takes time to participate in undergraduate research and work with enrichment and outreach programs. One of Clark’s favorite enrichment programs is MathPath, a month long summer camp program for very talented middle school students. “The only thing I have on
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A8 | SPORTS QUICK HITS
AUGUST 27, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
FOOTBALL
GVSU VOLLEYBALL TEAM GOES 3-1 OVER THE WEEKEND AT RAVEN FIRST SERVE INVITATIONAL
The Lakers had a solid weekend in Rindge, N.H., as they won three of the four sets to kick off the season on a high note. On Friday, they beat Wilmington 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-16) before rallying from a 2-1 deficit to win a hard-fought match with New Haven, 3-2 (25-22, 20-25, 29-31, 26-24, 15-9). Staci Brower led the team with 27 total kills on the day, while Ashlyn Kartes led the squad with 78 assists in the two matches. Grand Valley State was able to split their two matches on Saturday, easily beating Franklin Pierce 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-19) before falling to Tampa 1-3 (25-23, 12-25, 22-25, 16-25). The Lakers posted 75 kills on the day, along with 15 aces and 10 blocks. The Lakers travel to North Canton, Ohio to compete in the Cavalier Classic this weekend. Their first match is with Bloomsburg at 12 p.m.
GVSU TIED FOR 21ST IN BUSHNELL GOLFWEEK DIVISION II PRESEASON COACHES POLL
The Grand Valley State men’s golf team tied for an impressive 21st ranking in the Bushnell Golfweek Division II Preseason Coaches Poll, per a release from the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) on Aug. 24. Last season, the Lakers advanced to an NCAA tournament appearance for their 16th straight year but fell just short of qualifying for the national championships after finishing sixth at the NCAA Super regionals (only the top five teams advanced). Despite missing out on the national championships, GVSU took home a lot of hardware in the GLIAC last season, claiming their second straight GLIAC tournament title and placing four golfers on all-conference team lists. Alex Scott was named the GLIAC golfer of the year and was joined by Domenic Mancinelli on the first team. Mitchell White and Eric Nunn earned spots on the honorable mention team and head coach Gary Bissell took home his second straight GLIAC Coach of the year award as well. The Lakers open up their 2018 fall season on September 15-16 at the GLIAC North Invitational at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Mich.
CALM BEFORE THE STORM: The GVSU football team gathers together, rallying around one another before a game at Lubbers Stadium. GVL | SPENCER SCARBER
Preview: GVSU football gets back to work against familiar foe BY BRADY MCATAMNEY EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
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adies and gentlemen, it’s finally back. College football has arrived in Allendale, and the Grand Valley State Lakers are chomping at the bit to hit the field to do battle with the Indianapolis Greyhounds – one of only three teams to beat GVSU last year. Before they can focus on UIndy, though, the Lakers have had to step back and focus on themselves. “In order to win Thursday, we must continue to do what we have done since the summer,” said wide receiver Austin Paritee. “Play hard, execute and know our assignments. Last year we had a lot of independent contractors on both sides of the ball. Now this year we have everyone working together to be one out of 11. If we get everyone to trust their assignments and know their role on the team we will be able to get the job done.” During 2017’s loss to the Greyhounds, the Lakers made a few costly mistakes, including a missed extra point, six penalties for 50 yards, eight failed third down conversions and three failed fourth down conversions. “It’s been my experience in openers, a couple things can make a big
difference,” said head coach Matt Mitchell. “The turnover margin is always critical. In practice we’ve been dealing with live contact, but it seems to be a little more ferocious in the game so limiting turnovers, hopefully we’re not coughing the ball up, and special teams. “It still comes down to us. Indy’s not the type of team to beat themselves, and we can’t be the team to beat ourselves.” Indianapolis went 11-1 in 2017 with their only loss coming in the Division II playoffs against eventual semifinalists Harding. The season came as a surprise to many, including the Lakers, as the Greyhounds finished a pedestrian 6-5 the previous season. “Last year we underestimated UIndy and didn’t prepare properly for the game,” Paritee said. “Throughout camp, our upperclassman and leaders took it into their hands to build a better culture than last season so we believe we can compete with and beat anyone that is on our schedule.” One major challenge that comes with preparing for a season opener is that there is no game tape on the opponent from this season – only old footage from last year that may be outdated. This works as an advantage and disadvantage for each team, as
the Lakers may not know what to expect from UIndy, but the Greyhounds may be surprised by what
They had a successful season, so we’ll probably anticipate a lot of the same fundamentals this year too. I think with openers, it’s good to have teams like Indy because you know what you’re going to get with style of play, but you’re also going to have to be adaptable MATT MITCHELL HEAD COACH they see from GVSU too. Mitchell is no stranger to season openers in Allendale, as this will be his ninth season as the man in charge for GVSU. While UIndy is clearly a worthy opponent, the Lak-
ers feel confident in what to expect from the 2017 playoff team. “We obviously take a look at last year’s tape, the game we played against them and some other games from later on in their season,” Mitchell said. “They have a lot of returning starters back. Their quarterback is back, their leading rusher is back, pretty much the entire defense is back, so you can take a look at their personnel and see that it’s the type of program that’s not going to beat itself. Last year they had a really successful season, we’ll probably anticipate a lot of the same fundamentals this year too. I think with openers, it’s good to have teams like Indy because you know what you’re going to get with style of play, but you’re also going to have to be adaptable.” While the Greyhounds will return a healthy chunk of their contributors, the Lakers will bring in some fresher faces as a number of key pieces from last year’s team have since moved on including their leading rusher, top two receivers and top four tacklers. This gives them a chance to reinvent themselves and take their week one adversary by surprise. Kickoff between UIndy and GVSU is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30 at Lubbers Stadium. The game can be streamed live on ESPN3 or heard on ESPN 96.1.
