- Vern Ehlers
Vernon James "Vern" Ehlers (born February 6 1934) is a United States politician and a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives. He has represented Michigan's 3rd congressional district since 1993. The district is based in Grand Rapids and was once represented by former President Gerald Ford. Born in Pipestone, Minnesota, Vern Ehlers attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids for three years before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley, …
- Josh Leo
Josh Leo is a videoblogger who is active in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has been actively "vlogging" since March of 2005. He is a member of the national videoblogging community and a promoter of grassroots media. Though originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, Leo lives in Grand Rapids and produces a vlog which often features attractions around the city. Josh Leo's vlog has an estimated 500 viewers each day.
- Robert Dean
Robert Dean (born 1954) is a politician from the state of Michigan. He is an African-American member of the Michigan House of Representatives. His district is in the eastern portion of the city of Grand Rapids. He is a Democrat.
- Vernon Ehlers
I am a US House Representative for the state of MI. I am a Republican. My religion is Christian Reformed. I am Married. I received my AB from University of California - Berkeley. I received my PhD from University of California - Berkeley. I live in Grand Rapids. I was born in Pipestone, MN. For issues within my power to resolve, write me at "110 Michigan St., NW, Rm. 166, Grand Rapids, MI 49503".
- David Lockington
David Lockington , Music Director of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra David Lockington is the new music director of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.
- Dathan Ritzenhein
Dathan Ritzenhein born December 30, 1982 in Grand Rapids, Michigan is an American track and cross-country athlete. He attended Rockford High School in Michigan and the University of Colorado in Boulder, and is arguably one of the greatest American hopes for distance running in the last 20 years.
- Louis Campau
Louis Campau was an important figure in the early settlement of two important Michigan cities. He established the first trading post at what is today Saginaw, Michigan as early as 1815 and played a key role in negotiating the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819. The Treaty was made between Gen. Lewis Cass and Native American tribes of the Great Lakes region (principally the Ojibwe, but also the Ottawa and Potawatomi)Michigan.
- Herman Hoeksema
Herman Hoeksema was a Dutch Reformed theologian. Hoeksema was born on 1886-03-12 at Hoogezand, in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands and immigrated to the USA in 1904. After studying at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids/Michigan, he began his ministerial career in the Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids - by this time one of the largest reformed congregations in the United States.
- Dick Posthumus
Richard Posthumus (pronounced "PAHST-hume-us") (born on 19 July 1950), American farmer, businessman, and politician, is a former State Senate Majority leader and Republican gubernatorial candidate from Michigan. He currently is the CEO of Compatico, Inc., an office furniture manufacturer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dick Posthumus grew up on a dairy farm in Alto, Michigan outside of Grand Rapids.
- Michael Sak
Michael G. Sak (born 1962) is a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives, representing the 76th district, located in urban Grand Rapids. He is a Democrat and the incoming Speaker pro Tempore.
- Bill Baker
William Robert (Bill) Baker (born November 29, 1956 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, USA) is a retired American professional hockey defenceman who played 143 regular season games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers between 1980 and 1983.
- El Debarge
Eldra Patrick DeBarge (born June 4, 1961 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is an American R&B and soul falsetto singer, the focal point and lead singer of the DeBarge family group throughout the early 1980s. He is currently married to Monique DeBarge but the two are separated.
- Gaylen Byker
Gaylen James Byker (born 1948) is a former international businessman and the current President of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Byker is a native of Hudsonville, Michigan. He served in the United States Army from 1967 until 1970. Following his service in the Vietnam War, he attended Calvin College graduating in 1973. He went on to do graduate work, and received a master's degree and a JD in World Politics from the University of Michigan, …
- Kristy Hanson
Kristy Hanson (born June 16, 1981) is an up-and-coming American singer-songwriter. Kristy Hanson (Kristin Leslie Hanson) was born in Cleveland, Ohio and lived in the Shaker Heights area. Her family moved to south Florida in 1986. Kristy attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor from 1999-2004, earning degrees in English Language and Literature and vocal performance and studying with former Metropolitan Opera diva Shirley Verrett.
