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On Monday, September 30, Dr. Rachelle Keck invited students, alumni, and Grand View University leadership & administration to WineStyles in Ankeny, IA for a presentation about GVU campus initiatives. This Homecoming kickoff event was coupled with wine-tasting. Attendees included members of the President’s Council, members from the the Jacobson Institute Board, members from the NextGen Advisory Board and familiar faces from all around campus. The 2024-2028 Strategic Plan presentation detailed President Keck’s plan for the future of education for GVU, where a grand experience is shared by all and vitality is infused throughout.

The presentation emphasized GVU’s commitment to preparing current and future learners for adaptability and global civic engagement through innovative, relevant academic programs and outstanding learning experiences for life. GVU alumna Emma Hansen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and attended the event. Hansen reconnected with GVU staff she had not seen since graduating in spring 2024.

“I enjoyed the networking opportunities. I also enjoyed being part of a GVU event as an alumnus and just seeing a bunch of familiar faces outside of an academic setting,” Hansen said.

GVU has a Young Alumni Council and a National Alumni Council that works hard to ensure alumni can stay connected and engaged with the GVU community beyond graduation. This fosters institutional pride and allows for professional development. At networking events like this, experienced alumni can offer guidance and support to recent graduates and aid their careers and personal development. Networking events in general provide a fun way to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, enhancing personal relationships beyond professional ones.

“I think alumni events, specifically, are very important to connect you back to the campus where you spent two to four years of your life. You gave a lot of money to it. You gave a lot of time and effort, and tears,” Hansen said, laughing. “And what you put into it, you definitely get out.”

At the event, attendees were offered charcuterie as well as samples of four different wines in an opportunity to mingle and network. Two white wines and two red wines were served. None of them were too strong, and all were slightly fruity. GVU alumnus and owner of the Ankeny WineStyles, Amanda Smith-Griffieon, explained the science behind curating a wine tasting.

“Anytime we’re choosing for a bigger group, where I don’t personally know the attendees, we try to just pick out some more crowd-pleasing ones. So starting with a little semi-sweet for people that like that and ending with a little bit heavier red,” Smith-Griffieon said. “All of the wines were super food-friendly. Very approachable and nothing too crazy on the wine scale since we are serving quite a few people.”

WineStyles has partnered with GVU for multiple events, namely the recent “Toast to the Tassel” event held for graduates in CJ’s Place last spring. Hansen’s favorite wine was the Root 1 Pinot Noir, which is a red wine described in the WineStyles menu as “wild strawberries, raspberries, and a hint of cherry aromas. Bright and fresh with a smooth, lengthy finish.”

This was served third, to compliment the other wines, and Hansen compared it to adult fruit juice. The evening was a celebration of wine, charcuterie, and President Keck’s vision, goals, and direction of GVU. Events like this bring the greater GVU community together and build connections. One thing is for certain: GVU students, alumni and staff, have a grand future to look forward to!