REVIEW DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY
SUMMER 07 • VOLUME 1, No 2
Success!
Commencement 2007
REVIEW SUMMER 2007
Message from the President Features Success!
The class of 2007 graduates | 04
Departments Advancement News|05 University News| 08 Alumni News| 10 Class Notes | 14
ON THE COVER MBA graduates Andrea Secson, Erik Dane and Jodie Southland were among hundreds of students at Commencement 2007 who now are proud DU alumni.
Success! On our cover is an image of our ultimate measure of success – graduation as a milestone on the path to a fulfilling career. Seeing smiling faces of excited graduates is why we endeavor daily to serve students. This issue of DU Review also features other success stories. Our tenth anniversary Excellence in Business Dinner was our most successful ever. We were gratified that more than 800 people joined us in support of scholarships for our students. Our annual Alumni Banquet was again a reminder that DU graduates reach their career and personal goals and share their success with their communities. The growing success of Davenport University is evident in a number of other stories in these pages: a new Michigan location that will expand opportunities for more students in southeast Michigan; a new main campus student center and field house that will become a hub of Student Life and athletics; Associated Press coverage that brought international attention to our innovative biometric security program; other new programs for this fall designed to prepare students for in-demand careers; and the introduction of a new website that will tell our story to the increasing number of people who turn to the internet for information. Thanks to your support, Davenport University is succeeding as never before. We are indebted to you for the roles you play in helping provide a learning environment and resources that encourage our students to succeed in the classroom and in careers and life.
Editor
Kathleen VanderVelde Communications Manager kathleen.vandervelde@davenport.edu Design
Shannon Reincke, Doubledog Design Contributing photographers
Jeff Dykehouse, Dykehouse Photography John Gilroy Photography Brian Kelly, The Photography Room Dan Watts Photography
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uccess! Commencement 2007 celebrates achievement The ultimate measure of success for Davenport University is seeing students graduate with degrees that prepare them for promising careers in the knowledge-driven environment of the 21st century. As President Randolph Flechsig told the graduates during his commencement remarks, Davenport University strives to truly be an alma mater – Latin for other mother – providing a nurturing environment for their education, personal growth and career fulfillment. Commencement was the fulfillment of Davenport’s approach of helping students start, stay and succeed. During the ceremony, President Flechsig presented an honorary doctorate of law degree to James R. Lanting, a Distinguished Alumni who has served the University as a member of the board of trustees and foundation board.
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N Congratulations! The Davenport University Alumni Association congratulates the 2007 Davenport University graduating class for its remarkable achievement. We wish each of you the best as you embark on a bright future as a Davenport graduate. You now join thousands of other proud and successful Davenport alumi worldwide. The Davenport University Alumni Association provides a lifetime of continued support and helps you maintain the friendships, interests and associations that you made as a student. The Alumni Association will remain your link to the University, bringing you many exciting events, programs, benefits and a website specifically for you. For more information, visit www.davenport.edu/alumni. DU is here for you!
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NEWS ADVANCEMENT
Decade of Excellence
Tenth anniversary Excellence in Business Dinner entertains 800 guests; raises $150,000
Welcome Dave and Carol Van Andel Masters of Ceremony Opening Remarks Randolph K. Flechsig President Barbara Mieras, Ph.D. Executive Vice President for Advancement and President of the Davenport Foundation James Czerew Davenport University Student and Scholarship Recipient Invocation Wilbur Lettinga CEO, Kentland Corporation Presentation of the Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award Randolph K. Flechsig Peter C. Cook Chairman, Cook Holdings Introduction of Honoree Kevin T. Kabat President and Chief Executive Officer, Fifth Third Bank 2007 Recipient John C. Canepa Executive, Crowe Chizek Introduction of Guest Speaker Bob Vander Weide President/CEO, NBA Orlando Magic
Kevin Kabat, Peter C. Cook and President Flechsig present the Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award to John Canepa.
