Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 55 no. 12

Biden defeats

Trump

Biden, Harris pledge to heal deep wounds following election victory

Students line up to vote for hours on Election Day DEMOCRACY | A2

We’ve taken GV sports for granted COLUMN | A11

M O N D A Y, N OV E M B E R 9, 2 02 0 // VO L . 5 5 N O. 1 2

@ GV L A N T H O R N

LANTHORN.COM

A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

DEMOCRACY

GV COVID-19 CAMPUS DATA UPDATE

Since GVSU began conducting random testing on campus Aug. 27, the cumulative total COVID-19 cases since August 1st is 1,911. The university’s update of data used for this brief was from Friday, Nov. 6.

Through testing results this past week, GVSU’s Virus Action team have so far reported 146 current active cases including 9 faculty member cases, 12 staff members, 26 on-campus students, 52 “off-campus Ottawa” students, and 41 “off-campus Kent” students, 5 “off-campus other” students with active COVID-19 cases.

“Current active cases” is the count of positive cases reported to the Virus Action Team over the past ten days. This is an estimate of those currently in isolation, assuming a ten-day symptomatic period following the reporting of a positive test result. Actual periods of isolation are specific to the individual and determined by the county health department.

Testing and Incidence: GVSU’s own testing program has performed 21,173 tests overall since August 21, for a positivity rate of 0.52% from the latest update as of the last week.

GV OFFERING FREE FLU SHOTS FOR STUDENTS

In preparation for winter and the coming of flu season, Grand Valley State University is being proactive and offering seasonal flu shots to students free of charge. Shot locations include the Kelly Family Sports Center in Allendale and the Exhibition Hall at the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

Testing at the Sport Center will occur Monday Nov.16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday Nov. 17 from 2-6 p.m. The Exhibition Hall testing will take place Wednesday Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Students can register for a time slot on the university’s website, and will get a confirmation email for their appointment. On coming to the location, students are required to bring their GVSU student ID with the, be ready to show their “green heart” daily COVID-19 self-assessment completed that day.

COVID-19 social distancing protocols and sanitation will be in place to ensure safety. Masks are required and your temperature will be taken prior to entry. A consent form can be filled out on site, students may read and bring the form in signed, or sign after questions are answered on site by the Meijer team.

GV VIRUS ACTION TEAM RELEASES TESTING AND THANKSGIVING BREAK INFORMATION

As the Thanksgiving break nears, Grand Valley State University’s Virus Action team released some information regarding guidelines for keeping safe while traveling home for Thanksgiving.

To read more, visit www.lanthorn.com

LINES OF LIBERTY: GVSU students line up outside the Kirkhof Center to cast their votes at the new satellite clerk’s office on campus. COURTESY | GVSU

Students line up to vote for hours on Election Day

BY ZSOLT PALMER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

This year’s presidential election has proven to be a historic one. Voter turnout exceeded all expectations, being higher this election than in any other of the past century. President Donald Trump and now president-elect Joe Biden have each broken voting records, receiving record amounts of votes. Michigan once again asserted its status as a swing state, flipping from supporting President Donald Trump in 2016 to supporting Biden.

Grand Valley State University students participated in this historic election right here on campus. Thanks to the opening of a new Allendale Township Satellite Clerk’s Office in the Russel H. Kirkhof Center, students did not have to go far to perform their civic duties.

“This is the first year that we have this satellite office here in Kirkhof, so I’m glad that people are using it, and that things are going well,” said Eric-John Szczepaniak, election volunteer and former Student Sen-

ate President. “It’s been a long line all day, but it’s been great. We’re excited to see so many students out here, taking advantage of this opportunity. It’s super important that everyone has their votes cast, and this office here is a great place for students to do that.”

Many students took advantage of the new on-campus polling station, lining up to vote throughout election day. At 5 p.m., no one else was allowed to join the voting line, but by then, the line already stretched back by many dozens of people, each of whom was determined to stick it out.

“It was warm when I got here, and now it’s cold,” student Chiara Nicholas said, while the sun set behind the Kirkhof building. “I’ve already been waiting here for fifty minutes, but I’m here to vote. This is a critical election. Everybody should be able to use their voice like this.”

Most of the other students were quick to agree that this was a crucial election, and they were here to be a part of it. Despite the encroaching cold, no one in the line stepped out to leave, or lost patience.

“I came here to vote. I think that it’s pretty important,” said student Derek Jakielek. “I only made it just in time before they closed the station. It was a little difficult running over here, I’ve actually got a foot injury. But I’m withstanding the pain for democracy. This election is too important for me to sit out.”

There was certainly a sense of duty for the students who sat in line, with the tail end finally getting to cast their votes near 7 p.m.

“As my older sister always says, you have to use your voice, and use your vote,” student Gary Branch said. “There’s a lot of folks out there that aren’t able to use their voice, so I’m here today because I got to use mine.”

As the evening grew colder, the students waiting outside were escorted into the building, still as determined as ever to make it to the polling station. The line dwindled slowly as students walked in and out of polling station one at a time.

“The students have been wonderful and patient,” volunteer Samantha Minnis said.

“It’s nice to see so many show up and vote.”

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

CONTENTS DEMOCRACY

| A2

EDITORIAL

| A4

HISTORY

| A5

ELECTION 2020

| A6&7

DIGITAL

| A8

EXPLORATION

| A9

CONVERSATION

| A10

COLUMN

| A11

GOLF

| A12

VOL. 55

NO. 12

Lan thorn EDITORIAL STAFF

Layout Editor VIVIANA RUBIO

Editor-in-Chief NICK MORAN Associate Editor KELLEN VOSS

Layout Designer KHOI TRAN PROMOTIONS

Associate Editor XAVIER GOLDEN News Editor OLIVIA FELLOWS Sports Editor ZACK GOODROW Laker Life Editor YSABELA GOLDEN

Promotions Manager ALEX DAGOSTINO ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager SHANE MCATAMNEY

A3 | NEWS INCLUSION

GV joins coalition promoting diversity in STEM education

BY TREVOR HUBERT NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University has made a major announcement to increase diversity in the STEM department. The university has joined the Aspire Alliance, an organization that works to promote staff diversity and development in the STEM field.

GVSU is being added to a cohort of 19 other schools in the organization through a competitive application process, which, according to its website, seeks to “develop inclusive and diverse STEM faculty across the nation by aligning and reinforcing professional development, hiring, and retention practices of STEM faculty simultaneously at institutional, regional, and national levels.”

The push to get GVSU into Aspire Alliance was led by Christine Rener and John Golden, who are both professors in the STEM department. Rener is also the Vice Provost of Instructional Development and Innovation.

