Student Life Awards
Student Life Awards is an annual event to honor all registered student organizations, their leaders, and supporters. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with a GVSU e-mail. All accepted nominees and nominators are invited to the Awards event to celebrate all the hard work done by student organizations each year. Nominations are reviewed by the Student Organization Recognition Board, which is made up of students, faculty, and staff at GVSU. Any questions can be directed to [email protected].
Individual Awards
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.
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)
Programming Awards
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.
Organization Awards
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.
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.
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.
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.
Individual Awards
Outstanding President
*Adedolapo Adeniji - African Student Council*
Ana Ahmed - Psychology Club
Brielle Belcher - Crafts for a cause
Blake Bess - Real Estate Club
Kelli Dailey - Dance Troupe
Shayna Davis - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Tina Duoibes - GrandPR
Darren Fife - Computing Club
Alexia Frazzitta - Public Relations Student Society of America
Annika Hawley - Alpha Phi Omega
Allison Klimek - Student for Aging and Gerontology Enrichment
Giselle Lobillo - Latinos in Healthcare
Abigail Miller - Chemistry Club
Logan Nommensen - Hackers Analyzing Threats
Nicolette Owen - La Tertulia- Spanish Club
Mia-Valentina Phillips - Rocketry Engineering Club
Quinten Proctor - Student Senate
Christina Quach - Delta Phi lambda Sorority
Justin Quinn - Seidman Investment Portfolio Organization (IPO)
Jaden Rice - 494 Fashion Club
Robyn Settle - Nourish Black Women
Isabella Shaw - Allied Health Sciences Student Group
Scott Strayer - American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Mila Tasma - Pre-Physician Assistant Club
Bridie Tolley - Campus Activities Board (CAB)
Miles Toriani - STAGE
Zoe Waters - Pre-Nursing Association
Outstanding Vice President
Kamiah Boone - Nourish Black Women
Alicia Cruz - Pre-Physician Assistant Club
Tom Johnstone - Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society
Paris Lawson - Student Senate
Faith Matheson - 494 Fashion Magazine Club
Macy Ruchty - Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority
Marcos Sanson - Computing Club
Molly Schless - Hillel / Interfaith Student Council
Kendall Sedestrom - Public Relations Student Society of America
Kristin Swisher - Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
Jacob Vandenberg - Real Estate Club
*Lillie Waldron - Campus Cleanup Crew & Chemistry Club*
Ana Zapata - GrandPR
Outstanding Financial Officer/Treasurer
Nancy Boyd - Student Senate
Mitchell Fedewa - Chemistry Club
Grant Hoffman - Health Professionals Graduate Student Association
*Owen Kemp - Baseball Club*
*Tapanga Witt - Computing Club*
Bailey Wixon - Alpha Phi Omega
Jo Ann Litton Outstanding Advisor
Abishek Balsamy-Kamaraj - Casting Club
Abishek Balsamy-Kamaraj - FIRST Alumni Network
Andrew Booth - Pre-Physician Assistant Club
Brian Bowdle - Psychology Club
*Kathryn Christopher - Alpha Phi Omega*
Erik Fredericks - Computing Club
Courtney Kowalczyk - Crafts for a Cause
Sanjivan Manoharan - American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Len O'Kelly - WCKS The Whale Student Radio
Emerging Leader Award
Lauryn Comstock
Ava Cybulski
Riley DeLore
Allie Doran
Ernesto Garza
*Nevaeh Hemmes-Palms*
Britney Lindsey
Elijah Morgan
Mileena Morris
Hannah Plukas
Hannah Reda
Rachel Robinson
Malia Rodolico
*Marcos Sanson*
*Ty Vanlerberghe*
Britlynn Veliz
Lauren Wayburn
Genna Wright
Izzy Zdanowski
Student Laker of the Year Award
