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FALL 2015 . VOLUME 8 . No. 3

Building on the Legacy of Donald W. Maine

2 | DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY REVIEW

The cover of this issue of DU Review features a man to whom this institution and its communities owe a great debt of gratitude, and for whom our College of Business and the new building that will be its home are appropriately named. When the new building is completed, it will be home for the Donald W. Maine College of Business and its Entrepreneurship Center. The creativity and growth that will occur in that new building will be an appropriate tribute to a man who tapped into a great amount of creativity to achieve tremendous growth during his 23 years as President and Chancellor of Davenport.

Among the many accomplishments achieved under Don’s leadership was the introduction of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the expansion of the Davenport systems across the state of Michigan, the expansion of programs appealing to non-traditional students, the unification of the University into one institution in 2000, and even the initial planning for what would become DU’s new W.A. Lettinga Campus. He also brought higher education into the internet age when Davenport launched its online degree programs in the 1990s.

In the 15 or so years since Don’s retirement, Davenport has continued to grow and refine as a quality institution, but the impact of Don’s leadership cannot be underestimated. As I have said often, we stand on the shoulders of the great leaders that have come before us, and that includes Don Maine. We could not hope to accomplish our ambitious vision to be ranked among higher education leaders without the hard work that Don Maine first accomplished between 1977 and 2000.

We are about to enter 2016, when we will celebrate Davenport University’s 150th Anniversary. Throughout the year we will be acknowledging the leadership of great men who led this institution throughout the ages, like Conrad Swensburg, Michael E. Davenport, Robert W. Sneden and Randolph Flechsig. We also will see an amazing, tangible tribute emerge on the southeast corner of the W.A. Lettinga Campus, paying homage to the tremendous leadership of Donald W. Maine. We hope you will join us a year or so from now when we dedicate the new facility in Don’s honor!

Sincerely, Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D. President

FALL 2015 . VOLUME 8 . No. 3

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY REVIEW is published by Davenport University, 6191 Kraft Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI 49512

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On the shoulders of greatness

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Alumni & DevelopmentPeg LuyExecutive Vice President for Alumni & Development [email protected]

Michele Davis Executive Director of Grant [email protected]

Louise Kidd Executive Director of Leadership Gifts & Donor [email protected]

Jason Madden, MBA ’08Executive Director of Alumni & [email protected]

Nick GlaserDirector of Major [email protected]

Sarah MitchellDirector of Prospect Research and Scholarship Stewardship [email protected]

Courtney SorrellAssistant Director of Annual [email protected]

Sara Hop, ’09Assistant Director of Alumni Communications and [email protected]

Erik Dane, MBA ’07Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & [email protected]

Laura MackaManager of Data Systems & Gift [email protected]

Mary NelsenExecutive Administrative [email protected]

Marketing & CommunicationsRobin Luymes, MM ’15, APR Executive Director of [email protected]

Steve Landrum, EMBA ’13Executive Director of [email protected]

Richard Crispo Creative [email protected]

Lyndsie Post, MBA ’11Director of [email protected]

Maggie Kennedy Communications [email protected]

Elizabeth Szubinski, MBA ’14 Marketing Project [email protected]

John Teichman Graphic [email protected]

DAVENPORT.EDU | 3

In December 2016, the new 60,000-square-foot Donald W. Maine College of Business building will open and continue the legacy of Donald W. Maine, who served as Chancellor and President of Davenport from 1977 to 2000. His vision and the strategic initiatives he implemented helped make Davenport one of the leading private, non-profit universities in the State of Michigan.

Under Maine’s leadership, Davenport developed from a college offering only associate degree programs to a fully accredited university providing undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, technology and health professions. Online programs were introduced at Davenport during his time, making the University the first in Michigan and among the first in the nation to offer online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Also, Maine oversaw the unification of three separate colleges across the state into one University and laid the groundwork for the construction of the W.A. Lettinga Campus.

“We all stand on the shoulders of this man who served as President and Chancellor of Davenport for 23 years,” said Dr. Rick Pappas. “Don remains actively involved with the University, and we treasure his friendship and his love for Davenport.”

Necessitated by the growing enrollment at the W.A. Lettinga Campus, the new three-story facility will allow for continued growth of academic programs in the Donald W. Maine College of Business. It will also free up space within the other academic facilities to accommodate the continued growth of technology, health and arts and science programs.

A new Entrepreneurship Center will be developed and housed within the new facility to guide and advise entrepreneurs ready to build and expand their successful, high-value,

Building on the legacy of Donald W. Maine“I’ve been connected to Davenport for 44 years now. What we have achieved is because of the dedication and hard work of the board, staff and faculty. Thousands of students have been prepared to take their future places as industry leaders.”

- Donald W. Maine

(L to R): DU students Julia Mayer and Andrew Habasevich, Rockford Construction CEO Mike Van Gessel, Board Vice-Chair Ken Yerrick, Board Trustee Michelle Van Dyke,

Board Trustee Bob Hetzler, Dr. Rick Pappas, Chancellor Emeritus Don Maine, Board Chair Frank Merlotti, Board Trustee Carol Van Andel, DU student Jordan Neuhaus and

Dean Pamela Imperato line up for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Donald W. Maine College of Business building.


high-growth companies and create more jobs. There will be flexible space available to support up to three companies in the Entrepreneurship Center’s business accelerator program. The atmosphere, which will be modeled more as a corporate headquarters than an academic building, will engage business students in real-world settings to prepare them for their careers after graduation.

“I’ve been connected to Davenport for 44 years now,” stated Maine. “What we have achieved is because of the dedication and hard work of the board, staff and faculty. Thousands of students have been prepared to take their future places as industry leaders.”

On a beautiful day in November, Davenport President Dr. Rick Pappas joined with Board Chair Frank Merlotti, Chancellor Emeritus Don Maine, Dean of the Donald W. Maine College of Business and College of Technology Pamela Imperato, plus board trustees and others to break ground on the new building.

“I am humbled and astonished my name is on this building,” remarked Maine. “It is an unbelievable honor, and I am deeply grateful.”

Above and Left: Renderings of the 60,000-square-foot Donald W. Maine College of

Business Left (L to R): Dr. Rick Pappas, Board Vice-Chair Ken Yerrick, Board Chair Frank

Merlotti, Chancellor Emeritus Don Maine, Board Trustee Michelle Van Dyke, Board Trustee

Carol Van Andel, Rockford Construction CEO Mike Van Gessel and Dean Pamela Imperato.

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To kick off the academic year, the Center for Campus Life planned a four-day transitional program right after students moved in to help them ease into college. More than 400 students were led through daily activities by trained upperclassmen called Pack Leaders. Nationally recognized speakers presented on topics such as forming relationships, developing social habits, academic and financial success, maintaining proper health and wellness, leadership development and familiarizing themselves with the campus culture. Social activities were offered to break down barriers and build relationships. Events included a drive-in movie, capture the flag game, bonfire, dance party, team building trust course, scavenger hunt, mud run volunteer activity and night in the student center.

Convocation is the official academic welcome of students to Davenport University, celebrated annually in academic regalia. The 2015 Convocation was held at the W. A. Lettinga Campus in the Student Activity Center for new, incoming students. This ceremony, featuring messages from Dr. Rick Pappas and Dr. Linda Rinker, Executive Vice President for Academics and Provost, introduced students to their academic team and prepared them for their rich and rewarding Davenport careers.

Panther Prowl 2015 Third annual Convocation kicks-off academic year

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Students participate in Panther Prowl team building activities. Pounce, staff and faculty welcome new students at Convocation.


Homecoming 2015 featured a plethora of fun-filled activities for alumni, faculty, staff and students. This year’s celebrations included a chili cook-off, a Zombie Run, the Alumni Awards, the dedication of the expanded Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex, a football game, the Panther Ambassador Campaign and more!

With the second phase of the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex complete, a dedication was held on Saturday, Oct. 3, before the homecoming tailgate festivities and game. The second phase, made possible by a gift of 45 acres from Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, added a new competition field for football, soccer and rugby, plus track and field facilities.

The dedication included remarks from Dr. Rick Pappas; Frank Merlotti, Chair of Davenport’s Board of Trustees; Paul Lowden, DU’s Athletic Director; and Steve Boshoven, President of Foremost Brand, Farmers Insurance. Afterward, DU hosted a Homecoming tailgate and an inter-squad football game.

1. The 2015 Panther Ambassadors, Trisha Madura and Courtenay Tafel. 2. DU Spirit Rock gets painted for Homecoming 2015. 3. The new football team participates in an inter-

squad scrimmage in preparation for the fall 2016 season.

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LEFT: New Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Ryan Thompson.

RIGHT: New Athletic Communications Coordinator Ryan Hornack.

Davenport welcomes new Athletic Communications staff

Ryan Thompson and Ryan Hornack are the newest additions to the Davenport University Athletic Department. Thompson serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications while Hornack is the Athletic Communications Coordinator. The duo previously worked together for the last two years at Adrian College, serving in similar roles.

Thompson and Hornack are in charge of all aspects of athletic communications, which includes the maintenance of the athletic website (dupanthers.com), computer statistics for all home athletic events, press releases, video streaming live events for the Davenport Athletics Network and numerous other duties.

Thompson is no stranger to West Michigan. As a 1999 graduate of Grand Valley State University, he worked as a student assistant for four years before serving as Assistant Sports Information Director upon graduation. He then accepted a position as Sports Information Director at Northwood University (2001–2004), Saginaw Valley State University (2004–2007) and Adrian College (2007–2015).

“I am very excited to be working for a bustling athletic department at Davenport University,” said Thompson. “I really

enjoy the area and look forward to many great memories as a Panther. I’ve seen the commitment to excellence at DU and hope to contribute toward future successes.”

Hornack broke into the field of athletic communications after an internship at Adrian College in the summer of 2013. He helped Thompson with the publicity of 36 varsity and non-varsity sports, which included production of information guides for 12 sports. Hornack graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management. He will also pursue his MBA while at Davenport University.

Davenport receives accreditation for sport management program

Davenport University recently received accreditation from the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) for its Bachelor of Business Administration in Sport Management. The COSMA Board of Commissioners reviewed Davenport’s program based on the eight COSMA accreditation principles, which require an academic unit/sport management program to show that its program displays excellence in undergraduate sport management education and continuous improvement through COSMA’s developmental approach. Davenport University joins 24 other universities across the country with this accreditation, with only one other being in Michigan.


Senior Jorge Benitez (Zaragoza, Spain) excels in the WHAC jamboree. Over the

course of the fall season, Benitez and fellow senior Mitchell Wandell both earned

First Team WHAC honors and tied for second lowest stroke total (362).

Senior Alyssa Koziol (Willow Springs, Ill.) was recognized for academic success.

DU Softball recognized for academic success by National Fastpitch Coaches Association

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its Top 10 NAIA Academic Team rankings for the 2014–15 school year, and the Panthers ranked fourth with a cumulative team GPA of 3.555. The NFCA also announced that 5,493 softball players across seven membership divisions earned NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2014–15 academic year. The NAIA amassed 410 recipients, and DU was represented by 14 players: Ashleigh Blovsky, Cayley Duddles, Cayman Gatt, Lauren Groendyk, Alyssa Koziol, Kyleigh Linebaugh, Emily Maves, Britt McLain, Sam Merren, Haley Obetts, Carli SanMillan, Sarah Schneidenbach, Lindsay Tasma and Sarah Wallick.

Men’s Golf finishes second in the WHAC

The men’s golf team competed in five one-day Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) jamborees, consisting of 18 holes per round, during the fall season. The Panthers finished second in the overall standings, just four strokes behind Siena Heights University, with a five-round total of 1,470 strokes. Northwestern Ohio finished third (1,481), and Indiana Tech came in fourth (1,490). The WHAC also announced league awards after the final round on October 14. Seniors Mitchell Wandell and Jorge Benitez had a remarkable fall and were named First Team All-WHAC, tied with the second-lowest stroke total (362). Wandell also received the team’s Champion of Character award for sportsmanship on the course and was named Academic All-WHAC along with teammate Jamie Cattran.

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Davenport to host first annual Michigan BPA Middle Level ConferenceDavenport University is proud to host the first annual

Michigan Business Professionals of America Middle Level Conference on Feb. 27, 2016. Middle Level provides middle school students the opportunity to apply acquired skills while participating in business-related competitive events. BPA competitions place emphasis on computer skills, teamwork, research and presentation. Students may compete at both the state and national levels.

“We are very excited to be hosting the first annual Michigan BPA Middle Level Leadership Conference,” said Ron Draayer, Davenport University faculty member and BPA advisor. “BPA

is the leading career technical student organization for students pursuing careers in business management, accounting, information technology and other related career fields. It is a great opportunity to be able to expose younger students to BPA and spark their interest in these fields.”

Davenport University has a long history with BPA having earned first-place awards at 84 national BPA events over the past seven years. Students from Davenport University will have the opportunity to participate as volunteers at the Middle Level conference.

For more information visit davenport.edu/mlbpa.

(L to R): Darwin Mitchell, James Gustafson, Chrystal Badour, Kirin Krafthefer. Four of the O. J. DeJonge Middle School 2014–15 officers drafting plans for an upcoming activity

they’re planning for the student body.

Davenport launches new 12-month MBA platformThe Donald W. Maine College of Business offers a 30-credit Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in three different

platforms through its global online campus and locations throughout Michigan. Along with the Competency-based MBA and the traditional MBA, students are now being offered the 12-month MBA platform. With this platform, students in a cohort format are given a predetermined schedule that leads to completion in 12 months.

