G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N
Protecting Health and Pride Sex Ed sparks controversy in Ottawa County
‘Water in the West’ program takes an active approach to learning LAKER LIFE
| A12
GR air quality plummets, climate change plays a role NEWS | A5
M O N DAY, AU G U S T 7, 2 0 2 3 / / VO L . 5 8 N O. 1
@GVLANTHORN
LANTHORN.COM
A2 | NEWS
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLNEWS
PREJUDICE
SCOTUS ruling sparks fear of future LBGT discrimination BY CHLOE SCHRAM NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
On June 30 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a website designer seeking an enjoinment to deny services to same-sex couples. 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis is a Supreme Court case in which a 6-3 decision ruled in favor of website designer Lorie Smith, confirming she had the first amendment right to refuse to create wedding websites for same-sex couples. Smith brought the case to the court’s attention to confirm she had the right, should she choose it, to refuse service to same-sex or LGBT couples and retain protection under the law in spite of Colorado’s state legislation. The case, built on a hypothetical situation, was raised all the way to the Supreme Court. Smith filed a pre-enforcement challenge to the federal court in the state of Colorado back in 2016, claiming the state’s anti-discrimination law violated her freedom of speech under the First Amendment of the Constitution. The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits public accommodations from refusing to provide full and equal enjoyment of services to individuals for many reasons. Smith argued that she should be allowed to deny same-sex couple’s services because providing such services to them are against her religious beliefs. She did not face any penalties for refusing any service of the sort at the time. The outcome of the case stirred Grand Valley State University students and other community members to express concern for future discrimination cases. “As a queer person myself, the outcome of Creative LLC vs. Elenis was disheartening to say the least,” GVSU Senior Hannah Kunkel said. “Allowing discriminatory practices (like refusing service based on sexual orientation) only further allows and normalizes discrimination against queer people.”
Kunkel said she is concerned by the outcomes of the case and what the decision means moving forward in regards to issues of LGBTQ discrimination. “It’s scary to see actions like this be authorized by our government, because the precedent is then set for larger actions against marginalized communities in general,” Kunkel said. “A wedding website may seem like a silly thing to be upset over, but, again, the precedent starts with small things like this.” Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center Jazz McKinney said they felt disappointed but not surprised by the Creative LLC vs. Elenis ruling. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t surprising, but it was still disappointing that the Supreme Court decided to take the route of discrimination by essentially saying that one can discriminate from compelled speech,” McKinney said. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion for the case. He concluded the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act would require Smith to make statements that she did not want to, therefore violating the Compelled Speech Doctrine if used to force Smith to create wedding websites for same-sex couples. “We’re not talking about religious freedom, but compelled speech,” McKinney said. “The fact that (SCOTUS) said that this could happen based on compelled speech is an unwanted precedent, especially because the court case wasn’t even a real court case. She got (the case) all the way up to the Supreme Court in a hypothetical situation.” McKinney said the situation leads to conversations around how an American consumer interacts and make decisions with small businesses. “While yes, it does set a dangerous precedent. If that’s what she wants to do, that’s on her. I can also, in turn, not give her my money, and tell others not to give
her their money either,” McKinney said. The case is only a part of larger issues and themes that play a role in the LGBTQ community. McKinney said there are much larger issues at hand than 303 Creative LLC vs. Elenis and that website designer refusing service to LGBTQ people “is not important in the grand scheme of things.” They want people to focus on the importance of safety and stability for LGBTQ community members. “There’s so much stuff going on in our world and in the LGBTQ world that needs attention and that needs our focus, money, time and energy,” McKinney said. “I have so many people calling the Pride Center and they’re asking for housing because they’re homeless, but the media wants me to think that a website is the most important thing.” GVSU aims to support on campus support for the LGBTQ community through the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center. The center has a plethora of student services, events, programs and more to assist students. The center aims to create an informed, cohesive and just campus where community members of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender presentations are supported and welcome.
“There’s so much stuff going on in our world and in the LGBTQ world that needs attention and that needs our focus, money, time and energy”
PREDISPOSITION: Equal treatment laws in Colorado were challenged by a small business posing a hypothetical situation where she refused service to same-sex couples. COURTESY | NBC
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN
A3 | NEWS
@GVLNEWS
CONTENTS PREJUDICE
| A2
SAFETY
| A4
POLLUTION
| A5
OPINIONS
|A6
EDITORIAL
| A7
LGBTQ
| A8-9
SUPPORT
| A10
MUSIC
| A11
RESEARCH
| A12
ART
| A13
BASEBALL
| A14
SUMMER
| A15
FALL
| A16 VOL. 58
NO. 1
Videographer MUSA DOV
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief ELIZABETH SCHANZ
Layout Editor REV BRONOWSKI
Associate Editor LEA GAETTO News Editor EMMA ARMIJO
Layout Designer CARLIE SHERWOOD PROMOTIONS
Sports Editor
Promotions Manager ELISE RAPEYKO
NELSON HUBBELL
Laker Life Editor ISABELLE ENGLAND
ADVERTISING STAFF
Illinois book ban law opens conversation for Michigan legislation BY MALLORY BURT EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