- Hank Jones
Henry "Hank" Jones (born July 31, 1918) was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi and grew up in Pontiac, Michigan, where he studied piano at an early age and came under the influence of Earl Hines, Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson and Art Tatum. By the age of 13 Jones was performing locally in Michigan and Ohio. While playing with territory bands in Grand Rapids and Lansing he met Lucky Thompson, who invited him to New York City in 1944 to work at the Onyx Club with Hot Lips Page.
- Walter A. Hurley
Walter Allison Hurley (born May 30, 1937 in Fredericton, Canada) is currently the Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He was ordained a priest June 9, 1965. On June 21, 2005 he was appointed bishop of Grand Rapids. He was installed as bishop August 4, 2005.
- Brian Diemer
Brian Diemer (born 10 October,1961) was an American athlete who competed mainly in the 3000 metre steeplechase. He competed for the United States in the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, United States in the 3000 metre steeplechase where he won the bronze medal. He now coaches at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has coached the Knights to four national championships.
- Janelle Pierzina
Janelle Marie Pierzina (born January 10, 1980) was a contestant on the sixth and All-Star seasons of the American version of the CBS reality show "Big Brother". Pierzina resides in Miami Beach, Florida. She was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
- Bunny Debarge
Bunny Debarge (born Etterlene DeBarge, 15 March 1955, Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a female soprano who was a member of the 1980s Motown group, DeBarge. She is best known for her duet with her brother El DeBarge on "Share My World".
- Jeff Nielsen
Jeff Nielsen (Born September 20, 1971 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota) is a retired American ice hockey player who played in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, and Minnesota Wild. He played right wing and shot right handed. A highly touted prospect while in high school, Nielsen was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 4th round, 69th overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.
- Guy vander Jagt
Guy Adrian Vander Jagt was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan. Vander Jagt (pronounced "van-der-jack") was born in Cadillac, Michigan to Marie and Harry Vander Jagt, a Dutch immigrant. Harry was a rancher, and as a youth, Guy worked on the family's 120-acre farm near Cadillac. His talent for public speaking emerged as he began preaching at the Tustin Presbyterian Church while still a student at Cadillac High School.
- Todd Rohloff
Todd Rohloff (born January 16, 1974 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota) is an American ice hockey defenceman. Originally signed as a free agent in 1998 by the Washington Capitals, Rohloff spent several seasons with the Capitals organization before signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets, only to be claimed on waivers by the Capitals. In 2005, Rohloff signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Rohloff played college hockey at Miami University.
- Roger Wilkins
Roger Wilkins (born March 1932) is an American civil rights leader, professor of history, and journalist. He is best known for his role as one of the journalists to expose the Watergate scandal. Wilkins was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up in Michigan. He was educated at Creston High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and received a bachelor's degree in 1953 and a law degree in 1956 from the University of Michigan, where he interned with the NAACP.
- James Debarge
James DeBarge (born 22 August 1963, Grand Rapids, Michigan) is an American R&B and soul singer. He was one of the charter members of the family group DeBarge, who became stars with their 1980s classic songs "All This Love", "In a Special Way", "Rhythm of the Night", and "Who's Holding Donna Now?". James DeBarge is arguably more famous for his 1984 marriage to pop icon Janet Jackson.
- William Alden Smith
William Alden Smith (May 12, 1859 - October 11, 1932) was a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from the state of Michigan. Smith was born in Dowagiac, Michigan and attended the common schools. He moved with his parents to Grand Rapids in 1872, where he attended school, sold popcorn, and was a newsboy and messenger boy. He was appointed a page in the Michigan House of Representatives in 1875 (or 1879) at Lansing, Michigan.
- Justin Clark
Justin Clark (b. January 29 1977, Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a retired American professional ice hockey right wing.
- Semyon Bychkov
Semyon Bychkov (born November 30, 1952 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg)) is a Russian-American conductor. He studied at the Glinka Choir School in Leningrad for ten years and then the Leningrad Conservatory. In 1973 he won the Rachmaninov Conducting Competition and was asked to conduct the Leningrad Philharmonic. However the concert was canceled because of Bychkov's political views. In 1974 he emigrated from the Soviet Union.
