July 18, 2023 (Volume 46, Number 19)
From left are Kendra Kuo, Seidman College of Business Dean Diana Lawson and Sonja Johnson at an event hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan.
Faculty and staff members who have given presentations, were recognized for outstanding contributions or had their research published are detailed below. The campus community can submit a sketch online for future publication.
In the News
Sonja Johnson, director of the Van Andel Global Trade Center, and Kendra Kuo, director of the U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, housed at Grand Valley, received the Hillman-Orr Award from the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The award is presented by the council to people or institutions that mirror the intent of the council’s focus to bring global awareness and international understanding to the West Michigan community.
Miloš Topic, vice president for IT and chief digital officer, and Jennifer Drake, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, are among the participants in the Leadership Grand Rapids Class of 2024, sponsored by the Grand Rapids Chamber.
Alex Priebe, assistant director of digital engagement and communications for Alumni Relations, was interviewed by WOOD-TV for a story about the GVSU Alumni Owned Bar and Restaurant Guide.
Former GVSU Board of Trustees member Victor Cardenas was named city manager for Novi after serving as assistant city manager since 2010.
Valerie Rhodes-Sorrelle, vendor relations manager, was interviewed by WOOD-TV for a story about the alumni diversity supplier program.
Paul Stansbie, associate dean, College of Education and Community Innovation, was interviewed by WalletHub for a story about budget savings tips for summer travel.
Seidman College of Business faculty Kevin Lehnert and Chris Harper were interviewed by WOOD-TV for a story about the growing demand for pizza restaurants in West Michigan and nationally.
Bopi Biddanda, professor of water resources, was interviewed by Detroit Public TV for a story about his recent work on microbial mats of Lake Huron and how they provide clues to the oxygenation of the planet.
John C. Weber, professor of geology, was interviewed by the Billings Gazette for a story about a geology tour organized by a nonprofit arts center in Montana.
Sketches
Emily First, assistant dean of students, received the Higher Education Case Managers Association Leadership Award for the curriculum and training she and others developed for new case managers within the CARE program.
University Communications staff members Kendra Stanley-Mills and Amanda Pitts received the following awards at the University Photographers Association of America symposium held in South Bend, Indiana:
Tom Mulder, adjunct faculty of writing, gave a presentation, "Guiding Beside, Guiding Asides, Guiding: Decide," at College English Association annual conference in San Antonio, Texas; Mulder was the author of books, Writing the Pandemic: A College Writing Teacher Reflects on a New Era in Education, published by Equinox Publishing, and Grand Rapids Walking Tours Kids Can Lead, published by Scribe Publishing.
Laila McCloud, assistant professor of educational leadership and counseling, was a panelist for a workshop, "Diversity Scholars in Social Media," presented by the University of Michigan Diversity Scholars Network.
Adrienne Wallace, associate professor of advertising
and public relations, gave a presentation, "Exploring Feminist
Pedagogy: Cultivating Authentic Communications Curricula in
Project-Based Courses," at the International Communication
Association. Wallace and Anthony Spencer, assistant
professor of communications, wrote chapters for a book, Strategic
Social Media as Activism, Repression, Resistance, Rebellion,
Reform, edited by Wallace.
This article was last edited on July 19, 2023 at 1:4 p.m.
The Boise State News highlighted "Michigan Listens" in a story about the collaborative event. Nursing faculty member Julie Bekius was elected to the board of the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners.
November 25, 2025 (Volume 49, Number 7)
The recent Best of CASE District V Awards competition recognized Kendra Stanley-Mills, who took this "Office Hours" photograph of Jason Yancey, Cory Morse, Brian Vernellis and Institutional Advancement's annual giving team.
November 11, 2025 (Volume 49, Number 6)
Michelle Walters and Joy Murerwa were interviewed about a partnership to support REP4 FinLit.
October 28, 2025 (Volume 49, Number 5)