While the specific goals of GVSU in the program have yet to be finalized, Rener believes that Grand Valley is a perfect fit for the Alliance.

“The strategic goals of the alliance fit with the mission, vision and values of Grand Valley, especially with the Office of Inclusion and Equity,” said Rener.

According to their site, the vision of the

BUSINESS STAFF

A&E Editor MARY RACETTE Image Editor MEGHAN LANDGREN

Business Manager RACHEL MCDOWELL

Aspire Alliance is to “increase the learning, persistence, and completion of students from underrepresented groups (URG) in colleges and universities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to increase their contributions to the U.S. STEM enterprise.”

The vision statement goes on to state that students perform better when they

are taught by these underrepresented groups. They have continued their mission virtually during COVID-19 by hosting virtual professional development workshops in the summer and fall.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

CULTURE

Asst. Business Manager DAYTON HAMMON

Students celebrate National Sandwich Day

BY ELIZABETH SCHANZ NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published weekly by Grand Valley State University students 31 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community. For additional copies, at $1 each, please contact our business offices.

The Lanthorn is published on recycled paper and is printed with soy bean ink. This means that our newspaper is entirely compostable. Help us do our part to be kind to the environment by recycling or composting this newspaper after you enjoy reading it.

POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to: Grand Valley Lanthorn 0051 Kirkhof Center Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401

DEDICATED TO DIVERSITY: GVSU’s addition to the Aspire Alliance signals the university’s dedication to increase inclusivity and diversity in its STEM department faculty members. GVL | ARCHIVES

A SUB ABOVE: No matter their restaurant preference, students celebrated National Sandwich Day. COURTESY | RESTRAUNTNEWS.COM

Fresh bread, savory meats, unique toppings, melted cheese. Is your mouth watering yet? These components create what we know as the beloved sandwich. This simple creation is celebrated on Nov. 3 in an event known as National Sandwich Day. The history of sandwiches extends beyond the brown paper bag of elementary school and back to its alleged origins within the 18th century with its potential namesake John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. N.A.M. Roger, who wrote the earl’s biography, suggested that the Earl of Sandwich consumed his first “bread and cheese,” as it was once called, at his work desk. This meal continues to be a major lunchtime break player even into today.

Even after the national event of Sandwich Day, Grand Valley State University has multiple dining options at both the Allendale and Pew campuses that can help tackle student’s sandwich cravings. The dining options include 42nd Street Delis, Which Wich, Subway, Grille Works, and Erbert and Gerbert’s. The easy access to these options and the ability to use

meal plans, dining dollars, or other payment to quickly get meals.

With so many options on campus, it can be hard to find a favorite. Freshman Sydney Hohlbein said Which Wich on GVSU’s Allendale’s campus is her go-to. She was especially saddened with the recent temporary closure of Which Wich due to new COVID-19 rules across the school.

“They have great bread and I feel like they have good options you can’t get tired of,” Hohlbein said. “I especially prefer it over Subway, which my roommate eats all the time and now she’s tired of it.”

The sandwich has kept its prevalence even to the present-day. The practicality of this meal holds high standing with a college student’s busy life.

“Sandwiches are quick, easy, affordable and filling,” Hohlbein said, testifying to why she thinks sandwiches have been so successful across time. “You get your bread, meat and veggies all in one.”

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A4 | OPINION GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

By Xavier Golden

EDITORIAL

As political dust settles, what do Ottawa County’s votes tell us?

E

11/9/20

editorial@lanthorn.com

Now is the time to start demanding more from your politicians

BY OLIVIA FELLOWS SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

After spending seven and a half hours in the office with my fellow editors in the Lanthorn office on Grand Valley State University’s campus covering night one the 2020 election, I came home and ended the night as millions of Americans did before they finally gave in to exhaustion and turned off the election coverage — confused, tired and slightly panicking. I’ve spent the last week wondering how we got here and what this election will mean for the future.

As a journalist, the election is an endeavor in itself in terms of coverage and the amount of work you put in weeks in advance, on election night and in the days, weeks and months afterwards. As a human being, a woman and member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’ve been an emotional rollercoaster for some time, and the election didn’t help. Watching the coverage, I had so many emotions, but the main one was concern.

There was concern that we aren’t asking enough of ourselves, but even more so of our politicians. It feels as if we’ve watched democracy being mangled before our eyes, and minority lives being destroyed and upheaved by governmental decisions, anger and fear battling in the form of protests on our streets due to in-

justice unlike any other. The scariest thing is that these complex, dangerous and devastating issues won’t end when a new president is elected, and we’ll need to hold our elected officials accountable more than ever if we want to make desperately necessary change.

We’ll still have 50,000 migrants in detention centers with thousands of children separated from their parents, there will still be global and national protests against police brutality and violence, and there will still be discrimination on a daily basis on our streets and in the private and public lives of minority groups. Along with a myriad of other complex major concerns, the list seems almost endless.

Work to change these issues comes with the acceptance that we can’t continue to idolize our politicians for simply doing their jobs. We need to demand more because people’s lives depend on the work they do now. If we are to pay their salaries based on the work they do, we shouldn’t treat them as superheroes for doing what should be the norm. I’m always one to commend a job well done, but in politics, the good times can never last forever.

The 2020 election promises potential for a new era in politics, but cleaning up the mess will take time and bipartisanship that this country has never seen the likes of. We need young voices and strong values to lead us forward, and we’re starting to see it with every election, but we need to keep pushing. Viewing any human as any more than what they are — mortal and flawed — gives them inordinate power and far too much control.

Alexandra Ocasio Cortez is not some Hollywood hero — she’s a brilliant mind who’s doing the work that our failed politicians have needed to do for quite some time. She has set an example, and it’s time for we the people to ask those failed politicians to do more, and be better. It’s time for intentional politics, with people who value human rights and have plans

that are for the people.

Joe Biden, nor Donald Trump is anyone’s savior, nor is any one politician really, but recognizing a step forward when you see one is a leap worth taking.

Seeing and acknowledging the flaws that exist in every politician needs to be a priority. Hold all politicians accountable for what they do in the next four years and onward. If anything, the next president will need the American people’s ears and voices more than ever.

This year, every vote will matter because that guides how we see ourselves as a nation and our politicians. Let’s do this work, and feel what we need to after the decision comes, then get to doing the job.

Fighting for the rights and lives of people is one of the most important jobs we have as free citizens, and we’ve decided to fight with one another. Let’s put the pitch forks down from each other’s throats and start blaming the people responsible for all of our misplaced confusion and anger. Start putting that energy into asking what our politicians can do for us.

We all have a choice now: to continue that hate in the wrong direction or to use that passion to make positive change and discussion. We used to be good at that, right? At least capable of it, I thought.

