Grand Valley's College of Education Convocation set

Grand Valley State Universitys College of Education will honor two area educators during its convocation ceremonies scheduled for Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of DeVos Place on Monroe St., downtown Grand Rapids.

About 700 graduates are expected to participate. The ceremony is a precursor to Grand Valleys commencement scheduled for April 28 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR
During convocation, Richard Collett will receive the Outstanding Educator Award. Collett earned a bachelors degree from Grand Valley in 1975. He worked in the Northwest Community Schools from 1976 to 2001. In 1993, he became chief astronomer for the Jackson County Intermediate School District Observatory that he was instrumental in founding. He was selected to participate in the Support Program for Instructional Competency in Astronomy (SPICA) program at Harvard Universitys Center for Astrophysics.

Collett was selected as the Michigan Outstanding Earth Science Teacher of 1987, a finalist for the National Geology Teacher of the Year in 1987, and a candidate for the NASA Teacher in Space Program.

Since his retirement from teaching in 2001, Richard has continued to be involved in education in Jackson County.

OUTSTANDING ADMINISTRATOR
James Nielsen will receive the award for Outstanding Administrator. Nielson earned his bachelors degree from Grand Valley in 1987. He taught elementary and middle school for eight years before becoming the first dean of students at Orchard View Middle School.

Nielson also served as the districts athletic director and assistant principal at the high school. In 2002 he was promoted to principal of Orchard View Middle School.

Nielson secured funding for Self-Contained Guided Academics (an in-house alternative program) for struggling students. He also added individual sections of Guided Academics for students who need only an hour a day of additional support. He has mentored many young teachers entering administration and many have taken the opportunity to work as lead teacher under his supervision and encouragement.