Student Life Awards
Student Life Awards is an annual event to honor all registered student organizations, their leaders, and supporters. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with a GVSU e-mail. All accepted nominees and nominators are invited to the Awards event to celebrate all the hard work done by student organizations each year. Nominations are reviewed by the Student Organization Recognition Board, which is made up of students, faculty, and staff at GVSU. Any questions can be directed to [email protected].
Individual Awards
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.
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 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.
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.
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 community engagement.
Programming Awards
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.
Organization Awards
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.
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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.
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.
2024 Student Life Award Nominees & Award Winners
Individual Awards
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.
Jhon Kerby Gerlin - International Friendship
Isabel “Izzy” Holtrop - Recreational Therapy Student Association
Nicolette Owen - La Tertulia - Spanish Club
Micah Dunsbergen - Campus Ministry
Elizabeth Gira - College Republicans
Antonio Green Jr. - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Jackelyn Palmas - Latino Student Union
Elinor Harrison - Phi Sigma Pi
Eliot Van Pelt - Rowing Club
Jordyn Bodell - Women in Medicine and Science
Quinten Proctor - Student Senate
Hailey Siwek - Society of Women Engineers
Brianna Lee - Asian Student Union
Madison Zimmerman - Public Relations Society of America
Faith Simon - Filipinx American Student Association
Carmina Laster - Filipinx American Student Association
Georgia Hessel - STAGE
Aisha Jones - Model Entertainment
Lila Abdelnour - Mu Epsilon Delta
Lucero Arizaga Jimenez - Monarcas Ballet Folklórico
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.
Priscilla Nartey - You Beautiful Black Women
Savannah Lobsiger - Campus Ministry
Danahe Garcia Navarro - Latino Student Union
Danielle Blanchard - Connections Through Conversations
Graciela Ramirez - Monarcas Ballet Folklorico
Miles Toriani - STAGE
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.
Myriam Martinez - Recreational Therapy Student Association
Anna Sordilla - Filipinx-American Student Association
Ari Schneider - La Tertulia - Spanish Club
Jackson Gutowski - College Republicans
April Duran - Latino Student Union
Brendan Butterfield - Rowing Club
Alexander Gomez - Asian Student Union
Josilynn Hradowsky - Monarcas-Ballet Folklorico
Lillian Ferguson - Mu Epsilon Delta
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.
Emily First - Campus Ministry
Donijo Robbins - College Republicans
Lisa Perhamus - Connections Through Conversations
Adeline Borti - African Student Council
Valerie Guzman - Student Senate
John Steeno - Subject to Change
Adrienne Wallace - Public Relations Society of America
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 community engagement.
Brock Johnson - College Republicans
Rowan Elliot - Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center
Sophia Bates - Student Senate
Richard Dolinik - Student Senate
Lily Nykamp - Asian Student Union
Sophie Gemmen - Student Senate
Programming Awards
CARE FOR COMMUNITY AWARD
Presented to an organization for an excellent program that includes a volunteer, philanthropic or fund raising component.
Philippine Culture Night - Filipinx American Student Association
Kickin It With Kindness - Dance Troupe
Asian New Year Festival - Asian Student Union
LakerThon - Miracle Network Dance Marathon
AAC Dodgeball - Alzheimer’s Awareness Club
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.
Understanding the Gaza Strip - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Spanish Study Huddle & Craft Night - La Tertulia Spanish Club
Math Alumni Speaker Series - Applied Math Club
Dr. Chris Blackwood Seminar - Plant Club
Study and Destress - La Tertulia Spanish Club
Wendy Jo Carlton Speaker Event - Women In Cinema
Women’s History Month Event - Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority
Sexual Assault Awareness Speaker - Interfraternity Council
Recreational Therapy Open House - Recreation Therapy Student Association
Demystifying the Visa Process: A Guide to Hiring International Students - Data Science Society
Color in Politics - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Seidman IPO Hosts Michael Goad from Dow Credit Union - Seidman Investment Portfolio Organization
Exploring the Connections Between Graph Theory & Computer Science - Computing Club
Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Presentation by Seth Wolfgang - Computing Club
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.
YBBW Hair Show - You Beautiful Black Women
Philippine Culture Night - Filipinx American Student Association
Asian New Year Festival - Asian Student Union
Ramadan Iftars - Muslim Student Association
Global Lounge - African Student Council
Delightful Discussions - Muslim Student Association
Cafe Mahogany: 50 Years of Hip-Hop - Black Student Union
Banda vs. Reggaeton Baile - Latino Student Union
Annual Black Excellence Fashion Show - Model Entertainment
International Pool Party - Bringing Together the World
Color in Politics - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Social Games - Bringing Together The World
2024 Celebrating All Walks of Life Pow Wow - Native American Student Association
El Festival de Musica: Fuego Baile - Latino Student Union
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.