*Nancy Boyd*
Riley DeLore
Tina Duoibes
Madelyn Howe
Andrew Hua
Lucero Jimenez
Tom Johnstone
Aisha Jones
Olyvia Kovicak
McKenna Maciag
Lola (Lauren) Robar
Robyn Settle
Abby Tannhauser
*Bridie Tolley*
Ana Zapata
Student Award for Faculty Excellence
*Salvatore Alaimo*
Abishek Balsamy-Kamaraj
Brian Bowdle
Adrian Copeland
Erik Fredericks
Courtney Kowalczyk
Jina Lee
Sanjivan Manoharan
Srihimaja Nandamudi
Adrienne Wallace
Programming Awards
Care for Community Award
CreateAthon - GrandPR
Earth Day Cleanup Event - Campus Cleanup Crew
Fall Volleyball Tournament - Alzheimer's Awareness Club
IPO Service Day - Seidman Investment Portfolio Organization (IPO)
Kid's Food Basket Bag Decorating - Alpha Phi Omega
*Project Linus - Alpha Phi Omega*
Winter Volleyball Tournament - Alzheimer's Awareness Club
Outstanding Education Program
Alex Sherman: TV Show Writer - CONTINUOUS: Screenwriting Club
Black History Month: Dr. Charmeka Newton - Black Student Union
DEI Committee Takeover Event - Public Relations Student Society of America
How to Focus and Maintain Mental Health While Working within the Mental Healthcare Industry - Allied Health Sciences Student Group
Jagger Denhof - Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Talk - Computing Club
LakerCon 2024 - Student Interest Group for Illustrators
*Overdose Prevention & Response Training - Bachelor of Social Work Student Organization*
The Analyst Training Program - Seidman Investment Portfolio Organization (IPO)
World Voice Day - National Student Speech Language Hearing Association
Outstanding Cultural Program
4th Annual Salute to Latinas' - Delta Tau Lambda
African Ball 2024 - African Student Council
Arab Food Night - Arab Culture Club
Beautiful Week in Color - You Beautiful Black Woman
*Global Gala - Delta Phi Lambda*
Global Lounge - African Student Union
Latino Glow Night - Latino Student Union
Multicultural Night - Student Senate
Philippine Culture Night 2025 - Filipinx American Student Association
Trivia & Albanian Cuisine Event - Albanian-American Student Organization
YBBW Enchanted Queens Ball - You Beautiful Black Woman
YBBW Hair Show - You Beautiful Black Woman
Collaboration in Programming
Bard to Go - Campus Activities Board, Kirkhof Center, GVSU's Shakespeare Festival
Black History Month: Dr. Charmeka Newton - Black Student Union, Office of Multicultural Affairs
Drag & Rocky Horror Picture Shows - Campus Activities Board, LGBT+ Resource Center, Brains & Beauty
*Katherine Mast: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Presentation - Computing Club, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers*
Laker Kickoff - Campus Activities Board, Recreation & Wellness
Leadership Summit - Office of Student Life, Omicron Delta Kappa, Cook Leadership Academy
Presidents' Ball - Campus Activities Board, Student Senate, President's Office
Sibs & Kids Weekend - Campus Activities Board, Art Department, Subject to Change, Recreation & Wellness, Laker Store, Housing & Residence Life, Charter Schools Office, Laker Food Co., Model Entertainment, Athletics, Biology Department
Step Afrika! 101 - Campus Activities Board, National Pan-Hellenic Council
Walk to End Alzheimer's - Alzheimer's Awareness Club, Alzheimer's Association
Program of the Year
4th Annual Salute to Latinas' - Delta Tau Lambda
African Ball 2024 - African Student Council
Alex Sherman: TV Show Writer - CONTINUOUS: Screenwriting Club
Arab Food Night - Arab Culture Club
Bard to Go - Campus Activities Board, Kirkhof Center, GVSU's Shakespeare Festival
Beautiful Week in Color - You Beautiful Black Woman
Belly Dance Winter Showcase - Belly Dance Club
Black History Month: Dr. Charmeka Newton - Black Student Union, Office of Multicultural Affairs
Christmas Cookie Decorating - Omicron Delta Kappa
Clothing Swap - 494 Fashion Club
CreateAthon - GrandPR
