NEWS

A legacy shared with loved ones

Alumni return to campus to create new memories with the next generation of CMU Chippewas

For Central Michigan University alumnus Dan Eversole, '78, returning to campus for the 19^th annual Grandparents U with his grandson Brennan wasn't just a summer getaway—it was an event nearly 50 years in the making.

The visit gave Dan the chance to revisit the residence hall where he and his wife, Jan, '79, began building their family during their time as students at CMU.

While pursuing his master's degree in educational administration at the College of Education and Human Services, Dan served as the director of Carey Hall. He and Jan were married then and lived together in a dorm room where they welcomed their first son, Ryan.

Decades later, Ryan became a father himself, making Brennan the third generation in the family's CMU story.

So, on the first day of Grandparents U camp, Dan was “Fired Up” to tour Carey Hall with his grandson to show off his former living space.

A senior citizen man and a younger boy pose for a picture in front of a Central Michigan University College of Business Administration step and repeat. — Dan Eversole poses with his grandson, Brennan, during Grandparents U summer camp.

“It was so much fun,” Dan said. “I kept saying, ‘This was your dad’s bedroom, where Nana and Papa lived for a bit.’”

“It was interesting,” Brennan said. “But odd to think that they lived in a single room!”

Dan and Brennan's unique story is one of many among the more than 130 grandparents and grandchildren who took part in this year's Grandparents U—the program's largest class in over a decade.

Throughout the three-day camp, grandparents and grandchildren explored campus together through hands-on learning experiences led by CMU faculty, staff and Mount Pleasant community members.

Participants chose from dozens of interactive sessions, including cooking, chemistry-inspired tie-dye, business pitch challenges and a campus medallion hunt.

A group of four people, a senior citizen woman, a senior citizen man, and two younger girls, are cooking in a kitchen. — Diane Kosuda (left) poses with her family during a cooking class at Grandparents U.

“It’s amazing doing the classes and lessons together,” said attendee Diane Kosuda, who’s here for the 4^th year in a row—this time with both of her granddaughters. “You have your grandchildren all to yourself in a unique, fun environment,” she said.

In addition to revisiting the places where his family’s story began, Dan Eversole created new memories with Brennan while also witnessing a different perspective of his grandson.

“I saw a whole new side of him,” Dan said. “It was really cool to see him be a leader and volunteer in our session groups.”

Dan’s experience was echoed by many other GPU participants, and that’s one of the many reasons why the annual camp means so much to the CMU alumni relations staff.

A group of people pose for a photo inside a large room with four balloons in the upper right corner. Some people are holding quilts in various colors like yellow, blue and tan. — Grandparents U participants pose during a "Volunteer Projects with the Volunteer Center" class.

“Each year, I’m reminded why Grandparents U is such a special program,” said Hannah Martin, associate director of alumni engagement.

“Seeing grandparents return to campus with stories of their own experiences and watching them create lasting memories alongside their grandchildren is truly inspiring. Moments like these perfectly capture the maroon and gold spirit and the lifelong connections that help make CMU so unique.”

Note: The term Grandparents University® is a registered trademark that originated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is used with permission.

Click the video below to watch a brief recap video from the 2026 CMU Grandparents University summer camp.