“We see the 12-month MBA as a way for companies to attract and maintain their high-potential employees,” said Dr. Pamela Imperato, Dean of the Donald W. Maine College of Business and College of Technology. “Cohort-based learning has long been shown to help students move through a program and maximize the opportunities for things like peer-to-peer learning and team building that are so necessary in an MBA program.”


Alpha League members with Patrick Miles, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan

Alpha League brings new leadership opportunities to DU studentsThis past fall, Davenport University launched the Alpha League Global Leadership program, bringing brotherhood and leadership

to men of diverse ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds through philanthropy, scholarship, leadership and social/emotional workshops. Alpha League emphasizes the learning and application of African American philosophies and their interrelationship to college education and the global workforce. As a special interest leadership program, Alpha League is an organization for all men who have an interest in the history, philosophy and culture of African American males and who are seeking to learn personal leadership skills and form lifelong relationships.

“I created the Alpha League Global Leadership program to give hope and tools to the African American male population in Grand Rapids,” said Terry Rostic, Senior Community College Admissions Representative and founder of the Alpha League. “There have been several nationally published articles that mention Grand Rapids, Michigan, as one of the top five worst cities in the entire country for African Americans. I never want to see my city at the top of any list that involves the worst place to live for any race. I believe the only way to make positive, lasting change in our society is through education and opportunity.”

With 27 members this fall, the Alpha League has developed a wait list until more funds are available to support additional members. The group holds bi-weekly meetings called Global Leader Summits, where they have professional and personal workshops, guest speakers and brotherhood fellowship. The topics covered during the workshops this semester are commitment, personal vision, positive self-identity, life skills, social and emotional skills, moral character and work ethic.

“I joined Alpha League because I knew it could provide the support I will need to be successful in my years at Davenport,” said Alpha League member and Davenport freshman Tommy Brown. “I want to be successful. I want to defy the statistics. With the Alpha League, I have a lifelong brotherhood that will never be broken. All of us will be successful.”

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Davenport earns fourth consecutive diversity honor

Davenport University has received the 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. This marks the fourth consecutive year Davenport has been honored with the HEED Award, which recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Davenport University will be featured along with 91 other recipients in INSIGHT Into Diversity’s November 2015 issue.

“We are honored to be recognized with this award for the fourth consecutive year. Davenport University prides itself on the exemplary diversity and inclusion initiatives and its ability to embrace a broad definition of diversity at all of its campuses across Michigan, including gender, race, ethnicity, veterans, people with disabilities, members of the LGBT community and others,” said Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Davenport University.

Advocating at the State Capitol

Davenport University students and staff from across Michigan spent a day at the State Capitol on October 28 to advocate for Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG) funding. Students met with a number of State Legislators, including Rep. Andy Schor and Sen. Steve Bieda, to discuss the importance of MTG funding and other pressing state issues, including jobs, road funding and healthcare. Also, staff and students met with Lt. Gov. Brian Calley while seated in the Senate Gallery.

The MTG is a critical piece of funding that helps students who would otherwise take out student loans to pay for college. During the 2014–2015 academic year, nearly 3,000 DU students received MTG funding — equating to more than $3 million in state aid. Student scholarships and grants like the MTG assist college students with covering tuition costs without going deeper into student loan debt.

Staff and students on the floor of the Senate Chamber with Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren).


HollandHolland Campus staff and faculty volunteered for Day

of Caring on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. This is an annual program through the Ottawa County United Way, which mobilizes volunteers to provide support to non-profit organizations. This year there were 660 volunteers and 57 projects. The Davenport team consisted of Dr. Tim Pennings, Kelly Wandel, Frank Roder, Tammy Stachowicz and Rhonda Prins. They spent the afternoon at Evergreen Commons Senior Center in Holland and helped with grounds work and planting tulip beds.

LansingThe Lansing Campus joined nearly 3,000 participants

and 161 other teams on Saturday, October 10, 2015, to make a difference by participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at the Michigan State Capital. The Lansing team featured more than 75 participants, who raised over $500 toward the cause. The funds support a number of services offered by the American Cancer Society, including transportation and lodging for treatment, support groups, workshops, research and more.

LivoniaStudents spent the day at the Livonia Campus with CIOs

and technology managers from some of Michigan’s largest corporations to receive priceless mentoring, information and feedback from experts in the field. Students enjoyed a day of networking, receiving resume and interview tips and participating in a panel discussion. This allowed them to pose questions to the experts about developing and initiating a job search strategy, differentiating themselves from the competition, creating a public image through social media, answering interview questions effectively, speaking about their career goals and more. It was a day of intense learning and huge value to the students who attended.

Traverse CityStudents from the Traverse City NURS 415 Evidence

Based Nursing Practice course presented their research to the Evidence Based Practice Council at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City on September 21.

Clockwise: 1. Traverse City (L to R): Back row: Tammy Flores,

Rachel Dudziak and instructor Vicky Fagerstrom; Front row: Cindy Craig

and Ashley Peterman. 2. Lansing: Strides Against Breast Cancer

walkers. 3. Livonia (L to R): Schoolcraft Community College student

Maurice Houston, Davenport Senior Community College Admissions

Rep. Jennifer Salloum and Schoolcraft Community College student

Christopher Ford. Both students are planning to transfer to DU’s W.A.

Lettinga Campus. 4. Holland: Holland staff sprucing up Evergreen

Commons Senior Center.Campus news round-up

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A commitment to studentsAt the core of Davenport’s success is its commitment

to students. Equipping them with the knowledge, global competencies and values they need to achieve career success is life-changing and a key aspiration of Vision 2020.

One way Davenport is expanding and enhancing access to its career-focused education is by developing partnerships with community colleges to provide a more streamlined pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s or graduate degree.

As announced last summer, Davenport established partnerships with Mott Community College (MCC) in Flint and Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) in Kalamazoo, with more partnerships to be announced soon. Students who earn their associate degrees at these community colleges will be able to seamlessly transfer their credits to a bachelor degree program at DU, continuing their studies at the same location.

“Mott College is committed to ensuring our students have opportunities to achieve their educational and career goals in ways best suited to their needs,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, President of Mott Community College. “The partnership with

Davenport University represents a new initiative to provide access to four-year degree programs through one of our Branch Centers and supports our mission to deliver quality education where our Genesee County students want it.”

In the MCC University Center, Davenport has dedicated classrooms and lab and lecture space as well as access to MCC’s library, computer labs and more.

In partnering with KVCC, Davenport became the first institution in KVCC’s University Center at the Texas Township Campus giving students access to dining services, the library, computer labs, gym facilities and classrooms.

“We think the university center concept is a logical solution to the degree-completion challenges that many of our students face by providing new and unique opportunities,” noted Marilyn Schlack, President of Kalamazoo Valley Community College. “We are excited to have Davenport become part of our University Center. Davenport’s focus on degrees that lead to careers is very consistent with our mission here at KVCC.”

DU staff members at the KVCC University Center (from L to R): Shubhada Sagdeo, Kristi Zimmerman, Kathy Stewart, Amanda Hoxie, Amy Doxtater


Frank Merlotti steps in as new Board ChairFrank Merlotti, retired former president of Coalesse and Steelcase North

America, has been appointed as Board Chair of the Davenport University Board of Trustees. Previously serving as Vice Chairman of the Board, Merlotti succeeds Tracy Graham, who stepped down after serving as Board Chair for the last five years. Graham will remain on the Board and continue to provide his knowledge and support.

Having sat on the Board for the last nine years, Merlotti is excited to step into this next position of leadership. Under his guidance, the Board will move forward guiding the University through Vision 2020 and exploring the possibility of a metro Detroit campus.

Dr. Pamela Imperato named Dean of College of Business and Technology

Following a thorough national search, Davenport University has named Pamela R. Imperato, Ph.D., as Dean of the Donald W. Maine College of Business and the College of Technology. Previously, Dr. Imperato was Dean of the College of Business at Bellevue University, where she oversaw 24 academic programs including a Ph.D. program as well as 11 undergraduate programs.

In her new role, Dr. Imperato will lead the development of new programs while overseeing the operations and budget for both the College of Business and the College of Technology.

Dr. Imperato served as a Director/Assistant Professor of the Master of Public Administration Program, where she launched the inaugural graduate program in public administration for the university. She also served as the Program Director of the Center for Healthcare, Nonprofit and Public Administration. Dr. Imperato holds a Doctorate of Political Science in Public Administration and Public Policy from University of Nebraska, a Master of Administration in Critical and Creative Thinking from the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Emmanuel College.

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Donna Milham honored with Tyrus R. Wessell Award

Each year, Davenport bestows the University’s highest staff recognition, the Tyrus R. Wessell Award, on faculty or staff members who have demonstrated the University’s values through their positive impact on the lives of Davenport students and staff. Tyrus R. Wessell was a devoted faculty member and administrator who served DU. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 90.

Donna Milham, the 2015 recipient of this prestigious award, has been involved with the University for over 30 years beginning as a student in the EMS Paramedic Program. In 1985, she started working part-time at DU teaching CPR. She has served as an Admissions Counselor, Advisor, Assistant Registrar and, currently, the Registrar.

“Donna has had such an important impact on DU,” stated Dr. Marjolijn van der Velde, Department Chair for the Donald W. Maine College of Business. “Her professionalism rubs off on others. Davenport just wouldn’t be the same without her knowledge, her expertise and her kindness.”

(L to R): Grandson Jordan Sugiyama, granddaughter Kylie Sugiyama, Donna’s

significant other Hosea Greer, son-in-law Tim Sugiyama, Donna Milham,

Donna’s dad Edward McNally, Donna’s mom Joyce McNally, DBA and daughter

Katherine Sugiyama.

Long-time Board Member rememberedJames N. DeBoer, Jr., a member of Davenport’s Board of Trustees and a dear

friend to the University for more than 40 years, passed away on July 5, 2015. Jim retired from the Board in December 2012 and is remembered for his invaluable expertise and wise counsel.

Jim was a neighbor and close friend of former Davenport President Robert W. Sneden when he was asked to serve on Davenport’s board. His support helped shepherd DU through accreditation to offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and he assisted with the merger of Davenport College, Detroit College of Business and Great Lakes College to form Davenport University as well as with establishment of the W.A. Lettinga Campus. His support also led to the creation of Vision 2015.

Jim and his wife Joy were generous supporters of DU over the years and could often be spotted at DU events. They assisted with DU’s comprehensive campaigns and building projects and, in 2001, established a charitable gift annuity. In 2010, the Executive Conference Room in the Robert W. Sneden Center was named for James N. and Joy DeBoer.

“Jim served Davenport for almost a third of our entire history,” said Dr. Rick Pappas.“He was a dear friend and committed supporter whom we will deeply miss.”


When you plan an outdoor event for early November in Michigan, you can never be sure what conditions you will need to be prepared to face. One year you might face a blizzard and the next you’ll enjoy a bright, crisp sunny day. For the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Donald W. Maine College of Business Building on November 4th, we enjoyed record-setting warmth under bright skies. The tent that might have been necessary to fend off icy precipitation instead kept us cool from the midday sun.

That we experienced such warmth on a day dedicated to breaking ground for a building honoring Chancellor Emeritus Don Maine should be no surprise, as this project has received a very warm reception since the day it was proposed. The generous response we have received since the Investing in the Vision Campaign began just over two years ago gave this University the confidence to get started on its largest and most visible pillar. To be able to honor Don, a man who served Davenport with distinction for 23 years, is indeed an opportunity that we cherish.

Although we have broken ground and the completed building should be ready for ribbon cutting and dedication in a year, the campaign continues to ensure it and the other pillars—the development of the College of Urban Education and growth of our endowment to benefit student scholarships—are fully funded. While we are about 80 percent of the way toward our campaign goal—nearly $20 million toward our $25 million target as we begin the third year of the five-year campaign —we continue to need your support through gifts large and small; each contribution brings us one step closer to the full investment that Vision 2020 deserves.

I look forward to watching this new facility emerge over the next year and to the opportunities it will provide for our students and faculty and for all of us in the years to come. Won’t you consider in the coming months how you could help Davenport to reach the finish line of this campaign before we officially open the doors of the Donald W. Maine College of Business Building? Thank you so much for your consideration, and our very best wishes to you in 2016!

A bright, sunny day By Peg Luy Executive Vice President for Alumni & Development

Below left: The first bits of ground are

ceremonially “broken.” Lower right:

Shovels stand at the ready in the warm sun.

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Herman Miller Cares Foundation funds DU summer academic campsWhen you think about children coming home from summer

camp, you imagine them telling their families about camp fires, canoeing and fishing. But, do you imagine them excitedly explaining a visit to a murder scene, fighting off a ferocious dragon or learning physics from a dog? This past summer, thanks to a generous gift from the Herman Miller Cares Foundation, Grand Rapids area youth did just that!

Davenport has a tradition of helping those who struggle in math/English to move on to a career-focused curricula with innovative, interventive programs. As a result, the pass rate for students in developmental math increased from 59% in 2011 to 76% in 2015 and in English from 55% to 86%, contributing to a 110 percent increase in DU’s graduation rate. In this spirit, Davenport wanted to create camps that would benefit youth through participation.

