GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

Grand Valley State University has hired Katie Hultin to coach the school’s women’s soccer team. Hultin spent the past four seasons serving as the associate head coach at the University of Michigan, which advanced to the NCAA Division I quarterfinals in 2021. “I am very excited to join the GVSU family, and I can’t wait to be a part of the Grand Valley State and Grand Rapids community. Grand Valley has a decorate history of athletic success that I am thrilled to be a part of. “I am extremely excited to welcome Katie to our Grand Valley State family and look forward to watching her build upon the outstanding foundation within our women’s soccer program,” Becker said.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Students and faculty members of Grand Valley State University will no longer be required to wear masks on campus starting this week. GVSU leaders said that the move to its COVID-19 Level 0 alert level means that masks will be optional in all campus locations, including classrooms and other academic spaces. Faculty members can request their students wear face masks in class but cannot make it a requirement, according to a release by GVSU. Currently, GVSU leaders said the health indicators used to inform the university’s COVID-19 response were revised since the last revision in summer 2021. Some indicators proved to be “no longer useful,” according to GVSU leaders, because of the Virus Action Team transition and evolving guidance from the CDC and local health experts.

1 player as a junior on the Spring Lake High School golf team. Here, he is pictured during practice on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at Spring Lake Country Club in Spring Lake, Mich. (Scott DeCamp | MLive.com)SPRING LAKE – Basketball might be a part of his family tree but Spring Lake senior Evan McDermott is branching out with his sports career. We’ve got a few golfers in the family as well, and everyone plays (golf) whenever we are all together. “Michigan State has a great golf program and I have some friends there so they were definitely in the running,” he said. “We have a lot of potential as a team and we’re really just focused on getting better every day at practice,” said first-year Spring Lake head coach Dan Start.

(Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.comA corpse flower, Amorphophallus titanum, has bloomed and is on display at Grand Valley State University's Barbara Kindschi Greenhouse. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.comA corpse flower, Amorphophallus titanum, has bloomed and is on display at Grand Valley State University. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.comA corpse flower, Amorphophallus titanum, has bloomed and is on display at Grand Valley State University. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.comA corpse flower, Amorphophallus titanum, has bloomed and is on display at Grand Valley State University. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.comClick into the gallery below to see more photos, or click here for a direct link to the gallery.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A newly launched health system by Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health will invest $19 million to launch a nursing education partnership with Grand Valley State University. The BHSH Spectrum Health West Michigan Nurse Scholar program is being created to address a “severe talent shortage in nursing,” according to a news release. It aims to address the talent shortage by removing financial barriers to college and creating a smoother path to employment at Spectrum Health. “This program is a huge leap forward and a model for other high need fields.”Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health launched their new, combined health system on Feb. 1. The new health system has more than 64,000 employees, including more than 11,500 physicians and more than 15,000 nurses, as well as 22 hospitals and more than 300 outpatient locations.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Latino high school students from across Michigan will get an opportunity to interact with their peers and be exposed to various careers paths at a May conference promoting secondary education. Alsame, or Advocates for Latino Student Advancement in Michigan Education, will bring a 1,000 students to attend the 2022 Latino Youth Conference at Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus on May 6, according to an Alsame press release. Organizers say the conference will include interactive workshops, a mural artist, entertainment and Latino leaders who will share multiple career paths with students. Alsame says the 1,000 students expected represents approximately 5% of all Latino youth within the state. The nonprofit, committed to making college education a reality for Latino students, partners with a different higher education institution for the conference.

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – Allendale Township this spring will start construction on a new, $7.5 million fire station to meet the needs of its fast-growing population. Allendale Township in Ottawa County saw its population skyrocket by 28.4% between 2010 and 2020, from 20,708 residents to 26,582, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Related: Allendale expanding fire station due to rapid population growthThe $7.5 million project won’t result in any tax increases. Allendale Township officials could not immediately be reached to confirm how much the university and DDA contributed. The project price tag includes the construction and outfitting of the new building, the demolition of an existing building and reworked entrances.

