Venderbush Leadership Reception

Come and celebrate leadership! The Venderbush Leadership Reception is designed to recognize extraordinary leadership. Since 1999, Grand Valley has honored the memory of Kenneth R. Venderbush through an ongoing series of leadership lectures. In addition to having the opportunity to listen to inspiring tales of leadership, this reception offers the opportunity to acknowledge outstanding student leaders who contribute regularly to our community by bestowing the Immediate Impact Award to one exceptional student leader. New members of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary and Alpha Phi Omega National Co-ed Service Fraternity are also recognized.

Winter 2010 Reception

Thursday, April 1, 2010
2:00- 3:00pm, Kirkhof Center 2204
Registration will open in January 2009.  The deadline to register is 3/25/10.

Fall 2009 Keynote Speaker: Stevan Veldkamp

Executive Director of the Center for the Study of the College Fraternity, Assistant Dean of Students, and the Director of Student Activities at Indiana University.

Stevan Veldkamp and his staff advise, coach, and educate student leaders representing 650 student organizations.  Steve is a member of the National Association of Student Personal Administrators, the Association of Fraternity Advisors, Director of the Interfraternity Institute, and is the Executive Director of the Center for the Study of the College Fraternity.  He recently completed work with college and university presidents responsible for the Call for Values Congruence document.  This document serves as a guide for colleges and universities across the country to improve Greek communities.  Steve’s assessment experiences include admissions marketing, college surveys, teaching assessment in the college environments, and conducting focus groups for the North Central Accreditation. Before becoming a Hoosier, Steve spent time working at Western Michigan University and the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire in student development.  Steve’s prior corporate experience includes working for public relations and advertising firms in West Michigan as well as an educational consultant for colleges and high schools.  Steve is a two time graduate of Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s in Marketing and Master’s in Organizational Communications.

Past Keynote Speakers

Kenneth R. Venderbush (1930-1975)

Dr. Kenneth R. Venderbush came to Grand Valley in 1969. During his tenure he served as Associate Professor and Acting Dean of William James College, and from 1969 until 1973 he was Vice President for Student Affairs. He received an undergraduate degree in speech from Kalamazoo College, an M.A. from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D from Ohio State University in 1968. Dr. Venderbush's commitment to student affairs was highlighted by his understanding of student concerns. During his time as Vice President of Student Affairs, he worked to assure student input in the decision-making process. He was a strong advocate of student leadership participation as a learning tool.
 

The Kenneth R. Venderbush Leadership Award

Please note that the Kenneth R. Venderbush Leadership Award is not awarded at the Venderbush Leadership Reception.  The Award is coordinated through the Dean of Students Office.

Since 1983, the university has bestowed its highest Student Leadership Award, the Kenneth R. Venderbush Leadership Award to a graduating senior student. In the Fall of 1999, the university continued to honor his memory through an on-going series of community leadership lectures made possible by a gift from Kenneth R. Venderbush's family.

This prestigious award is presented to a senior who has made a significant leadership contribution to student life at Grand Valley and demonstrates a strong commitment to academics. Award nominations and selection is coordinated through the Dean of Students Office. Click here for more information on nominating a student for the Venderbush Student Leadership Award.