Notable Alumni of Grand Valley State University

Thomas Remengesau Jr. 1956–

Former President of Palau

Erion Veliaj 1979–

Mayor of Tirana, Albania

Brian Calley 1977–

Former Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

Also attended: Harvard University, Michigan State University, Montcalm Community College

Spouse: Julie Calley (Northwood University)

John Beyrle 1954–

Diplomat, former US Ambassador to Russia

Also attended: Middlebury College

Kyra Harris Bolden 1988–

Associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court

Also attended: University of Detroit Mercy

Michael Sak 1962–

Former Michigan state representative and teacher

Also attended: Grand Rapids Community College, Brigham Young University-Provo, Utah State University

Derek Bailey 1972–2021

Tribal Chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Bachelor's degree, Master's degree · Social work, Psychology · Class of 1998

Bo Biteman 1978–

President of the Wyoming State Senate

Patrick Sheane Duncan 1947–

Film director, producer and writer

Hubert Massey 1958–

Artist known for large-scale fresco installations

Daniel Allen Butler 1957–

Author and playwright writing on maritime history

Also attended: Hope College

Tony Ferguson 1984–

Mixed martial artist, former interim UFC lightweight champion

Attended until 2006

Also attended: Central Michigan University, Muskegon Community College

Sarah Zelenka 1987–

Rower on the 2012 US Olympic team

Darline Radamaker 1996–

Haitian women's footballer

Matt Thornton 1976–

Former MLB pitcher

Cody Stamann 1989–

Mixed martial artist who fought in UFC featherweight

Nick McDonald 1987–

Former NFL center

Péter Bacsa 1970–

Hungarian wrestler, 1996 Olympian

Tim Lelito 1989–

Former NFL offensive guard

Ron Essink 1958–

Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle

Jeff Chadwick 1960–

Former NFL player

Keyonta Marshall 1981–2019

Former NFL defensive lineman

Derrick Jones 1984–

Former professional football defensive end

Glenn Duffie Shriver 1981–

American convicted of spying for China