On June 13, Illinois became the first state in the U.S. initiate a law to prevent book censorship. According to the Illinois General Assembly the law “protects the freedoms of libraries to acquire materials without external limitation.” This landmark legislation has picked up steam in Michigan, stirring the possibilities of similar legislation coming into effect in other blue states. Ella Vance, a current prelaw major at Grand Valley State University said the Illinois law has created expectations for other states to pay attention to. “Because the ban is officially a law, it sets a precedent for other states, specifically for Michigan,” Vance said. Under the new law (House Bill 2789) all public libraries in Illinois must adopt policies stating they will not ban or restrict books based on any kind of disapproval. In Michigan, most public libraries follow the guidelines set by the American Library Association (ALA). The ALA already holds policies protecting discrimination of content and ensures that “materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.” However, without
solid legal implications many public libraries and schools have made allowances for censorship that could be deemed both against the library guidelines and potentially unconstitutional. Recent ALA data revealed 1,269 demands were made to censor library books in 2022, many of them books authored or centered around LGBTQ community and people of color. Arts and Humanities Liaison at GVSU Amber Dirkling said support she support Illinois’ legislation in addition to the policies of ALA. “(It) makes it easier to defend against book bans and challenges that are akin to targeted harassment campaigns,” Dirkling said. There are mixed responses as to what will happen in the Grand Rapids area should a similar ban take place. Bob Wood, a former teacher in West Michigan and current Ukrainian Catholic University professor believes legislation against book bans in Michigan would return power to facilitators of education. “It would go to court, you would have different school districts or communities (that) would sue, however if it held up it would leave (literary selection) in the hands of educators, where it belongs,” Wood said. Cara Cadena, a staff member at the GVSU library, believes
legislation on book censorship in Michigan would not change much at GVSU specifically. “Academic libraries have not been scrutinized to the same degree as our public and school libraries have,” Cadena said. “Academic freedom is something GVSU and our peer institutions take very seriously.” Wood said he feels like the currently political landscape has invaded educational faculties and has drawn focus away from the work of educational institutions. “Groups from the left and groups from the right are using libraries as a place to fight their battles,” Wood said. “Meanwhile, you want [kids] to read, and you want them to reach past what they know. It’s almost like the parents are screaming and the kids are just walking around, getting what they want and what they need.” Even though the internet allows widespread access to content that skirts the edge of banned books and library censorship, Dirkling says open access to literature in libraries is a fundamental part of society. “They’re a core part of our civic society, our Democracy,” Dirkling said. “We all deserve libraries that protect our rights to access information, to learn about ourselves and those who are different from us.”
Advertising Manager LAUREN SCHOENHERR
A&E Editor ASHLEY MOUBRAY
POLICY
BUSINESS STAFF
Image Editor BETHANN LONG Multimedia Editor AYRON RUTAN
Business Manager BRENDAN BUTTERFIELD Distribution Managers DALLAS MATTHEWS REAGAN RUDD
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
READERSHIP: Amending censorship of literary contents in the state of Illinois puts control of the class reading list back into the hands of teachers, and out of the grasp of the government agencies, and gives community members access to unbiased selections. COURTESY | CNN
A4 | NEWS
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLNEWS
SAFETY
New Michigan legislation cracks down on distracted driving
TRANSPORTATION: New roadway policy creates an expectation for totally hands-free drivers. Most vehicles are now equipped with bluetooth technology that lets the driver conduct basic phone conversations without taking their eyes off the road, saving drivers with newer cars from the risk of a citation under the new driving policy. COURTESY | DETROIT PRESS
ADVERTISEMENT GOES HERE
BY NATALIE BROOKS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
On June 7. Michigan signed a new distracted driving ban into law that went into effect on June 30. Texting while driving has been banned in Michigan since 2010, however this new law prohibits the use of hand-held devices or cell phones for any task while driving. The specific restrictions include, but are not limited to, sending or receiving text messages and phone calls, watching videos and accessing, reading, or posting to social media sites. Engaging in any of these activities is considered a primary offense. However, there are some exceptions to this rule in emergency situations, for devices integrated into vehicles and devices that are used in a “hands-free” mode. Officers say drivers should mount their phones on their dashboard or air vents in order to use their devices for directions while driving. “When (your phone) is docked, it does not mean you can push multiple buttons. You may push one button or one swipe to turn on and off the feature of that phone, or select a phone number or name within your phone,” Grand Valley State University’s Department of Public Safety Chief Brandon DeHaan said. According to the Detroit News the penalties for
breaking the law are multilevel. The first offense is either a $100 fine or 16 hours of community service. The second offense is either a $250 fine or 24 hours of community service. If a person accumulates three or more violations in less than 3 years then they will be required to complete a basic driving improvement course.
“I am hopeful that a similar decrease in distracted driving will be reflected in Michigan in general, but especially in areas with high foot-traffic, like the GVSU campus” If an accident occurs due to any type of handheld cell phone, use the penalty will double. Assistant Professor of Writing at GVSU Kylie Jacobsen said there was a nearly identical law placed in Ohio in early April of 2023. WLWT5 reported that after one month of the Ohio law
being in effect, there was a 9.1% reduction in distracted driving. Jacobson said the implementation of the similar bill in Michigan makes her hopeful for more focused drivers throughout the state. “I am hopeful that a similar decrease in distracted driving will be reflected in Michigan in general, but especially in areas with high foottraffic, like the GVSU campus,” Jacobsen said. However, some people feel as though this new law will be hard to enforce, or not really be enforceable at all. However, according to WZZM13, Kent County officers are actively engaged in enforcing the law. One officer, Deputy Michael Scalici, pulled over three drivers violating the new law between 10:30 a.m. and noon on the very first day it went into effect. GVPD said with the distracted driving legislation in effect, the campus community is urged to be mindful of their driving habits for their own safety and the safety of others.