Cornell Mann is the new men’s basketball coach at Grand Valley State University. Mann arrives at Grand Valley State after spending five years (2017-21) as a member of Cuonzo Martin’s coaching staff at the University of Missouri. He has coached at Oakland (2016-17), Iowa State (2011-15), Dayton (2008-11), Western Michigan (2003-08) and Central Michigan (2001-03). “I am thrilled to be a part of the Grand Valley State Laker family,” Mann in a press release. “We invited four excellent candidates to campus, who all brought exceptional coaching experience and different strengths.

Grand Valley State University’s women’s soccer team will have a new coach when the Lakers begin their title defense next fall. “Due to unforeseen mental health circumstances with my family, I have made the incredibly difficult decision to leave Grand Valley State,” Conlon said in a statement. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, roared through the tournament and defeated St. Rose 3-2 in double overtime in the national championship game in Colorado Springs. We are disappointed to be losing him but respect his decision to place his family above all things.”Conlon is a Chicago native who coached at Washington University before arriving at Grand Valley. He guided Washington to a NCAA Division III national championship in 2016.

Michigan’s Adventure is joining a growing trend of Michigan businesses, venues and organizations that are eliminating cash transactions. They say going cashless is safer, more secure and faster for customers. Square, a leading payment system, reported that cash transactions at U.S. businesses continued to decline another 8.3% last year. And several states including Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island have banned businesses from going entirely cashless. That’s why some cashless Michigan businesses have turned to card kiosks instead, offering a solution for cash-only customers.

Grand Valley State University is trying to make it two. The Lakers defeated Missouri Western 67-44 in Monday afternoon’s NCAA Division II Elite 8 at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala. Grand Valley also was 12-of-14 from the free throw line. Grand Valley held a 41-31 edge on the boards, with Kulas, Qay Stanton and Courtney Sharland pulling down seven rebounds each. The Lakers held Missouri Western to 29.41 percent shooting for the game and 2-of-14 from 3-point range.

Grand Valley State University’s women’s basketball team had a rough start to the fourth quarter Monday night that put the Lakers’ quest for a national championship in jeopardy. Grand Valley has clinched a berth in the Elite 8, which will be played in Birmingham, Ala., against an opponent to be determined later this week. Grand Valley would not trail again. But she returned to lead Grand Valley in scoring. Grand Valley did battle back to lead before Walsh took a 28-27 halftime lead.

Grand Valley State University men’s basketball coach Ric Wesley announced Monday that he is stepping down after 18 seasons of guiding the Lakers. His 356 career coaching wins rank second all-time in Grand Valley program history. “Today I am filled with gratitude as I reflect on my 18 years as head coach of GVSU basketball,” Wesley said in a press release. Wesley served as an assistant coach at Iowa State, Lamar and Missouri State before his arrival at Grand Valley State in 2004. “As long as I can remember my goal was to be a head basketball coach,” Wesley said.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Amazon is partnering with four Michigan colleges and universities, including Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College, to provide its employees with fully funded college tuition. The company also announced new partnerships that will provide employees with free high school completion and GED preparation, English language proficiency training, and college preparation courses, according to the release. Amazon employees can participate in the Career Choice program and receive free tuition for every year they work at Amazon starting just 90 days after they are hired, the release said. The Career Choice program is part of Amazon’s Upskilling 2025 pledge, which seeks to upskill more than 300,000 Amazon employees by 2025, according to the company news release. Over 50,000 Amazon employees have participated in the program since it launched in 2012.

ALLENDALE, MI – A new athletic training room, classroom and study spaces, and locker rooms are coming to Grand Valley State University’s Fieldhouse Arena as part of a $14.1 million expansion project that was approved by the board of trustees last week. “We had a significant space deficit to adequately support these academic, recreation/wellness, and athletic activities that benefit our students and student-athletes alike. Grand Rapids-based Integrated Architecture will be contracted as the architect firm for the project, and Pioneer Construction will be the construction manager. The university also plans to renovate the 3,900 square feet of existing space where the current athletic training room is located. The board of trustees also approved GVSU’s new Reach Higher 2025 strategic plan during Friday’s meeting.

ALLENDALE, MI – A memorial is scheduled to celebrate the life of Brendan Santo, the Grand Valley State University student who went missing while visiting Michigan State University in late October and whose body was found in the Red Cedar River several months later. The memorial will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Cook Carillon Tower on GVSU’s campus, the university announced this week. Attendees will have the opportunity to say a few words or share a memory about Santo at the event, officials said. Months later, his body was found after a private investigator detected something on his camera that he suspected was Santo’s body. MSU Police Inspector Chris Rozman confirmed on Jan. 22 that the medical examiner positively identified the body as Santo based on dental records.

