One injured in off-campus car accident

A two-car accident in the intersection of 48th Ave. and West Campus Drive sent one driver to the hospital the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 13. The other driver was uninjured.

The accident occurred when one car, traveling south on 48th Ave., collided with the car on West Campus Drive, said Assistant Director of Public Safety Jeff Stoll. The ejected driver was not wearing a seatbelt, and the driver’s dog, who was in the car at the time of the accident, jumped out after the impact and was hit by third car. The driver of the third car was uninjured but the dog did not survive the collision. 

The ejected driver, who is not a GVSU student, was sent to the hospital for their injuries. That driver is expected to recover fully.

Ottawa County police are investigating the crash to determine factors that caused it, including analyzing skid marks, point of impact and debris. It is unsure which car had the right of way, Stoll said.

Alumni chosen for international fellowship program

Two recent Grand Valley State University alumni were selected for the prestigious Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX YPP), where they traveled to Germany to study abroad for a full year.

CBYX selects 75 German and 75 American students to participate each year. The program has three phases, including an eight-week intensive language training period, one semester at a German university and a semester-long internship at a German organization. 

2019 graduate Alan Carter, who majored in advertising and public relations and marketing with an international business minor, said the experience was challenging, but fun. Carter will complete his internship at a local organization and continue his language studies.

Cullin Flynn, a 2017 graduate in applied linguistics, Spanish and natural resource management, completed his internship at a bicycle production facility as a sales associate. He has since earned a position at an energy logistics firm.

The 2020-21 applications for the program are open until Dec. 1 and are open to students between 18 and 24. Interested students should contact Elizabeth Harrington Lambert, Director of the Office of Fellowships, at [email protected] for more information.

Mantella celebrated during inauguration week events

To celebrate the inauguration of President Philomena Mantella, events were held throughout the week of Nov. 11-15 leading up to the investiture. 

Throughout the week, student celebrations were held on both Allendale and Pew campuses to give students the opportunity to meet with Mantella. These receptions allowed attendees to speak with Mantella one-on-one.

In addition, 30 students were given the opportunity to present their research conducted with faculty members Nov. 15, and the Universities Libraries and the Special Collections/University Archives organized an exhibition highlighting GVSU’s history. Mantella spoke at an alumni breakfast Nov. 14.

“This gives us an opportunity to look back at the leaders who built this university and look forward,” Mantella said.

After the inauguration, a campus highlights event emphasized GVSU’s accomplishments, including videos of Allendale and Pew campuses, an art gallery in the Haas Center for Performing Arts and an exhibition showcasing presidential inaugurations throughout GVSU’s history.