Replenish broadens reach to students seeking food security

About one of every nine college students struggles with food insecurity daily.

However, the stigma that arises with the mention of food pantries tends to worsen students’ ability to meet their needs, which in turn can lead to a mental and physical health decline on top of academic success.

Grand Valley State University has been trying to combat food insecurity and the stigma associated with getting help through Replenish– a food pantry that also provides students with essentials such as toiletries, kitchen appliances and even laptop loans.

For more insight into how Replenish helps GVSU students, read Clemence Daniere’s full piece here.

GV highlights mental health awareness

Members of multiple organizations at Grand Valley State University took part in special events to promote students’ mental health with Mental Health Awareness Week.

From Monday Sept. 12 to Friday Sept. 16, this student-led event focused on a different topic every day in order to spread awareness of mental health. Monday began the week with ‘Mindfulness Monday.’

“We are encouraging students to come and take resources, we have a little ‘braincation’ QR code that takes you to University Counseling Center, meditations and mindfulness practices,” said Isabella Griesmaier, who was handing out information at the event. “We’re also inviting students to go into the LGBTQ Resource Center to relax, spend some time in their probably busy day and look over some of these tips we have.”

For the full story of Melia William’s coverage on mental health awareness on campus, click here.

GV gets rebrand with Laker Food Co.

Laker Food Co., formerly Campus Dining, has recently been re-established as the brand new food service at Grand Valley State University.

Despite there being numerous bumps in the road with this corporation over the past two years such as poor feedback from students or the COVID-19 outbreak, the company has made efforts to turn it into a positive experience.

“Like most businesses, supply chain issues, labor shortages and reduced populations made for challenging operations,” said Deb Rambadt, Marketing Director of Laker Food Co. at GVSU.

To read more of Lea Gaetto’s coverage of the campus dining rebranding, click here.

GV Renaissance Festival brings students to the past

This past weekend Grand Valley State University held its yearly, and much anticipated, renaissance fair. The grassy area around the clock tower was overrun by tents and people who share their love for the event.

Merchants, entertainers and visitors gathered to immerse themselves in the renaissance era for just a few days. This event, which was held by the GVSU Renaissance Festival Club, was the 26th annual festival.

Throughout the club’s time, it has shrunk in size some years and grown in others, but the tradition of the festival has continued on despite attendance levels. This year, the club has about 20 active members, which allowed them to set up a sizable festival.

For a deeper dive into Clemence Daniere’s coverage of the Renaissance Festival at GVSU, read here.

GV rallies to support veterans on campus this Veteran’s Day

Each year, Grand Valley State University rallies together to celebrate Veteran’s Day and show support for student veterans on campus. GVSU prides itself on being a safe and inclusive place for veterans and active military members to continue their education after or during service.

This year the Campus Activities Board (CAB) held a banner signing event for students to help construct a banner thanking local veterans for their service. Donuts and cider were provided and students sat talking with one another. They shared their own stories or stories of family members in the service and celebrated the dedicated service veterans provide to the United States.

Later in the week, GVSU hosted Vice Admiral Sandra Stosz for their 12th annual Veteran’s Day Breakfast and a later scheduled keynote presentation.  

For more on Isabelle England’s story covering Veteran’s Day, read here.

Mary Idema Pew Library hosts Great Lakes invasive species projects

In an effort to raise awareness on the invasion of exotic species into the Great Lakes, a geology class at Grand Valley State University held a Creative Project Day where students used their creativity to make a project based on an invasive species of their choosing.

At the multi-purpose room in the Mary Idema Pew Library more than 80 creative projects were displayed, including posters, poems, presentations, songs, sculptures and dioramas.

The project topics centered on a problem the students chose from a book titled “Pandora’s Locks” written by Jeff Alexander. The book discusses the St. Andrews Seaway, a network of locks, canals and channels that enable ships to move from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, taking invasive species with them.

To read more of Sabrina Rihtarshich’s coverage on this showcase, click here.