OPPORTUNITY AS PASSIONATE


PHILANTHROPISTS, Bea and her late husband, William (Bill) Idema have supported numerous projects and organizations in the community throughout their lifetimes, including Grand Valley State University. Although Bea has contributed so much to her community, she sees her philanthropic efforts as merely the right thing to do. “I think we naturally just gave,”


Bea says. "We were brought up to give rather than to take.” Bea has always been a special friend to Grand Valley, with over 40 years of giving to the university. Most recently, she established three new scholarships that will help students far into the future. Bea established the William


“Bill” W. Idema Physics Endowed Scholarship in loving memory of her husband to provide encouragement


and financial support to students studying physics at Grand Valley. She similarly created the Philip Peter Versluis Criminal Justice Endowed Scholarship in loving memory of her brother-in-law, to assist students pursuing a criminal justice degree. As a nurse, philanthropist,


and advocate for education, the Beatrice “Bea” A. Idema Nursing Endowed Scholarship reflects Bea’s


Each of these scholarships will


improve access and affordability for students, ensuring that they can start, stay, and succeed at Grand Valley. “Being able to give is a gift,” Bea says. “I just feel good about doing what I am doing.” While continuously making


transformative change in the lives


“YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO GIVE, AND NOT TAKE. WHY LIVE IF WE CAN’T HELP OTHERS?” - Bea Idema


passion for personally investing in helping others. Te scholarship will provide encouragement and financial support to nursing students, who often have to take on the extra costs of equipment and supplies, traveling to clinicals, and more.


of others, Bea remains humble, and eager to make a difference. Although she’s not a fan of the word generous, it’s difficult to think of a different way to describe a woman who has dedicated her life to giving back. “You have to learn to give, and not take,” Bea says. “Why live if we can’t help others?”


Bea's scholarships support students in Nursing, Physics, and Criminal Justice.


HORIZONS 9 IMPACT


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