1997 First national
1997 First national symposium for educators held The year following VAI’s founding, Van Andel Institute for Education hosted its first national symposium for educators. School principals and superintendents gathered to discuss education trends and collaborate on ways to improve classroom instruction. In the more than two decades since, Van Andel Institute for Education continues to offer a wealth of knowledge from which teachers and administrators can draw. The Institute still hosts an annual symposium for educators, Science on the Grand, and our science programs for students and teachers have grown by leaps and bounds. Our goal remains much the same as it was in those early days: bolstering K–12 science education to inspire the scientists of tomorrow by creating classrooms where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive. 1998 Groundbreaking jumpstarts growth of VAI, Medical Mile Plans to construct a permanent home for the Institute leapt forward on May 20, 1998. On a plot of land at the corner of Bostwick Avenue and Michigan Street, where a nurse’s dormitory once stood, VAI’s founders broke ground on the first phase of construction. VAI Founder Jay Van Andel, Chairman and CEO David Van Andel, Founding Research Director Dr. George Vande Woude, Founding President Dr. Luis Tomatis and Founding Chair of VAI’s Board of Scientific Advisors Dr. Michael S. Brown plunged shovels into the ground in a ceremonial start to the work (photo at right). VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE | 25 YEARS VAI’s construction spurred tremendous growth on Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile, helping to position the city as an epicenter of world-class health care and medical research. Phase I construction took two years to complete; it was followed by groundbreaking for Phase II, which added research space, in 2007. VAI’s facilities were designed by famed architect Rafael Viñoly and feature plentiful windows and cascading glass ceilings that let in abundant natural light. Phase II is LEED Platinum-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, meaning both design and construction incorporate sustainable features. These include a “green” roof and ivy walls to reduce the “heat island” effect and a rainwater capture system. 1998 Rafael Viñoly, selected as architect in 1997, presents model at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel VIÑOLY PRESENTS PLANS & MODELS FOR VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE 8 1997 – 1998
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE | 25 YEARS (LEFT TO RIGHT) DR. LUIS TOMATIS, JAY VAN ANDEL, DAVID VAN ANDEL, DR. MICHAEL S. BROWN & DR. GEORGE VANDE WOUDE 1998 9