This past summer, Davenport’s new College of Urban Education worked collaboratively with the College of Arts and Sciences to offer three Summer Academic Enrichment Camps (SAECs) that focused on educating through experience. These camps will be offered again in 2016 and 2017. The three camps included: • CSI Davenport Forensic Science (Biology-focused) • Write Your World (Creative Writing-focused) • Numb3rs (Mathematics-focused)

At CSI Forensic Science Camp, students applied laboratory techniques to analyze evidence recovered from a mock crime scene. By day four, students had solved the crime. They identified the victim (via forensic anthropology and blood typing), determined time and cause of death (via forensic entomology and examining skeletal remains) and identified which suspect committed the crime (via blood-typing and DNA analysis). Students learned how to give

scientific presentations and prepare posters, culminating in oral and visual presentations on the fifth day. Each day, different Science-Technology-Enginering-Math (STEM) careers were highlighted and discussed by speakers working in STEM fields.

During Write Your World Camp, high school students explored real and imaginary worlds through written expression in multiple genres. They developed their creative writing voice through a variety of activities, including prewriting, brainstorming, outlining, writing, editing and revising exercises. Activities were engaging, inspiring and fun in order to encourage the continuation of creative writing not only during the school year and college but well into adulthood. Activities combined digital and print experiences to broaden their scope. They learned about document preparation, editing and design through the creation of an anthology. The camp ended with public readings and a reception for friends, family, staff and faculty.

At Numb3rs Camp, students participated in numerous activities geared toward making high school math a fun, hands-on exploration of the world. They studied probability by rolling dice, then applied these probabilities to a game where they tried to find the best strategy. They were challenged to find the best route to either visit all or some given locations/paths (Hamilton and Euler Circuits). They explored the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio to determine how they occur in nature. Finally, they calculated the optimal path for a dog trying to retrieve a tennis ball from Lake Michigan.

The three summer academic enrichment camps targeted high school students from the greater Grand Rapids area who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM and/or are economically disadvantaged. Grand Rapids Public Schools, Michigan’s fourth largest public school district, serves more than 17,000 students through 1,400 teachers. Each year, SAECs aim to serve nearly 100 Grand Rapids youth.

1. GRPS students Robert Brooks and Malik Kelley participate in the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) camp. 2. DU alumni Tori Brooks (’15) with Dr. Tim Pennings, Department Chair

of Mathematics. Brooks spoke to students attending the Numb3rs Camp. 3. GRPS student Milan Merriweather in the Numb3rs Camp.

1 2 3


Davenport University will receive a gift to its endowment fund of $5.5 million over the next four years from the M.E. Davenport Foundation. It is the single largest commitment in the University’s history and brings historical giving to Davenport University by the independent family foundation to more than $15.4 million.

“This is an extraordinary gift from the M.E. Davenport Foundation,” said Dr. Rick Pappas, President of Davenport University. “This investment by the Foundation will have a lasting impact on the University’s ability to develop innovative new programs.”

“There are special moments in the life of a university like welcoming new freshmen and congratulating graduating seniors,” Dr. Pappas continued. “Some moments are truly transformational; this gift from the family foundation of our namesake, M.E. Davenport, is one of those moments.”

Marcia Sneden, President of the M.E. Davenport Foundation, and Mary Sneden Sullivan, secretary/treasurer, both granddaughters of the foundation’s namesake, issued this statement on behalf of their Foundation Trustees:

“The M.E. Davenport Legacy Endowment is intended to optimize the educational, professional and civic mission of Davenport University. The projects funded by this Legacy

Endowment will advance academic excellence, promote innovations in the professions and enrich the communities that Davenport serves. Funded projects will exemplify the tenets of an education at Davenport University that were so important to our grandfather. We are excited about the future of the University and the opportunity for our family foundation to partner with Davenport in this enduring legacy.”

The perpetual innovation fund, for which details continue to be developed, will support academic and learning-related initiatives not subject to the regular university operating budget, including potential initiatives which are part of the University’s recently announced Vision 2020 innovative, long-range plan. The timing also anticipates year-long celebrations in 2016 of Davenport University’s 150th Anniversary.

“Throughout its existence, the M.E. Davenport Foundation has supported Davenport University as well as other community initiatives. With this gift, we are seeking to reflect the shared origins and values of both the Foundation and the University,” said Peggy Moceri, Chair of the Endowment Committee and also a granddaughter of the foundation’s namesake. “The purpose of the endowment is to regenerate, in an enduring way, M.E. Davenport’s founding motto: Make a Living, Make a Life, Make a Contribution.”

Davenport University receives its largest gift in history from M.E. Davenport Foundation

M.E. Davenport

DAVENPORT.EDU | 19

Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex field dedicationOn Saturday, October 3, the Davenport University community gathered to celebrate the expansion of the new Farmers Insurance

Athletic Complex. To mark the occasion, Steve Boshoven, President of Foremost Brand, Farmers Insurance, along with Jack Meyering and his family gathered for a ceremony and lunch.

Farmers Insurance gifted the land for the expanded complex in addition to the land they donated in 2012 for the baseball, softball and tennis complex. In total, they have donated 62 acres to DU.

Jack Meyering, a ’56 DU graduate and founder of Atlas Truck Rental & Leasing, and his wife, Char, made a generous commitment to the University to name the new scoreboard and turf. Meyering Field appears on the scoreboard as a tribute to this gift.

“After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Davenport was an important step for me in developing the skills to pursue my career in building a business,” said Meyering. “Davenport has built a great reputation for academics and now can provide the same opportunity for their students to excel in the sports as well.”

The Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex will help meet the needs of the growing athletic programs. The field will be home to football, soccer, track and field and men’s rugby.

This complex is an excellent reminder that life-changing experiences take place in and out of the classroom. Athletics are just one of the many ways Davenport students gain meaningful experiences to Make a Living, Make a Life, and Make a Contribution.

Opportunities are still available to support the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex. For information on making a gift or supporting Davenport University’s mission, please visit davenport.edu/alumni-development/make-contribution or call Jason Madden in the Alumni and Development Office at 616-233-2593.

1. (L to R): Grandson David Meyering, daughter-in-law Laura Meyering, son John Meyering, wife Char Meyering, Jack Meyering, granddaughter Andrea Snyder. 2. (L to R):

Steve Boshoven, President of Foremost Brand, Farmers Insurance; Jason Madden; Dr. Rick Pappas; Jack Meyering; Char Meyering; and Board Chair Frank Merlotti during the

presentation. 3. (L to R): Board Chair Frank Merlotti; President of Foremost Brand, Farmers Insurance Steve Boshoven; and Dr. Rick Pappas..

1

2

3


Thanks to the generous support of 63 sponsors and 240 golfers, more than $100,000 was raised for student scholarships and athletics at the 29th Annual Scholarship Golf Classic.

We greatly appreciate everyone who came out to play and those who joined us for dinner and the auction. We are sincerely grateful to all of our sponsors for their generous contributions, including the continuous support of our title sponsor, Integrated Architecture.

If you were unable to participate this year but would still like to make a donation to student scholarships or athletics, please visit davenport.edu/gift.

Swinging to support student scholarships

DAVENPORT.EDU | 21

Major Sponsors:Title Sponsor – Integrated Architecture

Beverage Sponsor – West Side Beer Distributing

Lunch Sponsors – Fifth Third Bank & Fifth Third Securities

Scorecard/Course Sponsor – Michigan Office Solutions

Scoring Sponsors – Custer and Nederveld

Putting Green Sponsor – Holland Special Delivery

Golfer Favor Sponsors – Interphase Interiors and Haworth

Cart Sponsor – Rockford Construction

Driving Range Sponsors – Cascade Cement Contractors

& Connan, Inc.

5

Golf Committee:Jim Albers, Marcus Bradman, Mike Corby, Erik Dane, Linda Den Hartish, Damon

Gonzales, Bill Lettinga, Paul Lowden, Jason Madden, Mike Volk, Bruce Wynalda


THANKS

David and Carol Van Andel FoundationFifth Third BankHealth Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)M.E. Davenport FoundationPeter C. and Emajean Cook FoundationThe Richard and Helen DeVos FoundationKenneth and Carole Yerrick

Alticor, Inc.Amway CorporationCreative Dining Services, Inc.Daniel and Pamella DeVos FoundationThe Dick and Betsy DeVos Family FoundationInternal Revenue ServiceRockford ConstructionWolverine Worldwide FoundationWolverine Worldwide, Inc.

Area Community Service Employment & Training CouncilBarry Community FoundationFranco and Alessandra BianchiCatherine BuzzittaJoseph and Susan BuzzittaCumulus MediaFarmers Insurance GroupRobert and Joyce HetzlerHi-Tec Building Services Inc.

Brian and Tamra HoganHoward Miller Clock CompanyJ. C. Huizenga and Tammy BornIntegrated ArchitectureKeith and Kathryn KlingenbergMary and Blake KruegerWilbur and Sharon LettingaWilliam and Rochelle LettingaLiberty Mutual Group, Inc.Frank and Susan Merlotti

Michigan Office SolutionsThe Rollin M. Gerstacker FoundationSaint Alphonsus ChurchThe SourceTownsquare MediaMichael and Michelle Van DykeVarnum LLPW A Lettinga Investment

Davenport University is honored by the support and commitment of many great partners in the communities we serve. It is because of all of YOU — our alumni, staff, faculty and donors — that we can proceed confidently in our mission of preparing students for successful careers and leadership roles in our communities. On behalf of the students, staff and faculty of Davenport University, thank you for your commitment to this institution and your continued support to help DU students “Get Where the World Is Going!”

Sincerely,Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D.President

Davenport University expresses its gratitude to the following individuals and organizations for their gifts to the University during the 2014–2015 fiscal year (July 1, 2014–June 30, 2015). Donors are recognized by the giving level as follows:

Investor Club: Gifts of $100,000 or more Leader Club: Gifts of $50,000–$99,999

Executive Club: Gifts of $10,000–$49,999

† DeceasedItalics — indicates donors that have supported the University for the last five consecutive years or more.*Denotes donor advised funds given through The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area** Denotes donor advised funds given through the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund*** Denotes donor advised funds given through the National Christian Foundation

DAVENPORT.EDU | 23

Anonymous (2)Advantage Benefits GroupAllied BrandsArthur J. Gallagher & Company of Michigan, Inc.Association of University Programs in Health AdministrationAstroturfAuditrax, LLCBarnes & Thornburg, LLPScott BerneckerJoel and Laura BlanchardBlueWater TechnologiesRon and Heather BojiKenneth and Stephanie BoveeFred and Beverly BraunBrightFormat, Inc.Brooks Family Community Fund*

Brooks Capital Management, LLCBuilder’s Iron Inc.John and Marie CanepaCascade Cement Contracting, Inc.Cascade Engineering, Inc.CBREThe Center for Physical RehabilitationChemical BankConsumers Energy FoundationDr. Colleen CoughlinCrestmark Equipment FinanceSusan CrkovskiPaula CunninghamCuster, Inc.David and Karen CusterDr. Karen and Jack DaleyMichael and Debra Door

Eastern Floral & Gift ShopDr. Scott and Susan EpsteinRami and Rea FawazFifth Third Securities, Inc.The Larry & Judy Fredrick Charitable Fund***

Dan and Michelle GeorgevichGene and Phyllis GilmoreGilson Graphics, Inc.Mitchell and Jane GloverGMB Architects-EngineersGordon Food ServiceGrand Valley State UniversityDonald and Nancy HamelinkHarder & Warner Landscape Contractors, Inc.Hastings Public LibraryHauenstein FoundationDoyle A. Hayes, Sr.

Ambassador Club: Gifts of $1,000–$4,999

James and Joy AlbersAquinas CollegeDavid A. Brandon FoundationDoug and Maria DeVos FoundationEngineered Comfort Systems, Inc.Holland Special DeliveryInitech Global, LLCJohn and Judy SpoelhofJohn and Judy Spoelhof Foundation

The Estate of Ruth KilmerDonald Lawless and Sherri JonesMeijer, Inc.Metro Health HospitalMetro Health Sports MedicineJack H. MillerDr. Richard and Pam PappasPublic Affairs Associates, Inc.Ronald Rodorigo

SkytronThe Steve Van Andel FoundationTown & Country Group, Inc.Van Andel InstituteVan Dyken Mechanical, Inc.Dave VeneklaseRussel and Mary Warner

Innovator Club: Gifts of $5,000–$9,999

“To say I was extremely anxious about returning to school after more than 24 years is truly an understatement. I am a wife and a mother and I work a full-time job. Since attending Davenport University, I have received amazing encouragement and support. I am completing my Associate in Business Administration. I have been on the Dean’s List since my enrollment. Without scholarship patrons willing to support continuing education, this would not have been possible. Your contribution has truly played a part in helping me reach my goals. I sincerely thank you with all of my heart.” Patricia A. Robinson – Senator Glenn D. Steil Endowed Scholarship recipient

THANKS


THANKS

A-1 Asphalt, Inc.Leah and Ryan AalderinkDrs. Kathy and Edward AboufadelPhillip AllenMichael AllieBarry County Commission on AgingThaddeus and Irene BembenistaBroadmoor Motor Group, LLCThomas and Lorna BrownButterball Farms, IncorporatedJerry and Suzanne CallahanClean ResourcesLynda and Sam CribariDebora CrudeleMichele and Roberto Davis-JaraDr. Lonnie G. DeckerDelton District LibraryDK SecurityFerris and Patricia FinertyDavid and Judith FreyDennis and Patricia Gillett

