By Gabe Amy and Grace Holmes
On Thursday evening, March 12, a crowd of over 120 of Grand Rapids Community College staff, student leaders and peers gathered in room 234 of the Student Center to celebrate the Student Leadership Awards Ceremony. The event was hosted by the Center for Student Life and Leadership, and honored student leaders who have worked hard in their academic pursuits, created a place that welcomes inclusivity and belonging, as well as promote an experience beyond the classroom.
Valerie Hargraves, the Director of Student Life and Leadership, began the night by welcoming everyone to the event and introduced Curt Barager, a professor of the Department of Mathematics, who announced the winners for the Perseverance Award and the Outstanding Mathematics Student Award.
Nicholas Phillips, the winner of the Perseverance Award, noted how math can be difficult and he was grateful for all of the help he received. “(Katie Evans) was an awesome professor and I learned a lot from her. I mean, math is hard,” he said. “I spent a lot of time in the tutor lab, a lot of time studying on my own, and using external resources. I mean, it’s great, I’m happy with it. Definitely wasn’t expecting it though.”
Although many students were recognized for their academic achievements and successes, Virginia “Ginny” Stiles, winner of the Geology Student Award of the Year, said she appreciated how she was recognized for her passion.
“I’m really happy. I’m not a geology major, but it’s something that I’m beyond passionate about. I do it in my free time,” Stiles said. “I’ve got cabinets filled with rocks at home, I go fossil hunting, I go rock hunting. It’s my jam, I love it. I’m very happy that people can love what I do and support it, too.”
Additionally, Stiles shared how her love for geology was one that began on the playground.
“When I was in elementary school we had a rock-filled playground with a bunch of little pebbles, and instead of playing with other kids at recess, I would sit there and I would sort through what rocks I thought were the best and the most shiniest,” Stiles said. “I’d shove it in my pockets so I could show my mom when I came home. Every day. Every single day, I did that. I’m convinced (the elementary school) lost all the rocks they had, I was surprised they had any.”
The music department recognized Peyton Helms for student leadership. When speaking about what the award meant to her, Helms said, “I’ve been at GRCC for a while. This is my second institution. I used to be at GVSU, and then I transferred here, and that’s where I was able to grow for the first time, and find people who I really care about and care about me and faculty members who have been able to see that growth.”
Helms went on to say that being a part of the music community also helped her feel more prepared for what’s next in her academic career.
“It means a lot now I’m going on to another institution, and I don’t think I would have been able to do that without being here with the music department and all the faculty,” Helms said, who hopes to Western Michigan University.
The night also revealed how student leaders have been able to assist one another to academic success. Astronomy Student of the Year Award winner, Jairus Becker spoke on his found friendship and ability to lean on Jacob Guthrie. Guthrie, who was awarded Physics Student of the Year along with the Outstanding Mathematics Student Award, helps in the tutoring lab.
Becker spoke about being tutored by fellow winner Guthrie.
“Throughout calculus one, calculus two, and calculus three, I go in (the tutoring center), and you know, a lot of time with math, it’s like, okay, here’s the formula, and you can figure out how to apply it. But when I go to Jacob, he actually shows me what’s behind the formula, and what real concepts are going on there. It’s a great help to me.”
Becker discussed his eventual transfer and shared, “I’m really gonna miss a lot of people, a lot of friendships I made here, but you know, real connections will always last so nothing to really worry about.”
Guthrie spoke on what it means to help his fellow students at the tutoring lab, “It’s my favorite thing. I mean, it’s the most fulfilling thing because every day I get to go in there and I get to help people learn my favorite subjects. So what better thing is there than that?”
Guthrie is applying to transfer schools and has been accepted into the University of Michigan. Becker is going to finish his associate degree in the winter and is hoping to transfer to Michigan tech. Both students agreed they would stay in touch.
Both college presidents were in attendance.
Former Interim President Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg shared wisdom with The Collegiate, “A lot of what going to school is about is going to classes, but you can learn an awful lot more than that by engaging in the life of the college in one way or another.”
Dr. Triezenberg specifically spoke about finding community and building lasting relationships during college.
“A number of the award winners tonight commented on finding their people, finding their group, finding a place where they belong. And belonging is a really important step, especially in college, but in any experience. You want to be able to be with folks where you work together well, you find common joy and common co-effort,” Dr. Triezenberg said.
The current President, Dr. Kathryn Rogalski added, “It is amazing to attend this type of organization and to see the student leadership, and what a group of dedicated students, how they can make a difference on a campus and really make it their own. It’s inspirational. I’m inspired by our students. It just makes me really know that I am in the right place right now and that I can reaffirm my dedication to GRCC.”
Jacob Isaacson made the closing remarks for the evening and shared a piece of advice from his college marching band professor based on simply picking up the trash around him.
“…As I progressed through my work in student involvement and leadership, I’ve realized (picking up trash) applies to all facets of life, and especially leadership. It’s more than picking up a candy wrapper… “ Isaacson shared. “It does mean keeping an eye on the details. ‘I am taking responsibility for something.’ Taking responsibility for failures and celebrating little successes. It’s focusing on growth, not all at once, but steady over time.”
Isaacson ended the night with optimism and encouraged the audience to continue to lead with kindness and dedication.
“So on behalf of the Center for Student Life and Leadership, we’re incredibly grateful for each and every one of you, and look forward to what’s ahead… Get home safe, and please pick up after yourself.”
This year’s recipients:
Student Leadership Awards
Presented by D’Wayne Jenkins
- Brian Kloet Campus Involvement Award: Amelia Haywood
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award: Binti Abdi
- Cedric and Sandy Ward Leadership Award: Quincy Brown and Sean Miller
- Richard W Calkins Presidential Leadership Award: Asmaa Muktar and Kesia Rodriguez
Presented by Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
- Student Journalist of the Year: Jamie Miller
- Scott McNabb Journalism Scholarship
- News Reporting Award: Grace Holmes
- Photojournalism Award for News and Sports Photography: Kole Meschke
- Additional Awards:
- Coverage of GRCC Administration, Student government, and other campus news: Jakhari Carroll
- Multimedia Reporting: Kyle Jackson and Karalynn Davis
- GRCC Sports Reporting: Alexandria Webb
- GRCC student reaction: Ari’ Browley
Presented by Valerie Hargraves
- Jerry Benham Award for Student Organization Advisor: Juan Cisneros
- Student Organization of the Year Award: Music Student Organization
- Project/Event or Project of the Year Award: Ford Fieldhouse (Recreation & Wellness, Intramural Sports)
- New Student Organization of the Year Award: Latino Student Union
Department Awards
Presented by Curt Barager
- Perseverance Award: Nicholas Phillips
- Outstanding Mathematics Student Award: Jacob Guthrie
- Music Department Student Leadership Award: Peyton Helms
- Geology Student of the Year Award: Ginny Stiles
- Physics Student of the Year Award: Jacob Guthrie
- Astronomy Student of the Year Award: Jairus Becker
