Laker Leadership Programs
Venderbush Leadership Lecture
Come and celebrate leadership! The Venderbush Leadership Lecture is designed to recognize extraordinary leadership. Since 1999, Grand Valley has honored the memory of Kenneth R. Venderbush through an ongoing series of leadership lectures. In addition to having the opportunity to listen to inspiring tales of leadership, this event offers the opportunity to acknowledge outstanding student leaders who contribute regularly to our community by bestowing the Immediate Impact Award to one exceptional student leader. New members of the National Leadership Honor Society Omicron Delta Kappa are also recognized during the event.
2013-2014 Academic Year
Fall 2013
Date: Monday, November 4
Time: 2-4PM
Location: KC 2204
Keynote speaker: TBA
Registration will open in September 2013!
Winter 2014
Date: Monday, March 17
Time: 2-4PM
Location: KC 2204
Keynote speaker: TBA
Registration will open in January 2014!
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Past Venderbush Leadership Lectures:
Winter 2013
Winter 2013
Last winter, the Venderbush Leadership Lecture featured GVSU graduate Torrence O'Haire (‘07). O'Haire provided GVSU students with an inspirational message and we celebrated current GVSU leaders through the Immediate Impact Award (awarded by the Student Organization Center) and Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society.
About Torrence O'Haire
Torrence grew up in the woods of West Michigan, learning about food, farming, and the value of "making things" from his hardworking and creative parents and his wise and eccentric aunts. He started in the restaurant industry at a young age, having been raised in his family's kitchens. By the time he was 18, he was working in fine dining, both in the dining-room and alongside the chef. Food has become both his passion and his study, sneaking cookbooks into his college classes, and hosting dinner parties in dorm room. He continued to develop his skills and training in the culinary world after college, where he studied linguistics and sociology. In 2010, he decided to challenge himself by quitting all of his jobs and striking out on his own, opening a small business: "The Starving Artist", where he works as a freelance culinary professional, doing everything from private events to public classes to restaurant consultation. He is currently working on his next big endeavor: a cafe, due to open in the summer of 2013. http://thestarvingartistgr.com/about/
Fall 2012
Fall 2012
Last fall, the Venderbush Leadership Lecture featured GVSU graduate John Mauro (‘00, ‘08). Mauro is a high school math teacher in Grand Haven, MI and an international volunteer committed to bettering the lives of indigenous women in South America. Mauro will share his reflections on leadership from his journey at GVSU, teaching, and serving others. Mauro provided GVSU students with an inspirational message and we celebrated current GVSU leaders through the Immediate Impact Award (awarded by the Student Organization Center) and Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society.
More About John Mauro
John Mauro, a Grand Valley State University graduate from the College of Education will be speaking at the Fall 2012 Venderbush Leadership Reception. John is a math teacher at Grand Haven High School and has been teaching for 12 years since graduating from GVSU. He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology and has taught many courses for at-risk students in addition to math courses. He also has dedicated his life to volunteering, leading over 30 trips for high school and college age students to 13 States and 5 countries. Highlights include being a counselor at Special Days Camps for siblings of cancer patients, three-time participant of Alternative Breaks at GVSU, rebuilding a school in earthquake torn Morocco, archeology work in Israel, expanding an orphanage in Mexico, organizing yearly disaster relief trips through the National Relief Network, and most recently, riding his motorcycle to Peru where he taught math to indigenous young women struggling to continue their education past sixth grade.
John has been given several awards for his volunteerism including being named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. At GVSU he was named a Thomas M. Seykora recipient. His Interact Volunteer Club at Grand Haven High was honored at the Night of 100 Stars event by the Ottawa County United Way. The GHHS Class of 2010 also honored him at graduation for being an Inspirational Teacher.
Kenneth R. Venderbush (1930-1975)
Dr. Kenneth R. Venderbush came to Grand Valley in 1969. During his tenure he served as Associate Professor and Acting Dean of William James College, and from 1969 until 1973 he was Vice President for Student Affairs. He received an undergraduate degree in speech from Kalamazoo College, an M.A. from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D from Ohio State University in 1968. Dr. Venderbush's commitment to student affairs was highlighted by his understanding of student concerns. During his time as Vice President of Student Affairs, he worked to assure student input in the decision-making process. He was a strong advocate of student leadership participation as a learning tool.
The Kenneth R. Venderbush Leadership Award
Please note that the Kenneth R. Venderbush Leadership Award is not awarded at the Venderbush Leadership Reception. The Award is coordinated through the Dean of Students Office.
Since 1983, the university has bestowed its highest Student Leadership Award, the Kenneth R. Venderbush Leadership Award to a graduating senior student. In the Fall of 1999, the university continued to honor his memory through an on-going series of community leadership lectures made possible by a gift from Kenneth R. Venderbush's family.
This prestigious award is presented to a senior who has made a significant leadership contribution to student life at Grand Valley and demonstrates a strong commitment to academics. Award nominations and selection is coordinated through the Dean of Students Office. Click here for more information on nominating a student for the Venderbush Student Leadership Award.
Page last modified April 24, 2013