ALLENDALE, MI – Grand Valley State University has launched a new scholarship program for students who graduate from a GVSU-authorized charter high school. A full map of the schools can be found on GVSU’s Charter Schools Office website. Between 900 and 1,000 students graduate from GVSU’s charter schools each year, Kimball said. The charter school scholarship is projected to award more than $130,000 in funds to charter school alumni in its first year, according to the university. GVSU President Philomena Mantella said the charter school scholarships deepen the university’s commitment to increasing accessibility to a college education.

Grand Valley State University’s football team’s future started to come into focus Wednesday during National Signing Day. Lakers coach Matt Mitchell likes what he sees, especially when it comes to Grand Valley’s offensive line. The Lakers signed 21 offensive players, 10 defensive players and one specialist. Grand Valley was ranked third in the final Versus D2 Power Rankings and fifth in the final D2Football.com poll. Grand Valley will open the 2022 season Sept. 1 at home against Colorado School of Mines.

Grand Valley State University officials announced that Joan Boand died Thursday, Jan. 27 at home. Boand, 88, arrived at Grand Valley in 1966 to teach swim classes, and she went on to coach volleyball, basketball and track and field. She will be sorely missed, but her legacy definitely lives on.”The Lakers volleyball team went 557-330 under Boand’s leadership and won six GLIAC championships, including five-straight from 1973-through-1977. She coached Grand Valley’s basketball team to a 132-48 mark and four-straight GLIAC titles from (1974-77). “Today, we sponsor 11 exceptional women’s programs that have done nothing but excel at the highest levels,” said Keri Becker, Grand Valley director of athletics.

The Michigan State University police said Sunday the medical examiner has positively identified the body found Friday as Brendan Santo based on dental records.

In an update on Saturday, Michigan State University police said a private investigator working with Brendan Santo's family notified them of what is believed to be his body found in the Red Cedar River.

The body of Brendan Santo was found Friday, Jan. 21, in an area full of debris, but what led law enforcement to the location?

The body of Brendan Santo was found Friday, Jan. 21, in an area full of debris, but what led law enforcement to the location?

A body believed to belong to Brendan Santo was recovered from the Red Cedar River in East Lansing.

Brendan Santo, 18, has been missing since about midnight Oct. 29, 2021, when he left a gathering at Yakeley Hall on MSU's campus.

ALLENDALE, MI – Grand Valley State University is making higher education more affordable for low-income students in Michigan by expanding a tuition-free program that was first launched last year. The university has expanded the Grand Valley Pledge program, which covers tuition costs for students who come from a family income of less than $50,000, to eligible students statewide, GVSU President Philomena Mantella announced in a Jan. 18 news release.

Police said a body they believe to be Brendan Santo has been found in the Red Cedar River nearly three months after he disappeared on the campus of Michigan State University.

EAST LANSING, MI — The search for Brendan Santo, the missing Grand Valley State University freshman, is nearing three months. Family and those assisting with community search efforts are working various channels to find the 18-year-old Rochester Hills native last seen leaving Yakeley Hall on the Michigan State University campus shortly before midnight Friday, Oct. 29.

COVID-19 cases continue to remain high on the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus as its in-person semester enters its third week. Read more: How the University of Michigan’s COVID-19 cases compare to other Michigan universitiesAt Michigan State University, there were 661 cases reported in the week ending on Jan. 3, according to university data. The west Michigan university saw a record 92 additional cases a day on average over a week on Jan. 10. The testing numbers are lower at directional schools such as Western Michigan University and Central Michigan University. Read more from MLive:Students balance COVID concerns, in-person classes in quest for ‘normal’ University of Michigan semesterMore COVID-19 cases in 1 day at University of Michigan than any single week in the fallMichigan State University going remote at least 3 weeks over COVID-19 surgeEastern Michigan University extending remote classes one week

It’s been nearly three months since Brendan Santo was last seen at Michigan State University, but there’s still no sign of the missing Rochester Hills student.

