Arab-Israeli news anchor to present at GVSU

Lucy Aharish, the first Arab-Israeli news anchor for primetime Channel 2 News and I24News, will visit Grand Valley State University to discuss the power of her platform on April 12.

In her presentation, Aharish will discuss how she uses her media presence to promote peace within Israel and fight racism.

“Coexistence in the media: The story of an Arab-Israeli news anchor,” will take place at 4:30 p.m. in the Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room.

The event is free to the public and LIB 100/201 approved. For additional information, contact Sunny Nayberg at [email protected].

Keri Becker becomes first female athletic director at GV

On April 7, Grand Valley State University announced that Keri Becker, associate athletic director, will replace Tim Selgo as director of athletics at GVSU this upcoming summer.

As associate athletic director, Becker is responsible for overseeing all aspects of GVSU football, volleyball, softball and more. Prior to this, she served in a number of different positions at Ferris State University for 15 years.

Becker will assume Selgo’s role as director of athletics on July 18, marking the first time a woman has stepped into the position. Since 1963, GVSU has seen just five athletic directors.

Mathematics faculty member chosen as Professor of the Year

The Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) has chosen Matthew Boelkins, professor of mathematics at Grand Valley State University, as one of three recipients of the Distinguished Professor of the Year Award.

In addition to teaching mathematics at GVSU, Boelkins has garnered critical acclaim for co-authoring the open-source calculus textbook, “Active Calculus.” 

Boelkins was nominated for the award by Provost Gayle Davis, who praised the professor for his written and oral communication skills.

All three recipients of the Distinguished Professor of the Year Award will be honored during a MASU luncheon at the Lansing Center on April 15.

Tesla String Quartet to perform at final Arts at Noon

The Tesla String Quartet is set to perform at the final installment of Grand Valley State University’s Arts at Noon concert series on April 13.

Formed in 2008, the Tesla Quartet has picked up a slew of awards in competitions around the world. In addition to competing, the group has devoted itself to performing in children’s hospitals, soup kitchens, libraries, retirement communities and schools.

The Tesla Quartet’s Arts at Noon performance is free to the public and will take place at noon in the Cook-DeWitt Center.

For more information about the Arts at Noon concert series, go to www.gvsu.edu/artsatnoon.

Documentary screening will make the case for vegan diets

Grand Valley State University’s Cage Free organization will host a screening of a documentary exploring the arguments for vegan and vegetarian diets on April 13.

Released in 2013, “Live and Let Live” examines the lives of six individuals who consciously chose to stop consuming animal products for environmental and health reasons.

“Live and Let Live” will be screened to the campus community for free at 7 p.m. in Room 107 of Manitou Hall. A short discussion about the documentary will follow the screening.

For more information about the screening, contact Hannah Mico, president of Cage Free, at [email protected].