Students, employers celebrated at annual internship awards

Students who received practical experience in the workforce were celebrated, along with their supporters, April 13 at the Internship Recognition Luncheon held at Eberhard Center.

Hosted by the Career Center, the event is held annually as a way to thank those involved in internship programming at Grand Valley. 

"Internships can only truly be successful if the student, employer, faculty and staff members are working together, and quite often that means going above and beyond traditional job requirements," said Rachel Becklin, assistant director of the Career Center. 

The recipients of the Outstanding Internship Employer of the Year Award were West Michigan Environmental Action Council and Northwestern Mutual, which hired 19 interns last year. 

Provost Gayle Davis was awarded the Internship Advocate of the Year Award, which recognizes a faculty or staff member who is dedicated to internship programming and development. 

More than 100 entries were submitted for the Outstanding Intern of the Year Award; it was given to Caitlyn Albrant, a marketing student who was an intern for Serendipity Media. The Outstanding Internship Supervisor award was given to Shaun Ferguson of the Naperville Police Department. 

Becklin said the number of internships have been steadily rising over the last 10 years. About 8,060 were completed during the 2014-2015 academic year, compared to 6,811 in 2009. Students completed more than 1.6 million hours of practical experience in the workforce at companies and organizations last year.