Provost earns Lifetime Achievement Award from Women's Commission

Provost Gayle R. Davis received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Grand Valley's Women's Commission at the annual Celebrating Women Awards ceremony March 30.

In her remarks, Davis said she was honored by the recognition, particularly because it came from an organization that promotes the same ideals as she does.

Davis called Grand Valley "the school of my heart" and said she is grateful to be able to fully implement her feminist leadership style, working collaboratively with faculty and staff members. Davis joined Grand Valley in 2002, after serving as associate vice president for Academic Affairs and Research at Wichita State University. 

Davis said she and President Thomas J. Haas have worked well together, leading efforts to create an inclusive campus. "We share the same values to flatten the hierarchy that has, at times, been in place so that equality can thrive," she said.

The commission presented its Maxine Swanson Award to Jennifer Palm, assistant to The Graduate School; Unsung Hero Award to Autumn Gorsline-Davis, academic department coordinator for Modern Languages and Literatures; and the Community Impact Award to Allison Ford, head coach of Grand Valley’s synchronized skating team.

Susan Sloop, Work Life consultant, was recognized for her dedication to promoting emotional and physical health on campus. Sloop will retire in May.

Positive Black Women awarded scholarships to Kari Bonner, Courtney Holland and Chaka White.

The Women's Center honored its Outstanding Student Award recipients: Kourtney Ondayko, Jaquelyn Harmon, Chelsea Ortiz and Noemi Jimenez.

The Women, Gender, and Sexuality department awarded its Jean Enright Scholarship to De'Chelle Richards.