BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY
BUILDING CHAMPIONS
With the groundbreaking of a 7,500-square-foot addition to Siebens Fieldhouse, Buena Vista University has initiated its first phase of the $10 million Building Champions campaign.
At its core, Building Champions is dedicated to enhancing BVU Athletics and the health and wellness of the Beaver community. This campaign, chaired by BVU Board of Trustee member and former Beaver football player, Dan Phillips ’77, embodies BVU’s commitment to its ten-year strategic vision, Building Beyond Expectations, which is centered around helping every student unlock their greatest potential to build better lives and stronger communities.
With over half the residential student population at BVU participating in one of the 21 NCAA Division III sports teams, athletics serves as a critical connector across the entire BVU community. With Building Champions, BVU students and student-athletes will have the necessary resources and infrastructure to support their well-being and help them reach their greatest potential.
Here is an exclusive preview of the Building Champions campaign priorities.
PHASE 1 INITIATED: SIEBENS FIELDHOUSE EXPANSION
is set to begin August 2024.
PRIORITY: UPGRADES TO THE LAMBERTI RECREATION CENTER AND DENNIS YOUNG TRACK
DAN PHILLIPS ’77, CHAIR OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE ATHLETICS CAMPAIGN
“FROM PRACTICE SPACES TO LOCKER ROOMS, INDOOR TRACK RENOVATIONS TO A WELLNESS FACILITY FOR ALL STUDENTS, OUR ‘BUILDING CHAMPIONS’ CAMPAIGN WILL ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCES OUR STUDENTS AND STUDENT-ATHLETES ENJOY AS THEY ENROLL, PARTICIPATE, AND GROW TO BECOME THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW.”
PRIORITY: ADDITIONAL WELLNESS SPACE FOR THE BVU COMMUNITY
PRIORITY: EXPANSION OF THE AL BAXTER WRESTLING ROOM
PRIORITY: UPGRADES TO THE FOOTBALL LOCKER ROOM & FILM ROOMS
SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BUILDING CHAMPIONS CAMPAIGN
Construction
HOMECOMING BUILD THE DAM
COME CHEER ON THE BEAVERS, CELEBRATE THE WOMEN WHO FORGED THE WAY FORWARD IN BVU ATHLETICS, AND CHECK OUT THE LATEST ADDITIONS ON CAMPUS AS WE BUILD THE DAM! PIONEERS OF WOMEN’S ATHLETICS PANEL & RECEPTION MUSIC & BEER GARDEN PEP RALLY & TAILGATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRE-GAME PARTY FIFTH QUARTER FEST AND MUCH MORE!
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the demand for skilled and visionary leaders is greater than ever before. That is where BVU alum, Dr. Trent Grundmeyer ‘03 comes in.
To say Dr. Grundmeyer has extensive experience in the field of education would be an understatement. Having served a variety of roles and leadership positions ranging from a middle school health teacher to an award-winning principal, (he was selected by the School Administrators of Iowa as the 2013 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year), Dr. Grundmeyer took his vast experience and used it to better serve the Iowa education system.
Over the last decade, in addition to publishing peer reviewed publications and teaching education leadership courses for Drake University, Dr. Grundmeyer founded Grundmeyer Leader Services LLC, which provides personalized recruiting to pair the right educational leaders with Iowa school districts in need of administrators. The search firm he leads conducts over 80% of the superintendent searches in Iowa every year and now recently expanded to other states.
So, when BVU decided to explore a new online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Administration program, who did they call?
“I came on in August 2023 and immediately started working on the accreditation process, focusing on course development and course descriptions, the needs for state approval along with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC),” said Dr. Grundmeyer. “The state approval came back pretty quickly and then came the HLC approval with no changes to the proposal; we aligned to national standards, so licensure is national.”
The result: BVU’s M.Ed. in Educational Administration program launched this May with the first cohort beginning August 2024. This fully online program provides currently licensed educators with the necessary knowledge, skills, and certification to excel in a variety of leadership roles within education, including principalship. Graduates of this program receive principal certification in the state of Iowa and in other states on an individual basis.
“LAUNCHING THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN VERY FULFILLING, BECAUSE I AM NOT ONLY PROUD TO DO IT FOR BVU, BUT I KNOW AND DO NOT TAKE LIGHTLY, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO TRAIN SCHOOL LEADERS IN THIS DAY AND AGE.”
“I have always had a soft spot for BVU, because had such a fantastic experience as a student,” said Dr. Grundmeyer. “I took one education class with Dr. Susan (Christensen) Kalsow ’75, and it changed the trajectory of my career and my life. I knew would love to do this at BVU more than anywhere else.”
