GVSU joins communitywide effort to mark nation's 250th anniversary

"We think it's more important than ever to move beyond the traditional adult and college student audiences and into our K-12 system to build the ethical and effective leaders of the future that we know we will need," Rydecki said.

"We are so fortunate to be partners in this work with the Charter Schools Office through the Impact 30 grant. Without them, we would not have been able to get this effort off the ground."

Grand Valley students are also gaining firsthand experience with the semiquincentennial celebration through internships with GRA250. At events throughout Grand Rapids, students are engaging residents in conversations about civic participation and distributing pocket-sized copies of the U.S. Constitution.

Community members can connect with GVSU students at several upcoming GRA250 events, including the Grand Rapids Symphony performance at Acrisure Amphitheater (July 4); A Glimpse of Africa Festival at Calder Plaza (Aug. 15-16); Fiesta Mexicana at Calder Plaza (Sept. 11-13) and The Global Gathering at Garfield Park (Sept. 12).

WGVU is also commemorating the nation's history through special programming. The documentary "Frontier to Freedom," explores Michigan's history from 1600 through 1837 , the year the state joined the Union.

The two-hour documentary will make its broadcast premiere on WGVU at 9 p.m. on July 2.