MEN’S BASKETBALL TO PLAY IN CANADIAN TOUR THIS FALL
The Grand Valley State men’s basketball team will head up to the Great White North over Labor Day weekend as they will participate in a foreign tour against three Canadian universities. The Lakers are scheduled to play exhibition matches against York University, Western Ontario and Windsor College over the long weekend. This will be the first time GVSU will play abroad in the 15-year tenure of head coach Ric Wesley. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our team to grow on so many levels,” Wesley said GVSU communications. “Our guys will have a chance to get better in a basketball sense with quality competition, understand a different culture of basketball and get to build chemistry while they each experience something new and unique.” The team’s first game in the tour will be in York, as they face York University on Sunday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m.
QUICK CHANGE: The Grand Valley State football team hustles off the field in unity during a home game following a devensive stop, showing they are ready to compete on all sides of the ball. The Lakers have lost several key contributors, including Garrett Pougnet (25) since last year’s loss to Indianapolis. GVL | EMILY FRYE
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SPORTS | A9
W. SOCCER
NEXT WOMAN UP: Defender Madz Ham attempts to evade a defender and kick the ball to the other side of the field. Although the GVSU women’s soccer team lost many talented players to graduation, players like Ham are simply trying to do their job and fill in their shoes, taking on new roles, reloading the roster and looking to continue the storied history of this program for many years to come. GVL | EMILY FRYE
Revamp and Reload: After losing key contributors, GVSU soccer looks to continue its winning ways BY D’ANGELO STARKS DSTARKS@LANTHORN.COM
The Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team has been nothing short of dominant in recent years. Since 2014, the team has lost a total of nine games, making them one of the best soccer programs in Division II. Last year, the team continued their winning ways, finishing the season 20-4 before losing in the Elite 8 to Central Missouri. This year’s team is younger and less experienced, primarily due to the team
losing several major contributors from last year, including Dani Johnson, Shannon Quinn and leading scorer Gabriella Mencotti. Replacing their 30 goal scorer will not be an easy task, so the contributions will have to come from multiple other sources. Two of the team’s promising players include senior Tara Lierman and sophomore Ava Cook. The two were the second leading scorers on the team last season, both ending the year with 13 apiece. If they continue to improve and
raise their goal count, they could replace that production seamlessly. One strength that the team will continue to rely on going into this season is their defense. Last season, the Lakers allowed .62 goals on 7.8 shots per game. They held opponents to a .080 shot percentage and over the entire season only allowed 15 goals. Even with the loss of some key offensive players, the defense of the team should remain a strength this year. Returning AllAmerican defensive play-
ers Madz Ham and Cecilia Steinwascher were All-Region honorees in 2017 and will help to anchor this year’s team on the defensive side of the ball. Another loss from last year’s team that will be interesting to watch moving forward is starting goalkeeper Jennifer Steinaway. The keeper started every game for the Lakers and allowed .60 goals per game on an .842 save percentage. The team looks to replace Steinaway’s veteran presence with sophomore Jessica Radice. In eight games last season, Radice allowed .037 goals and had
a .857 save percentage. The sample size from Radice’s season is much smaller, but if she can remain consistent with her production from last year, she should be able to replicate Steinaway’s averages. Although this team is young, they still have to deal with the burden of expectations that come with playing for a storied program. The team was unanimously voted number one in the preseason GLIAC coaches poll and number six in the country for Division II, coming in behind fellow powerhouses Central Missouri and California-San Diego.
