Annual AP award winners announced

Six people won AP awards and five others were honored for 25 years of service at the annual Administrative/Professional luncheon April 23 in the Kirkhof Center.

Bob Bero, lab supervisor in the Keller Engineering Building, received the AP Achievement Award, the highest honor presented to an A/P staff member to recognize that person’s outstanding contributions to Grand Valley. Bero has worked at the university for more than 20 years and is in charge of mechanical shops and labs. He has also assisted with programs like Science Olympiad, Super Science Saturday, STEPS, FIRST Robotics, Pinewood Derby and Baja Car Club.

Recipients of the five other AP awards are detailed below.
• Commitment to Diversity: Amy Jasinski works in the College of Education and serves as a member of the Inclusion Committee as well as the Advisory Committee for the Compass Program, an initiative created to increase the number of underrepresented populations interested in becoming teachers.
• Commitment to Students: Caroline Cascini, CLAS advisor, is an incredible resource for students and guides them in problem-solving. She is strongly committed to student growth and success and genuinely cares about her students as individuals.
• Innovation: Jo Ann Wassenaar, associate director of the Women’s Center, initiated the creation of the Career Services for Faculty and Staff Program, which helps faculty and staff members increase productivity, develop professional self-confidence, and enhance  leadership skills.
• Service to Community: James Rademaker, coordinator of marketing and special events at WGVU, is a board member of Malawi Connection, has been a registered leader with the Boy Scouts of America since 2000, and volunteers at Grand Rapids International Fellowship and Community Link.
• Outstanding Team Project: WGVU Engage is an initiative launched to work with outreach programs to connect to the community. WGVU Engage covers 28 counties in West and Southwest Michigan and is made up of representatives from several departments throughout Grand Valley and the community.

Five people received medallions for 25 years of service:
• Brandon DeHaan, assistant director of Public Safety Services
• Glenda Eikenberry, associate director of Administrative Services
• Barbara Fournier, director of Administrative Services
• Matthew McLogan, vice president for University Relations
• David Moore, producer/announcer at WGVU