Alumni Awards
The Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an individual who excels in their chosen profession, and whose accomplishments positively impact society, and reflect favorably upon themselves and Grand Valley State University.
The prestigious award has been given out since 1985. Alumni are nominated by faculty, staff, and their fellow alumni. A panel of members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors then selects the award recipient.
To meet the award criteria, the nominee must:
- Be distinguished in their career
- Possess integrity and stature
- Show a continuing interest in GVSU and have contributed to one or more programs
- Be a graduate
- Have demonstrated by their actions the importance of the education they received at GVSU
- Be graduated for a minimum of 10 years
- Be available to attend the award ceremony
- Not be a current member of the GVSU Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, or Alumni Association Board of Directors
- Not be a current GVSU staff member, full-time faculty member, or those that teach more than 12 credit hours per year
The Outstanding Educator Award
The Outstanding Educator Award is presented to a faculty member who has had a significant impact on the lives and careers of alumni.
Faculty are nominated by alumni. A panel of members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors then selects the award recipient. All award recipients are approved by the university provost before the public announcement.
To meet the award criteria, the nominee must:
- Be a current faculty member at Grand Valley State University
- Be available to attend the award ceremony
- Not be a prior recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award
The Young Alumni Award
The Young Alumni Award is presented to a recent graduate who is making outstanding contributions to society, and whose accomplishments and career reflect favorably upon themselves, their community, and Grand Valley State University.
The prestigious award has been given out since 2008. Alumni are nominated by faculty, staff, and their fellow alumni. A panel of members of the Young Alumni Council then selects the award recipient.
To meet the award criteria, the nominee must:
- Be distinguished in their career
- Possess integrity and stature
- Show a continuing interest in GVSU and have contributed to one or more programs
- Be a graduate
- Have demonstrated by their actions the importance of the education they received at GVSU
- Have graduated within the past 10 years
- Be available to attend the award ceremony
- Not be a current member of the GVSU Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, Alumni Association Board of Directors, or Young Alumni Council
- Not be a current GVSU staff member, full-time faculty member, or those that teach more than 12 credit hours per year
The Alumni Service Award
The Alumni Service Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate outstanding service to Grand Valley State University and the Alumni Association.
Alumni are selected by the GVSU Alumni Relations staff.
To meet the award criteria, the nominee must:
- Demonstrate outstanding service to GVSU
- Be a GVSU graduate
- Be available to attend the award ceremony
- Not be a prior recipient of the Alumni Service Award
- Not be a current member of the GVSU Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, Alumni Association Board of Directors, or Young Alumni Council
2022 Alumni Awards Celebration Photos
On Friday, October 21, 2022, friends, family, and fellow alumni came to celebrate the four recipients at the Alumni Awards Celebration. Marisa Kwiatkowski is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Adrienne Wallace is the recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award, Ricardo Benavidez is the recipient of the Young Alumni Award, and Janean and Michael Couch are the recipients of the Alumni Service Award.