It’s been two months since Brendan Santo went missing on Michigan State University’s campus, and the reward for information that leads to his discovery is growing.

EAST LANSING, MI — Authorities investigating the disappearance of a Grand Valley State University student who went missing at Michigan State University this fall have increased the reward for information in the case as tips continue pouring in. Brendan Santo, 18 of Rochester Hills, was visiting MSU’s campus where he was last seen leaving Yakeley Hall, heading for Brody Neighborhood, shortly before midnight on Oct. 29. There have been no confirmed sightings of Santo in the two months since his disappearance, nor have police recovered any items or clothing he had with him when he vanished.

ALLENDALE, MI – Grand Valley State University has named its very first vice president of Student Affairs, who will be tasked with uplifting student voices to the administrative level at the university. Jennifer Hall-Jones was appointed to the position from a national pool of candidates and will officially start her new role in February, according to a GVSU news release. She currently serves as the interim vice president for Student Affairs at Ohio University.

MUSKEGON, MI -- After a comprehensive investigation, Muskegon police say they are closing an investigation into the accidental drowning death of a Grand Valley State University student in Lake Michigan. Family and friends of Taleah Lowe, 18, had raised questions about her death and whether other GVSU students at the lake bore any responsibility for her demise. Muskegon police on Friday, Dec. 17 said they presented a report to the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s office for review. Related: Grandma wants answers in student’s drowning; police say internet rumors are ‘irresponsible’Lowe drowned Oct. 14 in Lake Michigan off Pere Marquette Park beach in Muskegon. In Friday’s statement, police said there was a full autopsy and the pathologist concluded Lowe died from accidental drowning and was not otherwise injured.

Grand Valley State University won it’s seventh women’s Division II national soccer championship Saturday with a 3-2 double-overtime victory against St. Rose in Colorado Springs. The Lakers repeated as national champions while winning consecutive titles for the third time, according to NCAA.com. Forward Kennedy Bearden snapped a 2-all tie when she scored the winning goal in the opening seconds of the second overtime session. It was Bearden’s second goal of the game. Forwards Mia Klammer and Cierra Lundy scored for St. Rose (18-4-4).

Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team will play for its seventh national championship this weekend. The Lakers defeated Lenoir-Rhyne 3-0 Thursday at Colorado Springs, Colo., in the NCAA Division II semifinals. Grand Valley, ranked No. Grand Valley won the 2019 championship before the 2020 season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Saint Rose will be playing in its second title game, having won the 2011 national championship when it defeated Grand Valley 2-1.

ALLENDALE, MI – More than 1,400 students graduating from Grand Valley State University this fall will be able to walk across the stage to accept their diplomas as the university returns to in-person commencement ceremonies. GVSU will host three in-person ceremonies to celebrate its fall 2021 graduates on Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11 at Fieldhouse Arena, the university announced this week.

Grand Valley State University’s women’s soccer team has won more national championships than any other program in Division II history. It marks the 13th time that Grand Valley has advanced to the Final Four. Grand Valley has won six national crowns. Grand Valley, 22-1-2, scored a first-half goal in Sunday’s quarterfinal and made it stand with its 16th shutout of the season. Grand Valley also won championships in 2009 and 2010 and added three more from 2013-2015.

Brendan Santo, 18, was last seen on Oct. 29 at Michigan State University.

Grand Valley State University earned a rematch with Ferris State University (10-0) after defeating Lindenwood 20-3 Saturday afternoon at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale. Ferris State, which earned a first-round bye this weekend, beat Grand Valley 35-28 when the two teams clashed in October. Here are five things to know about Grand Valley’s victory Saturday. Grand Valley led 10-0 after the first quarter, exchanged third-quarter field goals then iced it with a fourth-quarter touchdown. Grand Valley had the ball for 39 minutes, 10 seconds, compared to Lindenwood’s 20 minutes, 50 seconds.

Grand Valley State University is hosting Lindenwood in Saturday’s 1 p.m. Division II playoff opener. Grand Valley is averaging 41.6 points per game, while Lindenwood is scoring 35.6. Lindenwood’s defense is giving up an average of 174 rushing yards per game compared to Grand Valley’s 98.6. Meanwhile, the Lions are averaging 157.7 rushing yards per game to Grand Valley’s 235.1. Grand Valley can get a rematch with No.

