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(music) I absolutely love Grand Valley!
There couldn't be a better place for me.
Grand Valley State University -
a big campus with a small community feel.
I love the people.
I love going around campus
and saying "hi" to everybody.
I loved the campus, especially the arboretum.
Grand Valley State University -faculty
who challenge and care.
Being able to have the close interaction
with students and see them thrive as a result
of that is one of the best things about being
at Grand Valley.
Grand Valley State University -
alumni who are changing the world.
I was very proud when I actually was accepted
to the Wayne State University School
of medicine.
You picked Grand Valley...
set your course...
and met your goals!
Today, we all celebrate!
(music) The experience
at Grand Valley was awesome mainly
because the faculty at Grand Valley.
Dr. Maryjean Schenk graduated
from Grand Valley in 1977 with a Bachelor
of Science degree in chemistry.
She says there was a pioneering spirit
on campus.
The reputation that Grand Valley has
for dedicated faculty was true
and strong right from the start.
The faculty were totally committed
to their students.
They always engaged and involved us
in lots of activities.
They just were there all the time for us,
and you can't ask for better than that.
After graduating
from Grand Valley Dr. Schenk received her
medical degree from Wayne State University
School of Medicine.
She completed a fellowship
and practiced in Virginia.
She is currently vice dean
for Medical Education
at Wayne State University.
She's a research scientist and an author,
and serves on the American Cancer Society's
national board.
Schenk is the Alumni Association's choice
for Distinguished Alumna
for her impressive career,
including her dedication to teaching.
That's the proudest moment,
when I watch all my students now,
who are graduating
from the medical school match
into a residency program of their choice,
knowing that they're really going to be
out there doing great work as physicians.
That's awesome.
I really push students.
Students must like the challenge.
Dr. Kathleen Underwood is the Alumni
Association's choice for Outstanding Educator.
For me one of the most important things is
giving them the desire to work hard.
I frequently say to students, "This is hard,
and I want it to be hard.
If it were easy there would be no reason
to be in this class."
Underwood is an associate professor of History
and the director of the Women
and Gender Studies program.
She came to Grand Valley in 1998
with nearly 20 years of academic experience
and a love of teaching inside
and outside the classroom.
I've come to understand that we
as faculty see students for only a portion
of the time they're on campus,
and if we can integrate what we do
with the other opportunities they have,
then student learning multiplies.
It's become my home over the past 4
and a half years.
It has given me more opportunities
that I could have ever wish for.
Nick Ryder took full advantage
of the opportunities to learn outside
of the classroom.
I've gotten internships, job opportunities,
student government positions,
leadership positions.
It's been an amazing experience.
Ryder is president of his fraternity
and has held two vice presidential positions
with Student Senate.
He's a Hospitality Tourism Management major
who worked in the Office of the President.
The real world, hands-on experience
that I've been given
through my job has really trained me
to not only step out with the inside
of the classroom learning experience
that I've had, but the outside the classroom
learning experiences.
So it's not just about me being a hospitality
and tourism management major,
it's about being a liberally educated student.
Ricky Borja is an ambassador in the Office
of Multicultural Affairs.
He's a Liberal Studies major
which gave him an opportunity to work closely
with an advisor to craft a degree program
that fits his ambition.
I want to start a nonprofit,
helping underprivileged Hispanic youth
with leadership skills.
Borja will have a unique perspective
in helping young people...
his own childhood forced him to grow
up quickly and find people outside
of his family to be mentors.
He was basically on his own at 14,
and credits the woman who's been his employer
since then with pushing him to achieve.
She's always directed me like,
"This is what you need to get done for school,
make sure you get this done before you go
to work.
Put education first."
Ricky put education first...
he put Grand Valley first on his list,
and puts helping others first in his life.
I want to work at the Hispanic Center
of Western Michigan...
I want to go to grad school.
I'm looking to do art therapy,
incorporating the photography and the art
into just helping people express themselves
and work through stuff
through creative expression.
April Galbreath was attracted
to Grand Valley's photography program
and was able to work as a photographer
for the university.
In addition to her senior thesis,
Galbreath tackled a project on the west side
of Grand Rapids.
She was inspired by a TED talk
to take portraits and hang them
around the community.
The media covered it, and she had to work
with the subjects and city officials.
It was really exciting how passionate they
were about seeing students
and seeing young people involved
in the community,
so that was really encouraging.
The experiences at Grand Valley -
all different, but all about growth
and opportunity.
I'm excited to get out there
and develop my own voice in my art.
I feel prepared to take it to the next level.
I'm definitely ready for the world.
And the world is ready for you...
Lakers for a Lifetime...
Congratulations!
You made it!