Nominations for 2026 are now closed. 

During the 2017-2018 academic year, President Thomas J. Haas authorized the establishment of the Gayle R. Davis First Generation College Student Emerging Leader Award to be presented by the University to a first generation sophomore or junior college student who shows a promising future as a leader. This award is named for Gayle R. Davis who served as Provost and Executive Vice President from 2002-2017, and who was herself a first generation student and a collaborative leader. Dr. Davis retired from Grand Valley in Spring 2017. The Davis Award is a tribute to the high regard the University has for Dr. Davis and to the outstanding contributions she made throughout her tenure.

The Gayle R. Davis First Generation College Student Emerging Leader Award recognizes a sophomore or junior who is the first in their family to attend college and shows a promising future as a leader. The selected individual:

• is making a positive impact in the Grand Valley or external community
• is exhibiting collaborative leadership qualities
• is excelling academically
  • has a GPA of 3.3 or higher
  • has earned between 25-84 credit hours at the time of nomination

• A nomination form is completed by faculty or staff and is due at the same time as other student awards presented by the Division of Academic Affairs

• The Davis Award will be presented at the Student Awards Convocation