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLNEWS
A5 | NEWS
POLLUTION
GR air quality plummets, climate change plays role BY JOSEPH POULOS EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
Air pollution reached an all time high for the city of Grand Rapids over the summer of 2023. Reaching a peak point in late June, the city held the worst air quality in the United States. Visible smog and haze blanketed the entire state for multiple days, caused by chronic pollution issues and the rampant wildfires in Northern Michigan and Canada. One particular wildfire, near Staley Lake, Michigan, began as an unconfined campfire that burned over 2,400 acres of land. The smoke from this and Canada’s wildfires made their way across the Great Lakes to settle in the air. The wildfires created a perfect storm of hot temperatures, low precipitation, dirt and dust that coalesced into a remarkably poor season for air quality. Many experts in the scientific community feel the uptick in negative natural phenomena has a direct correlation to the effects of years of climate change. According to Elena Lioubimtseva, a Professor of Geography and Sustainable Planning at Grand Valley State University, extreme wildfires and record-breaking air pollution are just the beginning of what could be the future effects of climate change. Acute causes in air quality change can be attributed to the wildfires, though the greater sum of these forest fires can be followed back to man-made causes. “There is no question about it,” Lioubimtseva said. “We have been experiencing more and more wildfires every year. It is very clearly linked to higher temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns, the same is happening along the Western Coast and the Mediterranean as well. Wildfires are very clearly correlated with climate change.” An increase of rainfall throughout the summer generated perfect conditions for the devastating smog. The future of air quality in the United States and the world at large is a growing concern. “It will get worse before it becomes better,” Lioubimtseva said. “With the higher temperatures and the higher levels of water vapor in the air, all the chemicals from the wildfires create a very unhealthy substance in the air.” The community of Grand Rapids has been paying attention. Morgan Westrate, a junior at GVSU, was surprised to see the city on the radar for pollution, especially when smog has been widely reported internationally.
“I remember as a kid seeing something in the newspaper about air pollution, but in a foreign country outside of the U.S.,” Westrate said. “This is my first summer experiencing and hearing about it in the U.S.” This kind of air pollution became more personal for many in the community when the haze covered Grand Rapids, though not every citizen was moved enough to stay indoors or change their summer plans. “Personally the air pollution has not affected my plans in any way, but I have seen how it affects more people nowadays,” Westrate said. The severity of the smog, especially the visual effects, have prompted citizens and experts alike to call for change in human behavior as a civilization to prevent this from continuing in the future. “I do think climate change contributed to the air pollution,” Westrate said. “However I feel like this isn’t an easy answer. We can always be better and do better, but it’s a question of if we are willing to give up our lifestyles for the sake of our climate.” Lioubimtseva said the fires themselves are mostly unpreventable if Earth’s temperatures continue to rise over the next few years. “There is not that much we can do to prevent forest fires without addressing what causes them in the first place,” Lioubimtseva said. “We can try to adapt, we can try to mitigate the effects of forest fires with better forest management. I don’t think there is really a recipe for first management that can prevent wildfires with longer and longer dry seasons.” Lioubimtseva believes protecting those who are able to mitigate the effects of forest fires and air pollution in their own communities is a good place to start as far as relieving the overall effects of these fires. Focusing on the human impact is also step for forest fire relief: placing special focus on communities who are most at risk, such as elderly people or those with respiratory diseases. “We also need to think about the socioeconomic aspects of this vulnerability because people who don’t have access to air conditioning and those who work outdoors and can’t hide inside and those who are inevitably exposed really need to be protected,” Lioubimtseva said. “At this point, we need to focus more on the measures of social justice, making sure that those populations are protected.”
AIR QUALITY: Michigan experienced some of its worst air quality days on record this summer, with thick haze clouding the sky and forcing event cancellations. COURTESY | WZZM
AUGUST 7, 2023
A6 | OPINIONS
GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLNEWS
How to “spice up” your summer
BY MADDIE ZIMMERMAN EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
We are rolling into the Sunday of the summer a.k.a. August. With August in full swing, summer starts to get repetitive, and even boring sometimes. I am here to help you make the most out of the rest of your summer before the school year starts and the weather starts to cool down. In the beginning of summer I feel so ambitious. I am going to go to the gym daily, cook meals from home, and go on two mile walks every night. This is easy to write down and dream of doing it but physically getting yourself to do your goals may be harder. For me, I have been struggling to stay on top of things I wanted to do this summer. August is the final stretch of the summer and my final month to accomplish the things I wanted to do.
My first suggestion is to make a running list of things you still want to do. This can be a bucket list or a goals list. On my personal goal list, I have to go on more hikes, practice self care and to get off of my phone or electronics more often. Now look at your list and narrow down your goal. Instead of saying I want to go on more hikes, narrow down your goal to “I will hike one mile before I go to bed three times a week.” Now your goal is not only more obtainable but it is now measurable. Now you can keep track of your goal and make sure that you are successful in achieving it. As for a bucket list, that can really spice summer up. Summer gets repetitive. There are only so many days that you want to go to the beach, go downtown, visit home, or tan by the pool. Certain days you catch yourself laying in bed because you are bored and don’t know what to do. Then when school season comes around you find yourself wondering why you didn’t do more over the summer. Bucket lists can be a great way to not only accomplish your summer goals but also to ensure that summer never gets “boring.” I love to explore new places such as new trails to hike on, coffee shops to hang out with friends, and cute places to thrift. I like to ask on my Instagram stories for suggestions of places to go or sights to see from other Grand Valley State University students and narrow down ones that I find interesting. I also like to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. For me, this was my new hobby of pickleball. My boyfriend random-
ly won a set from our apartment complex and I had wanted to play but had no idea how to. Now, we go almost nightly to practice our pickleball skills. My summer days have been especially repetitive since I am working a nine-to-five internship. I am trying to help myself stay active and try to spice up my work from home days by going on 15 minute walks during my lunch break, working outside if possible and finding new coffee shops to work at. By doing these things, I am changing up my everyday routine and schedule. I also feel more productive at my internship by changing where I am working. I am more attentive and it gives me something to look forward to. This is my biggest tip and you will never feel bored: give yourself something to look forward to. If you don’t want to explore something alone, invite a friend. This can be your best friend or someone from a class you have always wanted to hang out with. This is a perfect opportunity to meet new people or spend more time with your closest friends. Summer is only boring if you let it be boring. Make a mood board on Pinterest of new outfits, recipes, or any other inspiration you need to spice up your summer. Summer is all about what you make out of it so have fun and soak up all the warm weather before Michigan’s cruel winter hits.