I want you to prove me wrong, America, because I think we all need a little faith in each other again. Prove that change can be made out of vile division, and that it begins with calling on our leaders and each other to make that possible. It begins in your township, your city, your state, your White House. Be the change you seek in the world, and know that your voice matters.

The next four years will define our lifetime just as the last four did, and I encourage every person that exists on this red, white and blue soil to raise theirs, and raise others’ in the process. Because every single voice deserves to be heard, and now is the perfect time to make yours known.

lection week is over, and Ottawa County’s results are in. Over three-quarters of eligible voters cast 169,405 ballots.

With encouragement from celebrities, national publications, and local newspapers, the people of Ottawa County made their voices heard. But what exactly did they say?

Ottawa County went red in this election as Donald Trump, John James and Bill Huizenga all received around 60% of the county’s votes in their respective races.

Huizenga, having opposed the House of Representatives’ COVID-19 stimulus package, beat his opponent Bryan Berghoef in the county by 52,000 votes.

James, who is staunchly against single-payer healthcare, beat Gary Peters by 46,000 here. Trump, who led the GOP’s approach to the pandemic, beat Joe Biden by 36,000 votes in Ottawa.

Ottawa County hasn’t been hit by COVID-19 as hard as some of our neighboring counties, but we’ve still felt the impact of the pandemic. Over 7,000 people have tested positive and 87 Ottawa County citizens have died.

It’s not over, either. As we enter the winter, cases at Grand Valley State University are surging, with the Virus Action Team raising

the university’s Alert Level to three. Around the country, we have climbed to over 128,000 daily new cases.

Given their stances on healthcare, stimulus packages, and the pandemic in general, Trump, James, and Huizenga don’t seem like the best choices for our county. But Ottawa County voters did choose them, and overwhelmingly so.

There are endless partisan reasons to have voted against James, Huizenga and Trump including their stances on student loan forgiveness, racial inequality and police reform, the environment and energy regulations. For students in the county that attend GVSU or nearby Hope College, those issues stand out, but the list goes on and on.

The pandemic, however, shouldn’t be partisan.

COVID-19 is actively killing Americans, Michiganders, and people from Ottawa County.

Our county witnessed the damage that the pandemic has done, and if we looked hard enough, we could have recognized who was partially responsible for that damage. But we didn’t; Ottawa County – perhaps intentionally, perhaps unintentionally – voted against its own health and safety.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

GVL OPINION POLICY The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity.

The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate against any other views, opinions or beliefs. The content, information and views expressed are not approved by— nor do they necessarily represent those of—the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty

or staff.

Letters to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits.

To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn.com or drop your submission off in person at:

0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A5 | NEWS HISTORY

GV community celebrates 60th anniversary

BY KYLIE ELWELL KELWELL@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University kicked off their 60th anniversary celebration on Oct. 25 this year. GVSU was founded in 1960, and the first enrollment had 530 students. Sixty years later, that enrollment has swelled to 23,530 students.

For the anniversary celebration, 60 for 60 videos were set up for all to see. The videos will consist of 60 people sharing a 60-second story over video about their experiences at GVSU. These videos will be uploaded to GVSU’s YouTube page over the next few weeks.

Efforts to support the celebration are supplemented by Alumni Relations, who are “especially excited” about the 60 for 60 project.

There are also digital opportunities for students to learn about GVSU’s long history. Students visit www.gvsu.edu/universityhistory, which was information about the story of GVSU. Despite difficult circumstanced amid the pandemic, GVSU is still trying to celebrate

its creation. Founders Day, which was Oct. 25, is a recognition of the people who crafted GVSU in 1960, as well as those who laid out its trajectory. Usually a larger celebration, GVSU President Philomena Mantella said the university has had to adapt in bringing the event to its virtual students.

“Largely, given our current environment events are virtual, so we are trying to make things really exciting and interesting in a new way,” said Mantella Due to the pandemic, all events for the anniversary will be virtual. The 60 for 60 videos are presented through social media from GVSU in hopes that students, faculty and staff, alumni, and more will find out some interesting information or stories that they never knew before.

“These videos tell the story of the kind of university we are,” said Mantella.

To keep up with 60th Anniversary information, make sure that you frequently check the 60th Anniversary highlight located on the university history page, as well as GVSU’s social media – YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

SIXTY AND STILL STRONG: As Grand Valley State University celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, the university is highlighting 60 different perspectives in a brand new video series. COURTESY | GVSU

FUNDRAISING

GVPD holds department-first ‘No-Shave November’ to raise money for students

BY ADAM TROMBLEY NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

In a year so full of confusion, the Grand Valley Police Department (GVPD) is doing their best to help bring some joy to Grand Valley State University’s community while also donating to a great cause. Some officers around campus will be sporting new facial hair and colorful hairstyles as the department is participating in their first No-Shave November.

This month-long event is meant to bring joy to students and staff around GVSU’s campuses while also donating to students who have been diagnosed with cancer.

“I think the primary responsibility is to raise cancer awareness, and we can benefit students here,” said GVPD Capt.

Jeffrey Stoll. “I think the secondary component is for the community to see officers be human. I think sometimes it’s nice to see what people look like and for the public to see us with facial hair,

it is not something you see all the time.

Maybe it makes you smile and laugh at how good or ridiculous it might look.”

Because it is the first year the department is trying this fundraiser out, they have no specific goal in the amount they are trying to raise, but there is a variety of ways that these officers are able to contribute to the cause. Male officers can grow their facial out while the female officers are allowed to dye their hair a different color. Officers who do not want to participate by doing either one of these will donate $30 to the Laura Sakoski Memorial Scholarship Endowment.

Stoll said that officers are generally not allowed to grow out their facial hair in their department, but since the idea was pitched and passed by the administration, the idea came to fruition. Stoll came up with the idea after talking to some fellow colleagues and members of other departments who have done No-Shave November in their departments.

GROWING IT OUT: Members of GVPD are growing out their facial hair or dying their hair to participate in a department-first No-Shave November and raise money for students. COURTESY | GVPD

“It’s just an interesting thing to have some fun with our staff, our officers, and kind of benefit with the community,” Stoll said. “I think there’s a lot of people that just don’t know what they are going to look like at the end.”

Stoll’s idea to spread the word about what the department is doing is through their social media pages, but he thinks the interactions he and his fellow officers have with the community will also help to spread the word. As of right now,

there are 10 officers who have suggested they are doing or are interested in participating in the event.

“I haven’t grown my facial hair beyond five days in my entire life, so I have no idea what I’m going to look like at the end of the month,” Stoll said with a laugh. “I think my end result is going to be a lot whiter than I would have thought. My wife is not happy.”

