Five Grand Valley State student-athletes presented their year-long research projects at the 30th annual Student Scholars Day, a campus-wide celebration that highlights student research under faculty mentorship. The event showcased over 570 students and over 160 faculty mentors, marking the largest gathering since the pandemic. The participating athletes included Pablo Garcia, Moritz Hesse, Mackenzie Ford, Brianna Rhodea, and Koby Fraaza, each addressing various research topics from near-Earth asteroids to sleep quality and renal stone formation, demonstrating their ability to balance academics and athletics.

By the Numbers
  • 570+ students presented their research.
  • 30 years since the inception of Student Scholars Day.
State of Play
  • Research opportunities are expanding under faculty mentorships since the initiative began in 1996.
  • Participation from student-athletes showcases the integration of academics and athletics at GVSU.
What's Next

Future events may see an increase in cross-disciplinary research projects, potentially attracting more student-athletes to explore academic pursuits alongside their athletic careers. Continued support from GVSU may foster an even bigger turnout for upcoming Student Scholars Days.

Bottom Line

The event underscores the commitment of student-athletes to academic excellence and highlights the importance of mentorship in balancing competing demands, demonstrating that academic research and athletics are not mutually exclusive but can mutually enhance each other.