GVSU Opera Theater to perform updated version of musical ‘Godspell’

The Grand Valley State University Opera Theater will bring the story of Jesus’ life to the stage in a reinvented performance of the musical “Godspell” this February.

Written by Grammy and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz, “Godspell 2012” follows Jesus and a small group of people as they retell different parables through song and games that have been updated for a modern crowd.

Performances of “Godspell 2012” will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 5, 6, 12 and 13, and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 7 and 14. All performances will take place in the Louis Armstrong Theatre, located in the Performing Arts Center on the Allendale Campus.

For ticket prices and additional information about “Godspell 2012,” visit www.gvsu.edu/theatre.

GV alumnae and faculty member honored for advancing women in sports

Two Grand Valley State University alumnae and one faculty member will be recognized for their work in advancing women in sport during the Celebrating Women in Sport and Physical Activity reception on Jan. 30.

The honorees include GVSU alumnae Kim Hansen and Courtney Jones as well as Doug Woods, clinical supervisor and faculty member in athletic training at GVSU.

Now a teacher in Ohio, Hansen will be honored for holding the record for most career rebounds as a Laker at 1,362.

Jones, a former member of the GVSU Triathlon Club, is now the owner of the race marketing company, Podium Promotions.

The ceremony is set to take place from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse during the GVSU women’s basketball game against Hillsdale College. Attendees are invited to the Fieldhouse arena’s upper lobby for a reception following the game.

To RSVP for the event, go to www.gvsu.edu/womeninsports.

Upcoming conference to provide opportunities for social work students

Soon-to-be social work graduates searching for employment are invited to take part in the Bridges to Social Work Employment Conference and Career Fair on Jan. 28.

At the event, social work students will learn about topics such licensure, post-graduate supervision, as well as post-graduate certification and degrees, among others.

Students will also be given the opportunity to network with close to 20 different social service agencies located throughout West Michigan.

The event is set to take place from noon to 4 p.m. in the Loosemore Auditorium at the DeVos Center.

Executive director of Henry Ford Learning Institute to discuss design thinking at GV

Deborah Parizek, executive director of the Henry Ford Learning Institute, will visit Grand Valley State University to give a presentation on design thinking in schools and businesses on Feb. 10.

In her presentation, “Developing an Orientation of Innovation through Design Thinking,” Parizek will discuss the ways in which the Henry Ford Learning Institute is benefitting schools, businesses and communities around the world through the implementation of design thinking.

The event is LIB 100 approved and will take place from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Loosemore Auditorium, located at DeVos Center on the Pew Campus. A Q&A session with Parizek will directly follow her presentation.

For more information about the event, go to www.gvsu.edu/designthinking.