Achievements of A/P staff recognized during luncheon

The contributions and achievements of Administrative/Professional staff members were recognized at the annual A/P Luncheon, held April 29 in the Kirkhof Center.

Sandi Bacon, director of lab support for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, received the A/P Achievement Award, the highest distinction given to a staff member. Bacon started working at Grand Valley in 1986 as a chemistry lab supervisor. In 1990, she was named co-director of the Regional Science Olympiad and has remained involved in the event since.

Other awards were presented to the following people:

Harriet Singleton, senior counselor for the Counseling and Career Development Center, and Steve Lipnicki, director of Pew Campus Student Services, each received the Commitment to Diversity Award.

Singleton is active on many Grand Valley and community committees and directs training sessions for faculty, staff and students on diversity topics. Lipnicki was instrumental in creating an awareness campaign to help the campus community recognize bias incidents and how to report them.

Kate Stoetzner, director of international student and scholar services, received the Commitment to Students Award. In nomination letters, co-workers said Stoetzner nurtures and advises international students and makes their stay at Grand Valley seem like home away from home.

Erin Babson, manager of Operations for Pew Campus and Regional Centers, received the Innovation Award for her efforts in increasing bus ridership and working closely with representatives from the Rapid.

Steve Chappell, grant administrator at WGVU, received the Service to Community Award. He has served as administrator for several projects, focusing on issues like childhood health, teen substance abuse, Alzheimer’s disease, and “Love and Forgiveness.”

The Outstanding Team Project Award went to the Nontraditional Student Advocacy Group. Members include Marty Litherland, Lisa Miller, Leslie Bateman, Jan Robinson, Glenna Decker, Wanda Moreland, Steven Lipnicki, Ashley Nickels, Michelle Burke, Darlene Zwart, Ginger Lange and Nick Viau. Some of the team’s major projects include creating a nontraditional Web site, hosting events for Nontraditional Student Week, and gathering data about the Grand Valley experience regarding nontraditional students through online surveys and focus groups.

A new award for Outstanding Academic Advising and Student Services was given to Betty Schaner, director of the Science and Mathematics Advising, Resource and Transition Center.

Medallions for 25 years of service went to David Chapman, AV systems coordinator; Karen Chavez, student accounts manager; JoAnn Litton, associate director of financial aid; Jill Hamilton, facilities and operations manager for the Music Department; and Bob Stoll, director of student life.