GVSU Founding Leaders

This scholarship is being established to acknowledge the leadership of L. William Seidman and each and every member of our Founding Leaders group to create a lasting monument of the dedication, vision and accomplishment of establishing our University.

Grand Rapids native Lewis William “Bill” Seidman was the 14th chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and chairman of the Resolution Trust Corporation. He was also a key presidential advisor, a popular and respected financial commentator on CNBC, and a longtime supporter of Grand Valley State University.

As a CPA, Bill helped bring the Seidman and Seidman accounting firm to national prominence. In Washington, he worked with presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush – and successfully navigated the nation through the savings and loans crisis of the late 1980s. And in Michigan, he was a vibrant part of the Grand Rapids community and driving force in the founding of Grand Valley.

L. William Seidman and nearly 300 West Michigan community members rallied support and met the state’s $1 million challenge to establish Grand Valley. On October 25, 1960 Grand Valley State College was chartered by the State of Michigan. Sixty years later, Grand Valley State University continues to develop talented leaders that this community needs to remain competitive in a fast-changing global economy. This scholarship will continue their legacy of attracting and retaining talented students in West Michigan for years to come.