Grand Valley State University President Thomas J. Haas will
travel to Lansing today to discuss the economic impact of higher
education at a summit organized by Business Leaders for Michigan.

Haas will join North Dakota University System Chancellor
William Goetz and University of North Carolina president Thomas
Ross on the summit’s Economic Engine panel. The panel is one of
several events planned to connect university experts with Michigan
business leaders to create a “Michigan higher education marketplace.”

“Michigan has one of the finest higher education systems in
the country and it can help accelerate long-term economic growth in our state,” said Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of BLM. “It is our hope that attendees leave this conference with a true understanding of the importance of higher education when
looking at Michigan’s future. …Leaders, like President Haas, are
positioning Michigan’s universities — and their graduates — to
move Michigan’s economy into high gear.”

While at the summit, Haas will discuss the economic impact
GVSU, its students and its graduates have on West Michigan’s
economy.

According to the 2012 Accountability Report, released last week, 88 percent of recent GVSU graduates are employed or in graduate school.

Eighty-four percent are employed in Michigan.

The report valued the economic impact of GVSU’s 27,000 students,
faculty and staff in Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties at $732.3 million for the fiscal year 2010-11.

To read the full Accountability
Report or to get more informtation on GVSU’s economic impact, go to www.gvsu.edu/accountability.

Other panels at the summit will focus on talent and innovation.

J. Patrick Doyle, president and CEO of Domino’s Pizza, will deliver the keynote address about growth in higher education and its impact on businesses.

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