Spotlights
2019-2020 Student Award Recipients
Although current events made it impossible for the University to host the Student Awards Convocation, we wanted to recognize and honor the recipients' accomplishments and celebrate their academic excellence.
The Excellence-in-a-Discipline Award honors one student from each undergraduate and graduate discipline. Faculty from each department select the recipient based upon an earned minimum number of credit hours at an exceptional grade point average.
College of Community and Public Service
Kyler Rubley, Criminal Justice
Samantha Sanders, Hospitality
and Tourism Management
Blake Clevenger, Legal Studies
Erica
Chapin, Public and Nonprofit Administration
Kelly Burrows, Social
Work
Kayla Bates, Criminal Justice (M.S.)
Brent Reed, Health
Administration (M.H.A.)
Jordan Crandell, Philanthropy and
Nonprofit Leadership (M.P.N.L.)
Danielle LaJoie, Public
Administration (M.P.A.)
Lauren Presutti, Social Work (M.S.W.)
"My plans after graduation are to attend law school at Emory University this fall and I want to practice in transactional law. During my four years at Grand Valley, I played on the Club Dodgeball team and won two National Championships." - Blake Clevenger
"During my time in the MPA program I have thoroughly enjoyed working as a Graduate Assistant at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, participating as a Fellow in the Cook Leadership Academy, and serving as the Secretary of the Nonprofit Professionals Graduate Student Organization. I’m excitedly looking forward to pursuing careers in philanthropy following graduation. Many, many thanks to my wonderful friends, family, mentors, and classmates for supporting me while I have pursued my master's degree these past two years!" - Danielle LaJoie
"I will be attending the GVSU Police Academy in 2020. Upon graduation, I will begin my career as an officer with the Grand Rapids Police Department. I have the privilege of helping to plant a church in Wyoming, MI this year. Most importantly, I would like to thank God, my family, and my Grand Valley community and professors for carrying me to where I am today." - Kyler Rubley
"I am honored to have received this award. I would not have been able to achieve such an honor without the love and support of my husband, two daughters, and three granddaughters. I plan on taking the next year off to be with my husband while he goes through the process of obtaining a double lung transplant. Once his health is addressed, I plan on coming back to work on my Master's degree in social work and possibly move forward to my Doctorate. Thanks to everyone, family, friends, and wonderful professors for helping me in my journey." - Kelly Burrows
"Next year, I will be attending Northeastern University and working as a research assistant for Dr. Natasha Frost. Dr. Frost is currently working on multiple studies within correctional facilities and I will join the projects come fall. I am excited to be obtaining my Ph.D. to develop a deeper understanding of my interests while also pursuing my passion for research and applying my knowledge to continue to help vulnerable individuals. My passion lies in corrections to understand and communicate with and for a population many have ignored." - Kayla Bates
Congratulations to all of you on receiving this prestigious award!
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