These are the Individual Awards and descriptions:

Outstanding President: Presented to individual(s) who have excelled as the President of an organization, through the use of leadership and organization development. **Nominees must have served a full term as President by the end of the academic year.

Outstanding Vice President: Presented to individual(s) who have excelled as the Vice President of an organization, through the use of leadership and organization development. **Nominees must have served a full term as Vice President by the end of the academic year.

Outstanding Financial Officer/Treasurer: Presented to individual(s) who have excelled as the Treasurer of an organization, through the use of leadership, stewardship of funds, and organization development. **Nominees must have served a full term as Treasurer by the end of the academic year.

Outstanding Membership Officer: Presented to individual(s) who have excelled as the Membership Officer of an organization, through the use of leadership, member development, and organization tracking. **Nominees must have served a full term as Membership Officer by the end of the academic year.

Jo Ann Litton Outstanding Advisor: Presented to student organization advisor(s) who are recognized for the outstanding job they have done. The nominee must be a volunteer advisor (one who is not an advisor due to their job description or payment given from the group). **Nominations should include information about the advisors style, commitment, and contributions to the organization.

Emerging Leader Award: Presented to a student leader who has been active in campus life and has made a commitment to improving the quality of life at Grand Valley. Nominees should have demonstrated involvement in such areas as residence life, student organizations, Laker Leadership programs, or community engagement.

Student Laker of the Year Award: This annual award recognizes a student who has made outstanding contributions to the GVSU community by supporting the University's mission, vision, and values. Recipients of this award are individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to others and the betterment of the university community.Nominees must be current students of Grand Valley and will be based on the following:

• Served (or currently serving) as a leader to other GVSU students, either through academics, extracurriculars, or other service
• Positive contributions the university community through their individual involvement and leadership
• Embodies Laker Pride and what it means to be part of the GVSU student body
• Student must be a 3rd or 4th year student (a minimum of 55 credits)

Student Award for Faculty Excellence (SAFE): This annual award recognizes a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to the GVSU community by supporting students and the University's mission, vision, and values. The recipient of this award inspires excellent academic achievement in the classroom, and has demonstrated experiences of connecting and supporting students beyond what is expected of them. Nominees must be current faculty of Grand Valley and will be based on the following criteria:

• Completed all their professional responsibilities to the highest quality
• Committed to the GVSU students and their academic success at the university
• Positive contributions to the university community their their individual work and service
• Only full-time faculty members are eligible for this award (either Regular Faculty or Affiliate Faculty)

Outstanding President

Presented to individual(s) who have excelled as the President of an organization, through the use of leadership and organization development. 
President

The President is viewed by the Office of Student Life as the main contact for a student organization and the individual that knows the most about the organization's operations. Basic responsibilities in the constitution template are:

• Preside at all meetings of the organization
• Create an agenda and plan for the organization
• Other duties as assigned

Typically we see the President having responsibilities within the financials, conflict resolution, and event planning. 

**Nominees must have served a full term as President by the end of the academic year.

Outstanding Vice President

Presented to individual(s) who have excelled as the Vice President of an organization, through the use of leadership and organization development. The Vice President is viewed by the Office of Student Life as the risk manager for a student organization and the individual that holds members accountable in the organzation to midigate risks. Basic responsibilities in the constitution template are:

• Address any duties deemed necessary by the organization and/or the President
• Perform the duties of the President in their absence.
• Other duties as assigned

Typically we see the Vice President having responsibilities within the registering of the organization, conflict resolution, and event planning. 

**Nominees must have served a full term as Vice President by the end of the academic year.

Outstanding Financial Officer/Treasurer

Presented to individual(s) who have excelled as the Treasurer of an organization, through the use of leadership, stewardship of funds, and organization development. The Financial Officer is viewed by the Office of Student Life as the main contact for a student organization financials and the individual that knows the most about the organization's funding needs. Basic responsibilities in the constitution template are:

• Continually update all financial records including both on and off-campus accounts
• Submit GVSU Student Senate Appropriations funding requests (campus programming, travel, etc.) and attend assigned funding meetings as required. 
• Other duties as assigned

Typically we see the Financial Officer having responsibilities within the financials, fundraising, and event planning. 

**Nominees must have served a full term as Treasurer by the end of the academic year.

Outstanding Membership Officer

Presented to individual(s) who have excelled as the Membership Officer of an organization, through the use of leadership, member development, and organization tracking. The Membership Officer is viewed by the Office of Student Life as the main contact for organization records and the individual that knows the most about the members within the organization. Basic responsibilities in the constitution template are:

• Manage and update LakerLink rosters with active members, retire old members, etc.
• Responsible for recording the minutes and attendance for each meeting.
• Other duties as assigned

Typically we see the Membership Officer having responsibilities within the conflict resolution, event planning, and management.

**Nominees must have served a full term as Membership Officer by the end of the academic year.

Jo Ann Litton Outstanding Advisor

Presented to student organization advisor(s) who are recognized for the outstanding job they have done. The nominee must be a volunteer advisor (one who is not an advisor due to their job description or payment given from the group). The Advisor is viewed by the Office of Student Life as the main GVSU supporter of the organization and the individual that is available to organization members to provide quick, efficient feedback.

