2016 MWest Challenge to take place April 1

The 2016 MWest Challenge will bring together entrepreneurial-minded college students from across the West Michigan area to compete for $40,000 on April 1.

Hosted by the Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship, the MWest Challenge is an annual competition that has students pitching ideas for start-up companies to a panel of judges. The event will feature 52 startup teams from nine different universities and colleges, including Grand Valley State University.

The MWest Challenge is set to take place from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Eberhard Center on the Pew Campus. An awards ceremony will take place close to 1 p.m.

For more information about the MWest Challenge, go to www.mwestchallenge.com

‘Equalitea’ promotes discussion of gender over tea

Women’s History Month at Grand Valley State University will come to a close with the event “Equalitea” on March 31.

Hosted by the GVSU Women’s Center, “Equalitea” invites the campus community to gather together to discuss literature, politics and gender reform over tea and food. The event will also honor Lois Smith Owens, professor of social work at GVSU.

“Equalitea” is free to the public and will take place at 3 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center’s Grand River Room.

Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP by contacting the Women’s Center at [email protected].

Greek Week 2016 lip sync battle

Members of Grand Valley State University fraternities and sororities will compete in a movie-themed lip sync battle during Greek Week 2016 on March 31.

The lip sync battle is part of Greek Week’s overall theme “Night at the Movies: Now Playing Greek Week.” Fraternity and sorority organizations will be challenged to create lip sync performances that pertain to a specific movie genre theme.

The event will also feature a presentation of fraternity and sorority life awards throughout the night.

The lip sync battle will take place from 9 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. in the main arena of the Fieldhouse, located on GVSU’s Allendale Campus.

Eighth annual Sustainability Champion Awards

The Office of Sustainability Practices at Grand Valley State University will honor individuals dedicated to sustainable practices during the eighth annual Sustainability Champion Awards on April 1.

Nearly 40 awards will be presented to both campus and community members who use social, environmental and economic approaches to solve problems. The ceremony will also feature remarks by Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, GVSU President Thomas Haas and Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies Dean Anne Hiskes.

The Sustainability Champions Awards will take place from noon until 1:30 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center’s Grand River Room.

For more information and to RSVP, go to www.gvsu.edu/sustainability.

Silent auction to benefit cancer research

Grand Valley State University campus dining will raise money for cancer research when it hosts its annual Relay for Life silent auction on March 31.

The campus community is invited to stop by to participate and bid on GVSU apparel, gift baskets, snowboards and more. All proceeds from the auction will go toward the campus dining Relay for Life team, which benefits the American Cancer Society.

The Relay for Life silent auction will take place from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center’s Thornapple Room.

For additional information about the auction, contact campus dining at [email protected] or (616) 331-3016.