News and Information
Students Recognized with the Fall 2024 Graduate School Citations
December 06, 2024
On December 6th, The Graduate School at Grand Valley State University recognized the outstanding achievements of 47 individuals through the Graduate School Citation Awards for Academic Excellence. These awards celebrate graduate students and faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and academic performance in graduate education.
The selection process reflects a collaborative effort, with graduate students being nominated by faculty, advisors, program directors, and departmental leaders, while faculty members were nominated by students in recognition of their invaluable contributions to teaching, mentorship, and inclusion.
The nominations underwent a thorough review process conducted by the Interim Vice Provost for the Graduate School, who approved the final selections. This celebration highlights the university's commitment to academic excellence and its pride in the remarkable accomplishments of its graduate community. Congratulations to all the award recipients!
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE DEGREE PROGRAM
College of Computing
Henry Ngunjiri, Data Science and Analytics
Naomi Sang, Health Informatics and Bioinformatics
College of Education & Community Innovation
Benjamin Fetterley, Health Administration
Christopher Marco, Public Administration
Sarah Coutts, Literacy Studies
College of Health Professions
Arika Lanctot, Occupational Therapy - Masters
Hailey Deptula, Speech Language Pathology
Lauren Parlette, Physician Assistant Studies
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Daniel Rikkers, Communications
Padnos College of Engineering
Trysten Dembeck, Engineering
OUTSTANDING MASTER’S THESIS
College of Education & Community Innovation
Jaimie Lomonaco, Literacy Studies
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Keely Dunham, Biology – Annis Water Resources Institute
Rheyna Bui, Communications
Padnos College of Engineering
Jacob Pung, Engineering
OUTSTANDING FINAL PROJECT
College of Computing
Aditya Dube, Data Science and Analytics
Venkata Jagadish Mandava, Health Informatics and Bioinformatics
College of Education & Community Innovation
Robert Samuels III, Literacy Studies
College of Health Professions
Meryn McClelland, Occupational Therapy – Masters
Mikaela Baker, Occupational Therapy – Masters
Kaylee Bradeen, Occupational Therapy – Masters
Elise Cormany, Occupational Therapy – Masters
Jillian Dornan, Occupational Therapy – Masters
Rachel Paddinge, Public Health
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Matthew Gamelin, Communications
Padnos College of Engineering
Zackary Rauch, Engineering
OUTSTANDING PUBLICATION
College of Education & Community Innovation
Christopher Marco, Public Administration
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Janina Mayers, Biomedical Sciences
Padnos College of Engineering
Co Nguyen, Engineering
EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OR PROFESSION
College of Education & Community Innovation
Morgan Hanks, Public Administration
College of Health Professions
Kathryn Rabine, Physician Assistant Studies
Summer Brogren, Speech Language Pathology
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Mary Parr, Biology
Rheyna Bui, Communications
Padnos College of Engineering
Gregory Janes, Engineering
EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO GVSU
College of Education & Community Innovation
Adam Prielipp, Public Administration
College of Health Professions
Abby Dunster, Speech Language Pathology
Brendan Garfield, Physician Assistant Studies
Rachael Vance, Occupational Therapy – Masters
Padnos College of Engineering
David Pevic, Engineering
EXCELLENCE IN PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT GVSU
College of Health Professions
Capriana Calvachi, Physician Assistant Studies
EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY
College of Education & Community Innovation
Sarah Laman, Public Administration
College of Health Professions
Joslyn Mixon, Speech Language Pathology
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Eamonn Powers, Biology
GRADUATE SCHOOL JENNIFER ROSE PALM MEMORIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO GRADUATE EDUCATION
Division of Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach
Tracey James-Heer, Admissions & Recruitment
GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION FACULTY AWARDS
KIMBOKO INCLUSION AWARD
Seidman College of Business
Jonathan Brignall, Accounting
OUTSTANDING MENTORSHIP AWARD
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Todd Aschenbach, Biology
OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARD
College of Health Professions
Randalynn Hajek, Clinical Dietetics