21 Oct William’s Recent Commissioned Painting Commemorating Grand View University’s 125th Anniversary – Des Moines, IA
We are truly thankful William was commissioned to create a commemorative painting for Grand View University’s 125th Anniversary. William is an alumnus of GVU so this commission has special meaning.
This artwork was unveiled at a lovely event during Homecoming at GVU’s beautiful campus in Des Moines, IA, on September 23rd. We were honored to attend and to celebrate all of GVU’s tremendous accomplishments and successes.
William’s painting, Grand View Zeal (48″ X 48″ – acrylic on canvas), was created with multiple layers intending to bring honor to the origin and history of the college as well as to all the faculty, students, staff, and supporters throughout the years and to the present. Yet William also intentionally created this painting to be vibrant and modern revealing how the Grand View Vikings are thriving with an exciting future.
At the event, William was able to speak and share on the making of this artwork (please see some of the photos below). We are honored as this finished painting is now installed in the student center on the GVU campus.
William was especially honored as the GVU leadership selected him to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. William was presented with this award the same evening as when the artwork was unveiled.
All of this was particularly touching as Prof. Dennis Kaven (tremendous professor, adviser, and William worked with him for a few years at GVU too) and Coach Blair Reid (tremendous soccer coach) attended the event and introduced William. Both of these men are very accomplished and have been a great mentor and friend to William. And they both have wonderful wives too! What joy it was to be reunited and to celebrate with all attending!
When receiving the award, William spoke humbly and with honoring words. It was a fabulous event!
(As William’s wife, I am certainly proud of William. He is a man of brilliant character and talent. I am truly grateful to GVU for recognizing William with this award and for the standing ovation all gave him and the meaningful artwork he created.)
Special thanks to the incredible leadership of Bill Burma, LB Lyons, and all their team. For more information, please view: https://www.grandview.edu