BVU Alumni and Friends Share Stories While Dining in Grimes
The Food Depot hosts social for three dozen Beavers
Thirty-three BVU alumni and friends joined a trio of BVU staff members for a get-together at The Food Depot in Grimes on Monday, Nov. 25. The event served to reconnect Beavers while allowing Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing & Athletics Dr. Brandon Johnson ’04 an opportunity to share information about recent trends, initiatives, and areas of growth.
Hosts included Kevin ’99 and Mandy Willey, Eric ’06 and Tara (Minikis) Johansen ’06, Dan ’94 and Sarah (Mueller) Petrak ’95, Tyler Willey ’23, and Elizabeth Marzinske ’23.
The majority of attendees reside in Grimes, Dallas Center, Polk City, Johnston, and Urbandale.
“This is a chance for us to get together, have some great pizza and drinks, share connections we have as Beavers and hear about updates being made across the campus community,” said Kevin Willey.
Many in this group participated in recent BVU events such as a happy hour social at SmashPark in Des Moines, Breakfast Before Business in West Des Moines hosted by Central Bank, an Iowa Wild hockey game, a bike ride from Slater to Madrid, and the inaugural Beaver Ball last February at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines.
Willey asked for a show of hands of all who attended the inaugural Beaver Ball. As nearly one dozen hands rose, he asked those present to circle the date, Feb. 22, 2025, as the Second Annual Beaver Ball plans to be even better.
“We can also continue to begin to tie our connection back to the University, either through a celebration like Giving Tuesday, or by sharing expertise in a class, or by attending a concert or a game, all are ways we show our support for a place that means so much to us.”
-Kevin Willey, 1999 BVU graduate
Johnson detailed how events such as this continue to allow the Beavers to make connections while strengthening a sense of community, and family, for their alma mater. Discussion centered on enrollment growth, the development of green space that has taken the place of Smith Hall, continued activity in BVU’s Institute for Agriculture, the new dual-degree nursing program partnership launched with Mercy College of Health Sciences last January, and more.
Johnson thanked alumni and friends present for the gifts they share in time, talent, and treasure, and asked all to keep following the Beavers while referring students to BVU and more.
“I am excited about the progress and momentum with what we are doing,” Kevin Willey added. “We come together to share stories and camaraderie and the pride we have in our alma mater. Next steps for us involve keeping these connections going while we share our stories with others as they consider BVU.
“We can also continue to begin to tie our connection back to the University, either through a celebration like Giving Tuesday, or by sharing expertise in a class, or by attending a concert or a game, all are ways we show our support for a place that means so much to us,” Willey concluded.
Alumni present spanned an impressive 58 years between their class years, ranging from the Class of 1965 (Dennis Young) to the Class of 2023 (Tyler Willey and Elizabeth Marzinske).
The following is a list of alumni and guests who attended: Jake Anderson ’07; Greg ’01 and Audrey (Pearson) Bell ’02; Adam Boeding ’97 and Kerri Parkhill; Bob ’90 and Brenda Geurink; Steph Gronau ’98; Don ’80 and Mary (Walker) Haden ’82; Hiram “Hi” Houghton ’95; Dan ’97 and Lisa (Galetich) Jesse ’97; Eric Johansen ’06; Brad ’88 and Dee (Reichter) Kain ’88; Jon ’08 MA ’16 and Joy Larson; Tim Lauck ’87; Gibson Magill ’99; Elizabeth Marzinske ’23; Dan ’94 and Sarah (Mueller) Petrak ’95; Byron ’81 and Jana (Page) Peyton ’81; Kevin ’99 and Mandy Willey; Tyler Willey ’23; Ben Woodworth ’96; Hannah Wuebker ’22; and Dennis ’65 and Diane Young. Staff members present included Tim Gallagher ’90, Dr. Brandon Johnson ’04, and Seth Shatto ’15 MA ’20.