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Guest Speaker Dick Vitale College Basketball Analyst, ABC Sports and ESPN
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TOP ROW, L to R: David Van Andel; Carol Van Andel and
President Flechsig; John Canepa and David Frey; Peter Cook and MSU head basketball coach Tom Izzo; Wilbur and Sharron Lettinga with DU Board of Trustees Chairman James Meyer and his wife, Nancy. CENTER ROW: John Canepa with Michele Van Dyke, board of trustees member and president of Fifth Third Bank Western Michigan, and her husband, Michael; Bob Vander Weide; and President Flechsig with his wife, Laura, and Dick Vitale. BOTTOM ROW: Presient Flechsig with Peter and Joan Secchia; and Rich DeVos with Dick Vitale and his wife, Lorraine.
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Thank you to our major sponsors Gold Underwriter Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation Fifth Third Bank Gainey Transportation GunnLevine Architects Bronze Underwriter Peter C. and Pat Cook Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation Peter F. Secchia Family/Universal Forest Products John and Judy Spoelhof Foundation Sponsor Kimberly A. Bruyn Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation David G. Frey Hauenstein Foundation J.C. and Laurie Huizenga Integrated Architecture Wilbur and Sharon Lettinga McKay Press Meijer, Inc. Rockford Construction Steelcase, Inc. Varnum Riddering Schmidt & Howlett, LLP Bob and Cheri Vander Weide Foundation WXMI Fox TV Warner Norcross & Judd LLP www.davenport.edu
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NEWS UNIVERSITY
Student center and field house planned for 2008
We are very excited about a student center and field house, opening in fall 2008 at our main campus. The proposed student center and field house will become the hub for campus and Student Life events. Students will be able to congregate to relax and socialize between classes, hold club meetings, and enjoy intramural sports and other recreational activities in the fitness center and auxiliary gym. The center also will provide a greater offering of social and recreational opportunities on evenings and weekends. The 1,500-seat field house component will provide the first home court for our basketball and volleyball teams. This is yet another major milestone in our recent history and stays true to the vision for the W.A. Lettinga Campus. The new student center and field house is one more way we support the quality, practical education that makes a Davenport University degree of such value to our graduates.
Program gets national press coverage An Associated Press (AP) story carried news of Davenport University’s innovative biometric security program around the world this spring. From an Australian news site to the Washington Post technology section, the story, with photos of President Flechsig and Dean Reid Gough, has appeared in a wide variety of media. While the story appeared in mass media such as MSNBC.com, the Detroit Free Press and the San Diego Union-Tribune, it was also used by industry media such as Wired News, Silicon Valley News and the German Airport Security section of a news service for political professionals. Coverage such as the front-page story in the Holland Sentinel, the Lansing State Journal, and other newspapers where DU is located, served to create local interest in Davenport’s cutting-edge programs as increasing numbers of students seek out DU for this unique program.
New location planned for S.E. Michigan We are excited about plans to open a new location in fall 2008 to better serve students in southeast Michigan. This is a great opportunity in keeping with our mission to serve students with quality and our vision for a vibrant main campus with a network of locations. With the start of the 2008 academic year, this new location and our Warren location will serve all of our students in this area. The Dearborn location will continue to offer classes through the Spring/Summer 2008 semester and then close. With the new location, the University has opportunities to more effectively serve students from a larger geographic area. The new site is in Livonia near I-275 and 7 Mile Road, a reasonable distance for our students in Dearborn to attend and to attract new students.
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New degree programs introduced Six new degree programs will debut this fall, continuing our commitment to addressing the latest employment trends with a practical education that prepares our students for in-demand careers. Nursing BS Pre-Licensure Nursing is projected as a top profession for job growth. To meet the demand for highly qualified nurses, the Grand Rapids campus will offer a bachelor of science degree in nursing. This pre-licensure program is open to high school graduates, college transfer students, or those with a bachelor’s degree in another field. This compliments our BSN completion program which allows current registered or licensed practical nurses to continue their education to the baccalaureate level. Information Assurance MS The first graduate program in our school of technology, this master of science degree concentrates on the integrity of data. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues and challenges associated with securing data, as well as the ethical and legal restrictions that affect societal roles. This degree can be applied to careers across many disciplines including business and health care. The components of the program are mapped directly to the key elements of Information Assurance, as defined by the National Security Agency (NSA). MBA Finance The fifth concentration in our fast-growing MBA program, this master of business administration focuses on the strategic application of financial data. Students learn to solve key business issues and lead companies in a complex global environment. Sport Management BBA As the business of sports continues to skyrocket, we introduce a degree program in which students gain knowledge in business fundamentals and specific sport management disciplines. The learning environment balances textbook theory with real-world business application through internship opportunities. Accounting Fraud Investigation BBA This is an exciting new program to meet the explosive demand for the “new generation accountant.” This program combines the technical skills in accounting, computer security, and legal investigation that are needed in fraud examination. The need for fraud examiners will continue to grow as new compliance legislation is introduced. Human Resources BBA/MBA We are the only university to offer a combined BBA/MBA 5-year program (outside of the discipline of accounting) that can be completed with 150 credits. The combined degree program provides students with a cross-functional and strategic approach to problem-solving and critical thinking essential for today’s human resource management professional. www.davenport.edu
The new face of DU on the web DU’s public face got a renovation this summer with the launch of a fabulous new website. The new site is a showcase for DU, with our new logo prominently featured and the strong red-blackgrey-white color palette pulling everything together. Large, sweeping photos of our facilities, student life, classroom settings, and athletics change in a slide show that’s the focal point of the page. Reconfigured categories make most-wanted information easy to find, and a unique sliding panel navigation lets users find more from the home page without cumbersome searching. Months of research, including several rounds of focus groups with our website users, went into designing the new site. The much-anticipated result is a stunning change we’re sure you’ll like. www.davenport.edu
BPA wins big! Approximately 6,500 students from across the United States participated in the Business Professionals of America’s 41st National Leadership Conference May 9-13 in New York. Twenty-six students (20 of whom were first-time BPA members) qualified and represented Davenport University. Students competed in various categories including advanced accounting, banking and finance, network administration and security, and web design. Our DU students were once again extremely successful, taking 26 top ten awards including four 1st place trophies. This strong showing is a testimonial to the excellence at the national level of DU’s business and technology programs.
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NEWS ALUMNI
Annual banquet honors alumni of achievement
The “biggest crowd ever,” according to Assistant Director for Alumni Relations, Heidi Sarber (‘01), gathered at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel on April 27 for the 2007 Alumni Awards Banquet. The annual awards dinner in the Pantlind Ballroom honored this year’s Distinguished Alumni recipient, Fred G. Braun (’55) and Hy Berkowitz Professional Excellence recipient Michael L. Door (’77). The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest award bestowed on a DU graduate. It recognizes one who has made notable achievements in his or her field, given exemplary service to DU, embodies our mission and ideals and who is a distinguished person in public life, business or service to others. The Hy Berkowitz Professional Excellence Award is given annually to a DU graduate with exceptional professional and personal accomplishments. Also honored was this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Mentor Scholarship, Phil Douthett, a sophomore at the main campus who is studying management. The scholarship recipient represents the qualities that DU honors with the Distinguished Alumni Award. “It’s not simply about the education,” President Randolph Flechsig said in his address. “It’s what you do with it once you graduate – how you grow, overcome barriers, what you achieve. We take pride in the role Davenport University played in the success that we’re celebrating here tonight with Fred Braun and Mike Door.”
“We are here to strengthen the bond we share among us,” President Randolph Flechsig told the crowd. “It’s important to recognize ourselves as being one body that falls under the emblem of Davenport University.” Here, he and Alumni Association Board President Robin Cleveland present Fred Braun with the Distinguished Alumni Award.
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Executive Vice President for Advancement and President of the Foundation, Barbara Mieras, shares with guests the significance of this occasion.
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Alumni Student Ambassadors Sara J. Brondsema (’07) and Amanda M. Dykhuis (’06) welcomed DU alumni, faculty and staff to the 2007 Alumni Awards Banquet.
Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Fred Braun quoted founder M.E. Davenport: “Teach [students] that the joy of living comes from doing something useful and helpful.”
Distinguished Alumni Mentor Scholarship recipient Phil Douthett, who has made three trips to the Gulf states as a disaster relief volunteer: “DU opened my eyes and heart to a new world in the act of helping others.”
Hy Berkowitz Professional Excellence Award recipient Michael Door: “I believe in giving back a portion of what I’ve received.”
Distinguished Alumni Mentor Scholarship Davenport Alumni Association affinity partner Liberty Mutual sponsored the Distinguished Alumni Mentor Scholarship award, presented to DU sophomore Phil Douthett at the Alumni Awards Banquet. The scholarship is given to a student who represents the values honored by Davenport University in awarding its Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Davenport Foundation President Barbara Mieras and Sarah Donovan of Liberty Mutual present Phil Douthett with the Distinguished Alumni Mentor Scholarship Award check. www.davenport.edu
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CARRY ON THE TRADITION Commitment to excellence in education is at the core of DU. Make sure it continues with your annual gift to the Davenport Foundation Scholarship Fund to support the students and the programs of your alma mater.
That’s DU our Please send your gift to
Office of Advancement 415 E. Fulton St. Grand Rapids MI 49503 Ph: 866-248-0012 Or make your gift online at www.giving.davenport.edu
21st Annual Davenport Scholarship
Golf Classic Monday, August 27, 2007
Egypt Valley Country Club, Grand Rapids, Mich. 12:30 p.m. Shotgun start, 5 p.m. Dinner and auction Single golfer: $250, Foursome: $1,000 All golf entries include green fees, cart, lunch, beverages, & one dinner ticket per golfer. Sponsorship opportunities also are available! Contact Becky Hoeks for information or to reserve your spot: 616-732-1093 or rebecca.hoeks@davenport.edu
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Alumni and students show their spirit Davenport University partnered with the Saginaw Spirit hockey team for an alumni event. Over 100 alumni, students and DU faculty and staff attended the event on February 3 at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw. The evening began with a pregame reception that included good food and great times. DU alumni and students competed in various events throughout the evening. The spirit competition included hockey puck shooting contests and a hockey trivia quiz. In the end, the alumni team defeated the student team and was presented the Davenport Challenge Cup trophy during the second period of the game. The Davenport University On-Ice Academic Awards were also presented to Spirit players who are dual enrolled at Davenport and Nouvel Catholic Central High School. Davenport is the preferred university partner of the Saginaw Spirit Ontario Hockey League program. More than 14 Spirit hockey team members are anticipated to attend Davenport in the 2007-2008 academic year.
Featured Benefit The Davenport University Alumni Association has teamed up with Liberty Mutual to offer our members Group Savings Plus®. This program allows you to purchase high-quality auto, home and renters insurance at low group rates through the convenience of automatic checking account deductions.* See how the program with Liberty Mutual compares to your current insurance. For a free, no-obligation quote, call 1-800-524-9400. For a complete listing of all benefits offered, visit www.davenport. edu/alumni and click on the “benefits” link, or call 866-248-0012 for more information. *Group discounts, other discounts, and credits are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apply to specific coverage’s only. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA.
DU alumni once again win the Challenge Cup for the spirit competition
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NOTES CLASS
Career updates
Ted Whitney, ’85 accounting, recently accepted a position with Liberty University as assistant director of financial aid operations and is assisting the director of financial aid with the implementation of SCT Banner. Whitney and his family recently relocated to Lynchburg, Va. Dewey Ellis, ’89 business administration, was recently promoted to assistant store manager of the Williams-Sonoma store #817 in Chicago, Ill.
David Kalel, ’89 EMS, is currently working for the Multnomah County Sherriff and the United States Marshalls Office. Kalel and his new bride currently reside in Portland, Ore. Bryan Zichterman, ’92 general business, has recently completed a threeyear course of study at the Securities Industry Institute, a premier leadership and management curriculum. Zichterman is a financial consultant and senior vice president of Hilliard Lyons in Louisville, Ken. Larry Boekeloo, ’94 general business, was recently appointed to director of business services for the Sindecuse Health Center at Western Michigan University. Natalie Summers, ’00 paralegal, has recently accepted a position as a paralegal specialist in the Employment Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in Washing-
ton, DC. Summers currently resides in Columbia, Md.
