GV 101: I Am Grand Valley

Written by Nick Gbur & Posted on November 5, 2018


Every year, the exceptional students of Grand Valley are recognized for their contributions to campus life. They walk among us, across all disciplines, interests, and backgrounds. These are the students we look to as examples of success, be it academic, within their student organizations, or in the student employee workplace. These students are our leaders. They are Grand Valley. Read on to discover how you can help recognize these leading Lakers.


An I Am Grand Valley award recipient standing in front of a brick wall with vines clinging to it.
An I Am Grand Valley award recipient standing outside of the Mary Idema Pew Library.
An I Am Grand Valley award recipient standing in front of lush green and yellow foliage.

For the past 15 years, the Office of Student Life has been recognizing student leaders with the I Am Grand Valley leadership recognition program. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to go to the I Am GV website and nominate students who display and utilize strong leadership skills that contribute to the campus and beyond. The nomination process is simple and non-competitive:

Step #1
The nominators simply head to the website.
Step #2
Choose up to ten students who inspire them.
Step #3
Fill out a form for each of the students with a short description of why their nominee deserves to be recognized.

Not only will the nominees receive a certificate to memorialize their excellence for years to come but they will also receive a special “I am Grand Valley” t-shirt. Tip: Make what you say count because it will be printed on the certificate the nominee receives!

Those nominated will be invited to a private reception where they will be presented with the certificate and t-shirt that they earned along with light refreshments and an overwhelming helping of pride: pride in their school and community; pride in knowing that they made Grand Valley a better place; and pride in the knowledge that without them, their presence, and their passion Grand Valley would be just another school. But we know and the world knows that Grand Valley is a force to be reckoned with — a force for change, a force for good.

So if you know someone who sounds like they fit this bill, someone who makes a change on campus and makes your experience at GVSU a better place, head to the I Am GV website and nominate them anytime between now and November 30.


Group of I am Grand Valley Nominees


Page last modified March 19, 2019