Grand Rapids Public MuseumJefra GroendykDr. Kenneth and Catherine K. HoMike HoltvluwerIsaacson, MillerKSS EnterprisesBetty LaCroixLamont Christian SchoolDavid and Connie LawrenceLettinga & Associates, LLC - CPAsTom Lonergan and Fred BurasBill MackayMaster Tech Services, LLCGerilyn and Jamie MayBarbara A. Mieras, Ph.D.Julie and Andy MilanowskiBrian and Megan MillerMatthew and Rachael MillerCharmayne MulliganKathryn MullinsDr. Donald and Alice Nichols

Frank NovakowskiRich and Lisa O’DonovanJoyce PennMark and Sara PetersDaniel and Sara PetersonDr. Dale and Terry ProndzinskiMandee RickThe Right Place, Inc.Dr. Linda Rinker and Dr. Harry RinkerGwendolyn SeayLinda and Arlyn SievertAmy StahleyJacqueline D. Taylor, Ph.D.Technical Academy Group, LLCTodd Wenzel Buick GMCAlbert TorresJan Vander Weide, C.P.A.Aurelio VelasquezMarjolijn van der VeldeAnn and Andy VidroAlan and Carolynn Wright

Richard HolmesHolmes & Wiseley, P.C.Hope NetworkScott and Kimberly HuizengaHuntington National BankEdward and Angela IgrisanInterphase Office Interiors, Inc.Earle and Kyle IrwinIrwin Seating CompanyMark IvesonMichael and Susan JandernoaJet’s PizzaJeff and Rose KarstenKelly Scott MadisonKent County Office of the DefenderKent District Library - Wyoming BranchKI FurnitureLouise and David KiddMark and Michelle KooyersThe Korff FoundationJack J. KorffArthur and Alberta KuhnLacks Enterprises, Inc.James and Clarine LantingConnie Lettinga and Robert BartoLiberty Mutual InsuranceMike LoMonaco

Timothy and Kimberley LongBruce and Deb LosPeggy and Donald LuyDonald and Kathleen MaineMCPcMercy HealthJim and Nancy MeyerMichigan Virtual Charter AcademyMidstate Security Company, LLCMidwest Construction Group, Inc.Donna K. MilhamMLive Media GroupThe MSJ FoundationJohn and Barbara MyaardNorthern TrustOld National BankWalter and Felisa O’NeillPanopoulos Family Foundation**

Christos and Joan PanopoulosParkway Electric & Communications, LLCPatterson Ice Center, LLCTim PenningsPeppino’s Pizzeria & Sports GrilleTodd and Lori PittsPlante Moran, PLLCDavid PoockPutnam District Library

Rhoades McKee, PCThe Charles E. Schell FoundationWayne D. Sneath, Ph.D.SoundOff SignalSteelcase, Inc.Jerome P. Subar FoundationMrs. Judith SubarRobert SullivanRobert & Timothy Sullivan Scholarship Fund TrustTournament of FriendshipTrue North Insurance and Financial StrategiesUccello’s Ristorante - CaledoniaUniversal Forest Products FoundationBrian VanBeveranRoger and Clare VanderLaanJames and Mary VeldheerMichael and Janice VolkVos Glass, Inc.Shelly and Warren WestbrookShannon WittThomas WoodsBruce and LV WynaldaWZZM 13Bradley and Lacrissa ZurawJeffrey and Trisha Zylstra

Builder Club: Gifts of $500–$999

Ambassador Club: Gifts of $1,000–$4,999, continued

DAVENPORT.EDU | 25

Anonymous (15)Terry and Geraldine AbelAdam AltmanJonathan and Leslie AndersonB & B Maintenance Services, Inc.Jeffry and Lori BabbittRobert and Kay BabcockLori Baker and David KoskiJean M. BalcerPaul BeasleyJanice and Lachlan BeatsonDuane and JoAnn BedardRonald and Mary BergRick BerkeyRoger and Jill Betten, Sr.John and Kathleen BissellRandolph C. BlackDr. Rhae-Ann BookerMark and Wynelle BraymanKevin and Elaine BrazellFrank and Patricia BrechbielDebra BrondsemaBryan and Debra BrowerGeorge and Willa BrownRoger and Esther BrownThomas and Carna BrownRobert J. BruggemaDonna BurnsBushwood Golf CourseTheresa Cardon-WeissMichael and Lynne CareyThe Carl E. & Glenda R. Welmers Charitable Fund***

Bradley and Janelle CarnduffTim and Deborah ChenowethJessica CheriezRudolfo and Judith CifolelliRobert and Mary ClarksonDaryl Cliff and Diane Manko-CliffJodi ColbyLyle ConverseScott CookBarbara A. Craft, J.D. and Dr. John OtterbacherAnne CramerLinda G. CrosbyJames CzerewErik DaneDaniel and Kathleen DavisPaul DavisJeniece DawkinsAngeline De SantisGuy and Sheryl DeanDavid and Jane DeBoerAnna M. DeLisle

Betty DeloachDenise DerrPat DeVoyTracy DillMichael DokterMaureen DownerJessica DunnKeri DutkiewiczMark and Cynthia EilanderEmbassy Suites - LivoniaLarry EngelsmanFarm Bureau Life Insurance Company of MichiganJames and Ginny FarmerRobert FerransKathleen FinklerChristine FisherWarren and Martha GantGeorge’s Senate RestaurantsDavid GillespieNick and Liz GlaserJoann GrayHosea GreerMr. Donald L. GusfaCraig HaanJudy HaaseJohn and Barbara HabichtRachel HahnWilliam and Vicki HallKelly HankeGerald and Lorraine HardebeckArthur and Betsy HasseJames and Jayne HaydenMeredith Healy†Alan and Gail HeringMarylee van den HeuvelHolly M. HillBrian and Kelly HobbsJeff and Becky HoeksMarie HojeijRoger and Roberta HortonStanley HreneczkoChristopher HughesAllen and Barbara HustonRonald P. IgrisanJosh and PoWah IsaakGary and Terry IshamJohn M. JaksaAmanda and Jon JakubowskiFrank Jasper-StumpKirk JewellAphrodite JonesShari JonesLisa Kagay

Margaret KaiserAndrew and Heather KalafutRobin Lee KauffmanDavid and Beth KeimHarris and Beth KiekoverBetty J. KingmaRonald KinsmanDebra Kiss and Randy SmolenskiJudy KnappHeather KnechtelBonnie and Ronald KoppJennifer KruegerRick and Deborah LaMeyerJoseph LamontagneDavid and Kirsten LarsonBrenda F. LauerLinda LeSageMelissa S. LettingaLivonia Chamber of CommerceSharon E. LongLynette LovePaul and Lisa LowdenStuart and Shelley LoweAmy LucasJean M. Luoma, M.A.T.Laura and Joe MackaColleen and Mark MaireRichard and Beth MartinChristopher L. MarxJanet MaschkeDavid and DuAnne MasselinkTimothy McCabeJoseph and Linda McCormickJerry McKayJesse MedinaDr. James and Barbara MendolaDaniel and Fawn MeyerholtMichigan NonProfit AssociationScott MillerKathy MinerGary MitchellWilliam and Marijane MolagJerrid MooneyFredrick MorleyMatthew and Wendy MorrowKenneth and Phyllis NeitzelMary and Rick NelsenKristy NelsonLynn NelsonWoldemar and Joann NikkelWendy Norton and Timothy WestdorpBrad NyhoffJanice and Jack O’Donnell

Sustainer Club: Gifts of $100–$499

THANKS


THANKS

Susan OffenbeckerMarilyn OliverAmy OstrowDuane and Betty OverbeekJudith and Steven PenningKenneth and Ramona PhillipsPatricia PhillipsMs. Susan PorrettJessica PowersEric R. PungRita and Edward RaheShawn RaymondThomas ReederResendes Design Group, LLCJamie RhineFrank and Sue RoderJames and Leanna RollinsDianna RoseGabriel and Melissa RousseauPatricia and David SabolShubhada SagdeoThomas and Michelle SallMcCall SalmonJacquolyn SawyerDeborah A. SchoenwetherAndrea Shacks

Richard and Mary ShireyRobert ShubitowskiHarold and Monica SkinnerMichael and Betsy SlevaMark and Debra SmithSoil and Materials Engineers, Inc.Linda SorensenLinda SpangTerrence M. StartScott StevensMary SullivanDaniel SwartzinskiBruce and Karla Ter HaarRoss and Cindy ThompsonCraig TimmermanNancy TitmusTrans Tech Automotive Group, LLCKevin and Erin TryonDavid and Danielle TylerRichard S. and Suzanne UngerUS BankDale and Diane VanAllsburgGordon and Judith VanAmburgJohn and Patricia VanderHeideGerald and Diane VanderLugtRon and Katherine VanDragt

Randall and Laurie VanHoutenJames and Juliet VenezianoVenture Creations, LLCValerie A. VillaltaPeter and Natalie VillemureJames A. Von Ins, C.P.A.Mark A. VromanDr. Elmer H. VrugginkKelvin WabekeAlan L. WalczakFloyd Walton, Jr.Kelly and Bob WandelScott WangRuth WashburnTyrus and Kathy Wessell, Jr.West Michigan BeverageSteve and Susan WiersumSusan L. WilderAmy and Robert WilkinsBen and Bridget WilliamsMichael WilliamsJennifer Phillips WilsonLee and Marty WittArthur WrightMaria ZieglerSabrina Zoppa

Sustainer Club: Gifts of $100–$499, continued

Initiator Club: Gifts of $1–$99

Jone K. AardemaDennis D. AbrahamEdward AlbertsLeo and Denise AlbertsLester and Patricia AlbrightJoanne AlfordKimberley AllemanWilliam and Stacey AmanDeborah and James AndersonMartha AndersonRobert and Christine AndersonCharles and Sharon AndrewsAmy and Martin AngellDavid and Corine AnthonyLonn and Patricia AshbrookJill and James AveryB52 Express Oil Change & Car WashDorothy H. BadyneePatrick and Karina BakShevella BanksCrystal BankstonCheryl Barbera

David BarnesGeraldine BarnesLesha BarnesJohn and Gwendolyn BartelsJohn and Arlene BattjesKenneth and Christine BeaujeanBeverly and James BeckemKenneth and Nancy BekkeringJeanine L. BellingerAnne BensonRonald and Suzanne BergDenny and Jaye Lynn BergersDouglas BergmanThomas L. Bergy, C.P.A.Ralph and Dianne BerndtsonJerome and Doreen BernierBetter World BooksKaren and John BeukemaPatti M. BierleinJoseph D. BishopDennis and Belva BobeldykDawn M. Bower

Mrs. Tina Branch-DawsonSara BrondsemaScott A. BrouwerMarsha F. BrubakerEleanor BryantHarold W. Bryant, IIIRonald and Suzanne BurrowsKelvin and Kimberly BusscherLita ByersBartell H. BylsmaLenora BynumOrletta CaldwellCardinal Health Foundation Inc.Becky ChamberlinSteven and Sandra ChampionWilliam and Linda ChaseLouise ChronowskiRichard and Carolyn ChudikDavid and Amy ClarkCynthia ClarkeKenneth and Dorothy ClemensRachel and Mark Clover

DAVENPORT.EDU | 27

THANKSInitiator Club: Gifts of $1–$99, continued

Rachel D. ConnellByron and Jacquelyn ConverseMark and Mary Ann CoreySteven and Perpetua CrawfordJeffery and Trudy CrowleyWilliam and Ann CusackDonald and Barbara CzurakSteven and Cynthia DamstraRandall H. DarnellJessica L Dawson-Will and Dustin E. WillJoseph and Loretta De SantisSteven and Lori DeForestMichael and Melinda DeJongRonald and Katherine DeKiepAnn DeLeeuw DeckerGregory and Janice DespresRobert L. DiamondDr. Betsy L. DiegelJacob and Harriet DiehmRoy and Kim DingmanNancy S. DoaneScott and Doni Driemeier-ShowersEileen EdwardsElectric Sales & Creative Marketing, LLCAlberic and Cindy EmeryDawn M. EnglandMonna EssenbergPhillip M. Fascetti and Marcie MuirHarold and Dawn FischerFlint Alumni CouncilSoraida FloresKenneth FortierGregory FosterRonald and Susan FosterMaria FrancoCarl and Barbara FrankenDeborah FraserLois FrazierStacy Frazier Jones and John JonesDavid and Marni FredricksonEdward and Emma FreelandRonald and Jane FrenchLaura FreyJames and Linda FridsmaBradley and Joan FryLenardo GambrilDebra GannonAura GardnerArthur and Cheryl GarnerKathleen GarrettJames and M. GarvelinkGregg and Debra GarverPamela Garza

Laurel J. GeorgeTim and Lori GiffordDeann GilesTerika GillamKathleen S. GlovickGarret GoosenAnnette J. GootjesRaymond A. GornowichRodney GouineStanley A. GrackiMichael and Therese GrahamThomas and Linda GreenfieldC. Robert GudbrandsonJohn E. GurneyMackenzie D. HackerBeverly H. HaglundMarvin and Delores HaightCatherine B. HaneyW. Larry HanlinErik and Boni HansenMarilyn J. Hartley-KikDaryl L. HassevoortChad and Kimberly HathcockScott A. HattanCheryl E. HaverdinkG. Thomas and Dierdra HazenPaul HebertMark and Terri HeerenDarlene HerndonDavid HewsonAllen and Karen HibblerDon HillMichelle and Jeffrey HillKipp and Kathy HofmeyerMr. Michael E. HohfJames and Ruth HolkeboerCalvin J. HoogstraSara HopJoy L. HorningRaymond HorrocksJames and Cynthia HouselTerrelene A. HovisKenneth HoweScot and Carol HubbardThomas and Amber HuntBeverly J. InderbitzenBernard Jackson and Sharon Spencer-JacksonRichard JensenRaymond and Sena JinglesClara JohnsonDavid and Susan JohnsonLisa JohnsonWarren and Elizabeth Johnson

