Student Life Awards

Award Descriptions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Community Impact Award
This award is for GVSU student organizations that have been examples of active citizens and are committed to a life of community engagement and impactful partnership. 

Chapter President of the Year

Nominees for the Chapter President of the Year demonstrated exceptional leadership of their chapter during their term as Chapter President. Nominees must have completed/will complete their term by the end of Fall 2022 or Winter 2023.

Emerging Leader of the Year

Nominees for Emerging Leader of the Year are members of your chapter that do not currently serve on your Executive Board, but have demonstrated a commitment to being a part of the future leadership core of your organization.

New Member of the Year

Nominees for New Member of the Year must have been a new member during the Fall 2022 or Winter 2023 recruitment cycle. Nominees demonstrate a quick adherence to organization values and possess a deep understanding of the organization's ritual, and should possess strong leadership capabilities from the start of their new member/intake process.

Fraternity Member of the Year

Nominees for Fraternity Member of the Year must be current members of an IFC, MGC, or NPHC Fraternity. Nominees demonstrate a strong commitment to their fraternity's values and live every day with their fraternity's Ritual in mind.

Sorority Member of the Year

Nominees for Sorority Member of the Year must be current members of an MGC, NPHC, or Panhellenic Sorority. Nominees demonstrate a strong commitment to their sorority's values and live every day with their sorority's Ritual in mind.

Chapter of the Year

Nominees for Chapter of the Year demonstrate a strong commitment to developing members that live by the values of their organization, contribute to the greater Fraternity & Sorority Life Community, demonstrate tremendous impact toward their philanthropy, participate regularly in service opportunities, and provide an open and welcoming space for any person interested in learning more about their organization.

Most Improved Chapter of the Year

Nominees for Most Improved Chapter of the Year demonstrate a commitment to changing organization culture, have met necessary goals for improvement, and demonstrate improvement in FSL assessment measures.

Siblinghood of the Year Award

Nominees for Siblinghood of the Year demonstrate a strong commitment to forming values-based bonds between members of their organization through intentional siblinghood events, specifically without alcohol being present.

CommUNITY Award

Nominees for the CommUNITY Award demonstrate a commitment to creating space for members of all organizations to connect with their organization. Nominees may demonstrate cross-council collaboration in programming, may host events with the intention of bringing in students from across the community, and frequently attend other organization's programs.

 


2022 Student Life Awards Nominees & Winners


Programming

Care for Community Award Nominees

Alpha Phi Omega - Volunteer Service

PRSSA - Soft Skills Starter Pack

Winner: More Than a Meal - March for Meals

More Than a Meal

More Than a Meal - March for Meals

Outstanding Educational Program Award Nominees

CAB - Diversity, Equity, and Healthy Masculinity with Carlos Andrew Gomez

Laker Racing Formula SAE - Collegiate Design Competition Workshop & Mentorship Series

Winner: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Real Deal With the Doulas

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Real Deal With the Doulas

Outstanding Cultural Program Nominees

CAB - Dominican Dance Night

CAB - Seeing Red with Ebony Stewart

CAB - Diversity, Equity, and Health Masculinity with Carlos Andrew Gomez

Winner: Asian Student Union - Asian New Year Festival

Asian Student Union - Asian New Year Festival

Asian Student Union - Asian New Year Festival

Collaboration in Programming

Residence Housing Association/CAB/OSL/STAGE - Haunted Arboretum

CAB/Tabletop Gaming Club/Laker Food Co./RecWell - Winterfest

Winner: CAB/La Tertulia/Laker Food Co. - Dominican Dance Night

CAB/La Tertulia/Campus Dining - Dominican Dance Night

CAB/La Tertulia/Campus Dining - Dominican Dance Night

Program of the Year Award Nominees

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - ProteKt Yourself

CAB - Homecoming

Pre-Dental Club - Manual Dexterity Night

Film Academy - Film Awards

CAB - Laker Kickoff

CAB - Welcome Week Tie Dye

Laker Formula Racing SAE - Collegiate Design Competition Workshop & Mentorship Series

