Celebrating some of our graduates

GVSU Excellence-In-A-Discipline Award

GVSU Excellence in a Discipline

  • 3.5 GPA and 85 credit hours completed
  • Involvement with campus/major activities
  • Candidate will be chosen by Health and Physical Education faculty
  • Awards Event takes place in April of each year

2025- Karlee Husmann

 

2024- Jarrod Heethuis

2021- Sara Westrate 

2023- Kaitlyn Dudek

2020- Summer Carls

2023- Jackson Blanchard

2019- Taylor Dutcher

2022- Hannah Becker

2018- Eric Szczepaniak

2025 Karlee Husmann

karlee
pic of student

2024 Jarrod Heethuis

2022-2023: Jackson Blanchard

2023 Jackson Blanchard

GVSU Physical Education Major of the Year 2022-2023: Kaitlyn Dudek

2022 Kaitlyn Dudek

Sara Westrat 2021 Excellence in a Discipline Award from Grand Valley Recipient

 2021 Sara Westrate

SHAPE Michigan Major of the Year

Selection criteria remain under the determination of each institution of higher education, but should include the following minimum criteria:

Junior standing

Minimum 3.0 GPA

Active membership in professional fraternity (e.g., Phi Epsilon Kappa)

Service to school or community for a minimum of two years during the undergraduate career

students

2025- Daniel Yentsch and Adele Chupp

winners

2024- Luke Kaiser and Tai Johnson

pic of students

2023 Ethan Dawson and Grace VanderHill

Jacie King - SHAPE 2022-2023 student of the year

2022- Jacie King

Michael Nork

2022 Michael Nork

Banner of Jackson Blanchard

Jackson Blanchard- Shape Michigan Major of the Year 2021-2022

Banner of Allyson Metas

Allyson Metas- Shape Michigan Major of the Year 2021-2022

Dan Pohanka award

2020 Student Honor Award for Shape Michigan-  Dan Pohanka

Rachel Smith award

Student Honor Award for Shape Michigan- Major of the Year representing Grand Valley State University Rachel Smith

SHAPE America Major of the Year

Nominees Must:

  • Be a current SHAPE America member (nominees who are not yet members may still be nominated as long as a membership form is submitted within one month of nomination).
  • Be on track toward a degree in an HPERD field.
  • Be a junior or senior.
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, on a 4.0 scale.
  • Provide a service to school or community (3-5 contributions) for a minimum of two years during undergraduate career.

Year

Award Recipient

Year

Award Recipient

2025

Luke Kaiser

2024

Kenadi Koppenhoefer

2023

Gil Castillo

2015

Tori Holman

2022

Rachel Ramont

2014

Casey Withers

2021

Summer Carls

2013

Paula Cynar

2020

Evan Wilson

2012

Biz Van Tiflin

2019

Taylor Kastens

2011

Nate Schout

2018

Rachael Chase

2010

Brian Metz

2017

Emily Walker

   

2016

Becca Lighton

   

2025 SHAPE America

Luke
pic of student

2024 SHAPE America Major of the Year

Kenadi Koppenhoefer

SHAPE America 2022-2023 Student of the Year - Gil Castillo

SHAPE America 2022-2023 Student of the Year - Gil Castillo

SHAPE America Major of the Year- Rachel Ramont

SHAPE America Major of the Year- Rachel Ramont

Fieldwork Student of the Year

Year

Award Recipient

2025

Myles Rhodes

2024

Owen Maurice

2023

Jacie King

2022

Cole Dangler

Myles Rhodes 2025

myles
pic of owen

2024 Owen

Fieldwork student of the Year: Jacie King

2023 Fieldwork student of the Year - Jacie King

Student Teacher of the Year: Cole Dangler

2022 Student Teacher of the Year: Cole Dangler

Young Professional/Inspirational Leader

Year

Award Recipient

2025

Emma Martinez

2024

Vito Brandonisio

2023

Cassidy Galvin

Emma Martinez 2025

emma
vito pic

2024 Vito

Young Professional of the Year: Cassidy Galvin

2023 Young Professional of the Year - Cassidy Galvin

Community Impact

Year

Award Recipient

2025

Grand Valley Sporting

2024

Grandville Schools

2023

Lamont Christian

2022

Gil Castillo

Community Partner of the Year: Lamont Christian school

Community Partner of the Year - Lamont Christian school

Community Impact Award: Gil Castillo

Community Impact Award: Gil Castillo

Alumni of the Year

Year

Award Recipient

2025

Ashley Remtema

2024

Taylor Kastens

2022

Biz Geertsma

2023

Casey Withers

2025 Alumni of the Year

ashley
taylor

2024 Taylor

Alumni of the Year: Casey Withers

2023 Alumni of the Year - Casey Withers

Alumni of the Year: Biz Geertsma (New Groningen Elementary School, ZPS) poses with his class!

2022 Alumni of the Year: Biz Geertsma (New Groningen Elementary School, ZPS)

Mentor of the Year

Year

Award Recipient

2022

Bill Weibel  - Sibley Elementary

   
Mentor Teacher of the Year: Bill Weibel (C.A. Frost and Sibley Elementary Schools, GRPS)

Mentor Teacher of the Year: Bill Weibel (C.A. Frost and Sibley Elementary Schools, GRPS)

Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship

https://www.shapeamerica.org/scholarships/abernathyscholarship.aspx

Since 1995, SHAPE America has awarded scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate student members majoring in the field of health, physical education, recreation or dance. The Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship, developed by the past presidents of SHAPE America to honor deserving students, is awarded to three undergraduate students and two graduate students in January of each year. All scholarships are presented at the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo held in the spring.

Undergraduate awards are $1,250 each and graduate awards are $1,750 each. Recipients also receive a complimentary three-year SHAPE America membership.

Application deadline: October 15.
 

 

 

Woman holding an award

Rachael Chase won the SHAPE America Presidential Scholarship for 2018



Page last modified December 2, 2025