Kirkhof Center at 50

STORY BY MICHELE COFFILL
HISTORIC PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

It's at the geographical center of the Allendale Campus: The Kirkhof Center. It's grown and evolved to now house dining and gathering areas, social justice centers, the Laker Esports Center, Student Veterans space and the Office of Student Life.

Some Lakers will remember this student hub as the Campus Center. The building opened in 1973 to house a bookstore and dining areas, serving an increasing student population. In 1982, it was named for Russel Kirkhof, a self-taught electrician who owned Kirkhof Electrical and Manufacturing Company, recognizing his $1 million gift to Grand Valley four years prior, which, at the time, was the largest single donation to the college.

Regardless of the name, the building so many Lakers fondly remember celebrates the 50th anniversary of its 1974 dedication this year. As alumni shared their memories of the Kirkhof Center, themes of finding career passions, lifelong friendships and even spouses were common.

campus master plan: Plans call for renovations to the Kirkhof Center, including an addition on the building's east side, bolstering the heart of the Allendale Campus.

John Keating, ’79 Bally Sports Detroit host and reporter, recalled the days he broadcasted from student-run radio station WSRX "tucked away downstairs." "It was the launch point for many broadcasting careers, including mine."

old aerial view of Allendale Campus with Kirkhof Center and Zumberge Library in center

John Keating, ’79 Bally Sports Detroit host and reporter, recalled the days he broadcasted from student-run radio station WSRX "tucked away downstairs." "It was the launch point for many broadcasting careers, including mine."

Students sit on the terraced lawn in front of the Kirkhof Center

Kristy Davis ’78 remembered
"the amazing, iconic furniture" and having to use your student ID to rent headphones to listen to music while studying.

circa 1980s, student walking in front of Kirkhof Center

Kristy Davis ’78 remembered
"the amazing, iconic furniture" and having to use your student ID to rent headphones to listen to music while studying.

Tony Nelson ’03 worked in the Kirkhof Center and expressed appreciation for the social justice events that happened there and the real-world experiences he gained. "Working in the Office of Student Life gave me opportunities to organize with fellow students and learn how to make a space that was warm and welcoming. I have a lot of love for the people I met inside Kirkhof and appreciate the continuation of its legacy."

Kirkhof Center reflected in Zumberge Pond

Tony Nelson ’03 worked in the Kirkhof Center and expressed appreciation for the social justice events that happened there and the real-world experiences he gained. "Working in the Office of Student Life gave me opportunities to organize with fellow students and learn how to make a space that was warm and welcoming. I have a lot of love for the people I met inside Kirkhof and appreciate the continuation of its legacy."

two students sit by Zumberge Pond, Kirkhof Center in background

Sarah Hollander Murphy ’99 credits the Kirkhof Center for meeting her husband. "When we were first going out, he would always walk through the building when I was working in the concession stand to say hello and see me. Later, it became a place to hang out and play pool because we were too poor to actually go somewhere."

huge snow drifts and path shoveled to steps of Kirkhof Center, student standing on top

Sarah Hollander Murphy ’99 credits the Kirkhof Center for meeting her husband. "When we were first going out, he would always walk through the building when I was working in the concession stand to say hello and see me. Later, it became a place to hang out and play pool because we were too poor to actually go somewhere."

Timothy Hondrop ’89 said the building was a natural meeting place and recalled attending the first Presidents' Ball there, seeing comedian Jerry Seinfeld perform and, sadly, "watching the TVs in disbelief when the [Space Shuttle] Challenger exploded" in 1986.

circa 1970s, concert in front of Kirkhof Center, students sitting on grass

Timothy Hondrop ’89 said the building was a natural meeting place and recalled attending the first Presidents' Ball there, seeing comedian Jerry Seinfeld perform and, sadly, "watching the TVs in disbelief when the [Space Shuttle] Challenger exploded" in 1986.

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Kirkhof Center at 50

John Keating, ’79 Bally Sports Detroit host and reporter, recalled the days he broadcasted from student-run radio station WSRX "tucked away downstairs." "It was the launch point for many broadcasting careers, including mine."

John Keating, ’79 Bally Sports Detroit host and reporter, recalled the days he broadcasted from student-run radio station WSRX "tucked away downstairs." "It was the launch point for many broadcasting careers, including mine."

Kristy Davis ’78 remembered
"the amazing, iconic furniture" and having to use your student ID to rent headphones to listen to music while studying.

Kristy Davis ’78 remembered
"the amazing, iconic furniture" and having to use your student ID to rent headphones to listen to music while studying.

Timothy Hondrop ’89 said the building was a natural meeting place and recalled attending the first Presidents' Ball there, seeing comedian Jerry Seinfeld perform and, sadly, "watching the TVs in disbelief when the [Space Shuttle] Challenger exploded" in 1986.

Timothy Hondrop ’89 said the building was a natural meeting place and recalled attending the first Presidents' Ball there, seeing comedian Jerry Seinfeld perform and, sadly, "watching the TVs in disbelief when the [Space Shuttle] Challenger exploded" in 1986.

Two-Eyed Seeing

Grand Valley 'Firsts'

John Keating, ’79 Bally Sports Detroit host and reporter, recalled the days he broadcasted from student-run radio station WSRX "tucked away downstairs." "It was the launch point for many broadcasting careers, including mine."

John Keating, ’79 Bally Sports Detroit host and reporter, recalled the days he broadcasted from student-run radio station WSRX "tucked away downstairs." "It was the launch point for many broadcasting careers, including mine."

Kristy Davis ’78 remembered "the amazing, iconic furniture" and having to use your student ID to rent headphones to listen to music while studying.

Kristy Davis ’78 remembered "the amazing, iconic furniture" and having to use your student ID to rent headphones to listen to music while studying.

Timothy Hondrop ’89 said the building was a natural meeting place and recalled attending the first Presidents' Ball there, seeing comedian Jerry Seinfeld perform and, sadly, "watching the TVs in disbelief when the [Space Shuttle] Challenger exploded" in 1986.

Timothy Hondrop ’89 said the building was a natural meeting place and recalled attending the first Presidents' Ball there, seeing comedian Jerry Seinfeld perform and, sadly, "watching the TVs in disbelief when the [Space Shuttle] Challenger exploded" in 1986.

Two-Eyed Seeing

Grand Valley 'Firsts'

Kristy Davis ’78 remembered
"the amazing, iconic furniture" and having to use your student ID to rent headphones to listen to music while studying.

Kristy Davis ’78 remembered
"the amazing, iconic furniture" and having to use your student ID to rent headphones to listen to music while studying.