Grand Views

This annual event is a platform to elevate ideas and celebrate voices that inspire. Each speaker presents a 7-minute talk aligned with one of our refreshed university values, introduced as part of Grand View's strategic planning initiative.

Grand Views 130: Then. Now. Next

Wednesday, September 30
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Henning Student Center, Speed Lyceum (2811 E 14th St)

As Grand View University celebrates 130 years of educating, engaging and equipping students, the university’s annual Grand Views event will look at where Grand View has been, where it stands today and where it is headed next.

The event will feature a series of 7-minute presentations focused on the people, ideas and experiences that have helped shape Grand View throughout its history and those that will influence its future. Grand Views is open to the Grand View community and the public. The event is part of Grand View’s 2026 Homecoming celebration, which runs Sept. 27 through Oct. 4.

Grand Views 130 Speakers

Foundation
LB Lyons ’08, Vice President of Advancement
The Answers Change. The Foundation Doesn’t

Faith
Dr. Trisha Wheelock, Lutheran Bible Institute Professor in Bible and Theology
Faith and Thriving

Arts
Dr. Yeon Erin Kim-Cho, Department Chair of Communication
Who Gets to Tell Our Story? The Next 130 Years

Nursing
Dr. Jean Logan ’78, Emeritus Professor of Nursing
A Handmaid’s Tale

Academics
Christopher Viesselman, EdD, ATC, LAT
Finding Order in the Chaos

Athletics
Kent Henning, President Emeritus
Athletics: More than a score

Future
Dr. Rachelle Keck, President
Our Grand Future

Dr. Patty Williams, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, will serve as emcee for the event.

For those unable to attend in person, a webinar will be available to watch the event virtually:

Join the Grand Views 130 Webinar

Previous Grand Views Speakers

2025
  • “From Meh to Woohoo: Can We Make Life Happier Starting Now?" - Erlin Kakkanad, Director of Operations Excellence, Principal Financial Group
  • "Behind the Mask: Finding My Voice" - Jacob Butz ’27, Mascot Performer, Grand View University
  • "Fire: Agility, Purpose, and Hope" - Amy Landrigan, MA, MCPC - Executive Director, The Beacon
  • "Adaptability and Emotional Intelligence: Why One Can't Exist Without the Other" - Dr. Malinda Shultice - Iowa State University
  • "Be Curious, Not Judgmental" - Rick Eftink, M.S. ’20 - Director of Graduate Admissions, Grand View University
  • "Three Lessons for Leading with Purpose" - Alec Zama - Professor of Business, Grand View University
  • "Receiving Universal Currency" - Ernest Phillips ’03 - Owner Master Coach, Relationship Wealth Enterprises
2024

EXCELLENCE

  • “What is Excellence?” - Greg Hagan ’25, Grand View University

INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

  • “How To Save A Life” - John Paul Derryberry ’06, Executive Director, 43 North Iowa & Storyteller and Public Speaker

ADAPTABILITY

  • “Why Are You Crying? How Crying is Connected to Inclusivity and Adaptability” - Crystal Fierro, Ed.D., Director of Accessibility Services, Grand View University

FAITH

  • “What? Why? And How?” - Mark Slavich, Associate Professor of Sport Management, Grand View University

GLOBAL CURIOSITY

  • “The Metaskill of the Future” - Rachelle Keck, Ph.D., J.D., President, Grand View University

AGILITY

  • “m.A.A.d City Planner” - Caleb Knutson, Senior Planner, Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance

POSITIVITY

  • “The Resilience Revolution: How a Positive Mindset and Contagious Optimism Can Transform Your Response to Adversity” - Giselle Sancen Valero ’19, Client Partnership Advocate, Businessolver
2023

RESEARCH & LEARNING

  • “How Does Factoring Factor into College and Career Readiness?” - Sergio Loch, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics & Computer Sciences
  • “Kurious U: Knowing Thyself” - Krista Tedrow, Director of Development, South Central Iowa Workforce Board

COMMUNITY & BELONGING

  • “Building Compassionate Communities” - Paul Leavenworth, Ed.D., Director of The Center for Mentoring, Coaching and Leadership Development
  • “Finding Humanity in Others”- Andrew Minear ’08, Diabetes Prevention Coordinator, IDPH

CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION

  • “Pivoting Without Passing Out” - Sarah Roemer-Engquist ’19, Lecturer of Business Administration
  • “In Search of Meaning” - Josh Woods, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology

VOCATION & CHARACTER

  • “Progress” - Paul Reedy, Associate Men’s Wrestling Coach
  • “I ♥ the Arts and Humanities. You Should, Too.” - Carl Moses, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
2022

RESEARCH & LEARNING

  • “The Power of What We Don’t Know” - Bonnie Hall, Associate Professor of Chemistry
  • “Lifelong Learning: All Ships Rise” - Carrie Sponheim, Director of Annual Giving and Chris Lee, Vice President for Administration and Finance

COMMUNITY & BELONGING

  • “What If...?” - Amy Schumann, Assistant Professor of Spanish
  • “Belonging in the Yin and Yang” - Stephen Sporer, Associate Vice President for Advancement

CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION

  • “Connecting Disciplines, Traveling Often and Touching the Wild” - Paul Brooke, Professor of English
  • “Chameleon in the Cornfield-Being Black at a PWI” - Miradieu Joseph, Head Coach, Track & Field and Cross Country

VOCATION & CHARACTER

  • “Your Feelings are Irrelevant” - Nick Mitchell, Head Coach, Men’s Wrestling/Assistant Director of Athletics
  • “The Room Where it Happens” - Steve Snyder, Professor of Humanities