AWRI faculty member honored with educator award

One of Grand Valley State University’s own was honored by the Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) with the 2016 Informal Science Educator Award.

Janet Vail, research scientist at the Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI), is also a faculty member of the environmental studies minor at GVSU.

In her position at AWRI, Vail has worked toward equipping schools, teachers, students and businesses with environmental education for more than 25 years.

Among her many other accomplishments, Vail has given families, school groups, and community members the opportunity to participate in water sampling experiments through the “Making Lake Michigan Great” research vessel tour.

For additional information about Vail, go to www.gvsu.edu/wri.

Michigan Senate resolution praises GV in education and research

Grand Valley State University was praised for its positive impact on the community in terms of education and environmental research in a Michigan Senate resolution passed on Jan. 14.

The resolution stated that GVSU is now the fourth-largest public university with highly-regarded programs in engineering, business and teacher education. In April 2015, GVSU graduated its 100,000th student.

GVSU was also recognized for its research concerning wind energy and the Great Lakes, both of which have had a positive effect on the general public.

Religious traditions to gather at annual Abrahamic dinner

Individuals from the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam will meet together under one roof during the annual Abrahamic dinner on Jan. 21.

Hosted by Grand Valley State University’s Kaufman Interfaith Institute, the Abrahamic dinner will provide a space for people from the three traditions to bond and discuss the need for religious tolerance.

The dinner is set to take place from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. in the Masjid At-Tawheed Islamic Center, located at 3357 E. Paris Ave. in Kentwood, Michigan.

To register for the Abrahamic dinner, go to www.gvsu.edu/interfaith. Registration must be completed by Jan. 20.

Nationally recognized author to discuss end-of-life conversations

A nationally recognized speaker and author will be visiting Grand Valley State University to discuss strategies for initiating end-of-life conversations in a presentation on Jan. 20.

Dave Kampfschulte is the director of Amazing Circles Workshops as well as the author of “I’m Dying to Talk with You: Twenty Five Years of Conversations on End of Life Decisions.”

In his presentation, Kampfschulte will use excerpts from his book to reveal the importance of planning ahead for the end of a patient or loved one’s life.

The presentation is set to take place from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 2201 of the Kirkhof Center, located on GVSU’s Allendale Campus.