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A6&7 | ELECTION 2020

OCTOBER 9, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN DEFEATS TRUMP, PLEDGES TO UNITE AMERICA “If we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate,” Biden said.

“And I believe that this is part of the mandate from the American people. They want us to cooperate. That’s the choice I’ll make.”

Throughout his victory speech, Biden also outlined some of his early priorities

as president elect. Primarily, his focus is on containing COVID-19, which he said would be the first step toward revitalizing the economy and returning to a sense of normal. That push would begin with his announcement of a panel of scientists and virus experts to help convert their cam-

paign COVID-19 roadmap into an actionable plan.

“I will spare no effort — or commitment — to turn this pandemic around,” said Biden.

Closing with a hymn that was significant to his family, and especially his late son Beau, Biden left the country on a

hopeful note, particularly with an emphasis on creating a nation with a healed soul.

“With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country — and a thirst for justice — let us be the nation that we know we can be,” said Biden.

A VICE PRESIDENT MAKING STRIDES AS A WOMAN, PERSON OF COLOR

VICTORY: President-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris defeated President Donald Trump after earning a record-setting 74 million votes over a five-day election process. COURTESY | CBS58

BY NICK MORAN & OLIVIA FELLOWS EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

After a five-day affair, Joe Biden has been elected to lead the U.S. as its 46th president alongside running mate and vice president-elect Kamala Harris. While

votes are being finalized and ongoing legal disputes are still unfolding, projections across the board have named Biden the country’s next president.

Missing chances to sweep the race early on Election Day, it was key flips from Wisconsin and Michigan that allowed Biden to move through the week

in a stronger position than incumbent President Donald Trump. Biden would eventually secure states like Arizona and Pennsylvania to push him over the 270 hump and beat out Trump in a race that featured record voter turnout.

While results are waiting confirmation and pending legal action through the end

of the year, the signs seem to clearly name Biden as the president elect.

A victory speech featuring both Harris and Biden on Nov. 7 outlined a hope for a reborn America that restores a sense of hope, opportunity and civility.

A PRESIDENT BENT ON RESTORING THE SOUL OF AMERICA “My fellow Americans, the people of this nation have spoken,” Biden said as he opened his victory speech. “They have delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory. A victory for ‘We the people.’”

President-elect Joe Biden, who was last featured in a similar spotlight as vice president-elect for former President Barack Obama, focused this speech on unity and rebuilding the country.

Touting record votes cast and an appreciation for America’s support, Biden made a clear promise: to create respect at home and abroad.

“I sought this office to restore the soul of America,” Biden said. “To rebuild the backbone of the nation — the middle class. To make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home.”

He also took time to thank those who supported the election – including elected officials and poll workers – as well as a diverse voting base. Biden made an early promise to converse that support into a diverse administration that reflected the country.

“I said from the outset I wanted a campaign that represented America, and I think we did that,” Biden said. “Now that’s what I want the administration to look like.”

Acknowledging races he’s lost in the past, Biden made a point to extend his hand to supporters and voters of Trump, whose disappointment he said he empathized with. Instead of looming on harsh rhetoric, Biden took a productive approach in his speech, vowing to lead and work for Americans across the aisle, not just his base.

“Let’s give each other a chance,” Biden said.

“It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric. To lower the temperature. To see each other again. To listen to each other again. To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy.

We are not enemies. We are Americans.”

That sentiment extended to a strong sense of bipartisanship that Biden said he wanted to stand by, which he said would help end the demonization of each other seen within the country.

A NEW LEADER: In his victory speech, President-elect Joe Biden highlighted healing a divided country and tackling the COVID-19 pandemic as his primary concerns early on. COURTESY | BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

Friday night’s vice presidential victory for the democratic party marks major historical significance as California’s Kamala Harris assumes the position as the country’s first vice president of color, as well as its first female vice president. During her victory speech Saturday night, Harris spoke to an emotional crowd, acknowledging the gravity of the moment and thanking the many female pioneers that helped her on her path to victory.

“While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last,” Harris said.

“Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.”

Harris also acknowledged the new generation of women who cast their ballots in 2020, and honored her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who immigrated to the United States from India as a young woman. Harris’s mother died in 2009 after a battle with colon cancer.

“When she came here when she was 19, she could not have imagined this moment,” Harris said. “But she believed in an America where moments like this are possible.”

Harris recollected the importance of the women who pioneered the female right to vote, noting the 100 year anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave white women the right to vote.

It wasn’t until the Voting Rights Act was passed nearly a half century later, on Aug. 6, 1965, that Black women were officially allowed to exercise their right to vote.

During her victory speech, Harris also wore a white suit to honor the suffragettes.

“Tonight I reflect on their struggle, their determination, and the strength of their vision to see what can be, unburdened by what has been,” Harris said. “And I stand on their shoulders. And what a testament it is to Joe’s character that he had the audacity to break one of the most sub-

stantial barriers that exist in our country and select a woman as his vice president.”

Throughout her career, Harris has never allowed society’s labels to define her.

Harris’s biracial heritage represents a history of Black and Asian Americans that is often overlooked.

Her biography is one of interracial solidarity and activism: Harris’s progressive parents were active in the protests of the 1960s and 70s, and the senator has frequently talked about growing up with a unique world view due to her upbringing and as the child of immigrants.

Whatever happens following this election, Harris’s presumptive vice-presidential win has already made history. She will be the first Black American and the first Asian American to hold the country’s second highest office.

HISTORIC: Harris’ election makes her both the country’s first woman vice president and the first one of color. COURTESY | BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

A RACE STILL RIDDLED WITH UNCERTAINTY While victory speeches and called races seem to lock in Biden and Harris as the country’s next pair of leaders, there is still a long, uncertain road ahead of them before they are sworn into office in January.

Throughout the week of the election, President Donald Trump starkly claimed that voting had been filled with fraud, especially in battleground states where early and absentee voting had resulted in long count times and numbers in Biden’s favor. The result was a laundry list of lawsuits and legal action taken by the Trump campaign to challenge the results.

The president filed nearly a dozen lawsuits in states like Michigan, Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania in an effort to disqualify votes counted after Election Day. Some cases have been thrown out by state officials already, but others are going through the motions. Those that are have little chance of swaying the final results, according to legal professionals.

“There’s literally nothing that I’ve seen yet with the meaningful potential to affect the final result,” said Loyola Law School professor Justin Levitt in an interview with TIME. Among actions taken include a recount in Georgia, which Biden won by a narrow mar-

gin. A recount there could take until the end of the month to verify, according to state officials.

