Mikyia S. Aaron, a labor attorney from Westland and a graduate of Grand Valley, was elected chair of the university’s Board of Trustees on July 10. 

Aaron was unanimously chosen for the position by the Board after having served as vice chair since 2024.

Wednesday, August 26, 4-7 p.m.
Seidman Center, City Campus (Grand Rapids)

Celebrate the start of the academic year with colleagues from across the university. Enjoy great food, refreshing drinks, and live music by Brena as we reconnect and celebrate our shared purpose of empowering learners. RSVP to the celebration.

*Look for the retiree table toward the back of the Seidman Center patio. 

Saturday, October 3

Grand Valley State Athletics and the Division of People, Equity, and Culture invite all GVSU retirees to return to campus for a special Homecoming celebration on Saturday, October 3, as the Lakers host Wayne State at 3:00 p.m. at Lubbers Stadium.

You will receive up to four (4) complimentary game tickets and up to four (4) complimentary combo

vouchers, each including a bratwurst, chips, and a 22 oz. fountain drink.

Whether you bring family, friends, or reconnect with former colleagues, we hope you'll enjoy an exciting afternoon celebrating GVSU traditions and cheering on the Lakers together

To make your reservation, refer to the email you received from GVSU Athletics (louie@gvsu.edu).

Thank you for joining us last month for the Laker Retiree Summer Social. What a wonderful time it was catching up with colleagues and friends! We appreciate your continued engagement with the Grand Valley community.

Reminisce with us by viewing the event photo gallery, captured by GVSU photographer Cory Morse.

Since retiring in 1990, Gilbert R. Davis has been doing what he's always done: read, write, travel, and even teach as a Fulbright lecturer in Morocco, as a resident lecturer in Perugia, Italy, and here in Grand Rapids for the Aquinas senior program.

If you would like to be featured next in our newsletter and on our website, tell us about your post-GVSU adventures by filling out the Retiree Reflections Information Form.

This space pays tribute to the people who helped shape Grand Valley.

Mary Christine (Chris) O'Connor, professor emerita of psychology, died March 31, 2026.
She was 83.

O'Connor began working at Grand Valley in 1974 and retired in 2008. After retiring, she helped develop the Wonderlust program (now the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at Montana State University and taught several Wonderlust courses.

Jamal Alsabbagh, retired professor of computing, died on May 8, 2026. 

Alsabbagh joined the faculty in 2000 and retired in 2023. Before working at GVSU, he taught at Grambling State University after earning a Ph.D. in computer science with an emphasis in databases from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Ron Ward, founding director emeritus of the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI), died July 3, 2026, at age 88.

A biology professor and aquatic ecologist, Ward spent 35 years at Grand Valley and helped establish AWRI in 1986, leading its growth into a nationally recognized freshwater research institute. He retired in 2001 after overseeing the institute's move to the Lake Michigan Center in Muskegon.

Phil Regan, former Grand Valley head baseball coach and GVSU Athletics Hall of Fame member, died July 8, 2026, at age 89.

Regan coached the Lakers from 1974-82, posting a 176-153 record while winning two GLIAC championships and two NAIA district titles.

Jerry Alan Scripps, MBA, PhD, RN — husband, father, lifelong learner, fitness champion, brother, and friend — passed away on July 26, 2026, at age 69, from injuries sustained in a bicycling accident.

After earning a Bachelors of Science in Math, an M.B.A., and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Computer Science, Jerry worked as a programmer, became a software business owner, and spent 30 years as a college professor in GVSU’s College of Computing.  

Grand Valley captured the 2025-26 Learfield Directors' Cup title for the sixth consecutive time. The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup trophy is presented to the top athletic department in the country each year.

This is the 18th title for GVSU, a Division II record.

Moving forward, retirees will continue to receive a four-year parking permit; however, these permits are now virtual and linked to a vehicle's license plate rather than a physical sticker.

Existing stickers will continue to work in Allendale during the transition, but retirees visiting Grand Rapids campuses will need to have their license plate registered with Parking Services to access applicable parking areas. Due to these updates, retirees can park in any lot, except Devos Lot.

You may register online or visit a Parking Services office for assistance obtaining your permit. Please contact Parking Services at 616-331-7275, email parking@gvsu.edu (Allendale) or parkinggr@gvsu.edu (Grand Rapids), or visit the Parking Services website for additional information.

Official Retirees and Emeritus faculty can receive an ID card through the Registrar's Office located in the Student Services building on the Allendale Campus or 115C DeVos on the Pew Campus. Contact the Registrar's Office at (616) 331-3327 to schedule a time to get your photo taken. If you have an ID card and have misplaced it, you may also contact the Registrar's Office to receive another one.

All GVSU faculty and staff members are assigned to an HR Business Partner to be their one-stop-shop for all employment needs, and that includes you! Jaime Guzior is your assigned point of contact for any HR related questions or inquiries you have regarding retirement, benefits, and more. In addition to retirees, Jaime supports several academic and non-academic areas throughout the university.

Contact Jaime: GVRetiree@gvsu.edu.

*If an inquiry is related to retiree benefits, a member of our benefits team will be included to assist.