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Who is funding my school? Who is making decisions? Who is this building named after? Who is President Keck’s boss? The answer is named The Board of Trustees. But why do they do this? Why do they continue to donate their time, talent and treasure to Grand View University? Why this campus? Why these students? Why me?  

Michelle Book is on the GVU Board of Trustees and was elected as a GVU Trustee in October of 2024. She is on the Audit committee and the Mission and Purpose committee. Prior to her commitment at GVU, Book was the CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa for nine years. She is now putting together a consulting business.  

Although Book did not graduate from GVU, she did serve on Kent Henning’s presidential advisory council. This is where Book grew to love the work and community of GVU.   

“Over time, Grand View University has provided this impotence for this North East corner of Des Moines to be this wonderful place to live, work and study. But it was not always that way,” Book said.   

Book helped guide GVU through this change. She remembers purchasing poorly conditioned houses until they were turned into fantastic university facilities and housing. She was also at GVU when her son, Hunter Warne, attended. Warne was part of one of the first GVU football teams.   

“I was not a fan of that idea. I thought he needed to go to school and buckle down and study,” Book said.  

However, she later found out the benefits of being a student athlete. Warne was a part of a team; coaches held his grades accountable and made sure he was eating well and resting.   

“I found an accountability partner in these coaches,” Book said.   

Warne graduated from GVU in 2013 with a degree in business. Book states that GVU was a great fit for him. The small university fits him better. Warne also created lifelong bonds with his football teammates. This is a hidden reason why Book has accepted a position on the board.  

“I sell what Grand View University did for Hunter. Hunter Warne came into Grand View University a boy and he came out a man and ready to take on the world. Grand View University is a gem,” Book said.   

Book shares about what GVU did for the community during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a good neighbor, GVU worked together with the Food Bank of Iowa to provide food to the community during the pandemic. Not only did GVU help the community through the pandemic, GVU keeps their doors open and invites neighbors to be on and involved with campus.  

Another recent memory of GVU, would be Book attending and speaking at commencement in 2024.   

“[Commencement] was one of the most uplifting events of my life,” Book said.   

Book was able to be onstage and look into the eyes of every student. She saw every exciting student smile and grab their diploma. She saw students, families and first generations. But more importantly, she saw the richness at GVU.   

“That doesn’t happen any place else,” Book said.   

These are Book’s why. But what does being a board of trustee look like on the operational side?  

“Our job is to make sure that the organization is working toward its mission in a prudent, ethical [and] legal manner. We opine on strategy, not operations,” Book said.   

The Board of Trustees assures us that GVU is staying on the correct path. They govern the university with different backgrounds and perspectives to propel the university forward; all of this hard work is done on their own hours. These talented individuals are volunteering without compensation.   

“[It is] very important as a trustee that you give your time, your talent and you give your treasure,” Book said.   

Time, talent and treasure are common phrases in non-profits. Individuals are volunteering their time for the better of the non-profit. They are also successful professionals and have the talent to help govern. These are required, along with the gift of treasure. This is essential because it is difficult to ask the community for donations if the Board of Trustees does not financially support the cause as well. Time, talent and treasure; all of these are expected from board members. Book adds that students should find confidence in the board members.  

“That should give [students] comfort to know that you’ve got the brains of 30 professional people committed to the success of Grand View University,” Book said.   

She understands that life after university can be challenging, but with the help of these professional individuals, GVU makes it easier.   

“That’s pretty incredible in today’s economy and some of the other struggles that we have worldwide. This is a pretty special place,” Book said.   

GVU brings multiple opportunities for work experience and networking. This university is filled with people who will support you for the rest of your life. GVU students will call upon their support system and they will call upon their students. Students should take advantage of these opportunities that GVU specifically tailors to them. These will help students to be better set for life after college.   

Another important position in the Board of Trustees is Chair Board Chris Murray. Murray is a ’98 GVU graduate and is currently the president and CEO of the commercial reality company, Denny Elwell Company. Trustee positions plays a significant role in the function of the university. 

Trustee members serve on the board for three terms. These terms are 4 years long. Murray is currently in his eighth year. Murray has put time and effort into GVU. But how does he do that?  

“Our job as the board of trustees is to govern,” Murray said.  

GVU has a great selection of professional and intelligent individuals that volunteer their time, talent and treasure. President Keck is the liaison between the governing board of trustees and the presidential board. This is how they work out our future goals, directions, financing, programming, endowment and more. The Board of Trustees are mainly there to keep GVU going in the right direction. Why are they volunteering their time, talent, and treasure to GVU?  

“I am always a big believer in paying it forward and giving back to those things that impacted me along the way. Grand View was one of those impacts,” Murray said.  

GVU holds a special place in Murray’s heart. He met his wife, Amy Murray, at GVU. The two met in a general education class. Later, they were lab partners, then friends and eventually started dating. While meeting the love of his life, Murray successfully graduated with a business administration and finance degree with a concentration in international business.  

“Grand View is a fantastic place. A lot of like-minded people who just want to do good in the world,” Murray said.  

Murray is also in a special position. Not very many board members have a son or daughter that currently attend GVU. This allows Murray to have an insider view on how decisions directly affect students. But this also brings Murray to campus for other events besides board meetings. He attends basketball games, school events and more. Murray is fortunate that he is able to directly see these impacts and also make more special memories with his daughter.   

“I think Grand View is just a really special place,” Murray said.  

GVU has a special place in Murray’s heart because of his family and his degree. Post-graduation, Murray has called upon his GVU connections and vice versa. He relied on his GVU support system. But whether it is in subcommittees, for your family or a desire; trustees’ why is important to help push GVU forward. It is the investment in the “Grand View Story.”  

Murray mentions “The Grand View Story.” But what is this story? It is the underdog story. GVU has this hard work ethic.  

“I think we do a really good job at bringing young people in, helping them develop, putting them out into the world and making it a better place,” Murray said.  

It has also been named as the eastside grit. It is a “go get ‘em” attitude. These trustees believe that this grit helps students prepare for the world. This attitude gets GVU students jobs. Companies want GVU students. This is why they volunteer their time, talent and treasure. Book leaves one more piece of advice for GVU students.   

“They should know that they are at an extraordinary place at a very special time in their lives. And I hope they take full advantage of every opportunity offered by Grand View to become a more well-rounded individual,” Book said. 

Correction: Hunter Warne’s last name was misspelled as “Warren” in an earlier draft of this story.