More than 1,000 Grand Valley State University students participated in commencement ceremonies on December 10 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Following is a list of Grand Valley’s most recent graduates from our area.

Grand Valley is dedicated to providing a rich learning environment for students, offering a wide range of majors and hands-on research opportunities. Highly credentialed and responsive faculty and individual advisors and mentors promote a liberal arts emphasis that teaches students critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Students from our area who graduated at the conclusion of the Fall 2016 semester in December include:

Fruitport: Ashley R. Kooistra, BS

Muskegon (49444): Samantha J. Fitzgerald, BSW; Tricia J. Groeneveld, BA; Tyler J. Keglovitz, BA

Spring Lake: Susan M. Ackerman, BA; Ashlyn A. Bankstahl, BS; Kenneth J. Hansen, BBA; Susan R. McElhaney, BS; Sarah E. Park, BS; Jordin M. Weber, MED; Nicholas R. Zacek, BA

Ravenna: Jessica L. Heiss, BS; Alexander S. Rust, BS; Matthew W. Sanford, BBA