Erdenheim Resident Bethany Van Veldhuizen Honored at Drexel Commencement with 2011 Behind Every Graduate Award

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(Left to Right) Drexel Provost Mark Greenberg, Drexel student Andrea Gould, Reward Recipient Bethany Van Vledhuizen, and Dean of Drexel’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design Allen Sabinson.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (07/06/2011)(readMedia)-- Math teacher at Phil-Mont Christian Academy in Philadelphia Bethany Van Veldhuizen received one of five 2011 Harold W. Pote Behind Every Graduate Awards at Drexel University's 124th commencement. The initiative calls for graduating seniors to nominate teachers that inspired them to pursue their college studies. More than 5,000 students received degrees from Drexel this year.

Students were asked to submit an essay describing how their teacher encouraged them to pursue a college education, and how the teacher served as a role model. Veldhuizen was nominated by Andrea Gould, an entertainment and arts management major in Drexel's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design for playing a key role in students' personal development and preparation for college and their future careers. Veldhuizen was honored during the ceremony for Drexel's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design graduates.

In here nominating letter Gould said, "Ms. Van Veldhuizen helped me to prepare for the SATs after school, offered guidance and support, and most importantly, saw my potential and invested time in me."

Behind Every Graduate honorees received a $2,000 prize and a $2,000 donation made to the winning teachers' schools. In 2006, Drexel University initiated the "Behind Every Graduate" Award for excellence in secondary teaching. Since then, Drexel has honored 21 of these teachers and the students who nominated them.