January 6, 2012 January 12, 2012 January 18, 2012 January 20, 2012 January 20, 2012 February 12, 2012 February 23, 2012 March 5, 2012 March 26-31, 2012 Through April 4, 2012
Seidman Breakfast Series: Economic Healthcare Forecast
Young Alumni Event at the GR Symphony
Seidman Breakfast Series: Economic Real Estate Forecast
Mike Lints Alumni Open Track and Field Meet
Music Department Alumni Reception
New York Alumni Club Brunch
GVSU Career Fair
Out of State Teacher Fair
Community Outreach Week
Wheelhouse Talks
ALUMNA ARTIST FINDS HER CALLING WITH MOTHER NATURE Ann Teliczan, ‘83 is an environmentally inspired artist. After graduating from William James College at Grand Valley, she kept her talent a secret from most of the world at first. “For years, I kept my work to myself. It was a personal expression that I simply needed to do” said Teliczan. Her work is influenced by her exposure to nature as a child. Teliczan was born in Los Angeles, raised in a farming community in Washington state, and lived most of her younger years in “Chicagoland” where she was inspired by a vibrant art community. While she was a student at Grand Valley, Ann got a taste of her creative expression. She was a disc jockey and ran her own radio show at WSRX (now WGVU) called “Annie’s Rock Hour.” She was also very involved in the arts program, testing her skills as a photographer. Upon graduation in 1983, the Michigan unemployment rate hovered around 13 percent, which left Ann torn between the decision to leave the state or make Grand Rapids her permanent home. “When I graduated the economy was horrible, in fact there was a saying ‘Would the last one to leave Michigan close the door’? I wanted to stay,” said Teliczan. Teliczan began her career as an advertising coordinator at Gemini Publications, a parent company of Grand Rapids Magazine and the Grand Rapids Business Journal. At the age of 29, she took a promotion and became the national advertising and public relations director at Brooks Shoe, a former division of Wolverine World Wide. As her children grew older, she longed for the sense of creative expression she embraced while she was a student at Grand Valley, and found it with the pottery program at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Grand Rapids. “In 2003, I decided to go public,” she said. Her prints are developed using an innovative process that blends traditional painting using minerals with cameraless, filmless digital captures that are printed on canvas and paper. Gallery Recently, Fort Belvoir, a military hospital in Washington D.C. purchased 375 pieces of her work to be displayed in patient rooms. To date, it is her biggest sale and it marks a milestone in her art career – next to the time Oprah Winfrey featured one of her photos in her “Breathing Space” online gallery. In early 2011, Ann formed her own ad agency, AT Media Studio where she now develops ad campaigns and shoots photography for clients in the West Michigan area. When she looks back at her experiences, she is reminded of the impact her Grand Valley education has made on her career path. “I was able to get a job even though the Michigan economy was at a low point. My experience at Grand Valley gave me courage, confidence and the tools I needed to succeed.” 
Celebrate Alumni Achievements: Nominate Today! 
Do you know a Grand Valley State University alumnus who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in his or her career or community? If so, let us know! Nominations for the 2012 Distinguished Alumni, and Young Alumni awards are currently being accepted.
These awards recognize the outstanding achievements that have been made by Grand Valley alumni in their personal and professional lives.
Nominations for Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni may be made by alumni, faculty or staff members. For full nomination criteria, please visit www.gvsu.edu/alumni/alumni-awards.
Swing into the New Year with the Young Alumni Event
Ring in 2012 with fellow Laker alumni and guests. Enjoy music and martinis at the Young Alumni Council's one-of-a-kind reception for Swingin' with Sinatra and Dorsey at the DeVos Performance Hall.
The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, and includes backstage tours and an open rehearsal concert that starts at 7:00 p.m.
With signature cocktails like the "Chairman of the Board," it's going to be an event that Ol' Blue Eyes himself wouldn't miss. Songs to be preformed include Fly Me to the Moon, Getting Sentimental Over You, New York, New York, and more!
Attire is business casual, but you can also get into the swing of things by dressing in Sinatra-inspired threads.
RSVP by Monday, January 9. See who's coming on Facebook or get more info.
