University Development

Education is one of the greatest gifts to give and one of the greatest gifts to receive. The Scholarship Dinner celebrates the intersection of both sides of philanthropy, with donors and scholarship recipients gathering together.

The 2009 Scholarship Dinner

More than 650 people attended the 10th annual Scholarship Dinner on March 31, 2009 at the Amway Grand Plaza. The event honored the university friends, alumni, faculty and staff members, parents and organizations involved in private scholarships at Grand Valley State University.

Grand Valley students benefit from 230 privately endowed and annually funded scholarships. The dinner also gave the recipients a chance to meet scholarship supporters and express thanks for their generosity.

2009 Scholarship Dinner Highlights:

A video presentation celebrated the Hyman H. and Greta M. Berkowitz Scholarship Fund, which has benefited more than 140 students over the last 10 years.

Key announcements regarding scholarships at Grand Valley were made, including:

Scholarships supported more than 1,000 students over the year.
Despite difficult economic conditions, gifts to scholarships at Grand Valley are on the rise, with an increase of $500,000 over 2008.
20 new scholarships were created this year.

Two of the new scholarships created were:

The John and Marjorie Shepard Communications Scholarship, established in the couple's memory, supports students in the School of Communications.

The First Generation Urban Schools Scholarship helps students from urban areas who are the first in their families to attend college.

View photos from the 2008 and 2009 Scholarship Dinners by clicking here.