Mantella: 'Our work is worthy, it's essential and it's absolutely thrilling'

Knowledge is the only currency that grows exponentially by sparking the new ideas, insights and innovations that propel it to continually bloom, 菲洛梅娜五世总统. 曼特拉8月20日说 在一年一度的大学演讲中.

During her remarks in the courtyard of the DeVos Center on 皮尤大急流城校区, Mantella emphasized how education carries enormous value by encouraging critical thinking, fostering a more inclusive and interconnected society, nurturing individuals' skills 和一个bilities and enhancing personal and professional growth.

"Our work is worthy, it's essential and it's 绝对令人兴奋，”曼特拉说. “知识是最重要的。 holy grail and we are all lucky enough to be in the knowledge 业务. And frankly, there's no better 业务 to be in."

With 2025 nigh, Mantella praised her colleagues for the progress made in delivering on the mission of GVSU’s 2025年实现更高目标 战略计划. 她举了几个成功的例子.

• GVSU is on pace for another large and diverse incoming class, despite demographic challenges and significant 联邦层面的问题. 此外，还有 improvements in retention; an additional 15 advisors 和一个 new exploratory advising center are helping in those efforts.
• For the first time since 2016, Grand Valley has been 能够发展师资队伍. 今年秋天，GVSU增加了超过 150 new faculty members, which is a net increase of 48 for 全职和终身教职员工.
• 的创造 奥姆尼在大峡谷州立大学 is boosting opportunities for location-bound Michiganders by enriching learning and career experiences in their regions.
• 新 计算机学院 and the continuing development of the Blue Dot ecosystem are part of expanding support for the digital 变革触及各行各业.
• Philanthropy and sponsored program support has 蓬勃发展. So far, GVSU has raised more than $30 million, the 在大学历史上排名第二. 此外，GVSU有 secured more than $26 million in research funding, government sponsorships, earmarks and grants for applied research, support 服务及奖学金.
• 其他有影响力的工作包括 课堂上航行 ; a $1.8 million grant awarded to the College of 卫生专业解决a 农村医师助理短缺 接受过行为健康服务方面的培训 ; state funding for the College of Education and Community Innovation to support future teachers through the 西密歇根教师合作 和一个 $10.300万捐赠 来自W.K. 凯洛格基金会扩大GVSU 通过巴特克里克的Omni提供服务.

The key to achievement is to face strong headwinds with courage and purpose, as well as the agility that has been GVSU's guiding principle, while embracing the humility to ask if there is a 更好的办法，曼特拉说.

Noting that the nation is entering a fall that "promises to engage us in polarized political discourse, geopolitical conflict and the numerous complexities of our time," Mantella said it's important to deepen the commitment to 包容和尊重的对话.

"We can't ask of students what we do not exhibit 我们自己. Together, we can set the standard and choose, every day, 去关心，”曼特拉说. “我很感激这种多样性 perspectives that enrich our work and the ability to disagree with care and respect as we seek alignment around the profound purpose, 我们工作的价值和影响."

The address included remarks from Courtney Karasinski, chair of the University Academic Senate, who also acknowledged attendees including Board of Trustees Chair Beth Emmitt, President 名誉教授托马斯?. Haas and Marcia Haas, faculty and staff members.

"This is always a special time filled with pride 和一个nticipation as we welcome back our students and prepare to continue doing what we love," Karasinski said. “这是一个问题。 privilege to be part of a university community that since its founding has always embraced collaboration and doing whatever it takes to help students succeed and help our school grow."

Jennifer Drake, acting provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, closed the address by telling audience members, "Our work is powerful and our work is 授权." Then Drake, an English scholar, read by a poem, noting, "The more poetry the better; the more art, the better."

The poem by Alberto Álvaro Ríos is titled "Don’t Go Into the Library," which is a tribute to the appeal of 库. 诗的结尾是:

“图书馆很危险，满了

的答案. 如果你进去，

你不能出来了

就是进去的那个人."