Trump is also pushing for a recount in Wisconsin, which flipped blue this election cycle.

Perhaps the most standout action taken was a lawsuit filed by the campaign that pleads to throw out votes received after 8 p.m. on Election Day. The Supreme Court has not yet indicated whether or not it would take the case, but according to TIME, the chances that even a reviewed case would sway the election outcome are slim.

However, with some legal action and recounts pending, Trump still expressed that he would resist leaving office amid what he claimed was a rigged election.

Historically, disputed races like those between Richard Nixon and John F Kennedy as well as between George W. Bush and Al Gore all resulted in concessions following some turmoil. There is no Constitutional consideration in place for what would happen if a president refuses to leave office.

Despite speculation, some observers are claiming that Trump will inevitably choose to concede to preserve his presidential legacy, especially if legal action does not end in his favor.

AWAITING CONFIRMATION: While current numbers name Biden the winner, certification will verify the results. Legal action from the Trump campaign claims there was fraud. COURTESY | CAROLYN KASTER

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A8 | NEWS DIGITAL

Cybersecurity Awareness Month focuses on online info security

BY JACOB DEWEERD NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

As lives shift online with each new technological innovation or digital service, it’s more important than ever to be aware of dangers on the internet. Since 2004, October has been designated as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and its purpose is to bring awareness to the significance of taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of information stored online.

Students, especially this year, are uniquely well-versed in the world of information kept in cloud-based notes apps, online accounts and autofill dialogues on dozens of websites. It’s fair to say that most students nowadays grew up using the internet and have plenty of experience creating complicated passwords and unique usernames to keep identities anonymous.

What we may overlook, though, is just how easy it is for all the important information stored online, like addresses, credit card numbers, and passwords, to end up somewhere it shouldn’t be.

Professor Vijay Bhuse, who teaches in Grand Valley State University’s School of Computing and Information Systems, is an expert in cybersecurity and staying safe

online. In teaching new students, he said he likes to start with some healthy skepticism.

“The first thing I want to make them aware of is that everything they do on the internet is not secure,” Bhuse said. “We have some security mechanisms, but they are not foolproof. We have secure systems and software, but you should use them properly and be aware of the threats.”

One of the easiest ways to be more secure online is to only use trusted, safe websites for everyday browsing. Although sites promising access to things like free movies and music are common, they’re usually filled with suspicious links and popups that can install viruses or malware used to gain access to your system. The whole point of those viruses is to take advantage of inexperienced users, and certain viruses can really wreak havoc on personal data that isn’t securely stored.

It’s good practice to learn what kinds of links are real and trustworthy, and to not take chances on clicking on something that looks too good to be true. Advertisements and links for free games, movies, or other expensive programs are dishonest the vast majority of the time, and those are the types of links that prey on users that aren’t aware of good cybersecurity practices. There’s no

way to predict what kinds of data might be exposed by viruses, so avoiding them at all costs should always be the goal of anyone using the internet.

“If bad luck and stupidity happens at the same time, the possibility for losses is limitless,” said Bhuse.

This mindset becomes even more important when considering just how many websites require sensitive information. Old personal accounts can still hold data like addresses and credit card numbers, and those accounts are easy to forget about.

Being aware that information is tied to old accounts until they’re closed is vital, and keeping an eye out for security breaches on previously-used websites is a good way to make sure no current accounts can be accessed with a leaked password.

“It’s a cat and mouse game,” Bhuse said, “It never ends; you have to keep updating passwords and software all the time. That’s just the nature of cybersecurity.”

It’s also vital to consider the longevity of what is posted online. Pictures, tweets, and other posts are pretty much impossible to remove once they’re uploaded, and self-deprecating content can have dire consequences if it’s discovered at a later date. Bhuse explained that it’s always

smart to think ahead before posting anything online.

“Once something is on the internet, it’s hard to get rid of it,” Bhuse said. “Think of your own privacy. Take it seriously. Don’t upload things that you don’t want to publicly share.”

Students living in this digital age might feel invincible online because of how long they’ve been using the internet, but viruses, malware and data breaches can affect anyone regardless of their experience level.

Trustworthy and popular websites deal with data breaches all the time and whatever information is leaked can be very valuable to hackers and other online criminals.

“College students like you guys have been using the internet since you were little kids — you’re digital citizens,” Bhuse said.

“You have to know how to use the existing solutions and best practices.”

Above all, just like Bhuse teaches his students right away, a healthy sense of skepticism online is always needed to ensure safety. Cybersecurity Awareness Month exists to bring awareness to what can happen if users don’t take the internet seriously, and in our increasingly-digital lives, everyone could benefit from being mindful of how they use the internet.

ONLINE SAFETY: While lives are more digital than ever amid the pandemic, Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to educate communities on protecting their information on the internet. COURTESY | GVSU

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

A9 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ARTS AT A GLANCE

EXPLORATION

20TH/21ST-CENTURY MUSIC FESTIVAL INTRODUCES YOUNG PIANISTS TO NEW CLASSICAL MUSIC

When we think of classical music, our first thoughts are of artists like Mozart or Beethoven. But classical music is more than a collection of composers who have long since passed, but it is a genre of music that is still being developed by contemporary composers. The Grand Valley State University Department of Music, Theater and Dance hopes to foster that realization through the 20th/21st-Century Piano Festival.

Held Saturday, Nov. 7, the festival is in its sixth year of being organized by professor Sookkyung Cho. The event focuses on providing a performance experience for about 70-80 K-12 students, or “pre-college” as the festival terms them. This year, the event is hosted on the GVSU Piano Facebook page where all videos will be streamed.

Read the full story at www.lantorn.com.

JOHN BALL ZOO PRESENTS ILLUMIZOO - A GLENLORE TALE

For the first time in its history, John Ball Zoo is putting on IllumiZoo - A Glenlore Tale. From Sunday, Oct. 10 through Sunday, Nov. 15, event-goers have the opportunity to walk the zoo and experience a large display of lights and colors that explore the illuminating connections between wildlife and wild places.

IllumiZoo - A Glenlore Tale begins at 6 p.m. and is a one-mile outdoor trail through the zoo that takes about 45-60 minutes to walk and winds through the lower and upper realms of the zoo.

The family-friendly event incorporates projections, LED light displays and audio to help tell the tale of conservation and how everyone is connected to one another and nature around them.

Read the full story at www.lantorn.com.

GRPM TAKES VIEWERS TO THE ICE AGE AT UNDER THE ARCTIC EXHIBIT This fall, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) brought an interactive and engaging exhibit to the community that strives to educate viewers on climate change. The Under the Arctic exhibit will run from Sept. 26 to April 25.

The GRPM welcomes all ages to come and enjoy the exhibit and learn more about the issue of climate change.