**Nominations should include information about the advisors style, commitment, and contributions to the organization.

Emerging Leader Award

Presented to a student leader who has been active in campus life and has made a commitment to improving the quality of life at Grand Valley. Nominees should have demonstrated involvement in such areas as residence life, student organizations, Laker Leadership programs, or community engagement.

Student Laker of the Year Award

This annual award recognizes a student who has made outstanding contributions to the GVSU community by supporting the University's mission, vision, and values. Recipients of this award are individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to others and the betterment of the university community.Nominees must be current students of Grand Valley and will be based on the following:

• Served (or currently serving) as a leader to other GVSU students, either through academics, extracurriculars, or other service
• Positive contributions the university community through their individual involvement and leadership
• Embodies Laker Pride and what it means to be part of the GVSU student body
• Student must be a 3rd or 4th year student (a minimum of 55 credits)

Student Award for Faculty Excellence (SAFE)

This annual award recognizes a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to the GVSU community by supporting students and the University's mission, vision, and values. The recipient of this award inspires excellent academic achievement in the classroom, and has demonstrated experiences of connecting and supporting students beyond what is expected of them.Nominees must be current faculty of Grand Valley and will be based on the following criteria:

• Completed all their professional responsibilities to the highest quality
• Committed to the GVSU students and their academic success at the university
• Positive contributions to the university community their their individual work and service
• Only full-time faculty members are eligible for this award (either Regular Faculty or Affiliate Faculty)

Please keep in mind, programming awards are for Events hosted by student organizations. 

Care For Community Award: Presented to an organization for an excellent program that includes a volunteer, philanthropic or fund raising component.

Outstanding Educational Program: Presented to an organization that has presented an exceptional educational program that addressed a topic or issue with the goal of educating the campus community. Programs should be well promoted and attended.

Outstanding Cultural Program: Presented to an organization that has presented an outstanding program in the area of cultural diversity. The program should have dealt with a multicultural issue, and attracted a diverse group of students, faculty, and members of the community.

Collaboration In Programming: Given to an organization that has excelled in the area of co-sponsorship with diverse number of student organizations and departments. The recipient of this award should have programmed more than one event with other organizations throughout the year.

Program of the Year: Presented to an organization for a program that is recognized for its excellence. **All program nominations will be considered for this award.

Care For Community Award

Presented to an organization for an excellent program that includes a volunteer, philanthropic or fund raising component.

Outstanding Educational Program

Presented to an organization that has presented an exceptional educational program that addressed a topic or issue with the goal of educating the campus community. Programs should be well promoted and attended.

Outstanding Cultural Program

Presented to an organization that has presented an outstanding program in the area of cultural diversity. The program should have dealt with a multicultural issue, and attracted a diverse group of students, faculty, and members of the community.

Collaboration In Programming

Given to an organization that has excelled in the area of co-sponsorship with diverse number of student organizations and departments. The recipient of this award should have programmed more than one event with other organizations throughout the year.

Program of the Year

Presented to an organization for a program that is recognized for its excellence. **All program nominations will be considered for this award.

Best New Organization Award: Presented to an organization that is new to campus life. The organization should have developed a solid and active membership, clear goals for the organization, and demonstrated involvement in campus life. Must be an organization registered in the current academic year.

Most Improved Organization: Presented to an organization that has made significant improvements in the areas of membership, retention, and programming. The nominated organization should be able to prove a noticeable improvement from the prior semester or academic year.

Art Hills Spirit: Presented to an organization that has demonstrated outstanding school spirit. This award is named in honor of Art Hills who exemplified the enthusiasm for campus life at Grand Valley. Art retired in 1988 as Executive Assistant to the President. He wrote the Grand Valley Alma Mater and was always active in promoting a positive spirit at Grand Valley. Organizations should have demonstrated school spirit at campus events and participation in campus life activities.

Shelia Williams Outstanding Organization: Presented to an organization that has made a significant contribution to campus life, has bridged gaps between organizations and individuals, and has demonstrated a commitment to service. Shelia Williams was an alumna of Grand Valley who, through her involvement in student organizations and campus departments, demonstrated an outstanding commitment to student life. Organizations applying for this award should have demonstrated a similar commitment.

Best New Organization Award

Presented to an organization that is new to campus life. The organization should have developed a solid and active membership, clear goals for the organization, and demonstrated involvement in campus life. Must be an organization registered in the current academic year.

Most Improved Organization

Presented to an organization that has made significant improvements in the areas of membership, retention, and programming. The nominated organization should be able to prove a noticeable improvement from the prior semester or academic year.

Art Hills Spirit

Presented to an organization that has demonstrated outstanding school spirit. This award is named in honor of Art Hills who exemplified the enthusiasm for campus life at Grand Valley. Art retired in 1988 as Executive Assistant to the President. He wrote the Grand Valley Alma Mater and was always active in promoting a positive spirit at Grand Valley. Organizations should have demonstrated school spirit at campus events and participation in campus life activities.

Shelia Williams Outstanding Organization

Presented to an organization that has made a significant contribution to campus life, has bridged gaps between organizations and individuals, and has demonstrated a commitment to service. Shelia Williams was an alumna of Grand Valley who, through her involvement in student organizations and campus departments, demonstrated an outstanding commitment to student life. Organizations applying for this award should have demonstrated a similar commitment.