Exhibit’s goal to clear up misused library terms

An exhibit now on display in the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons Atrium entitled “Graphic Language in the Library” aims to clarify terms students may be misusing or misunderstanding. Informational posters are set up detailing common words used during research and study that students may need clarified.

The posters consist of both visual graphics and text to help illustrate the meanings of the words and were put together by three student design teams. The idea for this exhibit came from a study written in part by Grand Valley State University’s library liaison for liberal arts programs Gayle Schaub that discussed the disconnect some students have between common library terms.

The exhibit will be open through Wednesday, March 29.

Eighth annual Local History Round Table today

The eight annual Local History Round Table is happening Thursday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons Multipurpose Room. The event is featuring presentations from several different people from Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids-related organizations. The event looks at different aspects of Grand Rapids’ history and focuses on things that helped shape the city.

There will be a number of different keynote addresses throughout the day touching on topics such as art in Grand Rapids, the furniture industry and how it shaped modern Grand Rapids, farming in Oceana County and Grand Rapids natives who went on to do big things.

César Chávez’s grandson to speak at GV

Andrés Chávez, grandson of the labor leader and civil rights activist César Chávez, will be speaking at Grand Valley State University Friday, March 24, at 11 a.m. in the Kirkhof Center Grand River Room. Chávez will be speaking about the life and legacy of his grandfather and the plight of the farm worker, as well as how Latino millennials can be a voice of change as the 21st century marches on.

Chávez grew up taking part in the pickets, protests, demonstrations and rallies for issues his grandfather fought for as well as immigration reform. Currently, he is a senior at California State University, Bakersfield, and is majoring in public policy and administration.

Following the talk, there will be a meet-and-greet reception with food and drinks.

The event is LIB 100/201 approved.

Padnos International Center to hold funding workshop for study abroad

The Padnos International Center will be holding a funding workshop Friday, March 24, at 2 p.m. in Classroom 130 of Lake Ontario Hall for those involved in study abroad in the fall and/or winter semester(s) of the 2017-18 academic year. The workshop will focus on ways students can acquire funds through grants, scholarships, loans, deferred payment, fundraising and other methods.

Those who are unsure about funding their trip are invited to attend the session or schedule an appointment with a study abroad advisor.

GV to host author for conversation, reading

The story we tell is ours, and no can do it better than we can. No one has lived through the same details, experienced the same events or felt the same emotions we have in our happiest and most trying times. 

Author Bich (Beth) Minh Nguyen is somebody who has a story and can tell it, too.

Coming to Grand Valley State University Thursday, March 23, Nguyen will be speaking at a number of events, highlighting her past and her connection to Grand Rapids. 

One event in particular, “Conversation and Reading with Bich (Beth) Minh Nguyen,” will be held from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center, Room 0072. During this event, Nguyen will talk with GVSU students about her childhood and will read some of her work.

Nguyen was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, in 1974, a place from which her family fled roughly a year after her birth. After arriving in the United States, Nguyen’s family settled in Grand Rapids where she grew up. Currently, she is an associate professor at the University of San Francisco.

Nguyen has written three books over the course of her career as an author, one of which is a memoir of her life. These titles include two novels, “Pioneer Girl” and “Short Girls,” and her memoir, “Stealing Buddha’s Dinner.”

This event is LIB 100/201 approved. For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/events/conversation-and-reading-with-bich-beth-minh-nguyen/.