GRPM collaborated with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The exhibit includes a 30-foot-long Alaskan permafrost tunnel replica, allowing visitors to feel fully engaged. The exhibit also offers fossil research stations and interactive games.

Interactive Studio class plans to study “synchronous displacement”

BY MARY RACETTE ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Since most of the classes at Grand Valley State University have moved to either partially or entirely online, students and faculty have relied heavily on video conferencing software such as Zoom. In winter 2021, ART 394 Interactive Studio will focus on investigating questions that have arisen in the midst of this sudden shift in dependence on technology for synchronous interaction.

Interactive Studio is offered by the Department of Visual and Media Arts. The course fulfills an issues credit, therefore, students must be junior standing to enroll. While the course attracts many art majors, it is offered to all students without any prerequisites.

Projects are primarily multimedia and technology-based, so traditional art skills are not required to succeed in this course.

Professor of Interactive Studio Sara Alsum Wassenaar said, “In a lot of the visual studies classes, having students from different majors across campus is a real attribute to the environment because of the diversity that it brings.”

Fifth-year visual studies student Calvin Garvey took Interactive Studio in winter 2018 and will be enrolling in the class for the second time in 2021. They said while they recommend the class to engineering students and coding, students should not feel intimi-

DIGITAL DISSONANCE: Interactive Studio students are exploring the role of “synchronous displacement” in a pandemic-stricken world where online presences are rapidly growing. COURTESY | GVSU

dated by the coding aspects of the course.

Interactive Studio was in a unique position going into this year because the course curriculum did not have to change in order to fit some of the most relevant issues going on in the world today. This course has always addressed these issues, but the content has just become more relevant in the last year.

Paul Wittenbraker, head of the Visual Studies section of the Department of

Visual and Media Arts, said that they focused on context during the development of certain courses in the department over a decade ago. This cushioned the transitions that the department has had to go through in the last year.

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3D ART

GRPM explores interconnectedness with nature through new LEGO exhibit

BY MARY DUPUIS MDUPUIS@LANTHORN.COM

Produced by Imagine Exhibitions, the newest exhibition at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM), “Wild Connections”

by New York artist Sean Kenney, opened Nov. 7 and features works of art made entirely from LEGO bricks.

Consisting of over 2 million LEGO bricks, the exhibition took a team of artists, building and designing models,

PIECES: GRPM’s newst exhibit uses LEGO to connect viewers with nature. COURTESY | GRPM

welding armatures as well as and a team that handled the logistics and installations of the traveling exhibitions about 15,000 hours of designing and building. GRPM Director of Marketing and Communication, Christie Bender, said the exhibition is a sight to see.

“This exhibition is amazing in that it captures the intricacies of nature in LEGO bricks through art,” Bender said. “The combination of color and the animal and plant sculptures is phenomenal. It has you smiling as soon as you enter and you can’t wait to start exploring each to learn more.”

Not only is the exhibition visually pleasing, but it also carries an underlying message.

Bender said each LEGO sculpture features a different animal species in order to stir up conversations about animal endangerment, mankind’s relationship with nature and the balancing of our ecosystems.

“This exhibition explores the relationship between humans and nature and how everything is interconnected the way LEGO bricks

are connected,” Bender said. “Visitors will leave with a better understanding of the interconnectedness and how their footprint impacts the natural world around us.”

Kenney also emphasizes the connectedness of the artwork. He said it’s important to him that each sculpture attempts to illustrate the connections found in nature and the different relationships that exist.

“Fundamentally, the show is about connections,” Kenney said. “Just as LEGO pieces interconnect, everything in nature is interconnected in a delicate balance. Insects and plants have important relationships. Different species of animals have special relationships with each other. Animals have connections with their families just like we do.”

The planning for this exhibition began well in advance when GRPM reached out to Sean Kenney in the summer of 2018 with an inquiry about hosting one of his traveling exhibitions.

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A10 | LAKER LIFE LAKER LIFE BRIEFS PRESIDENTIAL DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON COOLIDGE In the wake of the most tumultuous United States election in living memory, many are thinking more than usual about the presidency and its importance to the country. Those who’d maybe like to think about something other than our current president and president elect may enjoy attending a talk on Tuesday, Nov. 10 on America’s 30th president, Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge.

After the unexpected death of the scandalous President Warren Harding in 1923, Vice President Coolidge was quickly flung to center stage. He handled the position with a notably dry sense of humor, once observing that “the American people want a solemn ass as a president, and I think I will go along with them.”

Those interested in learning more about Coolidge can RSVP for the event on Laker Link at www.gvsu.campuslabs. com. The virtual presentation is scheduled to last from 9-10 p.m. over Zoom, and is hosted by the Grand Valley State University chapter of Students for Liberty.

ANNUAL TEACH-IN GOES DIGITAL AMID PANDEMIC Every year, Grand Valley State University hosts a series of dialogues on various social justice issues in order to inspire critical and analytical conversation on campus. This year is no different, and on Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Equity and Inclusion Committee will be presenting a series of online sessions running concurrently throughout the day.

This year’s Teach-In will feature topics like cultural competence in health care, clean water access in Michigan and across the country, media representation of race, and ableism in the student experience.

A full schedule of the programs that will last from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. can be found at www.gvsu.edu/teach-in.

CONVERSATION

CSLC hosts post-election discussions

BY KATHERINE ARNOLD LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

With Joe Biden projected as the country’s new president elect, it feels like everyone is lying in anticipation of what comes next, and waiting couldn’t feel more stressful. On Wednesday, the Community Service Learning Center (CSLC) hosted the first of two events themed as a post-election discussion panel. The CSLC brought together Associate Director Melissa Baker-Boosamra, moderator Jane Johnston, seven panelists and a number of students to talk about what happened on election day, where we are in the aftermath and where we’re going next.

As part of the Democracy 101 series of events, this post-election panel served as another contribution to the series that started after many questions arose out of the 2016 presidential election. Student Senate and the CSLC have partnered to continue hosting this series and to keep asking critical questions about what democracy looks like. For this panel, that meant asking exactly what the 2020 presidential election means.

“We are acknowledging the strangeness of the time we all find ourselves in at this moment,” Baker-Boosamra said. “Certainly, this is an important time in our nation’s history, and there is a lot hanging in the balance.”