DEI Committee Takeover Event - Public Relations Student Society of America
*Drag & Rocky Horror Picture Shows - Campus Activities Board, LGBT+ Resource Center, Brains & Beauty*
Earth Day Cleanup Event - Campus Cleanup Crew
Euchre Club Fall Tournament - Euchre Club
Fall Volleyball Tournament - Alzheimer's Awareness Club
Free Cookout & Carnival Kickoff 2024 - Campus Ministry
Global Gala - Delta Phi Lambda
Global Lounge - African Student Union
Halloween Bash - Nourish Black Women
Halloween Event - 494 Fashion Club
Halloween Karaoke Night - Honors Affinity Alliance
How to Focus and Maintain Mental Health While Working within the Mental Healthcare Industry - Allied Health Sciences Student Group
IPO Service Day - Seidman Investment Portfolio Organization (IPO)
Jagger Denhof - Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Talk - Computing Club
Katherine Mast: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Presentation - Computing Club, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Kid's Food Basket Bag Decorating - Alpha Phi Omega
Kpop Prom 2024 - Kpop Group Evolution
Laker Kickoff - Campus Activities Board, Recreation & Wellness
LakerCon 2024 - Student Interest Group for Illustrators
Latino Glow Night - Latino Student Union
Leadership Summit - Office of Student Life, Omicron Delta Kappa, Cook Leadership Academy
Multicultural Night - Student Senate
Overdose Prevention & Response Training - Bachelor of Social Work Student Organization
Philippine Culture Night 2025 - Filipinx American Student Association
Presidents' Ball - Campus Activities Board, Student Senate, President's Office
Project Linus - Alpha Phi Omega
Queer Rave Fall 2024 - Students for Democratic Society
Queer Rave Winter 2025 - Students for Democratic Society
Renaissance Festival - Renaissance Festival
Sibs & Kids Weekend - Campus Activities Board, Art Department, Subject to Change, Recreation & Wellness, Laker Store, Housing & Residence Life, Charter Schools Office, Laker Food Co., Model Entertainment, Athletics, Biology Department
Silent Disco - Campus Activities Board
Soul Movie Night - Ignite Dance
State of the Student Body - Student Senate
Step Afrika! 101 - Campus Activities Board, National Pan-Hellenic Council
Stock Pitch Competition - Seidman Investment Porfolio Organization (IPO)
The Analyst Training Program - Seidman Investment Portfolio Organization (IPO)
Trivia & Albanian Cuisine Event - Albanian-American Student Organization
Vision Boards - Self Care Club
Walk to End Alzheimer's - Alzheimer's Awareness Club, Alzheimer's Association
Winter Volleyball Tournament - Alzheimer's Awareness Club
World Voice Day - National Student Speech Language Hearing Association
YBBW Enchanted Queens Ball - You Beautiful Black Woman
YBBW Hair Show - You Beautiful Black Woman
Organization Awards
Best New Organization
*Crafts for a Cause*
Interfaith Student Council
Latinos in Healthcare
Nourish Black Women
Rocketry Engineering Club
Art Hills Spirit Award
Campus Activities Board
Computing Club
*Psychology Club*
Seidman Investment Portfolio Organization (IPO)
Most Improved Organization
494 Fashion Club
African Student Council
Allied Health Sciences Student Group
Alpha Phi Omega
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Dance Troupe
Delta Phi Lambda
GrandPR
National Student Association of Speech-Language and Hearing
Omicron Delta Kappa
Pre-Physician Assistant Club
Psychology Club
Real Estate Club
*Student Senate*
Students for Democratic Society
Shelia Williams Outstanding Organization
494 Fashion Club
Allied Health Sciences Student Group
Campus Activities Board
Campus Cleanup Crew
Computing Club
La Tertulia - Spanish Club
Latinos in Healthcare
Pre-Nursing Association
Psychology Club
Public Relations Student Society of America
*Seidman Investment Portfolio Organization (IPO)*