President’s Ball - Student Senate, President’s Office, Campus Activities Board
Sibs and Kids Improv Show - Subject to Change Improv, Office of Student Life, Campus Activities Board
Pho By Night - Vietnamese Student Association, Gentex Corporation
LakerCon - Student Interest Group for Illustrators, Comic Book Club, Fred Meijer Center for Writing & Michigan Authors, Department of Visual & Media Arts
Leadership Summit - Order of Omega, Office of Student Life, Hauenstein Center
Karaoke Night - Professional Society for Minorities in Honors, FMHC Student Council
Wings, Ramen, and Fruta - Latino Student Union, Black Student Union, Asian Student Union
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.
Philippine Culture Night - Filipinx American Student Association
Kickin It With Kindness - Dance Troupe
Asian New Year Festival - Asian Student Union
LakerThon - Miracle Network Dance Marathon
AAC Dodgeball - Alzheimer’s Awareness Club
Understanding the Gaza Strip - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Spanish Study Huddle & Craft Night - La Tertulia Spanish Club
Math Alumni Speaker Series - Applied Math Club
Dr. Chris Blackwood Seminar - Plant Club
Study and Destress - La Tertulia Spanish Club
Wendy Jo Carlton Speaker Event - Women In Cinema
Women’s History Month Event - Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority
Sexual Assault Awareness Speaker - Interfraternity Council
Recreational Therapy Open House - Recreation Therapy Student Association
Demystifying the Visa Process: A Guide to Hiring International Students - Data Science Society
Color in Politics - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Seidman IPO Hosts Michael Goad from Dow Credit Union - Seidman Investment Portfolio Organization
Exploring the Connections Between Graph Theory & Computer Science - Computing Club
YBBW Hair Show - You Beautiful Black Women
Ramadan Iftars - Muslim Student Association
Global Lounge - African Student Council
Delightful Discussions - Muslim Student Association
Cafe Mahogany: 50 Years of Hip-Hop - Black Student Union
Banda vs. Reggaeton Baile - Latino Student Union
Annual Black Excellence Fashion Show - Model Entertainment
International Pool Party - Bringing Together the World
Social Games - Bringing Together The World
2024 Celebrating All Walks of Life Pow Wow - Native American Student Association
El Festival de Musica: Fuego Baile - Latino Student Union
President’s Ball - Student Senate, President’s Office, Campus Activities Board
Sibs and Kids Improv Show - Subject to Change Improv, Office of Student Life, Campus Activities Board
Pho By Night - Vietnamese Student Association, Gentex Corporation
LakerCon - Student Interest Group for Illustrators, Comic Book Club, Fred Meijer Center for Writing & Michigan Authors, Department of Visual & Media Arts
Leadership Summit - Order of Omega, Office of Student Life, Hauenstein Center
Karaoke Night - Professional Society for Minorities in Honors, FMHC Student Council
Cookout & Carnival - Campus Ministry
Rock Painting with Self Care Club - Self Care Club
28th Annual GVSU Renaissance Festival - Renaissance Festival
RIBS Dance Competition - Rhythm in Blue Dance Team
Haunted Story Night - Professional Society of Minorities in Honors
Kpop Prom - Kpop Group Evolution
Winter Showcase - Belly Dance Club
Euchre Tournament - Euchre Club
End of the Semester Tournament - Table Tennis Club
Crash-G - Rowing Club
Pho By Night - Vietnamese Student Association
Spring Showcase - Belly Dance Club
Ignite Dance Company Showcase - Ignite Dance
Crafting Night - Project Blue Heart
Kpop Unleashed - Kpop Group Evolution
Queer Rave - Young Democratic Socialist of America
Legally Blonde - STAGE
Wings, Ramen, and Fruta - Latino Student Union, Black Student Union, Asian Student Union
BizStream Company Visit - Computing Club
Organization Awards
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.
International Friendship
Students in Masters of Recreational Therapy Association
Street Medicine Club
Monarcas Ballet Folklorico
B.L.A.C.K.
Connections Through Conversations
494 Fashion Magazine
ART HILLS SPIRIT AWARD
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.
Table Tennis Club
Psychology Club
Subject to Change
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.
Swim Club
Chess Club
Black Student Union
Filipinx American Student Association
Rowing Club
Student Senate
African Student Council
Women in Medicine and Science
Stars for Make-A-Wish
Latino Student Union
Asian Student Union
STAGE
Mu Epsilon Delta
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.
You Beautiful Black Women
Black Student Union
Filipinx-American Student Association
Student Senate
Computing Club
Latino Student Union
