Issue 49, March 12, 2015 - Grand Valley Lanthorn

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G R A N D VA L L EY

LAKER LACROSSE EARNS FIRST RANKED WIN AGAINST IUP SEE A7

ST U D E NT- R U N P U B L I C AT I O N S / / P R I N T . O N L I N E . M O B I L E / / L A N T H O R N . C O M

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THUR SDAY, M A RCH 1 2

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ROOKIE DELIVERS IN BOTTOM OF NINTH AS LAKERS WALK OFF

NOMINATIONS FOR GV STUDENT LIFE AWARDS NOW OPEN SEE A3

GVL

TWO NFL SCOUTS ATTEND GV PRO DAY

| KEVIN SIELAFF

SEE A7

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Grand Valley State cornerback DeVonté Jones performs drills during pro day. Scouts from the Atlanta Falcons and

the Detroit Lions came to the Kelly Family Sports Center early Monday morning to assess the skills of seven former GVSU football players.

Lakers compete in combine drills, await phone call BY JAY BUSHEN SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

n 2013, there was a buzz inside the Kelly Family Sports Center when 23 NFL scouts saw Charles Johnson, Tim Lelito and 16 other hopefuls up close at Grand Valley State’s pro day. The buzz was more of a murmur at 8 a.m. on Monday, but that didn’t stop eight seniors from giving it all they had in front of two scouts representing the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions. Seven former GVSU players participated

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PRIDE AWARDS RECOGNIZE LGBTQ COMMUNITY SEE A6

this year: defensive lineman Isiah Dunning, nickel Deonté Hurst, cornerback DeVonté Jones, defensive end Matt Mosley, punter Chris Picano, running back Chris Robinson and tight end Joe Wirth. Ferris State cornerback A.J. McEwen worked out, as well. The seniors took part in the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, three-cone drill, vertical and broad jumps and bench press (times were not displayed this year or disclosed by scouts). A few Wonderlic tests were taken from there, but that was all. The scouts may not have stayed to watch any individual drills as they had in 2013, but they were

there. And for players like Robinson, who has been taking classes and working an on-campus grounds job, that means there might be a chance. “We definitely put in a lot of work,” said Robinson, who rushed for a GVSU single-game record of 261 yards at Findlay in October. “Especially having school and work at the same time. Trying to find time to work out by yourself, it’s hard to do, but you have to have the mentality. “All we need is a team to give us a shot. That’s SEE PRO DAY ON A8

GVL

| KEVIN SIELAFF

West Michigan economy shows slow growth

SHIFTING POSITIONS: Theresa Rowland, interim Title IX coordinator for the Division of Inclusion and Equity, speaks at a recent event at

GVSU. Jesse Bernal, vice president for Inclusion and Equity, said he expects to fill the position before the next academic or calendar year.

Theresa Rowland installed as interim Title IX coordinator BY DREW HOWARD ASSISTANTNEWS@LANTHORN.COM

heresa Rowland has been appointed the new interim Title IX coordinator for Grand Valley State University in response to the withdrawal of Dwight Hamilton. Rowland previously worked as the violence against women grant coordinator in the GVSU Women’s Center. Prior to this, Rowland held positions at Vanderbilt University as well as Davenport University. As the interim Title IX coordinator, Rowland will be responsible for implementing the policies provided within the Title IX compliance. Policies include the prohibition of issues such as sex discrimination and sexual misconduct on campus. “What I do in this particular role is identifying what training is required of faculty, staff and students,” Rowland said. “We want to ensure that there is prevention education and awareness, a process that is fair and equitable as well as a staff that is trained, ready and equipped to do this.” The tentative plan is that Rowland will continue to serve as the interim Title IX coordinator until a

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new candidate is selected. Jesse Bernal, vice president for Inclusion and Equity at GVSU, explained that he is not rushing to fill the position. “We will fill this position with a regular appointment at the appropriate time,” Bernal said. “I’m very comfortable with the processes and support we have in place on an interim basis.” As a new member of the Division of Inclusion and Equity, Bernal said he plans to take the next few months to listen and learn from members of the community. “I want to learn what has worked well for the division, what opportunities are there for enhancements as well as what gaps we can strive to fill,” Bernal said. “As part of this initial phase of listening, we will undergo a strategic planning process for the division. I want us to take the time to have these conversations and develop a strategic approach to our organizational structure before we conduct searches.” A strong candidate for the Title IX coordinator position will show commitment to a healthy campus climate, Bernal said. “GVSU strives to be a campus that advances

equity and creates an environment where all members of the community feel welcomed, supported and like the integral members of the community that they are,” Bernal said. “As such, the Title IX coordinator will work within the Division of Inclusion and Equity to support programming and education opportunities that link gender equity with other equity opportunity. They will also go beyond the minimal Title IX requirements.” Bernal believes the Title IX coordinator position will be filled before the 2015 fall semester. “I see a key role of mine as being the strongest possible advocacy voice for the people that aren’t at the table,” Bernal said. “I expect we’ll have someone well before the beginning of the next academic year or next calendar year.” Bernal added that he expects Rowland to an excellent job in the meanwhile. “It’s important that the university has a dedicated person filling this role at all times,” Bernal said. “Theresa Rowland brings a wealth of experience, and I’m excited to work with her.” For further questions, the Title IX office can be contacted at (616) 331-9530.

BY ALLISON RIBICK ARIBICK@LANTHORN.COM

est Michigan’s economy appears to be slowly growing and has certain industries thriving, which offers prospective opportunities to Grand Valley State University students. Brian Long, director of supply management research in the Seidman College of Business at GVSU, surveyed local business leaders during the end of February about their prices, production, inventories of finished and raw materials and activity in purchasing offices, among other things. “Over time, this data collected together constitutes a very good temperature of the health of the industrial economy in West Michigan,” Long said. According to the Institute of Supply Management survey, the level of business improvement remained at the same level of the past two months at +13, as well as the employment index at +19. The production index increased from +13 to +18 and the index of purchases decreased slightly from +17 to +16. Long has completed this survey over the past 36 years and has gotten feedback from business leaders saying how they value the data he collects. Long noted that the automotive and office furniture industries were prosperous in West Michigan, and aerospace companies’ business is also good since aircraft companies are thriving. “Right now, we have plenty of mo-

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SEE ECONOMY ON A2


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