Grand Valley Magazine - (Page 8)

CA M P US NE WS Lonely president What does a university president do when students are away on spring break? President Thomas J. Haas starred in a short video that received national media attention; watch it at gvsu.edu/s/AD. Graduation Day! I will miss being a GVSU student but I know I will always be a #Laker4aLifetime Alumnus David J. Ruck's new film, "I Want to Be an Astronaut," had an orbital premiere aboard the International Space Station, with an audience of astronauts from around the world. Developed over the past two years, the 38-minute documentary tells the story of Blair Mason, a young man striving to become an astronaut at a time when space exploration has moved out of the spotlight. Ruck delves into the specifics of what it takes to be an astronaut and what is being done to keep such dreams within the realm of possibility. Ruck sent the film's trailer to Space Station flight engineer Rick Mastracchio via Facebook. The astronaut was so intrigued, he asked if it was possible to view the entire film. Ruck worked with the Johnson Space Center to facilitate Spring '14 The LGBT Resource Center at Grand Valley will be named for Milton E. Ford, professor of liberal studies and founding director of the center. Ford died March 19 after a long battle with cancer. He was 72. The LGBT Resource Center opened its doors in the Kirkhof Center in 2008. At the time, Ford said the office space represented important progress for the university to recognize a need for students to feel comfortable and for everyone to be treated equally. "It is very fitting that the LGBT Resource Center be named in Milt's honor," said President Thomas J. Haas. "Milt was instrumental in creating a positive environment at Grand Valley where people know that inclusion and diversity are valued. Through diversity we become a university." Ford joined Grand Valley's faculty in 1973. A compassionate teacher and lifelong researcher, Ford is remembered for leading efforts to integrate the LGBT community with university academics and its student life. Posted by Megan Philipp, (@meg11philipp) on April 26, 2014. Film by alumnus premieres aboard ISS 8 Resource Center to be named for Ford CAMPUS CHATTER pursue these fields." A glimpse into current NASA efforts, amid a postspace -shuttle era, is provided through interviews with some of those who understand it best, including Charles Bolden, a NASA administrator and John Glenn, a Mercury 7 astronaut, first American to orbit the Earth, and retired U.S. senator. Ruck received both bachelor's and master's degrees from Grand Valley's School of Communications in 2004 and 2007, respectively, and earned a master's of fine arts degree from American University, in Washington, D.C. He currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland, and is president of Rubangfilms, a small production company that focuses on subjects that involve science, exploration, history and space. For more information about the film, visit www.theastronautfilm.com/. Astronaut John Glenn speaks with Blair Mason for a documentary by a Grand Valley graduate that premiered aboard the International Space Station. Inset: David J. Ruck. an upload. Ruck said he wanted to make a film that explored the human side of the space program and whether or not kids today still dream of being an astronaut. By following Mason from his role as leader of his high school robotics team, to his entry into the U.S. Naval Academy, Ruck discovered a very thoughtful student with a full vision of space exploration, including the political, social and technological issues. "This film also draws attention to the importance of the STEM education fields - science, technology, engineering and math," said Ruck, "as they relate to our nation's ability to remain on the cutting edge, and where we might be headed if we fail to inspire young people to http://www.gvsu.edu/s/AD http://www.theastronautfilm.com/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Grand Valley Magazine

Table of Contents
Campus News
Athletics
Donor Impact
Art of the Possible
One Book Carries Discussions Beyond Classroom
One Million Hours
Power Trio Turns Ideas Into Companies
Research
Q&A Renee Freeman
Off the Path
Sustainability
Focal Point
Arts
Alumni News

Grand Valley Magazine