Karen R. JonesRobert J. JulienEugene and Shirley KallioTimothy L. KalotaC. Louise KingMichael and Patricia KingDaryl and Dana KingreyKelley KipfmillerDarrell and Cheryl KirbyDaniel J. KlanseckMichael KlosowskiMr. and Mrs. Doug KnappJay and Evelyn KoetsDelphine A. KolackiGary and Cheryl KormanJohn and Lynne KotarskiJames and Eleita KotkeNicholas KraskaMark LangClayton LaturneauCarlos and Kathleen LedezmaJaneen C. LemkeMark and Marcella LewisMarvin I. LibbyAndrew and Alice LimberDavid and Carolyn LindValerie A. LockridgeJames and Margaret LothschutzChristi LowerTonia LoweryHenry and Geraldine LucasJohn J. LucasShari A. LudwaJason and Jennifer MaddenJoyce L. MannorAlbert and Cynthia MansenCharles and Michelle MasonHolly MatewiczCynthia MatsonCatherine McAuliffeBrook McDougallJames and Cynthia McGrathMichael McMahonBrandi MelkildLeo and Janet MillerDouglas and Kathleen MingMary MinjeurGregory and Wilma MitchellKeitha T. MitchellSarah A. MitchellSusan MitchellSamantha MolTimothy and Suzanne Monck


THANKSInitiator Club: Gifts of $1–$99, continued

Kyle MooreRegina M. MooreStephanie MossBonnie MroczekAlice MulkeyMichael J. MunsonThomas and Kristi NessnerNet Plus ConnectionsRoxanne NewhouseMichael and Goldie NicholasRoxann M. NicholsJack and Paula NienhuisWesley and Mary NordenHerbert and Carol NorrisWilliam and Nancy NorrisMeghan OlivierJames OutlandRandall and Kari PattonLouise PawlowskiMarcia G. PellDan and Rebecca PenningtonNolan PetersEric PetersonBill and Barb PeulerThe Pfizer FoundationJan PhiniseePatrick and Deidre PiechockiAmy PierceAngela PlainteDavid and Shelley PlambeckPNC BankTim and Vickie PoelAudrey PooleJacquelyn PorterGregory and Lynn PowersRobert and Rosalie PulaskiJanice PuttQuantum Leap Communications, Inc.Mr. Frank D. Radeck, Jr.Lisa Rader-GulchGary and Donna RangerDavid and Carol ReamesTerry and Laura ReeseDirk and Valerie RichardsonMichael and Deanne RichterTara L. RietbergRichard and Barbara RinellaKristin and Edward Ritsema

Rockford ComponentsLarry and Mary RoelofsEmily RosenzweigJames RouseStacy RussellRonald RutherfordBarbara A. RynbrandtBrandy RypmaJimmy SabinRobert and E. Ellen Sadler†Penny SageWillie J. SandersMichael ScanlonHal SchichtelMichael and Marcia SchierbeekBrian and Connie ScottKristil SemrauBeverly SeymourRichard and Denise ShermanAaron D. ShoemakerLindsey ShullKristie A. SlancikCarol Duylea SluisLinda SmithPeggy J. SmithWarren T. SmithWilliam SnyderRandall and Arla SpamanRobert and Carol SpamanPamela SquireBruce and Karen SterkMark StewartMary D. StewartBrian and Laurel StiehlRobin M. Stoner, C.P.A.Margaret A. SullivanMichael and Shelley SwopeJanice SylvertoothElizabeth and Jeffrey SzubinskiJanet TaglauerJean TataBarbara L. TaylorDavid and Ruth TaylorRick and Paula TerpsmaMarylee ThiryLaTeasha ThomasKyle and Carol ThorntonHubert and Tena Timmer

Gary and Joan TitusRichard and Marjorie TomczakNick ToyeasJoseph TrimewGeorge and Ingrid TuinstraAnthony Valore, Jr. and Judy ValoreJaime and Kirk Van EssenAndrew and Ashley Van ManenMarvin and Toots Vander WallDonald and Joyce VanDoeselaarCalvin and Pamela VanDykeDonald and Arlene VanGelderenLaura A. VanRyJack and Gertrude VanSteeRandall and Gail VanVelsRolland J. VarnerRichard and Amy VeenhovenCara D. VildersCalvin and Debra VisDuane and Kathy VosburgTom and Mary VryhofSteven and Diane VugteveenJanice WalkerRobert and Susan WaltersMrs. Toria B. Ward-GilkeyMr. and Mrs. Robert WareNelda R. WarrenJack and Kathleen WashburnMs. Cassandra WashingtonCatherine M. WassonRasheedah Wazeerud-DinClaire WebbWells Fargo FoundationRalph and Michele WestbrookBarbara WestenbergJohn WhiteMaryelise WhiteAlvin C. WhitedPhyllis K. WierGladys A. WierengaRobert WilkinsJohn WilsonShirley and Robert WirthGary and Gail WohlscheidGerald and Leslie YonRichard and Barbara YoungCraig and Helen ZeeripKathleen Zickel

DAVENPORT.EDU | 29

Staff Circle

Anonymous(17)Leah and Ryan AalderinkDrs. Kathy and Edward AboufadelJean M. BalcerPaul BeasleyBeverly and James BeckemThaddeus and Irene BembenistaRonald and Mary BergRonald and Suzanne BergJoseph D. BishopDenton BobeldykDr. Rhae-Ann BookerFrank and Patricia BrechbielDebra BrondsemaRoger and Esther BrownThomas and Carna BrownJerry and Suzanne CallahanTheresa Cardon-WeissTim and Deborah ChenowethJessica CheriezRobert and Mary ClarksonJodi ColbyDr. Colleen CoughlinBarbara A. Craft, J.D. and Dr. John OtterbacherLynda and Sam CribariSusan CrkovskiLinda G. CrosbyDebora CrudeleDr. Karen and Jack DaleyErik K. DaneMichele and Roberto Davis-JaraDavid and Jane DeBoerDr. Lonnie G. DeckerBetty DeloachDenise DerrPat DeVoyDr. Betsy L. DiegelTracy DillMichael DokterJessica DunnKeri DutkiewiczDr. Scott and Susan EpsteinFerris and Patricia FinertyKathleen FinklerChristine FisherGregory FosterDeborah FraserStacy Frazier Jones and John JonesBradley and Joan FryKathleen GarrettDan and Michelle GeorgevichDavid GillespieNick and Liz Glaser

Hosea GreerRachel HahnKelly HankeW. Larry HanlinJames and Jayne HaydenHolly M. HillJeff and Becky HoeksMarie HojeijRaymond HorrocksThomas and Amber HuntAllen and Barbara HustonJosh and PoWah IsaakMark IvesonJohn M. JaksaFrank Jasper-StumpClara JohnsonAphrodite JonesShari JonesLisa KagayJeff and Rose KarstenRobin Lee KauffmanLouise and David KiddMichael and Patricia KingRonald KinsmanDebra Kiss and Randy SmolenskiJudy KnappHeather KnechtelJennifer KruegerJoseph LamontagneBrenda F. LauerDavid and Connie LawrenceTom Lonergan and Fred BurasPaul and Lisa LowdenStuart and Shelley LoweAmy LucasShari A. LudwaJean M. Luoma, M.A.T.Peggy and Donald LuyLaura and Joe MackaJason and Jennifer MaddenDaryl Cliff and Diane Manko-CliffJanet MaschkeTimothy McCabeJesse MedinaBrandi MelkildJulie and Andy MilanowskiDonna K. MilhamBrian and Megan MillerMatthew and Rachael MillerScott MillerKathy MinerGary MitchellKeitha T. Mitchell

Sarah A MitchellSusan MitchellFredrick MorleyDouglas and Karen MosierCharmayne MulliganMary and Rick NelsenFrank NovakowskiRich and Lisa O’DonovanSusan OffenbeckerMeghan OlivierWalter and Felisa O’NeillAmy OstrowDr. Richard and Pam PappasJoyce PennTim PenningsPatricia PhillipsJan PhiniseeTodd and Lori PittsDavid PoockSusan PorrettJessica PowersDr. Dale and Terry ProndzinskiEric R. PungJanice PuttShawn RaymondThomas ReederJamie RhineDr. Linda Rinker and Dr. Harry RinkerFrank and Sue RoderJames and Leanna RollinsGabriel and Melissa RousseauShubhada SagdeoThomas and Michelle SallDeborah A. SchoenwetherGwendolyn SeayAndrea ShacksRobert ShubitowskiLindsey ShullLinda and Arlyn SievertMichael and Betsy SlevaMark and Debby SmithWayne D. Sneath, Ph.D.William SnyderLinda SorensenLinda SpangAmy StahleyScott StevensMark StewartDaniel SwartzinskiJanice SylvertoothDavid and Ruth TaylorMarylee ThiryHubert and Tena Timmer

THANKS


THANKS

Nancy TitmusDavid and Danielle TylerMarylee van den HeuvelMarjolijn van der VeldeAurelio VelasquezDave VeneklaseJames and Juliet Veneziano

Michael and Janice VolkKelly and Bob WandelScott WangMaryelise WhiteBen and Bridget WilliamsJohn WilsonLee and Marty Witt

Shannon WittThomas WoodsAlan and Carolynn WrightArthur WrightMaria ZieglerSabrina ZoppaBradley and Lacrissa Zuraw

Staff Circle, continued

Members of this society are recognized for their generous support of the university through deferred or estate gifts. These donors are contributing substantially toward Davenport’s long-term growth and its vitality for years to come. The Legacy Society allows the university to thank donors today for the gifts of tomorrow, which will benefit our students long into the future. For further information about how you can be part of the Legacy Society, please contact the Office of Alumni & Development at 616-233-3413.

Anonymous (2)William H. AndersonSue E. AndrewsAnne M. BensonFranco and Alessandra BianchiNancy S. BoeseRon and Heather BojiFred G. BraunJanell M. BrickleyGail I. BrinkJack E. Brothers†Ellen W. BrownThomas H. Brown, Ph.D.Sharon S. BurgisSharon M. BuursmaJoe BuzzittaLinda L. ByingtonGerald D. Callahan, Ph.D.Matthew C. Cawood, Ph.D.Robert S. ChaplaMolly A. CharlesJohn D. Cichy, Ph.D.Cynthia E. ClausPeter C. Cook†James DeBoer, Jr.†and Joy Deboer

Kenneth H. DeHaan†James R. DoaneThomas E. Dulude†Ronald E. FalkLarry D. FredricksCarol E. Greene†Norma A HansenDoyle A. Hayes, Sr.Barbara J. HustonWilliam W. Idema†Suzanne M. KenyonRuth Kilmer†Keith A. KlingenbergDavid LaddWilbur A. LettingaSharon LettingaJean M. LuomaPeggy and Donald LuyJames E. McCartyFrank and Susan MerlottiBarbara A. Mieras, Ph.D.Peter H. MollDiane MulderMichael J. MunsonJohn H. Myaard

Kevin B. O’Halla†Joan A. PetersonTimothy J. PixleyDebra A. RalyaE. Ellen Sadler†Peter SecchiaDavid SellarsBobby J. SpringerGlenn D. Steil†Stephanie L. Hehl StotenburEdwin W. ThauerLenora TriggsJanice K. TworkFred E. Vandenberg†Lynne A. Vander WallMarvin L. Vander WallDave VeneklaseJohn D. WaiteKathleen WarnersSteven J. WessellE. Allen WetherellBruce A. WynaldaHarold F. Zahm†Michele Zuidema

The Davenport University Legacy Society

“The scholarships I received changed my life. I would not have been able to go to school to become a nurse without the support of DU donors. Davenport is setting me up for success.” – Cassandra Hester – Droski, Lindsay & Meyers Endowed Scholarship and

Martin Morales Minority Endowed Scholarship recipient

DAVENPORT.EDU | 31

THANKSDavenport University Foundation Scholarships and Program FundsThe Davenport University Foundation is tremendously grateful to the individuals, families and organizations who support annual and endowed scholarships at Davenport. 100% of all contributions designated for scholarship support reach DU students, assisting them as they work toward completing their education and attaining a degree. The scholarships listed here were available to award for the 2014–15 academic year.

For further information about how you can establish a scholarship or program fund in your name and help deserving students earn an education, please contact the Office of Alumni & Development at 616-233-3413.

