U.S. Sen. Gary Peters came to Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus Feb. 17 as part of his Michigan Economic Listening Tour.

The weeklong trip enabled Peters to meet with Michigan business leaders, educators and workers.

“We’re touring around the state, looking at all the very exciting things that are happening as far as technology, innovation, manufacturing and business,” Peters said.

The tour included stops at the Kennedy Hall of Engineering and Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences.

President Thomas Haas was at the door of Kennedy Hall to meet him, along with Charlie Standridge, associate dean of the Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering and Computing. Andrew Plague, president of Student Senate, facilitated the tour as well.

“It’s very exciting to see an institution that not only is turning out world-class engineers, but is turning out engineers who are choosing to stay in Michigan to raise their families and pursue their craft,” Peters said.

Peters said innovation is the future for Michigan and that GVSU is a worthy investment, considering its innovative programs and the return it gives back to the state.

“Grand Valley having the resources necessary to build on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education is critical to the state,” Peters said.

Peters valued the artistic side of GVSU, as well.

“I also want to add an ‘A’ in there for STEAM education; that’s arts education,” Peters said. “Usually, world-class engineers also have arts education. Ultimately, you need creative problem solvers, and arts education is critical to that type of skillset.

“When you combine arts education with engineering and mathematics, you have students who are fully prepared to deal with a very complex and competitive world economy.”

He also addressed the issue of under-enrollment among minorities in STEM education, citing a lack of awareness as the problem.

“We have to really do a more effective job of getting into our urban areas and really exposing the careers that are possible, not just in STEM, but in manufacturing as well,” Peters said. “We have to do a better job of making sure students understand these are career paths that have very bright futures.”

Not only was GVSU deemed a worthy investment for the federal government, but Peters also spoke to the importance of a vibrant public transportation system, which also reaps dividends.

“Public transit is essential for urban areas,” Peters said. “We’ve seen, throughout the country, where you’ve made investments in public transportation, you have a manifold return on that investment. I certainly look forward to looking at the public transportation system here in Grand Rapids.”

Peters used the Bus Rapid Transit in Cleveland as a prime example of such a fruitful return.

“After investing ($200 million) in that BRT system, they’ve seen over ($1 billion) of real estate investment coming in along that line,” Peters said. “We know it works, and we need to make sure we’re promoting it here in Grand Rapids and in Detroit and in other urban areas as a driver for economic development.”