Throughout the week of Jan. 13, Grand Valley State University will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Campus Leadership Week. The week is hosted by the Office of Student Life along with Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society to celebrate the different ways that students serve both their campus and the community.

“Campus leadership week highlights the different ways that people can lead on campus,” said Director of Student Life Michelle Burke. “It honors students who make a difference.”

Laker values and achievements are commended during the entirety of the week, which acknowledges the five phases of leadership outlined by the National Leadership Honor Society: scholarship, athletics, community service, journalism and creative or performing arts.

Students are invited to participate in events including the State of the Student Union Address, a career services workshop and the “I am GV” reception. Some students are nominated by faculty, staff and peers to receive a certificate and an “I am Grand Valley” shirt at the reception. Anyone who is nominated and accepts the honor is able to participate, and this year, a total of 1,500 nominations were received.

“Students are chosen based off of good work ethic, good team membership, persons of character seeking initiative to make Grand Valley a better place and for being grateful to the people who make the school what it is,” President Thomas Haas said. “There are five words that describe what it means to be Grand Valley: leadership, achievement, knowing, excellence and responsibility — an acronym for ‘laker.‘”

Shane O’Donohue, a senior at GVSU, was nominated this year for his leadership roles in the American Red Cross Club, Alternative Breaks and the Community Service Learning Center.

“Being ‘GV’ means defining and utilizing one’s values and strengths as a role model to promote positive social change of not only the Grand Valley community but also the greater Grand Rapids and global communities,” O’Donohue said. “I have practiced this by getting involved in organizations that make a positive impact and by trying to share my passion with my peers.”

Burke said she would love to see every student acknowledged at this reception.

“What every individual does collectively makes GV great,” she said. “You don’t have to be a president of a group or take on a huge leadership position.”

Calendar of Events:

Jan. 14: Career Services Workshop 1:00­-3:00 p.m. Kirkhof Center Room 2270

Jan. 15: “I am GV” Reception 2:30­-4:30 p.m. Kirkhof Center Grand River Room

Jan. 16: State of the Student Union Address 5:00-­6:00 p.m. Kirkhof Center Room 2204

Jan. 17: Campus Life Night 2.0 7:00­-9:00 p.m. Kirkhof Center

Jan. 18: A Capella Off 7:00 p.m. Ceglarek High School Fine Arts Center in Allendale