Annual Scholarships

Endowed Scholarships

Hearst Foundations Nursing ScholarsAccounting Annual Scholarship Alumni Association General Scholarship Amical Foundation/Donald J. Phillips Annual Scholarship Battle Creek Employees Annual Scholarship Bob Clarkson Annual Scholarship Cindy Thompson Saginaw Medical Assistant Annual ScholarshipDave Veneklase and Family Annual Scholarship Davenport University Online Annual Scholarship Donald G. and Peggy S. Luy Annual Scholarship Donald W. Maine College of Business Annual Scholarship

Farmers Insurance Annual Scholarship Flint Campus Annual ScholarshipFoster G. McGaw Annual ScholarshipHolland Campus Annual Scholarship Honors Accounting Annual Scholarship Kalamazoo Campus Annual Scholarship Kenneth Krug Memorial Scholarship for the College of TechnologyLansing Campus Annual Scholarship LAUP Annual Scholarship Linda Haberaecker Memorial Scholarship for Women in Technology

Livonia Campus Annual ScholarshipLynda and Sam Cribari Annual Scholarship Mandee Rick Annual ScholarshipMidland Campus Annual Scholarship Saginaw Campus Annual Scholarship Student Veterans of America Annual Scholarship Study Abroad Annual ScholarshipTim and Bob Sullivan Annual Scholarship Tournament of Friendship Annual Scholarship Traverse City Campus Annual Scholarship Warren Campus Annual Scholarship Yvette Russell Annual Scholarship

Alan G. Hering Endowed Scholarship Alfred and Eleanor Dinsmore Endowed Nursing Scholarship Alpha Iota of Grand Rapids Endowed Scholarship Alticor Inc. Endowed Scholarship Alumni Legacy Endowed Scholarship Amy Barnaby Memorial Endowed Scholarship Angeline Keller Endowed Scholarship Anna B. McPherson, RN Endowed Scholarship Antoinette (Toni) Wykstra Memorial Endowed Scholarship Art and Betsy Hasse Endowed Scholarship Aubrey J. Terbrack Endowed Scholarship Bank of America Endowed Scholarship Barbara A. Mieras, Ph.D. Endowed Scholarship Batts Foundation Endowed Scholarship BDO USA, LLP Endowed Scholarship Bernard & Jean VanderVeen Endowed Scholarship Bernice G. Rudzinski Memorial Endowed Scholarship Beta Endowed Scholarship Betty Igrisan Memorial Endowed Scholarship Blaise Newman Memorial Endowed Scholarship Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland Endowed Scholarship Brooks Beverage Management Endowed Scholarship Bruce & Lavina Wynalda Endowed Scholarship Bruce W. Gilmore Memorial Endowed Scholarship C. Dexter & Sandra Rohm Endowed Scholarship Canteen Services, Inc. Scholarship

Carol J. Adams Endowed Scholarship Carroll & Frances Streeter Endowed Scholarship Casey J. Cnossen, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Charles “Andy” Anderson Memorial Endowed Scholarship Charles and Stella Royce Endowed Scholarship Charles F. and Helen Harrison Endowed Scholarship Chemical Bank Endowed Scholarship Chris and Joan Panopoulos Endowed Scholarship Colleen Wolfe Endowed ScholarshipCollege of Health Professions Endowed Scholarship Comerica Bank Endowed Scholarship Community Choice Credit Union Endowed Scholarship Custer Workplace Interiors Scholarship Daniel and Michelle Georgevich Endowed Scholarship Daoud Foundation Endowed Scholarship Davenport University Employees Endowed Scholarship Davenport University Memorial Scholarship David and Judy Frey Endowed Scholarship David J. Steenstra, Ph.D. Endowed Scholarship Dearborn Agency (R. Putnam & K. Cude) Endowed Scholarship Dearborn Exchange Club Endowed Scholarship Detroit College of Business Alumni Scholarship Donald and Nancy Hamelink Endowed Scholarship Door Family Accounting Endowed ScholarshipDr. Alberta Muirhead Endowed Scholarship Dr. Charles and Sydell Pappas Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Donald and Alice Nichols Endowed ScholarshipDr. James & Barbara Mendola Endowed Scholarship Dr. Robert and Christine Funaro Endowed Scholarship Dr. Robert W. Sneden Endowed Scholarship Dr. Ronald Bartson Memorial Scholarship Dr. Woldemar H. Nikkel Endowed Scholarship Droski, Lindsay & Meyers Endowed Scholarship DU Alumni Association Panther Ambassador Scholarship AwardDykhouse Construction Endowed Scholarship E. Scott Derr Memorial Scholarship Ed and Mako Bauer Endowed Scholarship Edna Losgar and Marilyn Losgar Smith Memorial Scholarship Edward and Sandra Hanenburg Endowed Scholarship Eleanor Spidell Endowed Scholarship Elmer Vruggink, Ph.D. Endowed Scholarship Elton Carl and Margaret E. Twork (Underwood) Endowed Scholarship Emerson G. McCarty East Endowed Scholarship Emerson G. McCarty West Memorial Scholarship Engineered Comfort Systems, Inc. Endowed Scholarship Entrepreneurial Endowed Scholarship Fairlane Car Wash Endowed Scholarship Fifth Third Bank Endowed Scholarship Flechsig Family Endowed Scholarship Foundation Board Endowed Scholarship


THANKS“My motivation for continuing my college career is, without a doubt, people like you who are supporting me. There is nothing I can say to truly thank you enough for your generous donation. You have inspired me to work harder, knowing that there is someone other than myself who is counting on me to do well. Thank you once again for your support that reminds me that my success in college matters.” –Courtney Page – William and Beatrice Idema Endowed Scholarship recipient

Frank Breukink Memorial Scholarship Fred E. and Gretchen Vandenberg Endowed Scholarship GE Aviation Endowed Scholarship Geerlings Development/Scott Geerlings Endowed Scholarship George L. Young Memorial Scholarship Gerrit and June Kamphouse Endowed Scholarship GM Lansing Women’s Club Endowed Scholarship Godwin Hardware & Plumbing Endowed Scholarship Gordon H. Poll Memorial Scholarship Grand Rapids Press Minority Endowed Scholarship GunnLevine Architects Endowed Scholarship H.B. Shaine & Company, Inc. Endowed Scholarship H.J. Heinz Company Endowed Scholarship H.S. Die & Engineering Endowed Scholarship Helen Frays Memorial Scholarship Helen L. and Dallas L. Darling Endowed Scholarship Henry and Carolyn Bouma Endowed Scholarship Herman and Jennie VanderLaan Memorial Scholarship Herman Miller Inc. Endowed Scholarship Howard Miller Company Endowed Scholarship Hugh and Melbarose Wichert Endowed Scholarship Huntington National Bank Endowed Scholarship Hy and Greta Berkowitz Memorial Scholarship Interphase Office Systems Endowed Scholarship Irving and Birdella White Endowed Scholarship Islamic Institute Expression of Gratitude Endowed Scholarship Jack E. Brothers Endowed ScholarhipJacqueline D. Taylor Endowed Scholarship James A. Farmer, Sr. Endowed Scholarship James and Clarine Lanting Calvin Christian Schools Endowed ScholarshipJames N. DeBoer, Jr. (Metropolitan Hospital) Endowed Scholarship James R. and Clarine L. Lanting Endowed Scholarship Jane Wetherell Memorial Scholarship Janice K. Stauffer Memorial Scholarship

Jason Bruso Memorial Scholarship Jean E. Lindsey Memorial Scholarship Jean F. Kinsman Memorial Scholarship Jenny Engle Endowed Nursing Scholarship Jerry and Judy Subar Endowed Scholarship Jerry and Suzanne Callahan Endowed Scholarship Jim and Ginger Jurries Endowed Scholarship John A. and Elinore Mulder Endowed Scholarship John and Judy Spoelhof Endowed Scholarship John and Mildred Burt Endowed Scholarship John David Endowed Scholarship John Dishaw Memorial Scholarship John H. Myaard Endowed Scholarship John P. Keller Endowed Scholarship John S. Vander Heide, III Memorial Scholarship Johnson Controls Endowed Scholarship Josephine M. and John Oonk Jr. Memorial Scholarship Judith A. Lettinga Memorial Scholarship Kalamazoo Employees Endowed Scholarship Kane Group, Inc. Endowed Scholarship Kane Group, Inc. Endowed Scholarship (Grand Rapids Area)Kathryn and Harold Zahm Memorial Scholarship Kathryn L. Wiese Endowed Scholarship Keith and Kathryn Klingenberg Endowed Scholarship Kenneth and Carole Yerrick Endowed Scholarship Kenneth H. & Carlene R. DeHaan Scholarship Kevin L. Rotman Memorial Scholarship Knape and Vogt Manufacturing Co. Endowed Scholarship Kristin M. Ten Harmsel Anderson Memorial Scholarship Larry D. and Judith C. Fredricks Endowed Scholarship Les Lindsay Endowed Scholarship Linda L. Benedict Sales & Marketing ScholarshipLinda R. Lindsay Byington Endowed Scholarship Lisa Trombley Endowed Scholarship Lou Holtz Foundation Endowed Athletic Scholarship

Louis V. and Catherine Buzzitta Endowed Scholarship Lumbermen’s Incorporated Endowed Scholarship M.E. Davenport Family Endowed Scholarship Maine Family Memorial Scholarship Marble and Tile (Dr. William Piersante) Endowed Scholarship Martin Morales Minority Endowed Scholarship Marvin “Red” Brummel Memorial Scholarship Mary Kay Lettinga Memorial Scholarship Mary Walsh Kole Memorial Scholarship Mary Warner Endowed Scholarship Matthew Brian Feko Memorial Scholarship Max and Micki Young Endowed Scholarship McDonald Plumbing Endowed Scholarship Meijer, Inc. Endowed Scholarship MI Food and Beverage Assoc. (Deeb) Endowed Scholarship Michael and Connie Lettinga Endowed Scholarship Michael Berry Endowed Scholarship Michael D. Allie Endowed Scholarship Michael D. Davis Endowed Scholarship Michigan Office Solutions Endowed ScholarshipMidwest Health Center (Dr. Mark Saffer) Endowed Scholarship Mila Crkovski Endowed Scholarship MJK Architects Engineers Planners, Inc. Scholarship Ned Fawaz Expression of Gratitude Endowed Scholarship Nichole Lake Memorial Scholarship Nilda Caceres Memorial Scholarship P. Robert and Charlene Vanderson Endowed Scholarship Patrick and Katherine Mullen Endowed Scholarship Paul Ames Memorial Scholarship Paula Brown - Warren Campus - Endowed Scholarship Pauline Roskam Memorial Scholarship Perrigo Company Endowed Scholarship Peter C. and Emajean Cook Endowed Scholarship Powell Moving and Storage, Inc. Endowed Scholarship

Endowed Scholarships, continued

DAVENPORT.EDU | 33

THANKS

Gifts In Kind

Gifts In Honor Gifts In Memory

Aquinas CollegeArea Community Service Employment & Training CouncilBarry Community FoundationBarry County Commission on AgingBlueWater TechnologiesBrightFormat, Inc.Broadmoor Motor Group, LLCBZP ProCumulus Media

DADDS Magic Bus, Inc.Delton District LibraryEastern Floral & Gift ShopGilson Graphics, Inc.Hastings Public LibraryHope NetworkKent District Library - Wyoming BranchKI FurnitureLamont Christian SchoolMaple Hill Golf Course, Inc.

Meijer, Inc.MicrosoftMLive Media GroupOrange Leaf Frozen YogurtPeppino’s Pizzeria & Sports GrillePutnam District LibrarySaint Alphonsus ChurchThe SourceTownsquare MediaUccello’s Ristorante - Caledonia

Matthew IvesonDonald W. MaineJoshua VandegriffMichael VerMerris

Jeff GustinisBetty IgrisanDan LitsonArstric and Ben OliverSkyler Snyder-PittsJanice K. Stauffer

Ralph, Berniece and Ralph, Jr. Damstra Endowed Scholarship Rhonda Goodyke-Hoorn Memorial Scholarship Richard and Gretchen Tierney Endowed Scholarship Robert and Ellen Sadler Endowed Scholarship Robert and Ellie Kunkel Endowed Scholarship Robert and Helen Jean Schmiedicke Endowed Scholarship Robert J. and Inez M. McBain Endowed Scholarship Robert J. DenHerder Memorial Scholarship Robert L. Hooker, Jr. and Michelle Harmody Endowed Scholarship Robert T. Orlikowski Memorial Scholarship Robert W. and Margaret D. Sneden Endowed Scholarship Rockford Construction Company, Inc. Endowed Scholarship Roger and Clare VanderLaan East Endowed Scholarship Roger and Clare VanderLaan Endowed Scholarship for the Lettinga CampusRoger and Clare VanderLaan West Endowed Scholarship

Roger E. Erickson Memorial Scholarship Roger W. O’Halla Endowed Scholarship Ron Zoulek Memorial Scholarship Ronald D. Brady Endowed Scholarship Ronald E. Falk Endowed Scholarship Rosemary Braun Memorial Scholarship Rudolfo and Judith Cifolelli Endowed Scholarship Russel Warner Endowed Scholarship Sandra Scoville (Flint Campus) Endowed Scholarship Sara Lee Endowed Scholarship Senator Glenn D. Steil Memorial Endowed Scholarship Sharon Lettinga Endowed Scholarship Southeast Michigan Alumni Endowed ScholarshipSpartanNash Endowed Scholarship Stephen A. and Ruth Stream Endowed Scholarship Thomas A. Carey Endowed Scholarship Thomas Deem Endowed Scholarship Thomas F. Dulude Memorial Scholarship Thomas Fisher Reed Memorial Scholarship Thomas H. Brown, Ph.D. Endowed Scholarship

Tim and Diane Mulder Endowed ScholarshipTrueNorth Companies Endowed Scholarship Tyrus R. Wessell Endowed Scholarship Universal Forest Products Endowed Scholarship Van Dyken Mechanical Endowed ScholarshipVander Wall Family Memorial Scholarship Varnum Endowed Scholarship Voetberg Endowed Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Volk Family Endowed Scholarship West Side Beer Distributing Endowed Scholarship Wilbur A. Lettinga Endowed Scholarship William and Beatrice Idema Endowed Scholarship William and Rochelle Lettinga Endowed Scholarship William R. Heible Memorial Scholarship William R. Kingma Memorial Scholarship Wilma D. Brudy Memorial Scholarship

Endowed Scholarships, continued


THANKS

The Panther Athletic Fund is dedicated to providing financial support for intercollegiate athletics at Davenport University and helping the Panther student athletes, coaches and athletic staff achieve success on and off the field. For more information, visit davenport.edu/paf.