The Lakers also have some new faces coming in in the form of transfer students who are hoping to bring some needed experience to the team. They are bringing in five transfers this season who could contribute right away: Caitie Baron from Xavier University, Morgan Krause from the University of Iowa, Sydney O’Donnell from Vanderbilt University, Riko Sagara from Martin Methodist and Olivia Trombley from Michigan State University. The Lakers kick off their season at home on Friday, Aug. 31 against Bellarmine at 4 p.m.
GVSU
The CHS/RFH bus stop is also where you will access our newest building, Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall (RFH)
RFH
HASTINGS ST NE
GERALD R. FORD FREEWAY
CHS/RFH stop 50
LAFAYETTE AVE
The bus stop formerly located behind the Cook-Devos Center for Health Sciences (CHS) will move to the Northwest corner of the intersection at Michigan St and Lafayette Ave NE
COIT AVE NE
CHS
MICHIGAN ST NE
Route 50 will no longer wait/rest at CHS, it will now do so at the Pew stop (by Eberhard/Devos Center)
Park & Ride Expansion
There are now separate Eastbound and Westbound stops at the Pew stop (by EC/DEV). Make sure you get on the right bus!
Take advantage of our park and ride program with expanded parking at the Walker Fire Station stop in Standale
@GVSUbus
EC/DEV Stop
CHS/RFH Stop
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
ALL RAPID ROUTES ARE FREE W/ GVSU I.D.
GVSU Bus System
@gvsubus
TENACITY: Former GVSU midfielder Mia Gale fights for the ball against Ferris State. Gale is one of many departed seniors who left a lasting impact on the women’s soccer program. GVL | SPENCER SCARBER
AUGUST 27, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
A10 | SPORTS VOLLEYBALL
KILLIN’ IT: Senior volleyball player Staci Brower comes back down after leaping up to spike the ball for Grand Valley State in a home game in GVSU’s Fieldhouse Arena. Heading into her final year with the squad, Brower is shifting into a leadership role for GV. The Byron Center native is hoping to have the best possible season she can for her team, while also having lots of fun in the process. GVL | DYLAN MCINTYRE
Saving the best for last Senior Staci Brower is ready to compete on the court BY PAYTON MILOSER PMILOSER@LANTHORN.COM
Senior Staci Brower is coming up to her last season at Grand Valley State, however her experience with the team and with the university speaks for itself. Reflecting back on why she came to the university to begin with, Brower’s recruiting story is one that hits closer to home. “Grand Valley started recruiting me when I was a sophomore and so it was pretty much the first school that had talked to me about playing volleyball.” Brower said. “When trying to decide which school was best for me I also looked at the distance it was from my family. My family is a huge part of my life and so I didn’t want to be too far from them.” With GVSU only being half an hour away from Brower’s hometown of Byron Center, Mich., it gave her the space she needed to live on her own while not being too far from her roots. She quickly realized, though, how the team would eventually be like a second family to her. “When I went on the
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first visit, the coaches had a bunch of the players come on the visit with me and talk to me and I loved how open and funny everyone was,” Brower said. “I wanted to have a second family, even though mine was only thirty minutes away. They all seemed as though they genuinely cared about each other and I appreciated that family dynamic.” With a close family comes unforgettable memories, and Brower several favorite memories with the team from the beginning of her volleyball career. “My freshman year we went to a Brazilian steakhouse for dinner. Myself and another one of the freshmen, Taylor, decided we were going to keep on telling the waitress we wanted more meat and to ‘keep it coming’ the entire night,” Brower said. “We both started to get the meat sweats, but it was just us goofing around and our teammates pushing us and egging us on so it was quite the dining experience” While she may have started off as a goofball freshman, Brower has grown to be one of
the team’s leaders both on and off the court. “I typically lead by example. I try to give my best every single day,” Brower said. “By trying to never let up my work ethic, performance, and voice, I feel that it shows my teammates that I care about them, but also that I’m willing to do whatever is necessary for the team to succeed.” While Brower is a major asset for the volleyball team, she also has very exciting plans for her future and her major. The middle blocker has been studying recreational therapy with a minor in psychology. She originally wanted to study
nursing, but after sitting down with some of her coaches and exploring other health related options, she found that this was exactly what she wanted to do. “I’m ecstatic about this career and being accepted into the program. I originally wanted to study nursing but my heart felt it wasn’t quite right,” Brower said. “I absolutely love helping others and encouraging them to reach their goals, so I felt that this was a perfect fit.” While GVSU has given her many opportunities, it has also prepared the senior for real world jobs and experiences. She has learned all different kinds of skills that will benefit
her in the future in the workplace and life in general. “I think being on a sports team can be quite challenging. You have many different people and personalities all having to work together for a certain goal,” Brower said. “Learning to work with different people and going through hardships and continuing to persevere has helped me so that when I’m
I typically lead by example. I try to give my best every single day. By trying to never let up my work ethic, performance and voice, I feel that it shows my teammates that I care about them, but also that I’m willing to do whatever is necessary for the team to succeed” STACI BROWER MIDDLE BLOCKER
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looking for jobs or in my career I’ll already have experience engaging and working with a wide range of personalities.” Brower has proven to be a key player both on and off the court. Her effort and energy seem to be major additions to the team that will hopefully allow her to lead the team once again in kills this upcoming season.