Jane Johnston, a GVSU alumna and moderator of the session, opened the discussion by formally introducing each panelist for the evening. The seven were Kathy Hunter, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and member of the GVSU Counseling Center; Karen Zivi,

ELECTION BREAKDOWN: A cast of perspectives came together for the CSLC’s first post-election discussion. A second installment will round out the drawn-out results. GVL | KATHERINE ARNOLD

an Associate Professor in Political Science; Jeff Kelly Lowenstein, Professor of Civil Discourse and Executive Director of the Center for Collaborative and Investigative Journalism; Ellen Wehrman, the Michigan Director for the Campus Election Engagement Project; Anne Jbara, an attorney at GVSU; Bilal Hammoud, Public Engagement Associate for the Department of State; and Lauren Moine, a senior and Vice-President of Public Relations in Student Senate.

Wehrman began the panelist discussion by taking a closer look at how the counts were developing on Election Day, as well as

how significant it was that states had more votes than usual. Given the extra load on the system (during the hectic restrictions of COVID-19, no less), she stressed the importance of how many people helped to make Michigan’s election day run successfully.

“We are really grateful to how many people stood up to be poll workers to make sure that everyone could vote safely and in-person in the midst of a pandemic,” said Wehrman.

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IDENTITY

Community reflects for Transgender Day of Remembrance AUTUMN PITCHURE LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

STUDENTS CHECK OUT MAJORS WITH GV’S ADVISING CENTER Is your major still undeclared? Are you still thinking about your options when it comes to minors? Simply wondering about career paths for a major you’ve already chosen? If so, you may be interested in attending the upcoming Virtual Majors Fair hosted by the CLAS Academic Advising Center.

Faculty from different departments across the university will be available to share info with curious students, representing every major Grand Valley State University has to offer.

The online event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12. Those who’d like to attend can register for the fair at gvsu.edu/exploratory/majors-fair.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE

SCREENING: This year’s Day of Remembrance will feature a discussion on award-winning film “Framing Agnes.” COURTESY | CHASE JOYNT

Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transphobic hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. Tragically, many of these murders of transgender Americans remain unsolved today. The annual Transgender Day of Remembrance stresses the importance of not only remembering the lives of those that were lost to anti-transgender violence, but ending the continued deaths.

The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on Nov. 28, 1998, began the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder still hasn’t been solved. As they do every year, the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center at Grand Valley State University will be joining in on the acknowledgment of this important day.

“The LGBT Resource Center is excited to announce our annual keynote in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance,” said the center’s Associate Director Marla Wick. “This year’s program will be virtual, and the participants should register on our website to receive the Zoom link.”

The Transgender Day of Remembrance will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Those interested in attending can RSVP by going to the LGBT Center’s website at www.gvsu.edu/lgbtc.

Registration will close on Nov. 10 in order for The LGBTQ Center to be able to send out the Zoom link to participants.

The event will feature a raffle that all attendees can enter and the winner will take home a lucky bonus prize, a progress flag and a pin.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

QUICK HITS

A11 | SPORTS COLUMN

NEW COVID-19 CASES COULD AFFECT WINTER SPORTS POTENTIAL

As of right now, GVSU and the GLIAC are sticking with their original pandemic plan, which means that on Jan. 1, 2021, both organizations will reassess the landscape of the pandemic and if it’s viable to once again bring back sports competitions. While optimism may have been better as GVSU’s and the country’s COVID-19 case numbers dropped, it hasn’t been the same starting last week.

Nov. 6, marked the highest total of new contracted COVID-19 cases per day in the country with 132,797 cases. 4,287 of those cases came from Michigan. In Kent county, there were 376 new cases. Currently at GVSU, there are 146 active cases.

There is room for optimism however, as every Laker, fan, coach, and student athlete wants sports to be played. The GVSU Athletics Department and the GLIAC board will have to make a very tough and diligent decision come the beginning of the new year.

A LACK OF LUBBERS: A sea of GVSU sports fans gather in Lubbers Stadium for a blackout football game. Lanthorn Associate Editor Kellen Voss writes that the GVSU community needs sports more than ever. What GVSU should be witnessing right now is another stellar year. COURTESY | GVSU ATHLETICS

We’ve taken GV sports for granted

GVSU TEAMS CONTINUE TO KEEP BUSY GVSU athletics teams have stayed busy training and practicing for the past few weeks.

The volleyball team just had a black and blue scrimmage in the Fieldhouse Arena last week. The swimming and diving team began inner-team racing. The football team has begun 11 on 11 padded practices. Men and women golfers are competing in tournaments around Michigan and soon the country.

Lakers teams are making the most of the circumstance they’re in and will continue to vamp their practices as the year progresses.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCORES

Grandville 35, Traverse City West 0 Rockford 42, Hudsonville 7 Caledonia 55, Lowell 38 Muskegon Mona Shores 28, Grand Rapids Forest Hill Central 25 East Grand Rapids 63, Holland 26 Holt 43, Grand Ledge 36 Novi Detroit Catholic Central 37, Novi 0 White Lake Lakeland 41, Howell 40 Grand Blanc 42, Clarkston 35 Canton 35, Livonia Stevenson 28

FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS QB: Patrick Mahomes 207.1, Russel Wilson 206.06, Kyler Murray 195.58, Josh Allen 179.58, Tom Brady 10.16

RB: Alvin Kamara 195.7, Dalvin Cook 161.9, Derrick Henry143.6, Ezekiel Elliot 138.1, James Robinson 133.6

WR: Tyler Lockett 148.5, Calvin Ridley 148.1, D.K. Metcalf 144.4, DeAndre Hopkins 143.4, Tyreek Hill 142.1

TE: Travis Kelce 143, Darren Waller 98.2, George Kittle 98.1, T.J. Hockenson 87.1, Robert Tonyan 85.4

K: Randy Bullock 78, Younghoe Koo 75, Dan Carlson 73, Ryan Succop 73, Wil Lutz 70

BY KELLEN VOSS ASSOCIATE@LANTHORN.COM

There’s a case to be made that this has been the most stressful week for Grand Valley State University students over this whole semester, for a variety of reasons.

With midterms wrapping up over the last few weeks, many students are panicking because there are only so many weeks to improve their grades before the holiday season is upon us.

That stress towards the semester has grown exponentially during this first week of November, as college students all over the country find themselves constantly checking poll results while worrying about what those results could mean for the future of our country.

On top of all that, the pandemic is still in full swing, as numbers are spiking every day in Michigan. On Wednesday alone, more than 4,000 Michiganders tested positive for COVID-19.

These factors all culminating during the month of November can be a lot for students to handle, and being able to attend a GVSU sporting event right now could give students the emotional and mental escape they so desperately need right now. Sadly, because of the pandemic, sporting events at GVSU, both at the varsity and club levels, won’t be happening until at least the first of the year, barring a vaccine miraculously becoming readily available in the next few weeks.

As someone who has been covering GVSU sports for the last three years, I know better than most that this should be one of the most exciting times in the sports calen-

dar for GVSU athletics.