With the support and oversight of Dr. Lucas DeWitt, Program Director of BVU’s Master of Education programs, Dr. Grundmeyer was free to take the lead on the vision of the program and start moving.
“Launching this program has been very fulfilling, because I am not only proud to do it for BVU, but I know and do not take lightly, how important it is to train school leaders in this day and age,” added Dr. Grundmeyer. “This is a top-notch program that incorporates practical assignments that embrace adult learning theories, and our classes are taught by instructors who have extensive experience in the field from all around the country.”
When asked how it felt to serve his alma mater, Dr. Grundmeyer noted the importance of giving back.
“I have had great experiences as a BVU student and as an alum, and there are so many different ways to serve, from being a guest speaker, to making a gift, to giving your time,” said. Dr. Grundmeyer. “It’s important to know that our future depends on our alumni giving back.”
SCAN
DR. TRENT GRUNDMEYER ‘03
CHRISTOPHER SCHULZ ‘04
Tell us about you and your family, and your connection to BVU. My wife and are both graduates of BVU. I earned my elementary education degree in 1998 and my master’s degree in administration in 2004. Kami (Wynja) is a 1999 graduate in Science Education. We have three children: Kyler (21), Kiana (18) and Karson (14). We have raised our family in Denison, Iowa, where I have served as the Elementary Principal for the past 20 years.
What activities were you involved in at BVU?
had the pleasure of playing football for Coach Kevin Twait ’85. I was a Resident Advisor for several years, and served on the Teachers Inc. group on campus. I volunteered in the Storm Lake and Cherokee Community School Districts. served as an Academic Assistant to Dr. Robbie Ludy for two years.
“I FEEL BVU HELPED ME UNDERSTAND HOW AN EDUCATIONAL LEADER HELPS SET UP OTHERS FOR SUCCESS. IN RETURN, YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL KNOWING YOU HELPED OTHERS ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS.”
Did any specific faculty and/or staff have a special impact on you during your time at BVU and how?
did not plan on going into education when I started. After my first year, I was at a crossroad. give Dr. Kline Capps credit
for meeting with me and helping me map out my options and determine the best path to graduate on time. The people I have to credit the most for helping me on that journey would be Dr. Stan Bochtler and Dr. Robbie Ludy.
Stan always believed in who I was and what I could be. Robbie challenged me to think beyond the norm and to value the little details that make a big difference in education, especially supporting students with special needs. Ralph Welch was such a positive influence as I student taught and finished my degree. For graduate studies, Dr. Bev Edmondson was a steadying influence and trusted counsel when I was earning a master’s degree while I was working and coaching full-time and as we were growing our family. When didn’t think I could do it all, she kept my focus on making things happen one step at a time.
When you think of BVU’s School of Education, what comes to mind?
I think about the people, the professors and fellow education students who shared their time, talents, and values with me. Education is a people business, and one that can change the world one student at a time. These people definitely changed my life and helped me set the foundation for a very happy and rewarding career.
You received your undergraduate and graduate degree from BVU. Can you tell us more about your experience as a graduate student?
Do I sound old if I say a lot of my time was spent taking classes on the ICN? Do people even remember what that was before “online” classes were a thing? I had a special relationship with the other graduate students who met up to take ICN classes. We spent a week on campus which was cool because we had the place to ourselves, and it brought back good memories. BVU has always been well respected in the education field, as are the teachers who go out and represent our University. It was very convenient for me to earn my master’s from my alma mater.
How has your master’s degree from BVU benefited you professionally?
The people in the program helped me prepare for an opportunity to serve more students, teachers, and other stakeholders in a much larger role and with greater responsibilities than the classroom. I feel BVU helped me understand how an educational leader helps set up others for success. In return, you will be successful knowing you helped others achieve great things.
Why is giving back to Buena Vista University important to you and Kami?
I believe in the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” as well as “Many hands make for lighter work.” BVU is built on the alumni and friends of its past supporting our graduates of the future. I benefited from this when I started my career in education, and I have been fortunate to work with many exceptional teachers who are BVU grads. Anything you can give of your time and treasure helps the next generation of Beavers!
2.22.25
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Join the conversation to learn how #BEAVERSBUILD.
2024 HERSHBERGER GRIDIRON CLASSIC FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2024 | 10 A.M.- 8 P.M.
Beaver football alumni and supporters: mark your calendars for July 19 as the Annual Hershberger Gridiron Classic plays out at beautiful BVU Lake Creek in Storm Lake!
IOWA STATE FAIR AUGUST 8-18, 2024
Come see us and sign the BVU Alumni Wall at our booth at this year’s Iowa State Fair! Our booth is located in spots #313-315 in the Varied Industries Building. REGISTER TODAY
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