Check out our new retiree spotlight webpage, featuring Esther Ricco and Jo Ann Litton. To be featured, tell us about your post-GVSU adventures by completing the Retiree Reflections Information Form!

Thursday, October 23, 8-10 a.m.
The Marketplace

Visit the Laker Store for a special Sip & Shop event just for GVSU faculty, staff, and retirees! Stop by between 8-10 a.m. (before the store opens to the public) to enjoy free coffee and donuts while you shop and connect with colleagues. It’s the perfect way to kick off this year’s Faculty & Staff Campaign. While you’re there you can make a gift, learn how to become a Campaign Champion, and see what’s new this year. 

Friday, October 24, 11 a.m.–Noon
Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus                

Stay connected to what’s happening at Grand Valley! Retirees are invited to attend the upcoming Board of Trustees meeting to hear the latest university updates and learn more about ongoing campus projects and priorities. Your insight and support continue to make a difference in the Laker community.

All Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members are welcome to attend.

November 3-9 
GVSU Valley Campus, Allendale

Join thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and fans for our annual Homecoming festivities!

Homecoming activities will be happening throughout the week and include the Class of 1975 Reunion, Homecoming Tailgate and Reunion Row, GV Football vs Michigan Tech, and more. Details and a full list of Homecoming events will be coming soon. 

Check out the Homecoming website for more updates as they are announced! 

Thursday, November 13, Noon–1 p.m.  

Confused about Social Security? This session will go beyond the basics of retirement benefits to explore often-overlooked filing strategies, including options for spouses and divorced spouses.

We know navigating government programs can feel overwhelming, but Social Security offers resources, online tools, and personal guidance that make the process easier than you might expect. Join us to get your questions answered and walk away with the confidence to make informed decisions about your benefits.

This webinar is part of the monthly series, Retire Well, hosted in partnership with ClearVista Advisors, sharing information you need to know before and during retirement.

RSVP for Retire Well by November 13, 2025 

Tuesday, November 18, Noon–1 p.m.            

Managing debt can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to take control and build a healthier financial future. In this workshop, participants will explore common causes and types of debt and learn how tools like budgeting, loan consolidation and debt management plans can help. The session also includes a comparison of various debt solutions and guidance on creating a personalized plan to manage and reduce debt effectively.

This webinar is part of a monthly series called Financial Sense, presented in partnership with Consumers Credit Union.

RSVP for Financial Sense

The President’s Holiday Gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2 from 3:30-5 p.m. Save the date for the event of the season!

GVSU celebrates the lives of retired faculty members Mack Smith and Charles Baker-Clark.

Take a look back at September on campus with photos capturing the sand and sky, colorfully chalked sidewalks, and a national title celebration

Grand Valley continued its growth trajectory, welcoming 4,400 first-year students this fall, the second largest first-year class in its history — a 4% increase over last year. Overall enrollment of 22,035 represents a 1% increase over the fall of 2024 as the university welcomed 6,465 new undergraduate and graduate students.

Erica Hamilton was appointed to a newly combined role of vice provost for Distributed Learning and dean of the Graduate School. Hamilton had served as interim vice provost of the Graduate School since last August.

Jennifer Moore was named associate dean of the Graduate School, after serving as interim assistant vice provost in a part-time role. Read more about Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Moore.

First-year head coach R.J. Boudro announced the 2025-26 men's wrestling schedule that highlights several duals against the top Division II teams in the country. The Lakers are set to embark on their third year as a program after a 32-year hiatus as a varsity sport.

You can make a gift today that will impact Grand Valley students for years to come—while also reducing your taxable income. If you or your spouse are age 70½ or older and own an eligible individual retirement account (IRA), you can make a direct gift to support students and programs through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). Contact Emily Spranger, Associate Director of Endowed and Gift Planning, at sprangee@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-6563 to learn more.

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.