GV to celebrate Native American culture

Native American communities from around the Midwest will visit Grand Valley State University to celebrate their traditions and culture on April 9 and 10.

The 18th annual Celebrating All Walks of Life Traditional Pow Wow will educate attendees on the lives of Native Americans through dancing, art, cuisine and more. Native American communities in the Upper Peninsula, Indiana and Wisconsin are expected to attend.

The event will feature dancing and drumming performances at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on April 9 and at noon on April 10. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase Native American art, jewelry and food throughout both days.

The celebration will go from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on April 9 and 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on April 10. All events will take place in the Fieldhouse Arena, located on GVSU’s Allendale Campus.

Three GV teams take home awards at 2016 MWest Challenge

Three Grand Valley State University student teams were awarded prize money to grow their new business ventures during the 2016 MWest Challenge on April 1.

Winning GVSU teams include Boot Strap Innovations with the $6,500 Northwestern Mutual Grand Prize Master Class Award; The Mechanical IV Pump team with the $5,000 Spectrum Health Care Innovations Award; and the Simply Conquer team with the $1,000 Impact Award.

The 2016 MWest Challenge was held at the Eberhard Center, located on GVSU’s Pew Campus. The competition featured more than 50 startup teams from a total of nine West Michigan colleges and universities.

Counseling Center presentation will pass down tips for succeeding on campus

Students looking for guidance on how to succeed at Grand Valley State University are invited to attend a presentation by the University Counseling Center on April 7.

In the 50-minute interactive presentation, peer educations from the University Counseling Center will pass down strategies for maintaining mental health, succeeding in academics and ensuring safe socialization on campus.

“Living Grand” is free to the public and will take place from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. in Room 2266 of the Kirkhof Center.

For more information about the event, contact Jake Crawford at [email protected].

Author to give presentation as part of Autism Awareness Month

In honor of April being Autism Awareness Month, an expert on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will visit Grand Valley State University to discuss the disorder’s unique qualities on April 7.

Liane Holliday-Willey is the author of “Pretending to be Normal,” and has focused her professional studies on ASD and Asperger’s Syndrome. In her presentation, Holliday-Willey will talk about both the challenges and strengths associated with individuals with ASD.

The presentation is LIB 100/201 approved and will take place from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the Loutit Lecture Halls.

For more information about the event, contact Students Toward Autism Advocacy & Respect (STAAR) at [email protected].

Spring concert to feature country music duo Dan + Shay

Country music duo Dan + Shay will headline Grand Valley State University’s annual spring concert on April 7.

Since debuting on the country music scene in 2013, Dan + Shay have gone on to produce three Top 40 singles on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. The duo has also opened for big-name country acts like Hunter Hayes and Blake Shelton.

Tickets cost $10 for GVSU students, $15 for GVSU staff/faculty/alumni, and $25 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased online at www.startickets.com or at the 20/20 Desk.

Hosted by Spotlight Productions, the concert is set to take place at 8 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Arena. Doors will open at 7 p.m.