- Gerald Rudolff Ford
Gerald Rudolff Ford (December 9 1890 - January 26 1962) was the namesake step-father of U.S. President Gerald Ford. Ford was born and died in Grand Rapids, Michigan and raised the future President there. He was a paint salesman in the community. Ford married Dorothy Ayer Gardner King on February 1 1917 following Dorothy's divorce from Leslie Lynch King, Sr.. Dorothy had given birth to the future President (named Leslie Lynch King, …
- McGeorge Bundy
McGeorge "Mac" Bundy was United States National Security Advisor to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson from 1961–1966, and was president of the Ford Foundation from 1966–1979.
- Jim Boylen
Jim Boylen is the current head coach of the University of Utah, a position he accepted on March 26, 2007. The Utah job will be his first head coaching position after spending over a decade as an assistant at both the NBA and NCAA levels. He replaces Ray Giacoletti, who was fired from Utah on March 3, 2007. Prior to joining Utah, Boylen spent two years at Michigan State University as the Spartans top assistant under Tom Izzo.
- Jon Casey
Jon Casey (born August 29, 1962 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota) is a retired American ice hockey goaltender. Jon Casey was born in Grand Rapids Minnesota to James and Colleen Casey. He is the second of four children. Casey spent most of his career with the Minnesota North Stars. In 1993, he was a part of the Campbell Conference's roster at the 44th National Hockey League All-Star Game. Casey would also spend time with the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues.
- Colin A. Ross
Colin A. Ross is a psychiatrist of Canadian origin and professional training. Ross went to medical school in Edmonton, Alberta and did his psychiatry training in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He moved to Dallas, Texas in the early 1990s. Ross specializes in Post-traumatic stress disorder and Dissociative disorders (e.g., Dissociative Identity Disorder, …
- David Depriest
David DePriest (born September 29, 1973) is a World Series of Darts qualifier. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii but now resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He plays with 23-gram Barry Twomlow Golden darts.
- Robin Murphy
Robin Murphy (born, 1950, Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a naturopath and homeopath and is best known for his publication of reference texts in the field of homeopathy. Murphy earned an ND degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine and directed the homeopathy program there from 1980-1984. He later taught at Bastyr University and directed the Hahnemann Academy of North America.
- Edwin F. Uhl
Edwin Fuller Uhl (August 14 1841 - May 17 1901) was a prominent Michigan lawyer and politician. He served as Mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Ambassador to Germany, United States Assistant Secretary of State and, for thirteen days, Acting U.S. Secretary of State. Uhl was born in the township of Rush, New York, the son of David M. and Catherine (De Garmo) Uhl. The family moved to a farm near Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1844.
- Corrado Parducci
Corrado Giuseppe Parducci (March 10, 1900 - November 22, 1981) was an American architectural sculptor. He was born in Buti, Italy and immigrated to New York City in the United States in 1904. At a young age he was sponsored by heiress/sculptor Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and sent to art school. He attended the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design and Art Students League. His teachers included anatomist George Bridgman and sculptor Albin Polasek.
- Brendan Gielow
Brendan Gielow (Born October 24, 1987 in Grand Rapids, Michigan), is a freshman amateur golfer for the Wake Forest Demon Decons.
- Hattie Beverly
Hattie Beverly (1875 - 1904) was the first African American schoolteacher in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Vern Clark
Admiral Vernon E. Clark USN (Ret.) was the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in the United States Navy. He retired 22 July 2005, making his tenure of five years the second-longest serving CNO behind Arleigh Burke. He currently sits on the board of directors of Raytheon. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, and raised in the midwestern states of Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois, …
- Robert Teeter
Robert M. Teeter (1939-June 13, 2004) was an American Republican pollster and political campaign strategist. Born in Coldwater, Michigan, Teeter worked in various capacities for four presidents, and numerous governors and senators. Formerly the president of Market Opinion Research, he later founded an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based consulting firm, Coldwater Corporation. He also conducted a national polling program for NBC News and The Wall Street Journal.