In This Issue

Teaching is the greatest act of optimism

-Coleen Wilcox

This month marks the 10th anniversary of perhaps the most devastating higher education tragedy in my lifetime. On 2 April 2015, terrorists bent on stifling education stormed the dusty campus of Garissa University in northern Kenya and murdered 148 students and faculty. They saw education as a threat. The result of that massacre was the end of the dreams of a better future for 148 families—families who no doubt sacrificed so much to send their children to Garissa for vocational training so that their futures would be brighter.

All of us in the Brooks College are educators and teachers. We support students and their families in moving to a better future. There are so many important things to teach: welding or engine maintenance, gender equity or writing, race relations or climate change. As we press through to the end of this academic year and culminate by sending our newest degree-earners into their futures, please remember: this noble profession of teaching has a proud history. Your history.

With gratitude for all that she has done and joy for all that she will do, we announce Lynnette Keen’s retirement from GVSU. After seven years of exceptional service at GVSU and a variety of other professional experiences, Lynnette will officially retire on July 18th.

To honor her many contributions, we invite you to join us for a celebration in her honor on April 22nd, from 1:00-2:30 PM in the Multipurpose Room in Niemeyer. This will be an opportunity to celebrate Lynnette’s remarkable career and to wish her the very best in her next chapter.

Throughout her time at GVSU, Lynnette’s roles have spanned across various departments, including the Van Andel Global Trade Center, Institutional Marketing, the Liberal Studies Office, and, most recently, the Dean’s Office. Her dedication, expertise, and warm presence have made a lasting impact on all those she has worked with. In retirement, Lynnette looks forward to spending more time with her family, especially her five grandchildren in Canada, as well as visiting family in Virginia. Additionally, she is eager to devote more time to supporting the recovery community. Lynnette wants to add a “Thank you for your service” to her husband Msg. Sgt. Gerald Keen (Ret.) for his 36 years of service in the Army that allows her to join him in retirement. Lynnette’s contributions will be deeply missed so please join us in celebrating her outstanding legacy at GVSU!

The SIS Community Connect Event last month had 24 community partners, representing 20 local organizations. Over 60 students came to connect with these community partners, talk about opportunities for internships, and hear from a panel of alumni. 

We are excited to share the appointments for the following SIS positions:

During Women's History Month in March 2025, the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program commemorated historical and contemporary global women's movements that continue to shape international politics around the world. The two-day Build Feminist Futures Symposium included in-person and virtual speakers. Keynote speakers included Jocelyn Olcott, author International Women's Year: The Greatest Consciousness-Raising Even in History from Duke University and Anna Gollub from UN Women. The Lanthorn has an article with more details about the many events held during the Symposium. 

“The First Jew in Canada: A Trans Tale” by S. Bear Bergman was performed at GVSU on Thursday, March 27, 2025 as a part of GVSU’s Trans Week of Visibilty events. This event, sponsored by the School of Interdisciplinary Studies; Religious Studies Program; Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance; and the  Milton E. Ford LGBT Center, celebrated exploring queer, trans, and Jewish histories through storytelling and intergenerational dialogue.

To continue emphasizing access to queer and trans histories, and histories and stories of communities that are not often told, the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, via a GVSU FLTC Sandbox Grant, now have a full set of the children’s books published by Flamingo Rampant, the micropress that Bergman started to try to ensure more diversity in children’s publishing. These books, pictured below, are available for free checkout and return to Lake Ontario Hall 229. Please borrow for your personal use, use with students, teaching, or research.

Each year with support from the National Council on US-Arab Relations, Middle East Studies hosts the Michigan Model Arab League.

This is a three-day simulation, attended by students from colleges and universities throughout the state. They come prepared to role play as delegates from the twenty-three member states of the Arab League. In addition to committee meetings, scheduled activities include a guest speaker at the opening plenary session, a Middle Eastern dinner and entertainment. This year, Grand Valley successfully represented Libya. The picture below is the MES 370 class with H. Delano Roosevelt, the president and CEO of the National Council on US-Arab Relations.

Find information on a variety of celebrations for graduation students around campus

we want to hear from 2014 & 2019 grads 

Alumni relations is gathering information on career pathways, are you an alumni or do you know alumni from 2014 or 2019? If so, encourage them to take the survey and they can help future Lakers and enter to win a $100 gift card, just by sharing their story.

Take the survey now

The first annual Technology Summit will be held on October 2, 2025, in DCIH. Information Technology will showcase their partnerships, contributions, and impact on the community. There will also be collaborations with major partners such as Apple, Dell, Zoom, and others. The day which will include breakout sessions and expert panels, a women in technology panel, time for networking, and more.

If you have been part of an exciting project or technology initiative that you think would make a great presentation, submit a proposal to become a presenter. 

You can see more information on the website as well as register now to secure your spot

Join the GVSU community for an interactive experience showcasing how GVSU is making a difference in Michigan and beyond. The Reach Higher Celebration will be held on Thursday April 17th, 2:00-5:00 | President's remarks at 2:15 in Loosemore Auditorium, Richard M. DeVos Center. There will be complimentary appetizers, beer and wine, and other beverages. You can see more information and can RSVP online

Brooks College is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. All year long we are going to share memories and highlights from the past 20 years. Thank you to all who have contributed and shared memories. From the beginning, Brooks College has offered expansive thinking and complex problem solving, offering students a place to integrate their expertise into the world. Thank you to donors and supporters, as well as all of the faculty and staff who are committed to students.

"Time spent learning in the Brooks College undergraduate program encouraged me to connect learning themes across disciplines. It was a space where the empathetic and logical spheres of my being could be drawn together academically for the first time. Earning a graduate degree in the same College allowed me to commit to Interdisciplinary research in a supported environment.

My favorite connections have been the relational ones built through my time as a student, employee, and colleague of Brooks College. Through relationships, I have experienced learning by sharing space and life stories with a vibrant community of leaders and life-long learners. By its very nature, the Brooks College community reflects its diverse programming and overarching commitment to a justice-themed curriculum. In the brave depths of these relationships, my learning has found space to root and grow." - Nicole Brower

April 15 - Lunch & Learn: Understanding Sexual Assault Disparities Through a Trauma-Informed Approach

April 16 - Taco Tuesday and Wing Wednesday

April 16 - Toast to the Class of 2025

April 17 - Q & A Regarding Substance Use

April 18 - Brooks College Town Hall

April 18 - Open Door Discussion: Self Care Seminar

April 21 and 22 - Soups On

April 25 - Commencement

*New events are posted regularly. Stay up to date on Brooks College events by checking the events calendar on our website.

April 19-26 - Final Exam Week

April 29 - Final Grades due from faculty by 12:00 p.m

May 5 - Classes begin - 1st 6 week/12 week clases

May 9 - 100% refund/registration deadline for 1st 6 week/12 week classes

May 16 - 75% refund deadline 1st 6 week classes by 5:00 p.m.

May 30 - 75% refund deadline 12 week classes by 5:00 p.m.

June 6 - "W" Deadline 1st 6 week classes by 5:00 p.m.

June 16 - Classes end 1st 6 week classes

Jun 17-18 - Final Exams 1st 6 week classes

June 23 - Final Grades Due for 1st 6 week classes

June 23 - Classes begin 2nd 6 weeks

Fill out the form below to submit an event or announcement for the Brooks College Newsletter or email Kate VanDerKolk - vandkat@gvsu.edu

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