Young Alumni Award

About the Young Alumni Award

First awarded in 2022, the GRCC Young Alumni award is awarded to an alumnae or alumnus who is under the age of 40 as of Dec. 31 in the year submitted. This award recognizes an outstanding alumnus who has distinguished themself at this stage of life through:

• Exceptional accomplishment in their chosen profession.
• Exceptional community or civic service.
• Exceptional service in support of GRCC.

Nominations for the GRCC Young Alumni award are accepted on an on-going basis. All nominations are retained and reviewed annually, with recipients being selected each January. Award recipients are recognized for their achievements at GRCC’s Commencement Ceremony. For more information, contact Alumni Relations at alumni@grcc.edu.

Alumni Awards Nomination Form

2026 – Young Alumni: Chef Levi Knoll 

Levi Knoll is a proud 2014 graduate of GRCC’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. In 2021, Knoll established Archival Brewing in Belmont, MI, which he operates with his wife, Callee. Archival Brewing has quickly gained recognition, earning a silver medal at the 2025 World Beer Cup, a Gold and a Silver Best of Show at the 2025 Honey Beer Competition, and three consecutive nominations for Best Brewery at the West Michigan Food and Beverage Awards.

Knoll’s leadership extends beyond the brewery. He currently serves on the board of the Beer City Brewers Guild and has partnered with Rockford Sustainability, earning Archival a Gold-level Certification for sustainable practices across all areas of the brewery. He has also built strong connections with local farms, malt suppliers and hop growers, ensuring Archival’s success directly supports West Michigan businesses.

Knoll remains closely connected to GRCC by collaborating with current and former faculty, staff and students to provide educational and networking opportunities in brewing, culinary arts and hospitality. Knoll has also supported student success by hiring interns and full-time employees from both the Brewing program and the Secchia Institute. Knoll’s accomplishments reflect both his dedication to his craft and his commitment to giving back to the community that has supported his journey.
 

Young Alumni Award Recipients