Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 39

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A LU M N I G I V I N G

Alumni legacy creates scholarship
STORY BY AMY BROSS, '00 / PHOTO BY BERNADINE CAREY-TUCKER

Georgette "Tété" Zainea's
story is one of determination.
She was a first-generation American
whose parents were from Syria.
Zainea had to drop out of school
and had an arranged marriage as a
teenager. Her husband died when
she was young, so she raised seven
children on her own, earned a GED,
and made a commitment to her
children's education by ensuring
they all graduated from college.
Her family honored her by
establishing the Georgette "Tété"
Zainea Memorial Pathway
Endowed Scholarship.
Describe one of the best
traits about Georgette.
Meghan: Tété had the
most generous heart of
anyone I have ever known.
She cared so much about
her family, and she would
do anything to ensure
they were successful
and provided for.
Why was it so important
to her that you all
graduated from college?
Rose: She had an eighthgrade education when
she was forced to enter
the workforce. She wanted
nothing more than to
ensure her children did
not follow in that path.
Mitri: She wanted to
ensure that we would be
able to enjoy our work,
provide for ourselves and
contribute to society.
Why did you choose a
Grand Valley education?
Rose: Grand Valley was
the most financially
feasible choice for me.
I had limited funds and
GVSU was pretty much
in my backyard. The
programs offered in the
mid-70s were varied and
interesting. I wanted to
be a special education
teacher, and Grand Valley's
program was one of the
best around.

Where do you
currently work?
Meghan: Since graduation,
I have worked in the
nonprofit sector. I have
spent the past seven years
working for the national
nonprofit Blue Star
Families, an organization
that provides support
and morale programs to
military families.
Rose: I am the
executive director of
the Coopersville Area
Chamber of Commerce.
I took that position after
retiring from Coopersville
Area Public Schools as
a special education
teacher for 35 years.
Mitri: I am a retired
elementary school
principal. Before working
in administration, I taught
middle school English.
How did Grand Valley
help prepare you for
your future?
Meghan: Through both
my public administration
and women and gender
studies classes, my
professors encouraged
me to think critically and
also to be empathetic
towards others.
Rose: Grand Valley gave
me encouragement
to follow my dream.
Financially, I was able to
acquire assistance as well
as a work-study job, where
I worked at Lincoln School
as a para-pro/office aide.
What is your favorite
memory of Grand Valley?
Meghan: Graduation day
was especially memorable.
I worked in the Office of
the President for most of
my time at the university.
Being able to hug so
many of the people I
worked with as I crossed
the stage to receive
my diploma, including

President Murray, who knew me
personally, was the icing on the
cake after four great years.
Rose: I think my best Laker
pride moment was when I
watched our two children
graduate from Grand Valley. We
always told our children to do
what they love, because they will
be doing it the rest of their lives.
Mitri: Having coffee at 7 a.m.
and watching the sunrise in
the second floor commons in
Lake Michigan Hall.
How has being a member of
the Laker community shaped
or changed you?
Meghan: I entered college
already having a strong sense of
responsibility to my community
and others. Being a Laker
helped to polish and solidify
that sense of responsibility as
my driving force in life. I had
professors who challenged me
to think outside the box. I had
mentors who encouraged me to
expand my horizons and seek
opportunities. I had friends and
sorority sisters who supported
me, and continue to do so today.
Why have you chosen to
give back financially to
Grand Valley?
Rose: I am blessed to be able to
encourage others to meet their
educational goals and follow
their dreams. I was raised to give
back, and share my time, talents
and treasures with others.

Meghan: My parents always led
by example by giving their time
and money to things they cared
about, and I have followed that
example throughout my life. I
want other students to have the
opportunity to have the same
experience as I did in my years
as both a student and now as
an alumna.
What impact do you think this
scholarship will make?
Meghan: I hope it will help ease
the financial burden of funding
a college education, and it will
encourage the beneficiaries to
think outside the box, seek out
ways to further impact their
community, and carry on what
they learned at Grand Valley to
make a larger, societal impact.
Mitri: It is my hope that
students will be able to receive
support and encouragement
as a result of this scholarship.
That's all that matters.
Would you encourage other
alumni to give back?
Rose: Absolutely! We started
at home with our own children,
telling them that even donating
$5 a month makes a difference
in someone's life. Giving back is
what life is all about.
What do you want your
Laker Effect to be?
Rose: My Laker Effect will be
encouraging others to follow
their dreams!

CREATING A SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarships help ensure that the best and
brightest students can access a Grand Valley
education and enrich our campus. Nine out of 10
Grand Valley students need financial support from
donors like the Zaineas to complete their education.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Briette Bryant, '08
(616) 331-6529
bryanbri@gvsu.edu

Kevin Yeomans, '15
(616) 331-6527
yeomans1@gvsu.edu

GIVING

39

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017