However, I did see that there were a few programs that were linked with NYU. As I was browsing, I found my program “Writers in Paris.” My program was four weeks with classes Monday through Thursday. I had a writer’s workshop and a craft seminar that alternated every other day. Classes started at three every day so I had a lot of time to explore the city and really get to know what life in Paris was like. I took a 20 minute metro every day into Saint Germain and I explored the surrounding area thoroughly. From the top floor of my school’s building, you could see Notre Dame. Every day, at the author’s readings, I would watch it being rebuilt. After a few days, I fell into a routine and I realized that Paris was just a city that I now lived in. It was beautiful and had beautiful sites, but there was nothing ‘magical’ about it. There were riots. There were creepy men who would follow you down alleys and there were racist people who would profile you. There were homophobic people and people who were culturally ignorant. Really, the only thing that made Paris more challenging than your typical city in the U.S. was the language barrier. While it wasn’t a problem once I learned more of the language, it was certainly something that plagued me the first few days I was there. I felt guilty that I didn’t know more and I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to advocate for myself if I needed to. If there was one thing I would have done differently before I studied abroad, I would have studied French more thoroughly. I think it’s really important to know the native language of the country you are studying abroad in, even if you don’t ‘technically’ need to. Not only will this make you feel safer when communicating with people, but it will also help you navi-
gate that country better. I am so grateful for my time abroad and for having had the opportunity to do so. I truly recommend that anyone capable of doing so takes advantage of the chance to go abroad. It’s a great opportunity to learn about another culture and experience what life is like in other parts of the world. It really makes you realize just how small of a bubble you live in even if there are parallels among the worlds.
Perspective on Paris
BY HOPE LEINEN EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
Over the summer, I studied abroad in Paris as a visiting student with New York University. I spent five weeks in a writing intensive program and lived in the 14th arrondissement. Now, I could tell you that Paris was magical and that it matched the rose-colored image we’ve all grown up imagining, but then I would be lying. Paris is a beautiful city, but it’s just that…a city. It’s a place with a lot of history and art, but there is nothing I could point you to that would coincide with the elevated picture we’ve all constructed in our minds. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to go to Paris. When I decided that I was going to study abroad, I chose the place before I chose the program. I wouldn’t recommend that for everyone, but it ended up working for me. I think if there is a place that you’ve been wanting to go to then, yes, choose the place and find a program that fits it. When I decided I wanted to go to Paris, I looked on Grand Valley State University’s website and saw that we didn’t have a program that matched my criteria.
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.
Letter 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 500-650 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 ALLENDALE, MI 49401 616-826-8276
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLNEWS
A7 | OPINIONS
EDITORIAL
Social Media Showdown
GVL | ARCHIVES BY LANTHORN EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
X, formerly known as Twitter, is one of the most popular and controversial social media apps of the 21st century. It’s no surprise such a polarizing platform would eventually gain competitors. With the debut of Instagram Threads having come and gone, it seems social media users aren’t quite ready to abandon X.
“Following these extreme staff cuts, the platform began to experience intense glitches and malfunctions within the everyday interface share” The text post based social media mogul X was the first of its kind. According to The New York Times, the name change from Twitter to X was inspired by the parent company X Corp. which was founded by Elon Musk to acquire Twitter. Following ownership and creative direction being handed down to Musk, the platform has undergone several major changes in the past year. In his efforts to cut costs from the company, Musk reduced X’s total staff from 7,500 employees to less than 2,000, according to CNN. Following these extreme staff cuts, the platform began to
experience intense glitches and malfunctions within the everyday interface. Users were recommended weeks-old content, unable to see photos or open links, and many even received welcome messages, as if their accounts had never existed at all. Enter threads, Instagram’s parent company, Meta’s newest creation. Threads was marketed as the direct competitor to X. CNN reported over 100 million downloads within Threads first week of launch; it looked like the platform might really be the next text post based social media platform to stand a fighting chance against its predecessor. Weeks after Threads launch, the platform remains skeletal compared to X. Threads lacks functionality essential to sustainable social platforms. There is still no desktop version to the app or any section for trending topics and news. Threads accounts must link to any already existing Instagram profiles. This was an issue for many users because they were unable to delete or deactivate Threads without also deleting their Instagram account, or signing up with an entirely different email. According to CNN the largest feature missing is the inability to communicate through direct message within the threads app itself, instead you must switch back and forth between your Instagram account and Threads account to direct message someone, although the apps are linked and inseparable. Threads emerged in a time where the market was frustrated with X. Users could simply purchase a blue check mark for use. Previously, there was an application process to assert that someone who
earned a blue check mark was who they claimed to be in the eye of the public. Now the lines are blurred. Then it got worse. After X had an issue with their Google cloud services, users found themselves on a view limit for tweets according to Bloomberg. Threads launched during this mishap, hoping to pull users from X. It is simple and easy to link your Instagram account with Threads, but there is no substantial benefit in linking. Nonetheless, people flocked. 44 million users were active on Threads at its peak on July 7. However, in a matter of days the momentum Threads had built vanished. That number dropped dramatically by 70% to 13 million by July 21, just two weeks later according to Forbes. As the weeks go by after threads inception, avid social media users are left to decide which platform they spend their time scrolling through. Although moving to Threads was a strongly desired outcome, we found that the platform lacked some of the basic necessary components to make it enjoyable to use. The interface felt like a cheap knock off of X, and the overall viewing experience was visually straining. The familiarity and sleekness of X won the app back in our hearts, regardless of any other concerns or potential future issues with it. The view limit went away and almost everything felt back to normal. The question remains if X will stand the test of time. Though there is a chance Threads could come back from the dead, without serious changes we aren’t hopeful.
