[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H5833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING MATTHEW E. McLOGAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Meijer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MEIJER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize west Michigan's 
own Grand Valley State University Vice President Matthew E. McLogan, 
who for nearly 35 years has delivered unparalleled leadership and 
expertise to our region's academic communities.
  Originally hired in 1987--I won't mention that that is the year 
before I was born--he is the longest serving executive officer in 
university history.
  Prior to his time at GVSU, Matt was a fixture in broadcast news and 
served honorably as Michigan's former public service commissioner with 
a booming baritone voice that many of us recognize.
  He took the exceptional skill set that he had built in these 
professions and brought it to Grand Valley State University. When Matt 
joined GVSU and became a Laker, the school's lone campus was home to 
just 8,000 students. As of 2022, the Laker community has grown 
threefold, boasting over 23,000 students across five locations. Their 
technological centers, libraries, and resources are the envy of 
competing universities at home in west Michigan and across the Nation.
  Having served through the previous four of five university 
presidents, Matt facilitated and witnessed firsthand Grand Valley State 
University's historic expansion. For years, he has been essential to 
the success of Grand Valley's executive leadership, playing a crucial 
role in government and alumni relations and the school's marketing 
programs and as secretary to the board of trustees.
  Matt maintains responsibility for some of the institution's memorable 
accomplishments: the university's presence on our famous Medical Mile 
in Grand Rapids, the school's unprecedented expansion, and game-
changing additions requiring public support.
  Matt is known widely throughout the community as one of west 
Michigan's best boosters and academic professionals.
  It is largely thanks to the leadership and expertise of Vice 
President McLogan that GVSU is poised to continue unprecedented growth 
for years to come. Matt has brought great fortune to the Lakers, and 
there is no doubt that the successes of his leadership have made a 
lasting impact on our community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take this time to recognize 
his accomplishments. I applaud Matt for his decades of selfless 
leadership and service to the Grand Valley State University community. 
I can say with great certainty that his accomplishments will not soon 
be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Huizenga), 
my colleague and friend from the Second District.
  Mr. HUIZENGA. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague yielding. As we 
come to the floor to honor Matt, I know that Matt and his colleagues 
are watching right now.
  My colleague was able to run through the litany of his career, but I 
will note that, in 1987, I was just graduating from high school when 
Matt was hired. He has had an incredible tenure.
  I can tell you that throughout his career, Matt has put the staff and 
Grand Valley community at the center of it all, but most importantly, 
it was about the students for him. It was always about the students.
  Whether it was him looking out for who would be the next leader for 
the student council and the student body president or who would be a 
great intern in an office like mine or many others, whether it be in 
Lansing or in Washington, D.C., Matt was always there for the students.
  As was said, when he joined the university, it was a smaller college 
of 8,000 students literally in the middle of a cornfield, and it now is 
this juggernaut, powerhouse of a university in Michigan with five 
locations and 23,000 students. That is, in part, due to Matt's efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege of knowing Matt personally for 
well over 25 years, and I, too, grew up listening to Matt on local 
television at first. I can tell you that his wisdom, his counsel, and 
his encouragement that he has to offer to friends, family, and 
colleagues is something that he is known for. I have never met anyone 
quite so positive as Matt when it comes to life.
  In addition to his time at Grand Valley and his time on television, 
he served the State in lots of various ways, on committees and 
commissions.

                              {time}  1115

  One very notable one was the Public Service Commission as he was 
there serving and trying to help lead the direction of the State 
through multiple administrations and various Governors.
  I will tell you this though, Mr. Speaker, the thing that Matt is 
especially known for is his Michigan political trivia. Now, I can tell 
you that if you had been wondering who the Lieutenant Governor was in 
1923, all you had to do was ask Matt. He would be able to tell you, and 
he is probably telling and saying the name right now to his colleagues 
as he is watching this.
  So here is what I need to say today: Congratulations, Matt, and thank 
you. Jane is going to enjoy that time together with you. I know that 
you have got more coming. Even though you may not have quite figured it 
out, I know you are fighting to the very end for Grand Valley and for 
that budget period that is in Lansing right now.
  But here is something that we all need to know: Matt is a Laker for 
life, and I thank him for his service.

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