Brendan Santo, 18, was last seen on Oct. 29 at Michigan State University.

Win and you’re in is what faced Grand Valley State University’s football team when it hosted Davenport University Saturday afternoon. Grand Valley, ranked fifth in the nation, is the No. It marks the fourth time in the past six seasons that Grand Valley has qualified for the postseason. Saturday’s shutout was the first for Grand Valley since it blanked Northwood 49-0 in 2017. Grand Valley scored on touchdown drives of 74, 38 and 99 yards, giving the Lakers a 21-0 first-quarter lead.

Friday marks two weeks since Brendan Santo was last seen on the Michigan State University campus.

ALLENDALE, MI – Grand Valley State University reported a 4% decline in its student population this fall, the largest drop in the university’s ongoing five-year downward trend in enrollment. This year’s decline in enrollment was also the largest annual population drop GVSU has experienced in the last decade.

The search goes on for Brendan Santo, a native of Rochester Hills and Grand Valley State student who went missing last week during a visit to Michigan State University.

The search goes on for Brendan Santo, a native of Rochester Hills and Grand Valley State student who went missing last week during a visit to Michigan State University.

Grand Valley State University’s offense soared in Saturday afternoon’s 62-13 victory at Wayne State. It was the most points that the Lakers have ever scored at Wayne State, but it wasn’t the only impressive number Grand Valley recorded this weekend. Grand Valley improved to 8-1 overall, including 5-1 in the GLIAC heading into next Saturday’s regular-season finale at home against Davenport. 81: Yards Grand Valley’s defense allowed in the second half. 218: Passing yards for Grand Valley Cade Peterson, who was 15-of-24 and three touchdowns.

EAST LANSING, MI – Family and friends of a college student who disappeared in East Lansing last week plan to comb the Michigan State University campus Saturday, Nov. 6. Brendan Santo, an 18-year-old Grand Valley State University student, went missing while visiting friends on Oct. 29. There is no indication Santo left the East Lansing area since his vehicle was found where he parked it. Related: College student visiting friends at Michigan State missing since FridayPolice have searched by foot, helicopter, drone and boat on the Red Cedar River near Santo’s last known location. A probe of the water is being conducted by the Michigan State Police Marine Services Division, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Capital Area Dive Team.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Construction is underway on a $12 million affordable housing project in the Grand Rapids’ Belknap Lookout neighborhood. The university promised to deliver the multimillion dollar affordable housing development after it demolished 30 neighborhood homes to build Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall in 2018. This ranges from $19,260 to $51,360 for a two-person household, according to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. They are expected to pay 1% of rents collected to the city and another 2% to an affordable housing fund. More on MLive:Staffing shortages related to COVID-19 forces Grand Rapids high school to go virtual for a week3 people found dead in parked car, Grand Rapids police sayThe federal vaccine mandate will affect 2 million Michigan workers.

Grand Valley State University’s wrestling team enjoyed plenty of success before it was discontinued in 1993. The Lakers twice finished runner-up in the NAIA National Tournament and placed fourth three other seasons. Grand Valley captured the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference five times and was a 10-time runner-up. Grand Valley is now ready to make more history. He wrestled on Grand Valley teams which posted a 45-4 overall dual mark and finished second at the 1977 NAIA Tournament.

Grand Valley State University defeated Michigan Tech 14-9 in Saturday’s homecoming game at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale before 8,652 fans. Grand Valley will next hit the road for a 1 p.m. conference game at Wayne State on Nov. 5. 1) The Lakers reached a milestone with Saturday’s victory since it was Grand Valley’s 300th GLIAC victory. Grand Valley forced the Huskies to punt six times, recorded an interception, forced and recovered a fumble and stopped the Huskies on downs. But Grand Valley got the ball back on its 27 yard line and ran out the clock on nine plays to claim the win.

It’s a milestone decades in the making for the Grand Valley State University football team. Saturday afternoon’s 28-24 victory at Northern Michigan was the 299th win for the Lakers in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition. Grand Valley will go for win No. Jaylon Tillman caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Cade Peterson in the fourth quarter that extended Grand Valley’s lead to 28-16. *Grand Valley’s defense held Northern Michigan to 329 yards of offense and forced them to settle for three field goals.