AUGUST 27, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
A12 | SPORTS FOOTBALL
COOL UNDER PRESSURE: Grand Valley State quarterback Bart Williams avoids pressure in the pocket and scans the field for an open target at Lubbers Stadium in a game against Davenport in 2017. Williams is entering his senior season with the Lakers, and he is looking to not only improve as a quarterback, but is also hoping to lead GVSU to the playoff appearance they fell short of in 2017. GVL | EMILY FRYE
Grand Valley’s Gunslinger: Quarterback Bart Williams ready to lead the Lakers to the promised land BY KELLEN VOSS SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
Every good football team needs a good quarterback: a confident leader who is calm under pressure and can make big plays in crunch time. Luckily for the Grand Valley State football team, they have that leader in Bart Williams. The senior has been at the helm for GVSU for a while, starting 39 games for the Lakers. In those games, he has completed 642 of 1,090 passes for 9,854 yards and 105 touchdowns, ranking him first amongst active returning Division II quarterbacks in those respective categories. Those impressive statistics have translated into success for
the Lakers, as Williams has led GVSU to a 32-7 record in his starts, including two trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs and a semifinal appearance in 2015. Heading into his senior season, the sky is the limit for what Williams and the GVSU football team can accomplish. After a few weeks in training camp, Williams feels like the team is picking up right where they left off and is excited about how explosive this offense can be. “I think we’ve made a lot of progress with our offense,” Williams said. “After coming back from the off-season, I feel like I’ve really gotten comfortable with our offense.” Williams started playing football with his fifth and sixth grade team, where he started
his football career as a running back. But after growing almost a foot taller in middle school, he made the shift to quarterback and never looked back. After throwing for 3,121 yards and 36 touchdowns in his senior season at Grand Blanc High School, Williams made the Associated Press Divison 1-2 All-State FirstTeam and chose to come to GVSU to play college football. “I think the coaching staff was a big thing, and the campus is beautiful,” Williams said. “I went to a big high school, so coming to a big college was important to me. I like the big atmosphere and the coaching staff a lot.” Williams had a very eventful off-season, balancing a busy work schedule
with trying to improve as a quarterback and bonding with his teammates. “I trained in Chicago with a quarterback guy down there, where I learned a lot of fundamentals with my footwork and how to apply them to our offense here,” Williams said. “I’m finding a way to translate my training here at GV, as well as building relationships with my teammates. I was working full time (in May), but once summer kicked in, it was all football.” Williams is entering his final year with the Lakers, and while he has been a starter since 2015, he feels more of a responsibility as a senior to be a leader for the young guys on the team. “I’ve felt like a leaders for the past two or three years,
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Announcements
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and now that there’s not many upperclassmen that people gravitate towards, I think my role this year is very important,” Williams said. “Being a senior, whether you play a lot or not, you carry some sort of leadership role with the young guys. I have to do my job on the field, which is not only important to me, but also to my teammates.” 2018 may be the last year that Bart Williams gets to play football, and because of that, he’s making the most of every moment and wants to lead his team deep into the postseason. “I’m trying to have the best senior year I can have and enjoy football while it lasts,” Williams said. “If I can do my job and do what I’m coached to do, I think we have a good chance
to be really good.” Williams is very optimistic about how good this football team can really be, and with his leadership and offseason improvement, he has no doubt that the team can improve from last season. “Last year it wasn’t a talent issue, we just had a lot of boneheaded penalties and not capitalizing on opportunities.” Williams said. “I think our talent level is similar (to last year’s). The challenge will be to be opportunistic, controlling what we can control and not making stupid penalties.” GVSU opens their season with a home game against Indianapolis on Thursday, Aug. 30. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3, and kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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