Grand Valley State University alumni from the class of 1967, GVSU’s first graduating class, walked down memory lane at the University’s Allendale Campus on Aug. 20.

In 1967, alumni Mary Ohm completed her Bachelor of Arts degree and later returned to the University in the 80s to get her master’s degree. Ohm said she thinks back to her time in college fondly. At the time of her attendance in the 1960s, GVSU consisted of only one building, Lake Michigan Hall, and an unpaved parking lot. 

During Ohm’s sophomore year, she lived in the Grand Valley Apartments (GVA). Ohm said rent was far cheaper than it is now, recalling a rate of $75 a month. The apartments had two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen with dining space, a bathroom and a balcony. Ohm recalled that her roommate quickly moved back home after feeling homesick. 

The GVSU campus was officially established in 1960, seven years before Ohm graduated. In 1963, the college accepted their first class of 225 students. In 1967, a total of 138 students graduated alongside Ohm. 

In GVSU’s 2023-2024 data collection, there were roughly 22,000 total students for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. As of 2024, there are a total of 303 undergraduate and graduate programs offered for students, which range from nursing to engineering to writing. Current students at GVSU have the opportunity to choose from hundreds of majors and areas of study, with advisors on hand to help guide them to their goals. 

Ohm said she feels pride for her alma mater, especially in regards to advancements she feels the University is making, and said she is happy that GVSU is always growing and expanding its programs. 

Since graduating from GVSU, Ohm has stayed in the Grand Rapids area and dedicated her life to education.

“I married a year after graduation, (and after), we stayed on the west side (of the state of Michigan),” Ohm said. “Since then, I have lived in Wyoming, Hudsonville, Grandville and now in Jenison. I have always liked the Grand Rapids area, and taught for 35 years for Grand Rapids Public Schools.”

The 2024-2025 school year began Aug. 26, nearly 60 years after Ohm’s college experience. Ohm said visiting campus was a welcome trip to her alma mater, the place “where everything began.”

“I feel pride whenever I visit GVSU, knowing that I was part of the beginning,” Ohm said.