ALLENDALE, MI – Grand Valley State University has announced a new scholarship program that will cover all tuition and expenses for first-generation college students who pitch their ideas on how to solve equity challenges in higher education. The T4 Scholarship program will provide a full-ride scholarship to students who demonstrate their innovation and passion for higher education by participating in the REP4 alliance, a national summer program where high school students can pitch ideas for improving higher equation equity.

Taleah Lowe, 18, didn’t really need the warning. “She said, ‘I’m not going around the water, Grandma.’”On Thursday, Oct. 14, Lowe drowned in Lake Michigan off Pere Marquette Park beach in Muskegon while with other GVSU students. It was late, around 10:45 p.m., and the water was rough, with wind directions changing throughout the night, according to police. Muskegon police say the death investigation is open and active but there is not evidence, so far, suggesting foul play. “She just decided Taleah was more important than her living.”She said she was so proud of her daughter and granddaughter.

ALLENDALE, MI-- This weekend girls across the state faced off in the MHSAA girls golf finals. MLive sent a photographer to the campus of Grand Valley State University to document the division 1 finals at The Meadows. Northville girls golf team continued to show their dominance as they finish first for the fourth straight year, shooting a 308 in the final round on Saturday. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.comScenes from the MHSAA D1 girls golf finals at The Meadows on the campus of Grand Valley State University iin Allendale, Michigan, on Friday, October 15, 2021. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.comScenes from the MHSAA D1 girls golf finals at The Meadows on the campus of Grand Valley State University iin Allendale, Michigan, on Friday, October 15, 2021.

Defending champion Northville was atop the leaderboard after the opening round of Friday’s Division 1 girls golf state tournament at The Meadows on the campus of Grand Valley State University in Allendale. Defending champion Kate Brody of Grand Blanc was in fourth place after shooting 73. Grand Rapids Catholic Central was third with 353, Grosse Ile was fourth with 356 and Grand Rapids South Christian was after carding 357. Division 4Lansing Catholic shot 335 at Forest Akers West to take a one-shot lead over Montague into Saturday’s final round. Defending individual champion Kamryn Shannon of Michigan Center held the lead after shooting 2-under-par 70.

Getting through the COVID pandemic hasn’t been easy for anyone. One Michigan couple saw their dancing careers halted, but they managed to get through it together.

Grand Valley football coach Matt Mitchell celebrated his 100th career victory in Saturday night’s 70-9 win over Northwood in Allendale. Grand Valley, 5-0, will host 5-0 Ferris State University Saturday at 7 p.m. in a game pitting the No. (Photo courtesy of Andy Visockis)Mitchell became the second coach in Grand Valley history to reach 100 victories. Brian Kelly went 118-35-2 in 13 seasons of coaching Grand Valley. The 70 points were the most Grand Valley has scored in a game since the Lakers beat Tiffin 70-7 in 2011.

SAGINAW, MI - Grand Valley State University might have come out on top when it met Saginaw Valley State University on the gridiron Saturday, Oct. 2, but SVSU hit back with a huge victory for a Great Lakes Bay-region nonprofit. The two were able to raise a combined $45,620.58 over the course of a week starting Sunday, Sept. 26. Since 2003, the competition has made use of the friendly rivalry between the schools to give back. The center aims to provide a “healing environment” and support for Saginaw, Bay City and Midland children, teens and families grieving a death. Executive Director Camille Nitschky said the funds will directly supporting peer support groups in all three areas and on-site groups for schools including SVSU.

Grand Valley State University’s offense, defense and special teams all scored in Saturday’s 49-17 victory over host Saginaw Valley. Grand Valley will be back in action next Saturday when the Lakers host Northwood in their annual Laker Family Day contest at Lubbers Stadium. Here are five takeaways from Grand Valley’s most recent win. Grand Valley averaged 6.5 yards per carry and finished with 210 total rushing yards as four different rushers had 44 yards or more. That proved no problem for Grand Valley’s offense, however.