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN
A8&9 | NEWS
@GVLNEWS
LGBTQ
Post-Pride unrest in Ottawa County
BY GRACE SMITH NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
The Ottawa County Health Department (OCHD) has recently found itself in the face of controversy following its attendance at both Grand Haven and Holland’s 2023 Pride Festivals. At these events, representatives of the health department distributed information regarding STI transmission and offered MonkeyPox and COVID-19 vaccinations to festival attendees. A select group of Ottawa County Commissioners have made their distaste for the OCHD’s presence known, claiming it promotes ‘risky behavior’ to local youth. “There is a big difference from caring about health in a community and promoting an event by being a participant,” said County Commissioner Allison Miedema, at a June 20 meeting. “By being in attendance, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health is promoting sexual promiscuity, which, in turn, can contribute to future clients of public health.” District 9 Commissioner Roger Belknap expressed support for Miedema’s claims during the same meeting.
“I would like to go on record saying I really hope we’re intelligent enough not to make that an all ages event. I understand risky behavior for adults, colleges, I understand that, but ladies and gentlemen, we’re inviting our kids to participate in this and sanctioning it,” Belknap said. Adeline Hambley, Public Health Officer for OCHD, has defended the department’s presence at the festival claiming it is their responsibility to provide services to all communities. According to WoodTV, Hambley said OCHD representatives were able to talk to hundreds of people about STD prevention while in attendance. “Frankly, being accused of grooming or promoting sexual deviance because we are attending and providing that service to members of our community, it’s extremely frustrating and it’s really coming from a political motivation,” Hambley said, in response to the County Commissioners’ concerns. Susan Mendoza, chairperson for the LGBT focused community center Out on the Lakeshore she was concerned about the select group of commissioners’ personal values and outcomes in community legislation.
“There are Ottawa County Commissioners who make decisions (and articulated their rationale for those decisions) based on personal beliefs, rather than best practices, research and the needs of the County’s most marginalized populations,” Mendoza said. “The only festivals and community gatherings that have been actively questioned by the board are the Pride Festivals.” Mendoza said OCHD also had booths at Tulip Time, local farmers markets and other community events in order to promote sexual health and vaccination initiatives. “The association of the LGBTQ community to promiscuity is an old trope used to bother, minimize, diminish, ostracize and demonize the LGBTQ community,” Mendoza said. As for the LGBTQ community at Grand Valley State University, the comments made by the select group of county commissioners is concerning. “These venues are an opportunity for many institutions and organizations to engage, empower, and support queer and trans people who have statistically and historically been oppressed and marginalized,” said DL McKinney,
Director of the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center. “Public health entities often participate in community outreach events, and it’s a part of their job duties to promote inclusive health initiatives.” GVSU has historically shown support in favor of LGBTQ communities as they were the institution-wide sponsors for both Grand Haven and Holland Pride festivals in June. According to GVNext, this required several interdepartmental collaborations within GVSU and partnerships with other local organizations. McKinney elaborates on the importance of having institutional partnerships in the community with programs like Pride, specifically in the case of OCHD. “For public entities, attending these events should provide support, not barriers,” McKinney said. “In this case, specifically with the health department, there should be a clear understanding that the growing concerns of disengagement from healthy outcomes in the LGBTQIA+ community is evidence based and can be mitigated just by becoming more aware of what this community needs to thrive.”
OPINION: The presence of health information booths presented by the Ottawa City Health Department led to controversy amongst conservative community members. Those in favor of the health booths advocate for better public health information and to have more access to information about personal care. COURTESY | GRAND HAVEN TRIBUNE
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN
A10 | ARTS
@GVLARTS
SUPPORT
Haas Endowment for the Performing Arts helps GV students prepare for careers BY ASHLEY MOUBRAY EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
The Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Endowment establishes a “margin of excellence” in Grand Valley State University’s performing arts programs. The endowment allows students in the GVSU Music, Theatre and Dance department to apply for grant money in order to pursue different projects. The endowment offers opportunities for funding that student scholars may not have access to otherwise. This money helps to further students journey in their future fields, to hone their skills through competitions, summer programs and other educational experiences. The endowment aims to create experience that help to extend the knowledge students learn at GVSU into the broader community and world. The Haas Endowment was started in 2022 as a way to support GVSU students in the performing arts. Since the endowment’s inaugural year students have done many different projects including international trips for music and training programs for their artform.
“My biggest takeaway from this learning experience is knowing that you have nothing to prove but everything to share”
Mary Kovalcheck, a recent GVSU dance graduate, is one grant recipient who benefited from the Haas Endowment. For her project, she attended the American Dance Festival (ADF) Summer Dance Intensive in North Carolina earlier this summer. Alongside other dancers, she studied, created, researched and networked with artists, helping to advance her professional skills. The festival allowed her to learn from other dance companies’ performances and even rehearse with Brian Brooks, a professional choreographer. “My biggest takeaway from this learning experience is knowing that you have nothing to prove but everything to share,” Kovalcheck said. “I realized that
PERFORMING ARTS: With many performing arts students at Grand Valley State University the extra educational support with external resources can be vital for student experience in their fields. The endowment helps to connect the Lakers to the community. GVL | ARCHIVES
the festival is intended to bring a diverse community of dancers together in order to share their knowledge and help each other prosper as artists.” Kovalcheck said her experience at ADF wouldn’t have been possible without the Haas Endowment and being a Haas Endowment scholar wouldn’t have been possible without GVSU’s dance program. She expressed her gratitude for the support she has received as a performing arts student. “The dance program has ensured my preparation for the professional world by strengthening my technique and giving me a proper dance education,” Kovalcheck said. “I am grateful for the connections I’ve made and wouldn’t be the dancer I am today without this department.”
