February 12, 2012 February 16, 2012 February 17, 2012 February 23, 2012 March 5, 2012 March 24, 2012 March 26-31, 2012 Through April 4, 2012 April 10, 2012 April 13-14, 2012 April 14, 2012 April 25, 2012
New York Alumni Club Brunch
Classic Pairings Wine Dinner
President’s Ball
GVSU Career Fair
Out of State Teacher Fair
Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Alumni Event in Tampa
Community Outreach Week
Wheelhouse Talks
Alumni Volunteer Celebration
Relay for Life
Alumni Spring Football Game/Cash Draw
Detroit Alumni Reception
BOTH SIDES OF THE LENS: BO PRATT, '05 & '07 TRAVELS THE WORLD AS A MODEL AND PHOTOGRAPHER If you regularly flip through the pages of a popular magazine or surf the cable channels at home, chances are you’ve seen the face of former Laker football player, and Grand Valley graduate Robert (Bo) Pratt, ’05 & ‘07. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Art in 2005, Pratt ventured to Australia to start his master’s degree. “I decided at the beginning of my trip that everything I said that I would never try, due to fear, I would reconsider.” That’s when Pratt’s adventure began. His journey put him face to face with dingoes, took him bungee jumping, glacier climbing, and diving in the Great Barrier Reef. He met Green Peace members in Tasmania, drank Kava with local tribesmen, dined on insects, and finished his semester abroad as a member of an undefeated Australian Rugby League team. When Pratt returned to the states to finish up his master’s degree in Computer Science, he stumbled upon some modeling jobs to supplement his income. Upon graduation he took a position in tech support at a local internet supplier company. “After a couple of months I looked around at my co-workers and managers one day and I realized how unhappy most of them were. I asked myself if I wanted to be like them, and the answer was no.” A change of heart directed his focus on traveling and modeling and before long, Pratt was landing significant jobs in South Africa, and New York City. His résumé boasts of television commercials for Pepsi, Garnier, Samsung, and Kohl’s, as well as ads for Cosmo, Essence, Meijer, Ford, MC Sports, and others. Pratt splits his time between New York City and South Africa. He models and takes acting classes, but he has also found an appreciation for stepping behind the lens. He has taken up photography, and hopes to one day establish his own studio. Motivated by challenges and the freedom to express himself, Pratt says his experiences at Grand Valley have influenced the person he is today. “I learned so many lessons whether in classes or social situations at GVSU. Most of them play out every day. They were building blocks in my work.” It is uncertain where Bo Pratt’s career will take him next, but it’s sure to be an adventure.
Brunch in the Big Apple-February 12
New York Club Leader Darryl Nicholson, '08 invites you and fellow Lakers for a casual Sunday brunch. Get caught up on alumni news and events while enjoying a meal at Calle Ocho (located inside the Excelsior Hotel) in New York City on February 12.
Brunch starts at 11:00 a.m. RSVP by February 7.
For more information, contact darrylnicholson@gmail.com
Take Me Out to the Ball Game! The Tigers are in Tampa for Spring Training-March 24
It’s spring training time for the Tigers! In Tampa Alumni Club tradition, Club Leader Tara Crow, '97 invites alumni and friends to the Tiger’s home-away-from-home, Joker Marchant Stadium.
Get a head start on America’s favorite pastime as the Tigers face off against the New York Yankees on March 24.
Enjoy an all-you-can-eat ball-park lunch before the game from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Then watch the game in style from the reserved bleacher seats along the left field line. The game starts at 1:05 p.m. For more information about the game or parking, visit the Tiger's spring training website.
Spring is just around the corner! RVSP by March 16.
A Look Back: Recaps of January Alumni Events
Young Alumni Swingin' with Sinatra & Dorsey
The sounds of Sinatra echoed through the DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids as more than 100 alumni and guests got a sneak peek at the Grand Rapids Symphony performance of "Swingin' with Sinatra & Dorsey" a day before the premiere. Lakers raised a glass to the Rat Pack and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and private tours while mingling with friends. Photo Gallery | Facebook Gallery
Mike Lints Alumni Track & Field Meet
More than 65 alumni attended a reception during the 11th Annual Mike Lints Track & Field Meet at the Kelly Family Sports Center on Friday, January 20. Fourteen alumni participated in an alumni relay in memory of former Laker athlete and coach Mike Lints who passed away several years ago. The meet gives alumni the chance to return to campus to meet current student athletes while enjoying the opportunity to catch up with former teammates. Photo Gallery | Facebook Page
Alumni & Friends Music Reception
More than 70 alumni, students and faculty members attended the Music Department reception at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel during the 2012 Michigan Music Conference on Friday, January 20. Music Department Chair Danny K. Phipps provided the group with department updates and encouraged students to socialize with alumni and faculty. Several attendees won Laker t-shirts, water bottles and other giveaways during the prize drawing. Photo Gallery
Celebrate Your Anniversary with Community Outreach Week
The GVSU Alumni Association and the Community Service Learning Center invite you to join or create a volunteer project where you live. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old pals and reminisce about good times while making a difference in your community. The network of Lakers is world-wide, and together we can make this year’s event the biggest yet!