ALLENDALE, MI – Grand Valley State University hit its deadline for all students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on Thursday, Sept. 30. Around 79% of GVSU students and 86% of faculty and staff are vaccinated as of Thursday morning, according to the university’s data dashboard. Another 8% of students and 4% of faculty and staff have received an approved religious or medical exemption or a postponement, GVSU officials said Wednesday. That means roughly 90% of the GVSU population is in compliance with the university’s vaccine mandate, which was announced Aug. 6. More on MLive:Grand Valley State University is requiring all students, faculty and staff be vaccinatedGrand Valley State students ‘feel safer’ being back on campus with vaccine, mask mandates in placeGVSU reminds students, staff to report vaccine status as vaccinations lag ahead of deadline

Grand Valley State University running back Tariq Reid has had big games in the past. Reid, a 6-foot, 211-pound redshirt sophomore, rushed for 131 yards on 13 carries and four touchdowns in Grand Valley’s 44-21 win at Michigan Tech Saturday afternoon. Two years ago, Reid rushed for 287 yards in his first collegiate start in a game against Saginaw Valley State University. Grand Valley led 30-0 at halftime and held off Michigan Tech the rest of the way. Grand Valley will be back in action next Saturday at Saginaw Valley.

Colleges and universities across Michigan have different requirements for students as they head back to campus this fall.

Thursday was the graduation for the Detroit Achievement Academy’s eighth graders and every student received a life-changing graduation gift.

ALLENDALE, Mich. – The death of an 18-year-old Grand Valley State University student whose body was found last month on campus has been ruled accidental, caused by hypothermia. DeRosa, a first-year student from Royal Oak, was found dead by a runner Dec. 12 near sports fields on the Allendale campus. Grand Valley spokeswoman Mary Eilleen Lyon said an investigation showed DeRosa had attended several social gatherings. Grand Valley State is in western Michigan, near Grand Rapids. Read back: Officials identify body found on Grand Valley State University campus as first-year student from Royal Oak

ALLENDALE, Mich. – Dozens are mourning the sudden loss of Grand Valley State University first-year student Taylor DeRosa. DeRosa’s body was found on Dec. 12 by a jogger near the athletic field on the university’s Allendale campus. Police are investigating her death as suspicious. PREVIOUS: Police investigating suspicious death after body found on Grand Valley campusThe manner of death is not being revealed at this time. Anyone who has information is asked to call the Grand Valley State University Police Department at 616-331-3255.

I offer my deepest condolences to the student’s family and friends. I want to assure you that we have every resource devoted to the investigation and in support of our campus community. The Grand Valley State Police Department will have additional staff working on the Allendale Campus for the remainder of the weekend. The Grand Valley State Police Department and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory, are aggressively investigating this incident. Philomena V. Mantella, Grand Valley State University president

Students at Grand Valley State University in Allendale Township have been ordered to “stay in place” for 14 days following more than 600 COVID-19 cases. More info here from GVSU:Today, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH), in cooperation with the university, will issue a ‘Staying in Place’ order impacting GVSU students living and studying in Allendale Township. Since opening, there have been more than 600 cases of COVID-19 confirmed among students, according to the Ottawa County Health Department. Grand Valley State University is just the latest college campus to get hit with a COVID-19 outbreak. Related: All MSU students asked to self-quarantine after school confirms 300+ COVID-19 casesMore News

The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) announced Wednesday that all fall sports are suspended until 2021 amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A number of Michigan colleges and universities are impacted by the conferences suspension: Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Northwood University, Saginaw Valley State University and Wayne State University. Plans to provide fall teams with competition opportunities during the spring semester are a priority for the league. Other GLIAC member schools include: Ashland University, Purdue University Northwest and the University of Wisconsin Parkside. The MAC is among the leagues hoping to play some semblance of a season in the spring, depending on the state of the pandemic.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Valley State University is working with two Michigan health care systems to graduate more students who will work as nurse practitioners in rural or underserved areas. The effort is boosted by a four-year, $2.8 million federal Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Grant for the school's Kirkhof College of Nursing. The effort involves McLaren Health Care and Mercy Health Muskegon. The grant will support 15 qualified students. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Updated: 11:21 AM, Mar 12 2017 Published: 11:21 AM, Mar 12 2017Digging deep on the report from Governor Snyders 21st Century Education Commission with Commission chair and President of Grand Valley State University Thomas Haas. Then a roundtable of education experts give their take on the recommendations. Guests this week include :Thomas Haas, chair of the 21st Century Education Commission, and President of @GVSURoundtable: