This award is given out every year to a particular professional within the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing. This year Grand View’s own Bobbi Olson was selected for this award. 

This award was presented at a conference in Hempstead, New York, from October 12th through the 15th. Although Olson was selected, she chose not to attend because she already had plans to attend a writing conference for her tutors in Chicago later in November, and she didn’t want to miss school for both events. It’s a move that shows her dedication and selflessness to her students and Grand View.

When Olson found out she was nominated for this award, she said she was ecstatic.  

“I knew I had been nominated, but it is a really big award in my field, so it was quite an honor to find out that I received it, and I was very surprised and just very grateful that I get an award for doing what I love,” Olson said.

About the award
The NCPTW chooses someone who is dedicated and shows leadership in collaborative learning in writing centers. According to others in the Grand View community, Olson meets these qualifications perfectly. 

A prior director of the Writing Center, Brittany Cottrill Lloyd, nominated Olson for this award. 

“I think that Bobbi deserves this award because she cares so much about the tutors, the Writing Center, and the writers across campus,” Cottrill Lloyd said. “As Writing Center director, Bobbi has developed the Grand View Writing Center into a thriving learning space on our campus, supported tutor development in and outside of the center and developed innovative tutoring experiences. She cares deeply about her work and the success of her tutors.”  

Tutors offer their perspectives
Kennedy King, one of Olson’s tutors, sees all of Olson’s hard work.  

“Dr. Olson has taught us everything we know about tutoring but also encourages us to find our own methods and processes in our sessions,” King said. “Ever since I became a tutor, I have witnessed her work very hard to make sure the Writing Center stays relevant and aware of the needs of the Grand View campus.” 

Madeline Sheldahl, another tutor, said she feels as though Olson deserves this award because she is very supportive. 

“Bobbi is not only a great professor but she is also a great supporter,” Sheldahl said. “She supports me in all I do by encouraging me and listening to me. I know I can depend on her to listen to me when I am having a rough day. She always knows how to make my day a little brighter.” 

Although Olson said she is honored to receive this award, she gives most of the credit to her tutors. 

“It feels very honorable to be noticed for doing good work, especially when I know English directors across the nation are doing really good work,” Olson said. “I also think it shows the tutors how amazing they are, that the things we are doing here at Grand View Writing Center are recognized by people across the country.”