Like Kovalcheck, another recent dance graduate Grace Kitching also attended ADF for her Haas Endowment summer project. “I had the opportunity to create a dance film to be presented at the Student Choreography Concert film showing,” Kitching said. “There were instructors, choreographers and students from all over the world and around the country, so I was able to connect, network and learn from new perspectives as well as make lifelong friends.” Kitching said her summer project provided the “perfect transition” between college and her future as a professional dancer. The experience taught her even more about the beauty of art and dance. Kitching said she is grateful that the GVSU dance program and the Haas
Endowment provided her with an eyeopening opportunity that has set the foundation for her future career. “The dance department at GVSU truly feels like a safe space and a home,” Kitching said. “I am forever grateful.” The Haas Endowment opens application during the term in order to give students the opportunity to pursue projects not only in the summer but throughout the year. The grants can be applied and are issued on a quarterly basis after being reviewed by the endowment’s committee.
AUGUST 7, 2023
A11 | ARTS
GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLNEWS
MUSIC
: The different parking lots at GVSU are labeled by who is able to park in them. The different passes include commuter, resident, faculty and staff lots. There are also specific spaces in which visitors can pay-to-park for a particular number of hours. Parking Services works throughout the day to make sure that cars are registered with the university. GVL | AIDA DENNIS
Grand Rapids Symphony fuses film with live music BY HAILEY HENTZ EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
As part of its film series, the Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS) performed “The Goonies” score alongside a showing the film on Jan. 26. The concert included a seventy-piece orchestra playing beneath a large movie screen at DeVos Performance Hall, making for a unique cinematic experience. For many years the GRS has given its audiences lifelong musical memories. Through music, the symphony has provided West Michigan with a sense of community which it hopes to continue to develop through its film series. The GRS felt because of “The Goonies” global success and diverse fanbase that its concert would attract a variety of people. They felt it was an easy choice to add the film to this year’s program. “I want our community to have some fun with this classic movie while listening to the live performance of an incredible orchestra,” said Assistant Director of GRS Duo Shen. “People might find out a few interesting things, (like how) music plays a much bigger role in movies that many of us think and that symphony orchestra and the sound we produce is awesome.” According to Shen, aligning music with on-screen action required intense preparation. To ensure the smoothest performance, Shen studied how the music ebbed and flowed from scene to scene. He spent some
of his time practicing alongside a version of the movie that displayed quick-moving information invaluable to conductors. “Performing with the movie gives us an additional tool: visual, to connect with the audiences,” Shen said. “As a movie buff myself, I have always been interested in how the film score fits with the movie, so this is definitely a dream come true for me to perform the legendary movie with an incredible orchestra like the Grand Rapids Symphony.”’
“We provide a unique experience that can transport concert-goers out of the realities of everyday life and into a beautiful world with the music we share” Behind the curtain, it took eighteen months to prepare for the concert. The GRS worked with vendors and tech personnel, ordered special equipment and planned the musicians’ stage placement. “It’s fulfilling to finally see a concert you’ve been
working on become a reality and also see how much fun and excitement audiences get from attending,” said Julie Nystedt, assistant vice president and general manager of artistic operations. “The Goonies” in real-time allowed people of all ages to enjoy a classic film with the special twist of a live performance experience. “We provide a unique experience that can transport concert-goers out of the realities of everyday life and into a beautiful world with the music we share,” Nystedt said. According to Nystedt, experiencing a movie in concert can be surreal for first-time audience members. “I think this is a great event for anyone to come to, but especially if you haven’t been to an orchestra before,” Nystedt said. The GRS has many concerts planned for the 20232024 season. In continuation of its film series, the symphony will perform many popular movies as concerts, including “Coco”, “Elf ”, “The Godfather” and “Black Panther.” Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket can do so through the GRS website and GVSU students looking to attend the concerts are eligible for discounted tickets with a school ID.
A12 | LAKER LIFE
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE
RESEARCH
‘Water in the West’ program takes an active approach to learning
NATURE: Students from the ‘Water In The West’ program pose in one of the 12 states they traveled through over the course of the 6,300 mile, 27 day trip. Through out the trip the student learned more about water ways and how they impact the environment around them. COURTESY | GVSU BY MELIA WILLIAMS LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM
Over the course of 6,300 miles, 27 days and 12 states, a group of 22 Grand Valley State University students and two professors took a trip full of education and adventure through the southwestern United States. The GVSU ‘Water in the West’ spent most of their time in the states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico to learn about water issues throughout the United States. “We wanted to provide students with a study abroad-like experience without the complexity of going out of the country,” said Geology and Fredrick Meijer Honors College Professor Peter Wampler. The trip was spearheaded by professor Wampler and Professor Peter Riemersma, geology professors who specialize in water at GVSU. “(There are) some amazing things to see and it’s really a cross-cultural experience even though we’re in the United States because it is so different,” Wampler said. Although this was an environmentally focused trip, students from various academic disciplines including legal studies, biomedical sciences and engineering.
Morgan Braddock a sophomore psychology major at GVSU said she was able to apply the knowledge gained from this trip to the material she studies in her classes. “I would say that the trip kind of opened my eyes to other people and how I could deal with other people in different ways and how people are very different, and as a psychology major,” Braddock said.
“We wanted to provide students with a study abroad-like experience without the complexity of going out of the country” “That was probably one of the best parts because I got to learn so much about human behavior with the other students that I was working with.”
Wampler said throughout the course of this trip, students activated their “courageous curiosity.” He said the trip consisted of hikes that took up to four and five hours long while also critically thinking about how the environment around them came to be. “It’s like a living textbook, it’s like something that comes alive and teaches you rather than you just reading it and kind of passively receiving it,” said Wampler. Evan Hodson a recently graduated geography major said that one of his favorite parts of the trip was this visual “living textbook” was realizing how sedimentary layers can serve as a time capsule” allowing researchers us to reverse engineer natural history with “remarkable” accuracy. In addition to learning new concepts within a natural setting, students were able to make new connections to students at GVSU and form new networks of people. “This experience will likely change your life and the way you see yourself and the world. You will grow in your confidence, knowledge, and experience as we meet and overcome challenges together. You will meet and make deep friendships with your fellow travelers,” Wampler said.
