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Student Life Awards
Nominees & Winners Announced!
The Office of Student Life hosts the annual Student Life Awards (formally known as Recognition Awards) program to highlight amazing student leaders, student organizations and university entities for their dedication to Grand Valley State University's student life!
Students, registered organizations and university faculty/staff/departments may be nominated for several awards including programming awards, individual awards, & organizational awards along with area specific recognition (Community Service Learning Center (CSLC), Club Sports, Greek Life, etc.). A full list of all the awards available with a description of each award can be found below.
If you have questions, contact rso@gvsu.edu.
Award Descriptions
Care For Community Award ($50)
Presented to an organization for an excellent program that
includes a volunteer, philanthropic or fund raising component.
Outstanding Educational Program ($50)
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 ($50)
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 ($25/group, up to $100 max)
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 ($100)
Presented to an organization for a program that is recognized for
its excellence. **All program nominations will be considered for this award.
Outstanding General Member
Presented to individual(s) who have excelled as a General
Member of an organization, through their contributions to the
functions of their organization as a whole.
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 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 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.
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.
Outstanding Faculty Member
Presented to a faculty member that has had a significant impact
on student life & engaging student learning (not as an advisor).
Outstanding GVSU Department
This award is presented to the GVSU department that has
contributed to the growth and development of student life at GVSU. The
recipient must demonstrate a committed effort of collaboration with
students/student organizations to help maintain and enhance a vibrant
GVSU community.
Outstanding Community Ally
This award is presented to the non-profit organization/business
that has contributed to the growth and development of student life at
GVSU. The recipient must demonstrate a committed effort of
collaboration with students/student organization. **The nominees
cannot be affiliated with GVSU.
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
other areas.
Best New Organization Award ($100)
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 ($100)
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 ($200)
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.
Most Improved Organization ($100)
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.
Community Impact Award
This award is for GVSU student organizations who have been
examples of active citizens and are committed to a life of community
engagement and impactful partnership.
Laker Active Citizen Award
This award is for GVSU students who have been examples of active
citizens who are committed to a life of community engagement and
impactful partnership.
The following awards are presented in collaboration with Recreation and Wellness:
Game Changers
This is the club that was innovative and make significant
progress with their club.
GV Award
This is the club that was supportive of the overall club sport
community and went above expectations to support other clubs.
Officer of the Year
This is for the officer that went above and beyond their duties
to make a better program for themselves and their peers.
Club of the Year
This is the club that was a leader among other clubs and had an
extraordinary year.
2020 Student Life Awards Nominees & Winners
Programming
Care for Community Award Nominees
Grand Valley Dance Troupe
Winner: Gift of Life
Outstanding Educational Program Award Nominees
Winner: Psi Chi's Domestic Awareness Event
Outstanding Cultural Program Nominees
Midnight Snack
Avi Shabbat
Alpha Phi Alpha Frat. Inc Iota Epsilon
Winner: Asian New Year Festival
Program of the Year Award Nominees
Midnight Snack
President's Ball
GVSU Synchronized Skating
GrandPR
Winner: Pirouettes for the Planet Recital
Individual
Outstanding General Member Nominees
Brooke Fox
Kate Horling
Hugh Boyd
Emma Cavitt
Brooke Mckenzie
Naomi Armstrong
Carter Houtman
Winner: Olivia Rodriguez
Outstanding Financial Officer/Treasurer Nominees
Marie Hines
Alycia Horny
Chance Rusniak
Riley Derwich
Alexander Figueroa
Winner: Elaine Danneffel
Outstanding Vice President Nominees
Julia Konopka
Chloe Church
Sara Polanco
Joseph Posledni
Chance Rusniak
Aaron Thomas
Nolan Wagner
Elvia Mendez
Emily Gagnon
Winner: Alyssa Langlois
Outstanding President Nominees
Alyssa Bey
Nicole Grover
Morgan Mattler
Shayna Zack
Delaney MacKenzie
Elizabeth Weizeorick
Lauren Rademacher
Samantha Behl
Lucretia Dunlap
Alexa Pastoria
Holly Tumbarello
Faith Bartle
Erin Fish
Alaina Taylor
Kyle Macciomei
MacKenzie Bronkema
Winner: Jessica Fillmore
Jo Ann Litton Outstanding Advisor Nominees
Valerie Guzman
Shelby Bruseloff
Joseph Jacquot
Michael Macaluso
David Stark
Dr. Adrienne Wallace
Winner: Dr. Corey Sobeck
Outstanding Faculty Member Nominees
Thuy Simpson
Joel Potrykus
Robin Spring
Winner: Luke Galen
Emerging Leader Award Nominees
Mackenna Byrd
Victoria Klaas
Kate Horling
Noah Carrick
Evan LaVigne
Nikki Schroeder
Jennastasia Chapa
Lauren Rademacher
McKenzie Gamage
Carter Houtman
Kyle Macciomei
Winner: MacKenzie Bronkema
Organization
Best New Organization Award Nominees
Campus Activities Board
Women in Business
GVSU Plogging Club
Winner: The Sociology Club
Art Hills Spirit Award Nominees
GVSU Women's Club Lacrosse
Winner: Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
Shelia Williams Outstanding Organization Award Nominees
National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association
Laker Marching Band
Advertising Club
Public Relations Student Society of America
Latino Student Union
Alternative Breaks
Winner: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Most Improved Organization Award Nominees
Grand Valley Dance Troupe
Gift of Life
Grand Valley TV
Winner: Public Relations Student Society of America
Community Service Learning Center
Laker Active Citizen Award
1st place: Collin Louis
2nd place: Holly Tumbarello
3rd place: Kelly Dowker
Special Recognition: Kayla Quinn
Community Impact Award
1st place: Iota Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
2nd place: GV Alternative Breaks
3rd place: Colleges Against Cancer
Special Recognition: Public Relations Student Society of America
Club Sports
Game Changers Award
Winner: Strength
GV Award
Winner: Women’s Rugby
Officer of the Year
Winner: Javi Carrillo
Club of the Year
Winner: Women’s Soccer