Pre-pandemic, the start of November marked what is quite possibly the busiest time of year for the Lanthorn sports section.

At this time last year, the GVSU soccer team was playing their best brand of soccer and were well on their way to claiming their sixth national championship in program history.

While the GVSU football team didn’t make the postseason last season, this time of year usually consists of scouting playoff opponents as the Laker football team prepares to make a deep postseason run.

The men’s and women’s cross country teams were also dominating at this time last year, placing in first at the NCAA regional championship with many runners posting impressive performances.

Fall sports ramping up for postseason play often converge with the start of the season for winter sports teams at GVSU, who at this time last year were also getting ready for what would end up being successful seasons.

The men’s basketball team was preparing to post their highest total of regular season wins since the 2007-08 season, while the women’s basketball team was preparing to continue their dominance from the 2018-19.

That women’s basketball team was able to run it back for what was arguably a more successful 2019-20 campaign, where the Lakers only lost three times and were nationally ranked all season of the season before having their NCAA tournament cut short due to COVID-19.

This would normally be one of the most exciting times of year to be following the Lakers, where we as fans would get a chance to sit back and watch the DII powerhouse that is GVSU athletics continue to dominate and fill out the trophy cases. Those sports all came to a screeching halt thanks to COVID-19, which has made many parts of GVSU’s campus look a lot different.

Previous editors of the Lanthorn have written lengthy columns questioning the school spirit of GVSU students, calling out Laker fans for not showing up to watch these commanding teams do what they do best in Allendale.

In one of the most stressful weeks in what has already been one of the most stressful years for college students, here is my message for GVSU students miss-

ing a lot during the pandemic: Don’t take GVSU sports for granted. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that some of the things that we love most in the world can be taken away at a moment’s notice.

When this pandemic is over — and it will eventually be over — come out and support these GVSU student athletes, who have gone months without playing the sports that have given them an escape from the evils around them.

There was a quote from Earl Warren, the former chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, which used to sit at the sports desk in the Lanthorn office that feels more prolific now than ever.

“I always turn to the sports section first,” Warren said. “The front page is nothing but man’s failures. The sports section records people’s accomplishments.”

Quotes like that perfectly capture why we love sports: no matter how heinous, ominous and depressing the world can be, you can always turn your brain off for a few hours and watch talented human beings do the unfathomable on a regular basis.

With the GLIAC decision to put all varsity sports on hold until 2021, there’s a good chance I’ve witnessed my last GVSU sporting event as a student, being that I graduate in December.

I’ve covered hundreds of games for this newspaper, and in these stressful times, I would give anything to return the press box to watch Ava Cook find the back of the net, see Tyler Bradfield lead the Laker defense or watch Jake Van Tubbergen slam it home with the band serenading his post-dunk celebration.

By the time GVSU sports are back, I’ll be trying to navigate the “real world,” while talented sports writers in Zack Goodrow, Holly Bihlman and Josh Carlson will be following these dominant teams.

They’ll be covering the games, masks and all, and I’ll be watching from the sidelines in what is hopefully a swift return to normalcy.

I just hope the student population at GVSU is as excited as I am to see the sports that give us a healthy escape come back to campus safely. Once fans are allowed to return to these games physically, those student sections better be as packed as ever.

That is what these diligent, talented GVSU student athletes deserve.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A12 | SPORTS GOLF

Coaches of GV: Rebecca Mailloux BYHOLLY BIHLMAN HBIHLMAN@LANTHORN.COM

This is Rebecca Mailloux’s thirteenth year as the head coach of the women’s golf team at Grand Valley State University, but her relationship with the sport started even further back.

Before she tried her hand at coaching long ago, Mailloux was a part of the professional golf world. Her golfing career began after high school in her home state of Rhode Island and took her to several different states. She won Rhode Island’s Female Athlete of the Year award in 2002 right after college.

Starting at a relatively older age than most other professional golfers, Mailloux was introduced to golf when she was ten years old, eventually playing through high school along with several other sports.

“I was involved in quite a bit of sports growing up,” Mailloux said. “I was a basketball player, softball player and golfer. I did all three of those throughout high school. Then in my junior and senior year, I decided I was going to pursue college golf.”

Mailloux began her colligate golf career at Longwood College in Virginia and played there for two years. She even won a medalist honors at the Longwood Invitational her freshman year. However, once she decided Longwood wasn’t going to push her hard enough to become as successful as she had wanted, she made the transfer to the University of Southern Florida. Moving from a D2 to D1 school gave her the opportunity to compete at higher levels

SWINGS AND SUCCESS: Grand Valley State University women’s golf head coach Rebecca Mailloux has a long history as a professional golfer, but a longer history of coaching success. GVL | ARCHIVES

and work towards the professional golf world.

While in Florida, Mailloux played number three on the team and made it to the NCAA Tournament her junior and senior year. She also helped her team win the Conference USA Championship twice. Out of all of her success at school, her greatest feat was actually the Massachusetts Women’s Open. This event made her realize she was capable of pursuing professional golf seriously.

“It was when I was in college, but it was actually a summer tournament that I was playing back home in Rhode Island,” Mailloux said. “It

was the Massachusetts Women’s Open. The year before I had finished runner up in the event, and then in 2003 I won it all. There were some really good female golfers there, especially professional golfers, and I actually won the whole thing. For me, that was kind of what gave me that confidence to say, ‘You know what, maybe I can make it at the professional ranks.’”

With this jump into the professional golf world, Mailloux began to take on golfing as a full-time job after college, staying in Florida for five years. Her first coaching position fell into her lap within these five years at St. Leo Univer-

sity, and she figured she would try it out alongside her own golfing.

As her first coaching job, Mailloux felt like it was something she could really be good at.

However, multitasking wasn’t doing her golfing career or St. Leo’s team any favors. Neither aspect was as good as it could have been.

“I was basically giving half my attention to both,” Mailloux said. “It was in those two years when I was playing professionally that I stared paying attention more to what my playing opponents were doing. I was becoming more interested in helping their games than I was my own. I feel like I was getting a different satisfaction in helping others.”

It was this realization that led her to take on coaching full-time, and she was able to develop St. Leo’s golf team over the first five years of their existence. The beginning of her career was littered with success and determination.

This didn’t go unnoticed. Mailloux received a call from the head coach of women’s golf at GVSU, asking her to fill the position. After 13 years with consistent trips to the NCAA Championships and numerous Coach of the Year awards, it’s safe to say Mailloux made the right decision.

The title of a head coach at GVSU is so much more than what is in the job description. Over the years, Mailloux has encountered some of the hardest and happiest times in her life while working with her team.

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