Are you marking a milestone graduation anniversary? We invite the classes of 1972, 1987 and 2002 to celebrate your alma mater and share your success with fellow alums by participating in this year’s Community Outreach Week.
Congratulations, you’ve come a long way! COW Questions? | More info
Make a Gift, Double or Triple the Impact
Magnify your GVSU gift this February during the nation-wide Matching Gift Month! Roughly 1 in 10 businesses will match their employee’s charitable donations which can double or even triple the gift. See if yours is one of more than 16,000 participating companies at matchinggifts.com/gvsu.
The Grand Valley Fund helps to support the continued success of our students by giving them crucial opportunities to which they might not otherwise have access. It's your gift that makes this possible. Make your contribution and see how far your company will take it!
Fight Cancer with GVSU Alumni-April 13 & 14
Plans for this year's Relay for Life event are in full swing! Numerous Grand Valley teams including the Alumni Association are registered to relay at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena on April 13 and 14 and they need your help! Join the team and walk or run or donate to support cancer research.
For more information call 800-558-0451 or e-mail: alumni@gvsu.edu
Looking for Your Dream Job?
Let your alma mater help! Attend the GVSU Winter Career Fair and meet face-to-face with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley alumni. Approximately 140 employers representing all industries and offering over 4,100 immediate job openings are expected to attend. The event will also feature a healthcare area for individuals seeking work in the health field. Join Career Services February 23 from 1-5 p.m. at the DeVos Place Convention Center in downtown Grand Rapids, and get on the path to the career of your dreams!
Visit www.gvsu.edu/careerfairs for more information and a list of participating employers. Questions? careers@gvsu.edu | 616-331-3311
Former Laker Runners Compete for a Spot at 2012 Olympics
Laker Alumni Jeannette Seckinger, '04 (pictured right) and Adrian Chouinard, '07 finished 21st and 67th respectively at this year's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials held in Houston on January 14.
The pair finished with qualifiying times at the Chicago Marathon which was held last October. Seckinger was the first American female to cross the finish line.
As a student, Chouinard gained recognition at the NCAA Cross Country Championships and helped lead the Lakers to victories at the GLIAC Cross Country Championship and NCAA Great Lakes Regionals.
Seckinger was an All Great Lakes Region runner for the Lakers in 2001. She also competed in the USA Junior Track and Field Championships last June.
Photo Courtesy: GV Lanthorn.
17th Annual Spring Classic and Cash Draw
Grand Valley State University's Football Program invites you to the 17th annual Spring Classic presented by Outback Steakhouse on April 14.The event begins with the spring game kickoff at Houseman Field at 6:00 p.m. followed by a postgame celebration/raffle at 7:30 p.m. at the Eberhard Center where you’ll have the opportunity to meet Head Coach Matt Mitchell and the rest of the Laker coaching staff.
For more details and to purchase tickets visit http://www.gvsu.edu/athletics/cashdraw/
Back to Back Super Bowls for Alumnus Nick McDonald, ‘09
After playing in Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers last year, GVSU Alumnus Nick McDonald, ’09 is headed back to the big stage as a member of the New England Patriots for Super Bowl XLVI.
McDonald became the first former Laker to earn a Super Bowl ring as a backup with the Green Bay Packers in 2011. He started this season out on the Patriots practice squad and earned his first career start in early December.
Need your Laker football fix in the off-season? Check out photos of the Lubbers Stadium renovation on Facebook.
Lakers vs. Ferris for Bragging Rights
The Lakers and the Bulldogs are going head to head on and off the basketball court this year. Both schools are vying for the most Facebook "likes" on their fan pages. The prize is a virtual Bragging Rights Trophy to display on their athletic department’s Facebook fan page.
The challenge started on January 28 when the Lakers traveled to take on Ferris. It will run until February 25 when Ferris State makes a trip to Allendale for the final regular season game of the season. Like GVSU Athletics on Facebook
GVSU Celebrates Diversity with Black History Month and Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Events
Febraury is Black History Month and Grand Valley State University is celebrating with events all month long. Events include lectures, service opportunities, and a taste of some traditional African-American soul food. Campus particpants can expect to be well-fed, well-educated, and well-versed in African-American culture.
GVSU is also celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Heritage this February through the end of March. Learn about calligraphy and hear lectures on the history of Asian Pacific Islander civil rights.
A detailed list of all Black History Month and Asian Pacific Islander Heritage events are available online or through the Ofiice of Multicultural Affairs.
Anthropology Alumni Input Needed!
Calling all Anthropology Alumni! The Anthropology Department is conducting a survey and would like your feedback about your time at Grand Valley State University and your suggestions on how to improve the quality of the program.
The deadline for the survey is February 29. Two participants will be randomly selected to win a prize. Make sure to include your mailing address because it could be you! Take the survey!
Romantic Dinner for Two? Cities of Love Wine Dinner
Take your taste buds on a trip to the most romantic vacation spots around the world at this year's Classic Pairings' Cities of Love Wine Dinner. Grab your sweetheart and make reservations for February 16 at 6 p.m. at the Alumni House & Visitor Center. You'll be wined and dined, and enjoy food inspired by Bora Bora, Venice and more. Make reservations and get more information on the Classic Fare Website.