Grace fills empty spaces, but it can only enter where there is a void to receive it, and it is grace itself which makes this void. The imagination is continually at work filling up all the fissures through which grace might pass.
--Simone Weil
The nascent School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS) is not Brooks College, nor is Brooks College the SIS. But there’s no doubt that as a large academic unit housing all six of our degree programs and all our minor programs, SIS dominates the culture and identity of what we know as Brooks. In its very first meeting—the unit startup retreat—in August of last year, Lisa Perhamus led them in conversations that resulted in several outcomes. One result was the WordCloud that was later imprinted on a refrigerator magnet [see image]. The WordCloud represents important values not only for SIS, but the entire College and university. It is the community to which we aspire.
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The Brooks College’s 2023 DEI-AB Task Force’s data and recommendation report has precipitated a more informed conversation on the climate for all of us who serve students through our common college. As I mentioned in the Town Hall on March 15, I—along with our colleagues on the Brooks College Faculty Council (BCFC)—deeply appreciate the fine work by the members of the task force. The BCFC and I will be continuing the conversation about next steps, and you are all invited to be part of that. Watch for more information from us in coming weeks.
The sentiment on the SIS WordCloud rightly affirms the responsibility each of us has in our climate, most importantly as how we engage and treat others. Building and maintaining a healthy climate is everyone’s responsibility. The space is there for each of us to enter.
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Mark Schaub, Dean of Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies
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Join our 2024 graduates in celebrating their academic achievements during the Winter Commencement ceremonies at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. There will be three different ceremonies. Brooks College commencement will be Friday, April 26, at 7:00 p.m. See the Commencement web page for the full schedule. We hope to see you there!
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As some of you may know, the Brooks College Dean's Office has a collection of books authored by faculty/staff and is seeking to expand it. A new page on the Brooks College website, titled "Brooks Books," showcases submitted books for online viewing under the "About" section. Brooks College faculty or staff interested in featuring their book on this page can submit the Brooks Books new submission form.
Only books submitted via the form will be listed on the Brooks Books page to respect authors' preferences. If submitting a colleague's book, author approval will be sought before posting. Being featured may lead to collaboration opportunities as colleagues explore the showcased books. Thank you to those who have already submitted titles for Brooks Books; we anticipate growth in both the online page and Dean's Office collection!
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First Annual Day of Giving |
On March 21, Lakers united to support student success for the first #GVDayofGiving. The goal was to have 616 donors, and GVSU had 1,290 donors, for a total of $232,065 raised! The GVSU community showed up in a big way to make a positive impact for our students.
This year, Brooks College featured the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) for the Day of Giving. SAP is a scientific station and lab where students can get their hands dirty while exploring their majors through the lens of agriculture. Brooks College received over $1,900.00 in donations. The SAP is very grateful for this funding.
If you missed out on the campaign but would still like to donate, you can go to the official GVSU giving website.
Thank you to everyone who donated and helped spread the word. Your support for our students, the environment, and building a more sustainable community is very much appreciated!
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2024 Sustainability Champion Awards |
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On March 22, the Office of Sustainability Practices (OSP) hosted the 2024 Sustainability Champion Awards. Sustainability Champions are individuals who, by practice and belief, support the ideals of sustainable practice and using a triple bottom-line approach to problems and issues. The champions have demonstrated that they support both in word and deed, and can be looked to as leaders in sustainability. Read more about the awards on the OSP Sustainability Champions web page.
Congratulations to all award winners! We genuinely appreciate all that you do to make GVSU a more sustainable campus.
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Students
Isabelle Ciarrocchi
Laura Colley
Vivian Gaskin
Parker Hice
Stephanie Moore
Isabelle Notarnicola
Joe Portelli
Kendra Slater
Shehnaz
Kat Vann
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| Faculty/Staff
Joe Bitely
Isak Davis
Chelsea Duball
Dan Hylen
Catherine Molloseau
Aaron Mowen
Kendra Stanley-Mills
Becky Williams
Group Award
GVSU Beekeepers
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| Community Members
Jill Frey
Kyle Hart
Eleanor Moreno
Shanyn Viars
Nichols Award
Haley Clark
Natalie Colfer
Marcos Sanson
Sophia Wenzel
Feenstra Award
Alyssa LaFave
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Sustainability Community Service Day |
Save the date...Sustainability Community Service Day is coming up! On Friday, April 19, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., we will gather at the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) farm at 4539 Luce Street. Volunteers will experience a traditional African land blessing by the West Michigan Jewels of Africa, followed by helping on site. Additional volunteer opportunities are available, including the New City Neighbors Urban Farm and the 2024 local Juneteenth celebration.
We hope to see you there!
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Excellence-in-a-Discipline Award |
The Excellence-in-a-Discipline Award honors one student from each undergraduate and graduate discipline. Faculty from each department select the recipient based upon an earned minimum number of credit hours at an exceptional grade point average, along with other criteria identified by each unit as appropriate for use in determining academic excellence in their program.