Don Brecken, ’02 strategic management, director of quality for Commercial Tool & Die in Comstock Park, Mich., was recently appointed to the 2007 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Individuals selected for the Board meet the highest standards of qualification and peer recognition.
for the award from Gaylord (Mich.) St. Mary High School where he announces football and basketball games. He is also the PA announcer for the Gaylord High School hockey program. Del Mulhern, ’06 human resource management, recently accepted a position as the assistant to the registrar and student services advisor with the Australasian College of Health Sciences located in Portland, Ore.
Patrick McManus, ’03 healthcare administration, is currently employed as a conservation law enforcement officer at the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Ron Williams, ’06 accounting, was recently promoted from accountant II to assistant controller. Williams has also obtained the Certified Fraud Examiner certification.
Shaquetta Starks, ’03 self directed management, received an award from Crain’s Detroit Business as one of the top 20 business people in their 20’s in the city of Detroit.
Trisha Tatum, ’07 accounting information management, has recently accepted a position with the Grand Rapids Griffins as an accounting/ticketing assistant.
Vikki Williamson, ‘03 information and records management, recently completed her Master of Science in Information Systems from Lawrence Technological University in December 2006.
Marriages and Anniversaries
Brenda Tjapkes, ’04 accounting, has recently accepted a position in accounts payable at Owen Ames Kimball Co. Roger Markham, ’06 management, was named High School Sports Public Address Announcer of the Year for Michigan in 2006. Markham received the nomination
Mary Grasman, ’72 legal secretarial, and Rick Kattreh were united in matrimony in April 2005. Grasman is currently employed as a business manager with Exxel Engineering, Inc. in Grand Rapids, Mich. Jana (Withey) Forner, ‘04 human resource management, and John Forner were married on April 14, 2007, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grand Haven. The couple spent their honeymoon in Mexico and has since returned to their home in Grand Haven, Mich. Forner has been employed with the police department since July 2000.
Recently married or have a new baby? Promotion at work or a new job? Are you getting ready to relocate? Please keep your alumni records updated and share any news with your fellow alumni. Email us at alumni@davenport.edu (Be sure to include your full name, class year, major and campus you attended) or log on to: www.davenport.edu/alumclassnotes
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CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS If you are interested in volunteering, there are a number of upcoming opportunities. Please contact Heidi at 866-248-0012 or alumni@davenport.edu for more information.
DU move-in crew Location: W.A. Lettinga Campus Date: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 Lend a hand in welcoming Davenport’s newest students to their home at the residence halls on campus. We need 100 volunteers to greet students and their families and to help move their belongings into their rooms. Lunch is provided RSVP now at www.davenport.edu/alumnicalendar
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lumni Day Friday, October 26, 2007
Join us at 6:30 p.m. for an indoor tailgate party and at 8 p.m. for the homecoming hockey game. Watch the Davenport Panthers face-off against the Michigan State Spartans at the Patterson Ice Center. Mark your calendars. See you there! Questions? Contact us at 866.248.0012 or alumni@davenport.edu
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New logo is a hit To better represent the quality of today’s Davenport University, we introduced a new logo with the start of our advertising campaign in early May. The new look also was unveiled to enthusiastic applause from the 800 guests at our 2007 Excellence in Business dinner on May 11. The distinctive letter D within a stylized crest or shield is contemporary – reflecting today’s Davenport – yet classic and collegiate in recognition of our quality and tradition as a leading private business university. The new logo will be incorporated in our letterhead, website, promotional materials, merchandise, sports uniforms and other materials that promote Davenport University. In addition to helping enhance our reputation, the new logo also has practical advantages. The streamlined design and bold type style will be easier to read on everything from brochures to billboards and have the potential to quickly become recognized and associated with Davenport University.
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