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLLAKER LIFE
A13 | LAKER LIFE
ART
Artwork Showcase Builds Confidence and Careers BY SARA BAGLEY NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
Artwork from three Grand Valley State University students are now displayed in the Michigan House and Senate office buildings. The pieces were chosen for the buildings through a program called “Student Art in the Legislature”. The program, which is a partnership between the Michigan Legislature and the Michigan Association of State Universities, aims to highlight the creative minds of students across several state universities. The pieces chosen will be hung in the buildings for a one year period. Isabella Good a fine arts major at GVSU had her piece “Untitled (Beginning of Echelon)” as one of the three pieces chosen from GVSU for the program. For her, this opportunity has been career and confidence boosting. “This opportunity has pushed me to apply for things I didn’t think I’d get,” Good said. “To see that, it was kinda like, ‘I am doing something good.’” Good said Associate Professor Jill Eggers was one of her biggest supporters in taking this step for her art. She said Eggers is “big on pushing opportunities towards artists that she thinks will do well.” She said Eggers is actively helping Good to reach her future career ambitions. Good said the art program at GVSU has laid the groundwork for even more beneficial steps in her career. “It’s made a lot of connections for me, and taught me how to network,” Good said. “I used to be very shy, and I didn’t want to go to events because I wouldn’t know anyone. Now, there’s always at least one person I do know.” “Coralline Red” a painting done by Josephine
EXPOSURE: The “Student Art in Legislature” program helps to build the confidence of state university students by featuring their art in well traveled legislature buildings across the state. COURTESY | GVNEXT
Ruiter a mechanical engineer graduate hangs alongside Good’s piece in the legislature building. She said the experience of having her work chosen was validating especially after returning to art. Currently, Ruiter take painting classes part time and will finish with the advanced program this year. Although art has been a lifelong passion of hers, it was important to her to find a career that included math. “I’ve always tried to blend the line between art and engineering,” Ruiter said. Despite not being in an art major degree program, Ruiter feels that GVSU offers many opportunities for students passionate about art. “Classes are multilevel, so you’re often able to
see what’s ahead for you as a student early in the program,” Ruiter said. Getting involved in art does not stop at the classroom setting. Ruiter and Good both said students who are interested in getting involved with the art scene at GVSU should show up to receptions and gallery shows. “If you come to Calder, the walls are usually littered with reception pamphlets or artist talks,” Good said. I would encourage people to go to those, because it allows you to see people who are actually doing the jobs. You can ask questions; usually they’re more than happy to talk to you. People are really open, especially in the art world.”
TALENT: Each piece of artwork takes skill and dedication to produce. Students work hard in and outside of the classroom to perfect and hone their skills within their chosen medium of art work to work on improving their pieces. Each student brings something unique to the table. COURTESY | GVNEXT
VOICE: Each artist works to establish their own artistic voice within their pieces to help tell a story through their work. COURTESY | GVNEXT
A14 | SPORTS
AUGUST 17, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
BASEBALL
Baseball brings in Western Michigan’s Jordan Keur as new head coach BYNELSON HUBBELL SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
Grand Valley State University Director of Athletics Keri Becker was tasked with filling the hole left by the resignation of former Head Baseball Coach Jamie Detillion. Becker landed on Western Michigan University Broncos’ Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Jordan Keur. During his time at Western Michigan Keur helped coach several players to All-Conference achievements in the Midwestern Athletic Conference. Keur is replacing eleven-year coach Jamie Detillion, who resigned in May for unknown reasons following the conclusion of the team’s 2023 season where they went 32-21 and reached the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championship Game. Becker had no comment regarding Detillion’s resignation, Becker said she was “looking forward to the future with Coach Keur.” Prior to his role as head coach of the Lakers, Detillion worked under the school’s Hall of Fame coach Steve Lyon (inducted in 2018). When Lyon retired following a stellar tenure with a record of 552-205-2 (0.729) Detillion filled his place. Detillion ended his career at GVSU with a record of 286-180-2 (0.613). “He checked all three of our boxes as a leader of men, a baseball coach of course and a culture builder,” Becker said. “If there was one thing that I would have to say (that impressed the most) it was how he connected with people in the room. When we were interviewing him it felt more like a conversation than an interview. He talked like a head coach.” Keur, a native of nearby Hudsonville, Michigan, has quickly become an experienced coach as he has risen the ranks since his playing career ended at Michigan State University. He earned an All Big Ten accolade and won the Big Ten Championship during his career with the Spartans (2010-2013). In his all-conference Junior season he was the team leader in hits (89), multi-hit games (31) and batting average (.353). His passion for coaching and the game of baseball is evident. In his first five years of coaching baseball Keur volunteered. Keur served as a volunteer assistant coach at Eastern Michigan for one year, taking on the same role for the following four seasons at MSU. Then Keur took the head coach position at Lansing Community College (LCC) where his team was dominant. LCC finished the regular season ranked first overall nationally in 2019 and seventh overall nationally
COURTESY | GVSU ATHLETICS
in 2021, the two highest winning percentages in school history. During Keur’s time as an volunteer assistant coach the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) did not allow volunteer assistants to be paid a salary by the athletic department. That rule has since been repealed as of Jan. 2023. This means Keur was not allowed to receive any compensation from the university for his services. Now, as the newly named Grand Valley Head Baseball Coach, Keur attempts to reestablish the Lakers’ baseball program to the same high standards that it has reached in the past. Keur has tabbed Peter Romsek from St. Xavier University as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator and Jarret Olson of Lansing Community College as Assistant Coach and Pitching
Coach. Romsek served as St. Xavier’s recruiting coordinator, hitting coach, and infield coach for the last three seasons. There Romsek and the Cougars reached the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) World Series. Olson has spent his last two years as the pitching coach for Lansing Community College where he coached the Junior College National Pitcher of the Year and his team made two National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) World Series appearances. The Lakers now look towards the recruiting trail as they prepare for their upcoming 2024 season this Spring.