Live, Work and Play in Detroit
Are you an alumni looking for work in or near Detroit? Join LiveWorkDetroit! this January to network with several of Detroit’s employers. You’ll learn about the best places to live, work, and play in Detroit as well as hear from local professionals and entrepreneurs. Early bird registration is $10 and ends January 11 . Admission includes access to the North American International Auto Show. After the January 11 deadline, admission is $15.
Looking for professionals? LiveWorkDetroit! is a great place to find eager college graduates to add to your team. Participating businesses and companies may register up to one day prior to the event.
For more information, visit the LiveWorkDetroit! website.
Start Planning Your Community Outreach Project!
Reach out to your community this coming March. The Community Service Learning Center and the Alumni Association are teaming up again for Community Outreach Week March 26-31, 2012.
All local, national, and global alumni are invited and encouraged to take part in this week of service. You can help build a house with Habitat for Humanity, volunteer at a local food pantry, plant a community garden, or any other creative, service-oriented idea you can think of. Service has no boundaries!
It’s never too early to start planning your project. Together, we can reach more communites world-wide to make this year's Community Outreach Week the biggest ever!
For project ideas, look at photos from last year's Community Outreach Week on Facebook. For more info, visit the Community Outreach Week website after January 16 or contact cow@gvsu.edu
Fight Cancer with GVSU this April
Lace up your walking shoes this coming April for Relay for Life! Grand Valley State University will host its own relay event at the Fieldhouse Arena starting Friday, April 13. The event will kick off at 3:30 p.m. with the Survivor Banquet and the Opening Ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m.
The Alumni Association Team is looking for more teammates to help reach its goal. Sign up or join our team today!
The relay will last from 6:00 p.m. on Friday until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday. One member from each team must be running or walking the track at all times.
The Alumni Association Welcomes New Clubs and Club Leaders
The Laker alumni network is growing! New alumni clubs have been formed in Nashville, Tennessee and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sharese Shannon, ’05 is the leader of the Nashville club and Travis Cree, ’09 is the leader of the Kalamazoo club.
Both clubs are looking forward to the upcoming Community Outreach Week and want you to join them!
To make suggestions or give feedback, take the Nashville or Kalamazoo club surveys.
New York Alumni Club Brunch-February 12
Join New York Club Leader Darryl Nicholson, '08 and fellow Lakers for a casual Sunday brunch at Calle Ocho in New York City on February 12. Get the latest club news and events. You can share memories with old friends and connect with new alumni in the New York area.
Brunch starts at 11:00 a.m. and the cost is $10. RSVP by February 7.
For more information, contact Darryl at darrylnicholson@gmail.com
Alumni Reception for the 2012 Michigan Music Conference
Chair of the Music Department, Dr. Danny K. Phipps, and the Alumni Association invite you to this year’s Michigan Music Conference Alumni Reception. The reception will be held on Friday, January 20 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Grandview Room of the Amway Grand Plaza. Join faculty, staff, students and friends for hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beer, wine and soda (cash bar for mixed drinks) at the reception.
Stop by the Music Department’s booth in the Exhibition Hall at DeVos Place and show future students what it’s like to be a Laker!
RSVP by January 12. For more information, contact Valerie Stoelzel via email or phone at (616) 331-3678.
Frederik Meijer Lecture Series Welcomes Barbara Pierce Bush 
Co-founder and President of Global Health Corps and daughter of former President George W. Bush, Barbara Pierce Bush will hold a lecture on February 27. Her lecture, titled One Person Can Make a Difference Confronting Today's Global Health Challenges is part of the Frederik Meijer Lecture Series.
The lecture will be held from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the Grand River Room in the Kirkhof Center.
RSVP to the event or call the Honors College at (616) 331-3219 for details.
Women's Soccer Players Win NSCAA Award
Grand Valley State juniors Ashley Botts and Chelsea Parise, and senior Erin Mruz were named to the 2011 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Women's College Scholar All-America first team.
GVSU was the only college-division institution to garner three selections on to any of the three Scholar All-America teams. Full Story
The team, which recently competed in the NCAA Division II National Championship game, was also featured on the CBS Fall Sports Highlight Show.
For more Laker sports highlights, visit: www.gvsulakers.com