Lakers Ready

Division of Academic Affairs

June 17, 2024

Lakers Ready is sent by the Office of the Provost
to faculty and staff within the Division of Academic Affairs

In this issue of Lakers Ready

Laker to Laker

Dear Colleagues,

Greetings from the land of Carthage, this country that was born as a country when a woman, Elyssa, fleeing a tragic family feud, packed a few belongings and a few fellow country men and women and sailed westward towards North Africa. She went on to create Carthage, an economically prosperous and culturally open empire that defied and resisted many rivals, most notably, the Roman Empire. After three Punic wars that spanned more than a century between the Carthaginians and the Romans, the Romans had the upper hand, burned this Punic city to the ground, then built a Roman city on top of it. The ruins of Carthage today reveal the two layers, very well-preserved remnants of the Punic Carthage on top of which sits the Roman Carthage, with the second largest Roman amphitheater after Rome. This story borrows extensively from history, but it is not history; it is a story. It is the story etched in the minds and hearts of Tunisians carrying a common vision of their identity and capturing the cherished themes of independence, pioneering spirit, and resilience. Histories are messy; they tell us about who we were; stories are heroic and beautiful; they tell us about who we aspire to be. Our history, and the story we craft are both essential and are intertwined.

Historians research history and document it. They are bound by accuracy of facts, precision of dates, completeness of perspectives, and faithfulness to truth, the bravery and generosity as well as the cruelty and inhumanity. Historians are outside observers, recorders, and conscientious interpreters.

People, communities, and organizations write their stories in real time; adapt them, edit them, adjust them, and revise them continuously. Story crafting is part sense making of the past, part articulation of aspirations for the future, and part creating a coherent narrative that ties the two. Stories serve to guide and regulate our current decisions and actions so that they align with the aspired vision and contribute to the coherence of the narrative. James Loehr, author of The Power of Story writes, “But since our destiny follows our stories, it’s imperative that we do everything in our power to get our stories right.”  When we write our stories, we are part historians, part authors, and part main characters.

To “get our story right”, we must embrace our history, celebrating the affirming great and beautiful and reckoning with the dissonant parts that do not align with our sense of who we are and who we want to be. Reckoning with these histories allows us to take ownership and accountability for them, to learn from them, and to strive towards a future where the same highest ideals are reproduced and the wrongs of the past do not happen again. It is in this spirit that we celebrate Juneteenth this week, the oldest Black and African American Holiday in the US commemorating the “freedom of enslaved people in Texas in 1865 and is significant in that it came more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which legally abolished chattel slavery in Confederate states.”

Based on input from Black and African American colleagues last year, we are this year primarily sponsoring and joining community events for Juneteenth. I hope everyone can take time to learn about Juneteenth and what it represents, reflect on its significance, and join at least some of the events.

The theme of equity, racial equality, and social justice are essential themes in every educational institution. They are even more so for GVSU. As we continue to collectively shape GVSU’s story,  wrap up RH 2025 and prepare for the next strategic plan, we will together reflect on our destiny and aspirations. We rely on GVSU’s Values and Commitments, what they mean for each of us, and how they fit with the overarching aspiration for GVSU and the community. This is the work of becoming the main characters in creating the history that best benefits every member of the GVSU community.

With best regards,

Fatma

Please join us for upcoming Juneteenth events, supporting community celebrations. We'll begin with an on-campus breakfast for students, faculty, and staff. Employees can participate in GVSU-sponsored events without taking PTO. Students and faculty with finals on Juneteenth can arrange alternative testing through the Tutoring and Reading Center, with prior approval. We encourage everyone to recognize the importance of this day and to celebrate the invaluable contributions of the GVSU Black community.

Engaged Scholarship

Congratulations to Patrick Colgan, Professor of Geology, for his $28,866 contract with Western Michigan University for analysis of sediment samples. Trained and supervised by Dr. Colgan, three undergraduate geology students, Ella Puffer, Evan Kosiorowski, and Michael Baldus, will complete laboratory grain-size analysis of samples from drill cores collected by Michigan Geological Survey in support of their current mapping projects.

Steve Glass, Professor of Movement Science, published Cardiac Rehabilitation for the Clinical Exercise Physiologist. This text is designed to prepare exercise science professionals for work in a cardiac rehab environment. The text covers anatomy review, ECG rhythm recognition, 12 lead ECG interpretation, cardiac medications, diagnostic stress testing and exercise prescription guidelines for cardiac patients. Click here to learn more about this book.

Updates

The electronic sabbatical site is open for eligible faculty to submit a proposal. Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. on September 1. The sabbatical website provides a proposal template and helpful information for completing the proposal.

Events

Join Provost Fatma Mili and Provost's Cabinet members as we thank and celebrate AP and PSS staff members in the Division of Academic Affairs. There will be summer treats, laughter, conversation, and swag for those who want to participate in a fun activity. Join your Academic Affairs staff colleagues for one or all of the appreciation events by confirming your attendance plans. All events will be outside, with back up rain locations, if needed. 

South Allendale Campus: Tuesday, July 9, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Atrium, Haas Center for Performing Arts

Health Campus: Monday, July 22, 3:00-4:30 p.m., The Schowalter Family Terrace, 5th floor, DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health

North Allendale Campus: Tuesday, July 23, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Bonfire/Multipurpose Room, Holton Hooker Living Center

Pew Grand Rapids Campus: Monday, July 29, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Regency Room, Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus

Important Dates and Links

Previously Shared Events 
6/19 - Juneteenth Jubilee Breakfast - 8:30 a.m., University Club, Richard M. DeVos Center
7/9 - Academic Affairs Staff Appreciation Event - 3:00 p.m., Atrium, Haas Center for Performing Arts
7/22 - Academic Affairs Staff Appreciation Event - 3:00 p.m., The Schowalter Family Terrace, 5th floor, DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health
7/23 - Academic Affairs Staff Appreciation Event - 3:00 p.m., Bonfire/Multipurpose Room, Holton Hooker Living Center
7/29 - Academic Affairs Staff Appreciation Event - 3:00 p.m., Regency Room, Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus
8/22 - New Graduate Student Orientation - 2:00 p.m., Varies Events, Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
8/23 - New Graduate Student Orientation - 12:00 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
8/23 - New Graduate Assistant Orientation - 3:00 p.m, Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Grand Rapids Campus

Dates
6/18-19 - Examinations: 1st 6 weeks
6/24 - Classes Begin: 2nd 6 weeks
8/5-6 - Examinations: 2nd 6 and 12 Weeks

Links
Lakers Ready - repository of this weekly newsletter and a link to submit content
Laker Family Network - repository of the monthly newsletter sent by the Division of Student Affairs to GVSU parents/supporters

During the summer, Lakers Ready will be published biweekly: June 17, July 1, 15, 29, and August 12. Weekly distribution will return on August 26.