Banner Advertisers B52 Express Oil Change & Car WashBerger ChevroletBig Apple BagelsBroadmoor Motor Group, LLCThe Center for Physical RehabilitationHi-Tec Building ServicesJet’s PizzaJostensMetro Health Sports MedicineNorthwestern Mutual Life Insurance CompanyParkway Electric & Communications, LLCPeppino’s Pizzeria & Sports Grille

Panther Athletic Fund Donors7-ElevenOrison and Addie AbelAbsolute AdvertisingAlbert and Vivian AlbaneseDavid and Melissa AllenAMG Business CentersEdward AndersonLindsay AndradePhillip and Victoria AnneseGlenn and Sylvia BairdJovita BakerTodd and Lisa BakerSusan BaranskiGerald BargowskiBruce and Eloise BaxterMatthew S. and Shari BergerRobert and Linda BeukemaRobert BlovskyDenton BobeldykRobert BoeremaEdward and Arlene BossScott BossShawn and Kristine BowenMary K. BoydJohn BrandtTina BrandtAlan and Dawn BrinningstaullAshley and Joshua BurgessCarol ButzerMarsha ButzerCelebration CinemaRaymond Troth and Sharon K. ChambersPeter and Nanvy Chargo

Rosemary CheslockFrank and Frances CiaramitaroJames and Tina CislerLori and Doug ClancyMichael ClayClean ResourcesTroy and Louann ClickVirginia ClickMr. and Mrs. Dave O. ClouseJ.M. ClousePaul and Amy ClouseDavid and Laura ColettaCharles and Dawn CollardDannie and Robin CollinsSue and Tom CowenVictoria CreechanCRS Sales Enterprises, LLCLynnette and Daniel CunninghamKathleen DattuloCurtis DavisDebeau ConstructionJames and Penny DebeauMichael and Mary DebeauBarbara DeckingaFrederic and Sary DeniseKarlyn DeveauNorman DeVriesSteven DeVriesMiranda DoanKirk and Barb DoaneTherese and Ernst DrawertJames J. DunneJohn DurkinJohn and Shelanne DurkinRohan EliRupert EliJanine EloffJohn and Phyllis ElzingaRichard and Judy EpsteinEtna Supply CompanyFairlane Dental Laboratory, Inc.Timothy FatumAllen and Vicki FilipskiArlene Ann Filipski and Catherine M. StellerPaul and Mary FilipskiDonald and Joan FootePhyllis FordEdwin and Sally GallEllen Gallagher

Jane GarnerLucille GoerbigJames and Betty GonyoThomas and Christine GoochGoodman Dairy Farm, LLCDanielle GreearJames and Virginia GreenRonald GreenTimothy and Karen GreenEdward and Rhonda GrochowalskiGlen and Janet HaightRichard and Teri HanchonAndrea HartmanRicky and Nancy HayesRichard M. HaynesConstance and Robert HeintzRobert and Kristine HeintzConstance and Donald HendgesHenn Film Company, LLCEarl HilaskiJerry and Pamela HoagHoward and Linda HoffenkampGerald and Linda HogeMichael HogeMichael HoltvluwerKevin and Shellie HubertMelvin and Jule HuhnTimothy and Susie HulstCatherine and Chris HuntleyArlyn JansenEvan JansenGregory and Lynda JansenHenry and Suzette JaskieChristine JohnsonJerry and Denise JohnsonKenneth S. JohnsonCharles KarasKeb Management Services, LLCGeorge KellySteven and Deborah KissaneDorthy KoblackFrancis KolenicCarolyn KoszegiKatherine KuzavaLaux ConstructionBruce LesterScott LivingstonRobin LogtenbergThe Lovelace Family

Panther Athletic Fund Club

DAVENPORT.EDU | 35

Sharon LovelessPeggy and Donald LuyJoanne and Arlin MaasJames and Shari MadisonRichard and Janet MagsigRichard Todd MagsigDebbie MalonePatsylee and Kate MaloneRon MandernachGary ManningDave and Therese MarkowitzJohn E. MatthewDonald and Phyllis MavesJoseph and Lynda MayberryDale and Annlyn McKenzieRoss and Denise McLainMary Jo and Rod MeadeDrs. Tim R. Meade and Jere Booth MeadeZachary MiedemaPatricia MillerMiller Welding Supply CompanyMills ProductsMark and Tiffany MinderMonsanto FundRhona MorrisLeah and James MorseShawn and Kristina MortonDouglas and Karen MosierSue MurphyJames and Dianne NanniDonna Nichols and Tamara BabcockPatrick and Mercedes NicosiaJ.D. NordstromJohn and Tonia NorthMike and Geraldine OcsaiDaniel and Candice OosdykeOttawa Kent - Sparta Insurance AgencyThomas and Deborah PavlakJeffrey and Shari PepperDebra PetersFrank and Jonneal Petravicius

Leo PetronisJeffrey and Suzanne PierceGeorge and Gail PowellGeorgia A. PowellPrecision Label, Inc.Harry PrellwitzBennett PriceMr. Joseph and Mrs. Geraldine PriebeJeffrey RahrigThomas and Sharon ReamerMr. and Mrs. Robert ReisterRemax of MichiganMark and Lynn RoccaLt. Col. Dale and Helene RodenrothRodenroth MotorsGerald and Linda RomitoKathleen and Michael RoseJean and Jacqueline RoyaleDavid and Lynda Jo RypmaAnn SbeityDomenico Scalzo and Antonia NittiMario ScalzoKenneth and Shelley SchmaltzAndrew SchneiderJ. A. Schneider, Jr. and P. J. Morrison-SchneiderMr. and Mrs. John A. SchneiderJohn and Lisa SchuemannAlice SchuilingMelissa and Steven SchuilingSusan SchuitemaJohn and Dolores SchultzSteve and Karin SchultzThomas and Janice SealMary Ann SeymourVictor and Lynne ShepherdDonna A. SinnemaFrank SlegerSluiter, VanGessel, Winther & Carlson, PCDarlene E. SmithSouthgate Process Equipment, Inc.Stephen and Lisa Spetoskey

Eric and Jodee SpringerDavid and Sheri SpringvloedGeorge and Judy SpringvloedTomalynne SrabianMarvin SteffesMaxine and Melvin SteffesJean StewartLawrence and Virginia StofferRenee and Jason StullerWilliam and Mary SuttonHeather and Christopher SypienD. Richard and Patricia TeachoutToni ThomleyLyndsay and Eric TruskoskiShawn and Cassandra TyllKelly and Jeff Vander ArkTim VanderWiereHarry and Diane VanDykTom and Judy VanSyckleMarilyn VeltenClark and Meribeth VerHulstJames and Carolyn VianeScott and Laurie VicariBarbara VictoryRussell and Christine VisnerJohn and Janet VignaLaurie WellmanWest End Body Shop, LLCDave and Susan WhitesideRuth WilsonDr. Donald WiltonWinberg Construction, Inc.Jerome and Gertrude WisniewskiDavid and Anne Wynalda-SwinkMarcia YoungMr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. ZylstraWendy ZylstraVincent ZerilloJosephine A. Zerrillo

Panther Athletic Fund Donors, continued

THANKS

“I am genuinely thankful for all the amazing DU donors and supporters who give to the General Scholarship Fund. The scholarships I received from DU really made a difference not only in my education, but my life.” –Emily Gatlin – Foundation Board Endowed Scholarship recipient


Our sincere thanks to these early donors, who since 2012–13, have made commitments to the Inspiring Minds, Igniting Careers, Investing in the Vision campaign. Your generosity has helped us achieve $19.7 million in gifts and pledges toward our $25 million goal in just two years. For further information about how you can be part of this campaign, please contact the Office of Alumni & Development at 616-233-3413.

Anonymous (3)Michael AllieAllied BrandsAmway CorporationFranco and Alessandra BianchiJoel and Laura BlanchardRon and Heather BojiKenneth and Stephanie BoveeDebra BrondsemaKimberly A. BruynButterball Farms, IncorporatedTheresa Cardon-WeissBradley and Janelle CarnduffConsumers Energy FoundationCreative Dining Services, Inc.Paula CunninghamDaniel and Pamella DeVos FoundationDavid A. Brandon FoundationDavid and Carol Van Andel FoundationDanielle DeLongeDepartment of Defense - National Security AdministrationThe Dick and Betsy DeVos Family FoundationMichael and Debra DoorEngineered Comfort Systems, Inc.Dr. Scott and Susan EpsteinThe Estate of Richard FaberFarmers Insurance GroupRami and Rea FawazFifth Third BankFlint Alumni CouncilKenneth FortierFreddolino Family Fund*

Frey FoundationEllen M. GallavanGordon Food ServiceRodney GouineTracy and Kerie GrahamJohn GreenfieldDoyle A. Hayes, Sr.Haworth, Inc.Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

The Hearst FoundationsHerman Miller CaresRobert and Joyce HetzlerHi-Tec Building Services, Inc.Howard Miller Clock CompanyStanley HreneczkoGregg and Kimberly HughesScott and Kimberly HuizengaInitech Global, LLCInterphase Office Interiors, Inc.Mike and Sue Jandernoa Fund**

Jerome P. Subar FoundationKirk JewellLisa JohnsonMr. Timothy L. KalotaThe Estate of Ruth KilmerKeith and Kathryn KlingenbergMark and Michelle KooyersKPMG, LLPMary and Blake KruegerJames and Clarine LantingThe Larry and Judy Fredricks Charitable Fund***

Donald Lawless and Sherri JonesDavid and Connie LawrenceWilbur and Sharon LettingaWilliam and Rochelle LettingaLivonia Chamber of CommerceBruce and Deb LosStuart and Shelley LowePeggy and Donald LuyDonald and Kathleen MaineMaster Tech Services, LLCGerilyn and Jamie MayTom and Jackie McGovernJerry McKayM. E. Davenport FoundationThe Meijer FoundationFrank and Susan MerlottiJim and Nancy MeyerChar and Jack MeyeringMichigan Office SolutionsBarbara A. Mieras, Ph.D.

Julie and Andy MilanowskiBrian and Megan MillerJack H. MillerMary and Rick NelsenNet Plus ConnectionsDr. Donald and Alice NicholsThe Estate of Kevin O’HallaWalter and Felisa O’NeillChristos and Joan Panopoulos Panopoulos Family Foundation*

Dr. Richard and Pam PappasPeter C. and Emajean Cook FoundationResendes Design Group, LLCThe Richard and Helen DeVos FoundationRichards Gift Fund*Mandee RickRockford ConstructionFrank and Sue RoderRonald RodorigoPeter F. Secchia FamilyMichael and Betsy SlevaShallan SpielmakerState Farm Companies FoundationSteelcase FoundationSteelcase, Inc.LaTeasha ThomasDavid and Danielle TylerMichael and Michelle Van DykeMichael and Gayle Van GesselDave A. Veneklase FamilyAnn and Andy VidroMark A. VromanSteven and Beverly WallRussel and Mary WarnerShelly and Warren WestbrookJennifer Phillips WilsonWolverine Worldwide FoundationKenneth and Carole YerrickBradley and Lacrissa Zuraw

Inspiring Minds, Igniting Careers, Investing in the Vision Campaign

* Denotes donor advised funds given through the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund** Denotes donor advised funds given through the Grand Rapids Community Foundation*** Denotes donors advised funds given through the National Christian Foundation

THANKS

DAVENPORT.EDU | 37

Persevering through challengesAs we look toward the 150th Anniversary of Davenport University, we celebrate the

outstanding achievements of our graduates. Some graduates, though, are not only recognizing the end of their college career, but also their efforts to overcome difficult life challenges.

As a first-generation college student, Aaron Heikkila, ’13, grew up in Battle Creek. Aaron knew that his journey after high school would take a lot of hard work and perseverance. He attended Michigan Tech for two years but decided to go in a different direction. He needed discipline, focus and new skills. He joined the U.S. Army and served for four years in an IT role. He was able to use the skills he learned in the army to get ahead at DU. He started taking classes at the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo campuses. But, since he didn’t own a car, Heikkila walked nearly five miles a day to attend classes, and he knew that in order to finish his degree in a timely matter, he had to put all his obstacles aside. He moved to Grand Rapids to finish taking classes at the W.A. Lettinga Campus. He lived on campus until he had saved enough money to buy a car and rent an apartment.

Heikkila was very focused on his studies and gained an interest in networking security. “I liked to take computer viruses apart and see what they were and what they were intended to do,” stated Heikkila. Through his new interest in network security, Heikkila gained a mentor with one of his adjunct professors, Chris Payne, a Davenport alum (’08 and ’10). Payne helped Heikkila earn internships and his first job at Spectrum Health.

Coincidentally, Payne and Heikkila were both recruited by Target to work at their world headquarters in Minnesota. Heikkila is a member of the Cyber Security Incident Response Team as a Triage Analyst, and Payne is his boss.

