The Aquinas experience has come to mean many things to each of its students. Given the diversity and richness of campus and educational life, students have many opportunities to express themselves, explore their talents and strengths, and then share those with others. For Brian VanVels, the Aquinas experience is about community and dialogue. A communication major, VanVels is a senior at Aquinas College, having come to the College in 2008. He is from Grand Rapids - “born and raised,” he proudly said - and he feels the city has more to offer with each passing year.

VanVels chose Aquinas after considering other colleges and universities. “There was someone who I knew that worked in the Admissions office. She went on and on about Aquinas, and how it was a great college.” After a closer look at what Aquinas offers - from educational opportunities to financial aid programs - he agreed: Aquinas was the place for him.

When asked about his involvement both on-and-off-campus, VanVels launched into an impressive list of activities and contributions, particularly in his work with Residence Life. VanVels also works for the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre as Education Ambassador to promote and integrate arts programs in local schools.

“It’s been great,” he said, “because you can bring kids who don’t have a chance to experience the arts because of financial troubles and give them a chance to see free shows, give them a chance to apply for scholarships with classes we have at the Civic Theatre.”

In recent years, VanVels has also worked at the Berlin Raceway, the Van Andel Arena, and for the West Michigan Whitecaps. He also volunteers in the local community. Reflecting on all his work, he said, “There’s never a dull moment.”

Of his work in Aquinas programming, VanVels said, “With the programs that I do here, the programs that I choose, a lot of it comes from the passion I have for the position I want to eventually go into - which is Student Affairs. One thing that I always believe is that, in order to have a great program, you have to know that students want that program to happen. It starts off with how we can get students excited, how we can find something that students can associate themselves too.”

One example of VanVels’ successful programs featured reality television star Helen Phillips, winner of the NBC program “The Biggest Loser.” On “The Biggest Loser,” individuals compete to shed unhealthy pounds and commit to changes in diet and exercise. Phillips, herself from Michigan, visited Aquinas during Friday Night Fitness, speaking about her experiences and the dramatic shift toward her new, healthier way of living.

VanVels said, “Right now, especially with a lot of colleges, with the culture we live in, there’s always been that [way in which] someone feels that they have to look like a certain thing, or act like a certain individual in order to fit in. I’ve always been a fan of ‘The Biggest Loser,’ more so because of the inspiration that comes from that show.” So, VanVels brought the inspirational program to the Aquinas community.

VanVels is always looking for new and diverse programming to share with others. He said, “With the [Resident Assistant] role, we have an opportunity to do programs that are either social or educational. When you do an educational program, a lot of people won’t necessarily come to it. They spend so many hours a day in the classroom, and then to have to go to a program that’s educational doesn’t really sound that exciting. The trick is, if you advertise it as a social program, but then include that educational component in there… they look at that as an opportunity to socialize and have fun; however, you’re still giving them that educational component without shoving it into their mouths.”

The future is bright for VanVels, but his experiences at Aquinas have made a lasting impact on his understanding of the world. This is because Aquinas incorporates learning opportunities with hands-on experience, a powerful way to engage intelligent, successful students. VanVels said, “You can read a textbook. You can read each line of a paragraph. But how well are you going to remember it a year later, versus when you have a chance to be hands-on, and do something? (…) It’s harder to voice your voice at a larger school. Here at Aquinas, you get a chance to stand out and make the opportunity here one to remember.”