ALLENDALE, MICH. – Former Laker Chris Hammer will deliver the 2024 Fall Commencement address on Saturday, December 7 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. 

The 2021 World Triathlon Para Champion competed for the Laker cross country and track and field teams from 2006-09. He received five USTFCCCA All-America honors as a student-athlete, earning four in the steeplechase and one in cross country. He presently holds the ninth best time in the 3k steeplechase (9:04.80) at Grand Valley, a record he set in 2007.

Hammer's most recent accomplishment, and most notable, was winning gold in the PTS5 Para Triathlon at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. His first Paralympic gold medal was also Grand Valley's, as he is the first Laker to win gold in Olympic or Paralympic competition.

For more information on 2024 Fall Commencements and Hammer's address, read GVNext's story here.