The following Brooks College students have received the Excellence-in-a-Discipline Award:
Ruhi Khanna, Global Studies and Social Impact
Jonathan McCabe, Honors College
Torri Blue, Integrative Studies
Tonya Mongar, Leadership and Business Fundamentals
Brandi Kinyon, Professional Innovation
Kali Blick, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Congratulations! Well done! These students will be presented with their awards during the Student Awards Convocation on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., in the L.V. Eberhard Center, on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
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Kutsche Office of Local History Roundtable
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Each year, the Kutsche Office of Local History hosts a free, public conference that delves into different aspects of West Michigan history. This year, historians, gardeners, chefs, and other community activists joined forces to explore how humans have transformed the very soil of West Michigan. The 15th annual Local History Roundtable took place on March 20 at the Richard M. DeVos Center.
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Photo: Andrea Riley-Mukavetz (formerly of Brooks College) from the City of Grand Rapids Office of Equity & Engagement
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The event kicked off with inspiring remarks from Brooks College Dean Mark Schaub. Peg Padnos, a member of the Kutsche Office of Local History Advisory Council, was honored with the prestigious Gordon Oldon Award for embodying the office's mission of "using history to give voice to diverse communities."
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The first panel, "With the Land: Anishinaabeg Perspectives on Environmental History," featured three Anishinaabeg tribe members who are engaged in progressive work in West Michigan that weaves indigenous wisdom into community change.
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Top Photo: Camren Stott, Good Food Systems Program Manager for Access of West Michigan
Bottom Left Photo: Kaya DeerInWater, Citizen Band of Potawatomi and Tribal Restoration Ecologist for AIHEC
Bottom Right Photo: Andrea Riley-Mukavetz and Camren Stott look on as Kaya gives his presentation
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The audience was able to engage in discussion with the panelists during the question and answer segment following each panel.
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Photo: The second panel (left to right): Jennifer Tompkins (Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation), Andrew Schlewitz (Brooks College), Jacey Adams (GVSU Student), Eric Gollannek (Saugatuck-Douglas History Center), and Jeff Smith (Grand Rapids People's History Project).
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The second panel, "Shifting Lands, Seasonal Labor, Unsettled Movements," featured four experts shedding light on West Michigan's history of land use, labor dynamics, and population shifts.
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Left: An old map of West Michigan that included burial mounds. The Grand River Burial Mounds — commonly referred to as the Norton Mounds — are one of the few mound groups still standing across the Midwest and one of the best-preserved sites of Hopewell Indian culture.
Right: An aerial drawing of Grand Rapids while it was being developed along the Grand River.
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Dr. Jennifer Bonnell giving her keynote presentation.
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The highlight of the event was the keynote address by Dr. Jennifer Bonnell from York University Department of History titled "Foragers of a Modern Countryside." Dr. Bonnell's engaging talk on the historical significance of bee populations captivated the audience as she delved into controversies surrounding pesticide use dating back to the 1800s. Her discussion on legal battles and legislative developments impacting bees left attendees enthralled.
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Photo: Nora Salas, Director of the Kutsche Office of Local History
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The Roundtable concluded with closing remarks from Nora Salas, Director of the Kutsche Office of Local History, who commended coordinator Mary Williford for her meticulous planning efforts and thanked all present for helping to make the Roundtable successful. Attendees were deeply engaged in the discussions and found immense value in the conference proceedings. Anticipation is high for next year's theme!
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Featured Brooks College Events |
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| Winter 2024 Sustainability Showcase |
The Winter 2024 Sustainability Showcase kicks off virtually on April 8th and goes through April 13th. Most of the students participating will have their projects presented virtually on the Sustainability Showcase website. Check out projects online anytime throughout the week and share your feedback. Then, join us on Friday, April 12th for in-person presentations in Kirkhof Center's Grand River Room 2250 (Allendale Campus). Refreshments provided!
You're invited to come learn about the research projects, innovative designs, and assessments that students in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENS) Program have been working on this semester. We hope to see you there!
Friday, April 12
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Russel H. Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room (2250)
Allendale campus
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| Brooks College Student Showcases |
Each year, Brooks College seniors and students in certain programs put on a showcase to present their projects and work from the academic year. These events are always interesting, as you see what issues and topics are researched, and witness the passion our students have for their field of study. Come support our students by attending the showcases:
Global Studies and Social Impact (GSI) Senior Showcase:
Tuesday, April 9
1:00 p.m.
Russel H. Kirkhof Center, Room 2270
Allendale campus
Integrative Studies (INT) Senior Showcase:
Wednesday, April 24
1:00 p.m.
Richard M. DeVos Center, Regency Room
Pew/Grand Rapids campus
RSVP now
LEADS Showcase:
Saturday, April 13
9:00 a.m.
Virtual Event
RSVP for Zoom Link
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Brooks College Photo Montage |
Check out what has been happening around Brooks College since the last newsletter!
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A student film crew visited the farm at the Sustainable Agriculture Project in March, as part of making a short documentary about food insecurity on college campuses.