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
A15 | SPORTS
SUMMER
Quick Hits 8/7: Summer wrap up BY NELSON HUBBELL SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
Softball looms large, but falls in National Championship Series
Men’s and Women’s track and field finish strong in nationals
The Grand Valley State University softball team reached the National Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee after an incredible run in the regular and postseasons. The Lakers impressed with a 48-8 record overall and an incredible 20-1 record in conference play. The Lakers softball team did not lose a game at home (12-0). After battling their way through the postseason, the Lakers approached the National Championship Series on an eight game winning streak, falling in two straight of a best-of-three to North Georgia. Head Coach Dana Callihan has tallied an impressive 352-96 (0.789) record in her nine seasons. Callihan earned her sixth straight Coach of the Year in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC). Eleven of her players earned All GLIAC accolades. Redshirt Senior Lydia Goble won GLIAC Player of the Year while her fellow Redshirt Senior Hannah Beatus was awarded her third straight conference Pitcher of the Year.
The GVSU men’s and women’s track and field teams both reached the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Championship games. The Lakers men finished in fourth place while the Lakers women finished fifth overall. The two squads had athletes that earned some national recognition and impressed along the way. The Lakers’ Taryn Chapko (800m), Klaudia O’Malley (1500m) and Natalie Graber (5000m) all finished in the women’s top eight of their respective categories. Myles Kerner reached third in the men’s shot put while Eli Kosiba and Jonathan Rankins-James, both high jumpers, placed in the top ten as well. Kosiba finished fifth and Rankins-James finished seventh. For the United States of America Track and Field (USATF) Outdoor Championships the Lakers did not disappoint. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of the day was Kosiba finishing fourth in the high jump against 18 of the top high jumpers in the country, regardless of collegiate or professional standing. Rankins-James placed at 12 among the same group of 18.
Women’s Lacrosse program climbs to new heights After a dominant 16-5 season (6-0 in conference) the GVSU Lakers’ Women’s Lacrosse team reached the NCAA Final Four in the program’s first season having ever won their region. The Lakers defeated Indianapolis in the Midwest Regional Finals 11-10 to advance to the NCAA Final Four. The team boasted three First Team All Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Midwest Region honorees as well as four Second Team players in their run to the Final Four. The seven total Lakers also received various levels of All GLIAC recognition following the regular season. One of the Lakers’ First Team Midwest Region players, Maddy Bursinger, was named GLIAC Midfielder of the Year. Fellow First Teamer Maddy Champagne was awarded with GLIAC Attacker of the Year.
AUGUST 7, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
A16 | SPORTS
FALL
Quick Hits 8/7: Fall look ahead BY NELSON HUBBELL SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
First look at football The Grand Valley State University Lakers are kicking off this season in yet another top five matchup against the Colorado School of Mines. GVSU is ranked second nationally behind only Ferris State University, while the Miners sit at fourth in the country. The two teams will play on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. Last season the Lakers opened up with a matchup of the same caliber in Allendale with Matt Mitchell as their front man. This time around they have to travel to the high altitude of Golden, Colorado to take on the Miners with brand new Head Football Coach Scott Wooster leading the way. Wooster was promoted from Offensive Line Coach to Head Coach in January of 2023. He comes into a team full of experienced veteran leadership where it matters most. Their offense brings back Senior Quarterback Cade Peterson and Senior Running Back Tariq Reid. Petersen finished as the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year as well as First Team All-GLIAC. Reid earned First Team All-GLIAC honors as well, likely second behind Peterson for conference player of the year. Four returning seniors were named Don Hansen DII Football Gazette All-Americans for the 2022 season. Linebacker Abe Swanson and Offensive Lineman Garret Carroll joined Peterson and Reid for the distinction. Wooster is in good hands and has high expectations as a first time head coach. Wooster spent 11 seasons with Wayne State University as a coach. He also played for the Warriors for three seasons during his collegiate career after transferring from Eastern Michigan.
Women’s Soccer Season
Women’s Volleyball takes the court
The Grand Valley State University Women’s Soccer team will start their season at home against the Lewis University Flyers in less than two weeks on Aug. 18. Head Coach Katie Hulton will begin her second year with the Lakers with a team that has high expectations following a terrific 2022 season. Last year, Hultin led GVSU to a GLIAC Championship both the regular season and conference tournament. The Lakers earned the number one seed in the Midwest Region and reached the sweet sixteen, the program’s 17th straight. Much like the football team, GVSU Soccer is returning major veteran contributors for the 2023 season. GVSU has three United Soccer Coaches Midwest All-Region First Team players from 2022 in Graduate Senior Kennedy Bearden, Senior Mackenzie Jones and Senior Taylor Reid. Reid earned First Team All-American as well as GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year. Junior Goalkeeper Kendall Robertson is also returning as she won GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Grand Valley State University Volleyball will begin their season on Friday Sept. 1 against Washburn University in a doubleheader with Barry University at the Florida Southern Invitational in Lakeland, Florida. The Lakers will take on four total opponents in two days before traveling back home to Michigan almost a week later to compete in the 2023 Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic. Entering his 25th season with the program and third season as Head Coach, Jason Johnson looks to take his team back to the promised land of the NCAA Regional Tournament, which the Lakers reached for their first time since 2015 just last season. His team returns American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American Junior Setter Jordyn Gates. Gates is a transfer from Arkansas University in 2022. Gates has the potential to help take the program to new heights under Johnson as she led the NCAA in triple-doubles (13) last season.
As two of the top players in the conference, the Lakers are looking towards Robertson and Reid to lead the team to an even more dominant season than last year.