“I am in the major leagues in the IT field. I was called up from the minor leagues, from an Area Regional Leader. Now, I am employed by one of the world leaders in computer security,” stated Aaron. “The best thing that happened to me while I was at DU were the connections and friendships I made, especially with Chris. I am so grateful for all the hardships I had, because it made me a better person and helped me to achieve my goals. Now, I help other DU students and graduates through their own struggles.”

If you have a story of perseverance and would like to share it with us, please email me at [email protected].

Jason Madden, MBA ’08, Executive Director

of Alumni & Development


Honoring outstanding alumniOn a fall evening in October, the 2015 Alumni Awards Celebration was held in

the Wilbur and Sharon Lettinga Auditorium inside the Robert W. Sneden Center on the W.A. Lettinga Campus. More than 100 alumni, faculty, staff, friends and students were in attendance to commend six graduates for their professional and personal accomplishments. The ceremony featured each awardees’ triumphs and tribulations and provided an opportunity for each to speak about their experiences since graduation. Chancellor Emeritus Donald W. Maine attended and presented the Donald W. Maine College of Business Alumni Achievement Award to Laura Oblinger (’00).

The awardees shared their powerful and heartfelt stories throughout the evening and expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the education they received at Davenport and one of its predecessor institutions, the Detroit College of Business.

You may nominate a graduate at any time at Davenport.edu/AlumniAwards.

(L to R): Ken Fortier, Vice-President of Alumni Association; Sam Ajwah; Mark Bugge; Ron Strachan; Patrick Hatch; Laura Oblinger; David Zokoe; Donald Maine,

Chancellor Emeritus; and Dr. Rick Pappas.

DAVENPORT.EDU | 39

Oblinger is the first female Executive Director in the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce’s 100-year history. In her 12-year tenure at the Chamber, Oblinger has the oversight of all program and service work, organizational structure and procedures and communications strategies of membership and making sure its members needs are met. In 2014, under her leadership, the Chamber was named Chamber of the Year by the Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals. For three consecutive years, Oblinger was recognized in the Traverse City Business News as one of the Top 40 Under 40 most influential professionals in the area.

Donald W. Maine College of Business Alumni Achievement Award Laura Oblinger, Executive Director,

Traverse City Chamber of Commerce

BBA in Marketing, 2000

Distinguished Alumni Award Mark Bugge, Chief Financial Officer,

VA Enterprises, LLC

MBA, 2000

Bugge began his career in 1992 at Amway, working in a variety of finance positions until the family office

was established in 2000. Mark serves as Chief Financial Officer and leads VA Enterprises, LLC (VAE), the office representing the Van Andel family. His primary responsibilities include oversight of internal and external staff, finance, risk management, human resources, portfolio investments and acting liaison with Amway. In addition to the responsibilities at VAE, Mark serves as a board member and audit committee chairman for Macatawa Bank and board member and chairman of the investment committee for Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance Company.

After obtaining his State of Michigan licensure, he began his 31-year occupation as a paramedic at Life EMS.

He has held multiple roles at Life EMS, including field supervisor and training instructor as well as an adjunct lab instructor at DU. With his commitment to patient care, detail and overall patient satisfaction, he has become a proven teacher and leader in the field of EMS. Patrick loves mentoring new associates and leads with the belief that “presentation creates perception.”

College of Health Professions Alumni Achievement Award Patrick Hatch, Paramedic, Life EMS

EMT Degree, 1984

The owner and founder of Beacon Engineering, Ajwah has 15 years of total practical experience in engineering design and management, operations management, project strategic planning and financial management, bid negotiations and business management. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Prior to establishing Beacon Engineering, Sam was an engineering department manager for an engineering services provider. He worked on a variety of manufacturing projects while leading a large group of engineers.

Hy Berkowitz Professional Excellence Award Sam Ajwah, Owner and Founder of

Beacon Engineering

BS in Electrical Engineering, 1999

Executive MBA, 2011

Outstanding Young Alumni Award David Zokoe, Corporate Account Manager,

Consumers Energy

Co-Owner of Zokoe Investments, LLC

BBA, 2011

Zokoe serves as the Corporate Account Manager in the Grand Rapids

area for Consumers Energy. In this position, he builds and manages relationships with the largest, most energy intensive businesses in the Ionia, Wyoming and Kentwood areas. Outside of his corporate job, Dave and his wife, Alex, have a growing entrepreneurial business. Their company buys, sells and holds numerous investment properties that provide quality, affordable housing for the community.

Strachan currently serves as the Corporate Chief Information Officer for McLaren Healthcare in Flint. He has been working in Information Technology for over 30 years with his primary focus on Healthcare IT. In 2007, he served as Chairman of the Board for the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) and is a long-term member of the Healthcare Information Management Systems Society. He has achieved the distinction of CHIME Fellow and is also a CHIME Certified Healthcare CIO.

College of Technology Alumni Achievement Award Ron Strachan, Corporate Chief Information

Officer, McLaren Healthcare

BBA Computer Information Systems, 1984


Being a differentiator in and out of the classroom!

From the call center manager at JCPenney to becoming the Chief Development Officer of CommerceHub, Mike Nelsen is recognized as one of the retail industry’s top experts on drop-ship fulfillment. Mike started to work at an early age and quickly became motivated by his paychecks. He knew he had to attend college and could have gone anywhere. He was drawn to Davenport because of the flexible scheduling and proximity of the school to his work and home. Mike was able to start taking classes at 7:00 a.m. and work second shift. He loved how the professors were still involved in the industry, making the classroom work very hands-on and practical. “I can remember on my first day of class, I had a professor say, ‘Open the book...Now close the book...That is about the extent we are going to use the book.’ The class was based on real-life examples and information that I could directly apply to my work,” stated Mike.

Graduating in four years, going to school and working full-time, Mike earned his BBA in Business in 1987. He was quickly promoted and recruited to help launch QVC.com as employee number two. Mike said, “They knew they wanted to sell things on the Internet, and they knew that I knew how to do it.” Mike built fulfillment operations from the ground up, including one of the industry’s first drop-ship networks of 300+ suppliers that

powered $100+ million in 1999. After QVC.com, Mike helped start Craftopia.com, which was sold to HSN. Now, the Chief Development Officer at CommerceHub, Mike is responsible for all business and client development efforts, both online and brick-and-mortar retailers, distributors, and supplier companies such Staples, Best Buy, Gateway, Sears, Costco, QVC and Meijer. He was one of the first employees who started this company, helping it grow from 15 employees to 400 today. Mike is an extremely accomplished alum and credits his success to the hands-on educational foundation he received at DU.

Mike’s advice to students and recent grads is to approach anything you do like you have to earn it. “Most companies will give you a chance and reward you if you do what they ask. Be a differentiator in and out the classroom. Get involved in things and go above and beyond.”

When Mike is not working, he spends most of his time with his wife and three sons, who are all very active in athletics. Between football, lacrosse and hockey games, Mike travels nearly 5,000 miles a year to watch his sons’ sports.

• Name: Mike Nelsen

• Graduation Year: 1987

• Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration

• Location: Grand Rapids Fulton Campus

• Current Job: Chief Development Officer

at CommerceHub

Do you know someone that has made DU proud? Submit their story to the alumni

office at [email protected] — we would love to hear from you!

DAVENPORT.EDU | 41

As America prepares to elect its 45th president, Davenport University maintains its own ongoing connection with the 38th occupant of the White House.

Gerald R. Ford represented Michigan’s fifth congressional district in the House of Representatives for a dozen consecutive terms before becoming president of the United States. However, the relationship between Ford and Davenport not only preceded Ford’s career in politics, it continued throughout his path from Capitol Hill to the White House. Through a scholarship exclusive to Davenport University, this important legacy will continue in perpetuity.

In 1941, several years before his first campaign for Congress, Ford was hired by leaders of the University of Grand Rapids, a four-year college affiliated with Davenport-McLachlan Institute. Ford taught courses in law while serving alongside former Detroit Lions coach George ‘Potsy’ Clark as assistant football coach of the UGR Lancers.

Ford left Grand Rapids in 1942 to enlist in the U.S. Navy. Returning to West Michigan after World War II, he entered private law practice and became active in Republican politics. He was elected to the House in 1948, a seat he would hold for the next quarter-century.

Through Davenport College President Robert Sneden and his wife Margaret, Ford maintained strong ties to Davenport throughout his Congressional career. He was a regular guest speaker at school functions, and during his terms he hired several Davenport graduates as aides in his Washington D.C. office.

Before his passing in 2006, President Ford personally granted Davenport University the exceptional opportunity to name a prestigious scholarship in his honor and memory. The scholarship, requiring a superlative academic record, is awarded annually to one incoming freshman who demonstrates the character and values exemplified by President Ford.

In January 2016, Davenport University will begin a year-long celebration of its 150th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, a new Davenport history book is in development. This is an excerpt.

A capitol relationship: The Davenport-Ford connection

Clockwise from Left: 1. Barb Mieras, Randy Flechsig, Jerry Ford, and Donald Maine at the Fulton Street campus in the early 2000s. 2. Michigan Governor William Milliken,

Davenport College President Robert W. Sneden and Congressman Jerry Ford. 3. The University of Grand Rapids football squad. 4. Betty and Jerry Ford at the Oval Office.


Professional

Health Taryn Anderson, ’06 BBA Marketing & Advertising and Promotion, was recently appointed to the Client Relationship Manager role with Copper Beech Wealth Management in Bloomfield Hills.

Alexis Burbul, ’15 BBA Marketing, is now the Support Human & Content Lead at PayIt2 in Grand Rapids.

Kelly Chase, ’14 MBA Health Care Mgmt Concentration, has recently joined the Physicians’ Organization of Western Michigan as a Data Analyst.

Sara Clancy, ’15 BBA Management, recently joined Novus Media Inc. in Plymouth, Minnesota, as a Buying Coordinator.

Amanda Denomme, ’15 BBA Marketing, joined Dart Container as a Digital Content Strategist in Mason.

Mike Epstein, ’14 BBA Management, joined the St. Louis Cardinals as a Direct Sales Representative in St. Louis, Missouri.

Sarah Gombar, ’13 BBA Human Resource Management, is now the Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Maine Maritime Academy.

Heather Fairfax, ’12 BS Medical Case Management, is a Talent Associate at Experis in Grand Rapids.

Mirza Harambasic, ’14 BBA Management, has joined the University of Hartford Men’s Soccer Coaching staff as the Goalkeeper Coach in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Aaron Heikkila, ’14 BS Computer Networking Technology, recently joined Target in Minneapolis, Minnesota as an Incident Triage Analyst.

Caitlin MacNeil, ’10 BBA Marketing, is now the STEM Career Counselor at University of Houston in Houston, Texas.

Daysee Dawn Salleva, ’14 MBA Health Care Mgmt Concentration, is now the Operations, Programs and Human Resources Manager at Physicians’ Organization of Western Michigan.

Christine L. Welton, ’00 BAS Business, joined Bolhouse, Baar & Hofstee, P.C. in Grandville as an Associate Attorney.

Honors/AwardsJenelle Marie Davis, ’10 BBA and MBA in Accounting, was recently honored by the Grand Rapids Business Journal as one of their 2015 ‘40 Under 40’ award recipients.

DeathsSandra Badini, ’89 AS and BBA Computer Information Systems, passed away on July 10, 2015.

Kimberly Cooper, ’93 BBA Business, passed away on August 2, 2015.

Denise DeMarchis, ’95 BBA Marketing, passed away on June 23, 2015.

Charles Harburn, ’77 AS Management, passed away on September 21, 2015.

Douglas Kauffman, ’78 AS Management, passed away on September 22, 2015.

Bessie Mathis, ’78 AS Admin Technology, passed away on June 30, 2015.

Eloise Smock, ’98 AAS Health Insurance Claims Management, passed away on July 19, 2015.

Wendi Wing, ’01 AAS Physical Therapist Assistant, passed away on July 1, 2015.

Classnotes

DAVENPORT.EDU | 43

Alumni Events

Submit your news by emailing [email protected], logging on to davenport.edu/classnotes, calling us at 616-233-3420, or by filling out and mailing this form to: Alumni & Development, Davenport University, 6191 Kraft Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512. Please include your full name, class year, major and campus location you attended. We know exciting things are happening to our graduates around the world, and we want to share the news!

Keep in touch!

2016 Detroit “Hat Trick” Event

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Your Update

Friday, February 12• 5:30 p.m. – BBQ and Brews• 7:30 p.m. – Detroit Red WingsCost: $35 per person (Wings only)

$40 per person (Brewery and Wings)

Meet us in Detroit and enjoy a “hat trick” of the city’s finest attractions. Start the night off at Atwater Brewery and enjoy BBQ sliders from the famous Slows BBQ. From there we will head to the Joe for college alumni night and catch the action as the Detroit Red Wings take on the Colorado Avalanche.

More info and registration:www.davenort.edu/2016RedWings

6191 Kraft Ave.Grand Rapids MI 49512

Friday, May 6, 2016DeVos Place in Grand RapidsPeter C. Cook Award Honoree:Birgit M. KlohsPresident and CEO, The Right Place, Inc.

Keynote Speaker:Anderson CooperJournalist, author and CNN anchor.

Anchor of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360°.

For reservations, call 616-233-3417 or email [email protected] or visit davenport.edu/EIB.

SAVE

THE

DAT

EBirgit M. Klohs Anderson Cooper

building on the legacy of donald w. maine · pdf filebuilding on the legacy of donald w....

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