GVSU set to kick off Fall Arts Celebration

Grand Valley State University will kick off the Fall Arts Celebration with an opening reception of a new artwork collection titled “Dusk to Dusk: Unsettled, Unraveled, Unreal” on Sept. 10.

The gallery, a collection of 32 pieces of artwork, conveys the idea of isolation through paintings, photography, sculptures and video.

Half of the gallery is open to the public at the Grand Valley Art Gallery. The rest is up for display at the De Pree Art Center and Gallery at Hope College, located in Holland.

The opening reception is slated for Thursday, Sept. 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. inside the Art Gallery located at the Performing Arts Center. The exhibit will run through Oct. 31.

For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/fallarts or call (616) 331-2185.

New science building dedicated to P. Douglas Kindschi

The new science building at the Grand Valley State University Allendale Campus was officially dedicated to former dean of Science and Mathematics P. Douglas Kindschi on Aug. 28.

The 151,720 square-foot building, now called the P. Douglas Kindschi Hall of Science, was dedicated with nearly 700 people in attendance. Both President Thomas J. Haas and Kindschi himself were present as well.

Kindschi has worked at GVSU for nearly 40 years and is currently serving as the director of GVSU’s Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Interfaith Institute.

Innovating through tradition

Josip Kotlar, family-owned business institute scholar in residence at GVSU, will give a presentation arguing why family businesses are still viable in today’s economy by innovating through tradition (ITT).

Titled “Innovating Through Tradition: A New Innovation Strategy for Family Firms,” Kotlar’s presentation will explain why it’s important that family businesses embrace their tradition in order to create a greater connection with their customers.

The presentation will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 11 at the Bicycle Factor on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

To RSVP, contact Amy Gascon at [email protected] by Sept. 4.

Police Academy and Military Police Veterans Academy hold graduations

Both the Grand Valley State University Police Academy and the Military Police Veterans Academy recently celebrated a total of 36 graduates.

The 41st GVSU Police Academy graduation ceremony, held Aug. 13, saw 28 people graduate.

The third Military Police Veterans Academy graduation ceremony, held Aug. 7, saw six people graduate.

Williamson Wallace, director of Criminal Justice Training, has been the director both programs since January 2015. In addition to teaching in the School of Criminal Justice since 2003, Wallace previously held the position of director of Criminal Justice Training from 2003-2008.

GVSU ranked first in national poll for community service

Washington Monthly ranked Grand Valley State University the leading university in the nation for its community service.

Additionally, GVSU was ranked 21st under “Best Master’s Universities,” ninth under “financial aid support, courses and service staff,” and 32nd in “Best Bang for the Buck-Midwest.”

Washington Monthly considered civic engagement, research and social mobility when putting together the final list.