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 - 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. - 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Art Hills Spirit Award Nominees
Women's Club Lacrosse
Swim & Dive
Winner: Campus Activities Board
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Campus Activities Board
Shelia Williams Outstanding Organization Award Nominees
Esports Club
PRSSA
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Winner: 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!
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.
Laker Active Citizen Award
Jordan Stewart
Erin Brady
Samuel "Sam" Jacobs
Brooklyn Chaffee
Winner: Amiya Carreras

Amiya Carreras