April 2, 2015
SVSU's Crainer named top student adviser in the Great Lakes
Saginaw Valley State University's Bryan Crainer recently was recognized for being an outstanding adviser to student organizations. He received the Outstanding Adviser Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for District 5, which includes higher education institutions in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Crainer, SVSU's associate dean for Student Life and Leadership Programs, was recognized for his work as adviser of Forever Red, an SVSU student organization that coordinates activities and helps raise funds for a variety of SVSU programs.
SVSU student and Forever Red member Kimberly Salwey was one of the members of the campus community to write a letter of recommendation nominating Crainer.
“Bryan, being the founder of Forever Red, has put his heart and soul into this organization,” wrote Salwey, a management major from East Tawas.
“Bryan's integrity does not go without notice. Students respect and look up to him. Bryan directly affects members' paths everyday as well as the student body of SVSU.”
The award took Crainer by surprise.
“Honestly, I was shocked when I got the notification that I was selected for this honor,” Crainer said. “I had asked the group to submit a nomination for an outstanding program that they facilitated this year called 'Stop the Clock.' I never expected that they would take the time to nominate me for Outstanding Adviser.”
“Stop the Clock” was an event designed to draw students’ attention to the moment in the academic year at which public funding for SVSU “stops.” One purpose of the event was to increase awareness of the importance and prevalence of donors’ contributions to SVSU and how students benefit from them.
CASE fosters student involvement in areas of advancement including alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing.
Merry Jo Brandimore, SVSU associate provost for Student Affairs and dean of students, also wrote a letter of recommendation.
“Because of Bryan's capacity to develop and apply student leadership, Forever Red has become a significant force at Saginaw Valley State University,” she wrote.
“So many students are passionate about their affinity with SVSU. Forever Red gives them the platform to channel their feelings into action that contributes to the strength of the university. Bryan's leadership is critical to continuing this legacy.”
Crainer said he enjoys providing leadership to Forever Red.
“Advising this group for the last four years has been one of my most enjoyable SVSU experiences,” he said. “As a proud and dedicated alumnus, advising a group that is dedicated to, among other things, connecting current students with alumni, makes it a natural fit for me.”
Crainer received his master's degree in educational leadership from SVSU, along with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. He was first hired in SVSU as a resident director in 2007.
A graduate of Whittemore-Prescott High School, Crainer resides in Bentley with his wife Kelly, a fellow SVSU graduate, and their two sons.