As Grand Valley State University’s 50 year celebration concludes and its 51st year begins, President Thomas J. Haas is already looking toward GVSU’s next big milestone.

Haas’ “Grand Valley 2.0: Grander Yet” outlines the university’s past and present, as well as the values he hopes will carry through to the university’s 100-year celebration in 2060.

“Yes, you’ll notice a bit of the past in my words, but I really want to look ahead,” he said during his opening addres.

“Grand Valley 2.0” focuses on defining the university and its values by attempting to answer the question, “Who are we?”

“Over 50 years, we are becoming, but who are we? And then one of our colleagues Jim Sanford answered the question very well, I think, when he was recognized by the Alumni Association,” Haas said. “And Jim said, ‘We’re Grand Valley State University. We are hardworking, we’re professional and we’re friendly.’ That was a good summary.”

Grand Valley State University – then Grand Valley State College – was founded in Allendale in 1960. Haas said the university’s youth, beginnings and visions all helped to shape what he believes is a “West Michigan success story,” and one that has been recognized by publications such as the Princeton Review as a regional leader.

“Let’s not just adapt to changes (in higher education), let’s lead them,” he said. “That’s what the next 50 years are about. Let’s lead the changes necessary to do what we need for our state and our nation.”

He said he attributes the university’s success in turbulent times to creativity and a willingness to try new tactics. Limited funds from the Mich. state legislature have pushed the university toward a private university economic model, creating a dependence on public-private sector partnerships and tuition dollars for funds. The university has responded with a number of successful fundraising efforts; the most recent campaign, Shaping Our Future, raised more than $95 million over five years.

“We’re young, we’re impressionable, we try different things,” he said. “And we will continue to have that particular focus as a university. We are needing both some stability and the ability to change. That’s what our students need, and I think that’s a need we have as a young university.”

Haas’ “Grand Valley 2.0” paper can be found online at www.gvsu.edu/president.

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