News
Avabella Madison awarded the Batchelder Political Science Scholarship
May 13, 2025
The Political Science Department is pleased to recognize Avabella Madison as our Batchelder Scholar for the 2025-2026 academic year. Generously funded by the Batchelder family, the Batchelder Political Science Scholarship honors Professor John Thayer Batchelder, who taught political science at GVSU from 1969 until his retirement in 1997. Professor Batchelder’s enthusiasm for international culture and political affairs, passion for adventure, and his belief that direct experience enhances student learning, led him to lead multiple study abroad programs, including one that gave over 80 students the opportunity to study in Russia and Poland from 1976-1990.
Avabella graduated from Grand Haven High School and at GVSU is an Honors student pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. After graduation, she hopes to go to law school to prepare for a legal career practicing criminal or family law. Avabella currently works in the Office of General Counsel at Grand Valley and has worked at other local firms in the area.
Congratulations, Avabella!