GVSU holds convocation for faculty

On Feb. 11, Grand Valley State University held its annual awards convocation. The awards event was hosted by Maria Cimitile, GVSU Provost and executive vice president for Academic and Student Affairs.

“I thought about our milestone honorees who have been here for the duration of their careers as well as our honorees who have recently joined us and are making a significant impact on the university,” Cimitile said. “All of us are creators, changing Grand Valley over time. Some call change over time evolution but I like to think of it simply as life.”

According to Michele Coffill in University Communications, Feryal Alayont, professor of mathematics, gave the convocation address and also received the Outstanding Advising and Student Services Award.

“In addition to other University Awards for Excellence, the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center and Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence presented awards” Coffill said.

A list of all award recipients is online at gvsu.edu/provost,

Big confusion in democratic primary in Iowa

Although they had some difficulty in transparency in the 2016 primaries, there was more confusion last week at the Iowa caucus. In an article by the New York Times, the confusion stemmed from delayed results surrounding an app used this year.

“Results in the Iowa Democratic caucuses were delayed Monday evening, creating widespread confusion among the presidential campaigns. Party officials said the results had been delayed because of ‘inconsistencies’ in their reporting,” the New York Times reported. “The reporting problems are believed to have only delayed the results, not called them into question.”

Former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg celebrated victory before all the results were in. Other candidates like Joe Biden complained about the lackluster reporting process and how it delegitimized the democratic party. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT), like Buttigieg, was feeling confident despite the issues.

“Let me begin by stating that I imagine — I have a strong feeling — that at some point the results will be announced,” Sanders told supporters at his election-night watch party. “And when those results are announced, I have a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa.”