Winner: Residence Housing Association/CAB/OSL/STAGE - Haunted Arboretum

Residence Housing Association/CAB/OSL/STAGE - Haunted Arboretum

Residence Housing Association/CAB/OSL/STAGE - Haunted Arboretum


Individual

Outstanding General Member Nominees

Andrew Tran - Asian Student Union

Garrett McGuirt - WHALE

Brynn Barckholtz - CAB

Chris Welmerick - Subject to Change

Jada Kaufmann - NSSLHA

Erin Westberg - CAB

Michaela Triemstra - Swim & Dive

Cody Theil - AIGA

Winner: Abraham Bingham - Filipinx American Student Association

Outstanding President Nominees

Amanda Paler - Dance Troupe

Brooke Keck - Alternative Breaks

Marian Reid - Asian Student Union

Autumn Mueller - Student Senate

Breezy Rusher - African Student Council

Taegen Byers - Students For Choice 

McKenzie Sandel - Rowing

Hayley Blair - Farm Club

Emma Fitzgerald - SWCS

Annabelle Kopcan - NSSLHA

Mason Kolanwoski - Subject to Change

Gretta Robbins - Delta Sigma Pi

Veronica Lidy - Swim & Dive

Maya Deciechi - Hunger & Homelessness

Emma Nelson - PRSSA

Jay Chapa - CAB

Jasmine Wilson - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Joshua DeVries - College Republicans 

Winner: Dylan Clemons-Midgett - Alpha Kappa Psi

Outstanding Faculty Member Nominees

Kathryn Christopher

Anthony Spencer

Lorie Jager

Laura Schnieder

Darren Walhof

Adrienne Wallace

Thomas Pentecost

Mary Karpen

Kristin Renkema

Robin Spring

Karen Niemchick

Julia VanderMolen

Corrina Campau

Brittland DeKorver

Jeffrey Kelly Lowenstein

Winner: Quincy Williams

Emerging Leader Award Nominees

Katelyn Brnjac - Alpha Sigma Tau

Davon Whitfield - Impact the Movement

Steven Lawrence - CAB

Logyn Miller

MaryJo Buechler

Juston Wolters - W8GVU Amateur Radio

Erin Westberg - CAB

Winner: Lauren Stitt - PRSSA

Outstanding Financial Officer/Treasurer Nominees

Megan Lynch - Women's Club Lacrosse

Carolyn Morgan - Alternative Breaks

Ryan Forman - Esports

Keane Ludovico - Filipinx American Student Association

Jacob Joanis - Swim & Dive

Lauren Thomas - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Winner: Angela Iott - Gamma Phi Beta & Softball

Angela Iott - Gamma Phi Beta & Softball

Angela Iott - Gamma Phi Beta & Softball

Outstanding Vice President Nominees

Trevor Blood - College Republicans

Faith Kidd - Student Senate

Jesse Schmitt - PRSSA

Kyla Marquez - Filipinx American Student Association 

Samantha Sager - Swim & Dive

Krysta Rydecki - Data Science Society

Elias Giannakopoulos - Seidman IPO

RaKya Collins - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Samuel "Sam" Jacobs - CAB

Brooklyn Chaffee - CAB

Winner: Lillian "Lilly" Baker - CAB

Lillian "Lilly" Baker - CAB

Lillian "Lilly" Baker - CAB

Jo Ann Litton Outstanding Advisor Nominees

Zach Jacobs - RHA

Melissa Baker-Boosamra - Student Senate

Katie Perschbacher - Alpha Sigma Tau 

Alexis Schewe - Pre-Dental Club

Katie Garrett - CAB

Dr. Adrienne Wallace - PRSSA

Winner: Dr. Nicholas Baine - Formula SAE Racing & W8GVU Amateur Radio

Dr. Nicholas Baine - Formula SAE Racing & W8GVU Amateur Radio

Dr. Nicholas Baine - Formula SAE Racing & W8GVU Amateur Radio


Organization

Best New Organization Award Nominees

QSTEM

More Than a Meal

Yarn Arts Club

Club 13

Students Feed Families

Women in Medicine & Science

Winner: Filipinx American Student Association

Filipinx American Student Association

Filipinx American Student Association

Art Hills Spirit Award Nominees

Women's Club Lacrosse

Swim & Dive

Winner: Campus Activities Board

Campus Activities Board

Campus Activities Board

Shelia Williams Outstanding Organization Award Nominees

Esports Club

PRSSA

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Winner: Alternative Breaks

Alternative Breaks

Alternative Breaks

Most Improved Organization Award Nominees

College Republicans

Women's Club Lacrosse

WHALE Radio

Habitat for Humanity

Swim & Dive

Winner: A Capella GrooVe!

A Capella GrooVe!

A Capella GrooVe!


Civic Engagement

Community Impact Award

More Than a Meal

American Cancer Society

Alternative Breaks

Winner: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Laker Active Citizen Award

Jordan Stewart

Erin Brady

Samuel "Sam" Jacobs

Brooklyn Chaffee

Winner: Amiya Carreras

Amiya Carreras

Amiya Carreras



Page last modified March 22, 2023