Farm manager/educator Isak Davis was interviewed about how the SAP provides fresh produce to campus dining, and has community gardening beds available that can be used by students to grow their own produce on campus.
Photo Credit: Juan Vega
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On March 21, the Model Arab League, led by Middle East Studies program coordinator Chad Lingwood, participated in the activities of the Arab League Model Competition for American Universities in the United States, representing the State of Kuwait in the competition. The delegation was accompanied by the President of the National Council for Arab-American Relations. During the visit, the delegation was briefed on Features of the State of Kuwait's foreign policy and its contributions to supporting the process of joint Arab action.
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A group of 12 Women, Gender and Sexuality Majors and Minors traveled to Washington DC for the National Young Feminist Leadership Conference in March.
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Jakia Marie, assistant professor in SIS and coordinator for the African/African American Studies program, received two different honors in March.
The Pan African Network of ACPA 2024 awarded Jakia with a spot in their Annual 30 under 40 Sawubona class. This class recognizes the work of individuals of African heritage across various roles within higher education who embody one or more of the Pan African Network core values: advocacy, campus partnerships, civic engagement, mentorship, programming, and research and scholarship. Jakia was specifically recognized for her programming accomplishments. The programming category intends to recognize those who create and/or facilitate impactful and intentional initiatives that highlight and/or mirror the core values of the Pan African Network (Educational Leadership, Collaboration, Fellowship, Advocacy, Professional Development, and Mentoring).
Jakia was also presented with the Mary McLeod Bethune & Carter G. Woodson Award for Outstanding Service in the Promotion of Social Responsibility in Africana Studies by the National Council for Black Studies. Jakia was the youngest person to receive a national award and only junior faculty member to receive an award this year! This is a truly amazing achievement.
Congratulations, Jakia! Well done!
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Mary Williford has accepted the role of Office Assistant for the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS). She will be transitioning from her role as an academic coordinator split between supporting SIS and the Kutsche Office of Local History. A search is underway to fill her former position.
Congratulations, Mary!
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Brent Smith, associate professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS), will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 academic year. Join us as we celebrate Brent at his retirement social on Monday, April 15 from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. in Room 2264 of the Russel H. Kirkhof Center.
Let’s send Brent out with well wishes and fond memories. If you would like, post to this Kudoboard, which Brent will be able to keep to remember his days at GVSU! You can attach photos, share a memorable story, or just leave him some kind well wishes!
Brent has provided a special farewell message for Brooks College:
"As I move into retirement in August, I want to thank all of my GVSU and Brooks College colleagues for working with me since 2010 in bringing a liberal educational experience to GVSU students. Truly, it has been an honor and privilege to work alongside of you. I have spent 41 years in two separate professional contexts where words are the main tools of the craft and now they betray me! You are more dear to me that I can say, and these past 14 years have been some of the best of my life."
Congratulations on your retirement, Brent. You will be missed!
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In our March newsletter, we recognized the Brooks College faculty and staff who received service awards. Julia Mason also received the award for 20 years of service. Thank you, Julia, for your service to Grand Valley State University!
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Simone Gigliotti Talk on April 10 |
The Frederik Meijer Honors College has partnered with the Joseph Stevens Freedom Endowment and the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids for a guest lecture that will explore how Jewish organizations used film to support Holocaust survivors and refugees. The talk, titled "Help me to get home": Films, Fundraising and Europe's Holocaust Survivors, will feature Dr. Simone Gigliotti from Royal Holloway, University of London. Based on her recent book project, Restless Archive: The Holocaust and the Cinema of the Displaced, the lecture will delve into the use of visual material from 1933-1949 for rescue and refuge promotion.
Date: April 10
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Loosemore Auditorium
(Richard M. DeVos Center, GVSU Pew Grand Rapids campus)
Organizations like the American Joint Distribution Committee and the United Jewish Appeal utilized film to raise funds for survivors, foreseeing the future use of television and social media platforms by charitable organizations. Dr. Simone Gigliotti is a Reader in Holocaust Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London, with a focus on spatialities of the Holocaust, transport-induced displacement, cultural geography, and Jewish refugee diasporas. She has authored several books and edited works related to Holocaust studies and genocide memorialization.
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Toast to the Class of 2024! |
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You're invited to join the GVSU Alumni Relations office and President Mantella to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2024 and what it means to be a Laker for a Lifetime.
Enjoy dessert, sparkling punch, and a glass of champagne, or a non-alcoholic variety. Graduates will take home a commemorative Laker for a Lifetime champagne flute!
RSVP Required
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
5:30-6:30 p.m. or 7:30-8:30 p.m. (Two identical events)
L.V. Eberhard Center
Grand Rapids Pew Campus
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April 8: Academic Programs Meeting (Virtual) 9:00 a.m.
April 20: Classes End
April 20-27: Final Exam Week
April 26: Commencement 7:00 p.m.
April 30: Grades Due from Faculty by 12:00 p.m.
May 13: Brooks College Leadership Council Meeting (Virtual) 9:00 a.m.
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224 Lake Ontario Hall
Allendale, MI 49401
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