GV alumnus gets political
| 
Tools
Courtesy Photo / Peter Vankiken
Peter Vankiken
Possibly Related
Politics are a passion for many, but recent Grand Valley State University graduate Peter Vankuiken has turned his passion into a career.
VanKuiken, who graduated from GVSU earlier this year, worked as state representative-elect Brandon Dillon’s campaign manager throughout the 2010 election and was recently hired on as Dillon’s legislative assistant.
“I had worked super hard at GVSU and for my internships just to have a job on a campaign this year, but to be Brandon’s campaign manager and to see the whole thing through from beginning to end – now that was cool,” VanKuiken said. “Maybe things would have been different if we had lost, but to know all the work paid off in the end – it was just gratifying.”
Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) ran in the 75th Michigan House District, which covers the eastern half of Grand Rapids. Dillon won the seat previously held by Democrat Robert Dean in a narrow race.
According to the Grand Rapids Elections Examiner, there was a 666-vote margin between Dillon and his Republican challenger, Bing Goei.
“There was some anxiety, some joy and some relief (on election night),” VanKuiken said. “I really cannot describe it accurately. It was surreal to be sitting there watching the numbers come in and to be thinking about all the things that lead up to that moment. When the moment came and we knew we had won, it felt pretty darn good.”
VanKuiken’s interest in politics stems from his childhood love of history.
“When I was growing up, my dad would take me to historical locations or what he thought would be historical events,” he said. “There were lots of trips to Washington, D.C,. and every effort was made to see the President when he came to town.”
His passion continued through his time at GVSU. In addition to taking political science classes, VanKuiken interned with the Kent County Democratic Party and spent more than a year interning with David LaGrand, the Democratic candidate for State Senate in the 29th District. He first learned of the Dillon job through a friend.
“At first I wasn’t too sure about it because I was busy with school and working on another campaign, but after thinking about it, I realized, why not?”
Dillon stood out to him immediately.
“I had met a few politicians by that point, and Brandon was his own man,” VanKuiken said.
During the campaign, VanKuiken worked 12- to 18-hour days for seven days a week.
VanKuiken said he is willing to speak with other students who are interested in how to get involved with politics. He can be reached at peter@brandondillon.com.
assistantnews@lanthorn.com
- Han Chitti on New organization offers scholarship opportunities
- graduate school personal on GV Writing Center hosts prospective students from young ages
- essay for graduate school on Writing department goes digital for student portfolios
- OneWhoKnows on A love letter to a dying industry: The book business
- Matt Harrington on GVSU Lakers bats come alive in a pair of wins
- Fads aren't always so rad
May 20
Posted in: Equilibrium - This is the time of our lives
May 17
Posted in: Equilibrium - Beat exhaustion with balance of perspective
May 14
Posted in: Equilibrium - Make up or break up
May 10
Posted in: Equilibrium - And runnin', runnin'
May 6
Posted in: Equilibrium
Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
Upcoming Events
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
8:00 am | MBA Information Meeting: AM session
10:00 am | SAP Farm Stand
5:30 pm | MBA Information Meeting: PM Session
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
7:30 am | GVSU Downtown Toastmasters
11:00 am | GVSU Track & Field at NCAA Championships
5:30 pm | MBA Information Meeting: Holland
7:00 pm | Failure Lab
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
11:00 am | GVSU Track & Field at NCAA Championships
No events for Sat
No events for Sun
Classifieds
In Housing / Roommates
- We have a cute condo in need of 2-3 renters for the next school year. Barkwood condominiums ...
In Housing / Roommates
- Subleaser need in Campus View this Summer. Can move in any day. Rent is 335 a month. Contact ...
In Housing / Roommates
- Subleaser need in Campus View this Summer. Can move in any day. Rent is 335 a month. Contact ...
Comments
Comments powered by Disqus
