Portrait of Bill Seidman in dark suit and red tie, sitting and holding document.

L. William Seidman was one of the principal founders of Grand Valley State University, helping galvanize local support for the establishment of a public four-year university in West Michigan. A quote from Seidman stated: “I've had a great life. I've worked for three presidents of the United States, been in major business and education... [but] there's nothing that I've done in life that gives me the satisfaction of seeing how Grand Valley State University is delivering on its promise to the Western Michigan area.”