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SUMMER 2012 . VOLUME 5. No 1
Celebrating Excellence in Business Annual Fundraising Gala Raises Money for Davenport Student Scholarships
CONTACT US Office of Advancement Dr. Barbara Mieras Interim Executive Vice President for Advancement barbara.mieras@davenport.edu Catherine Rogg Director of Alumni Relations catherine.rogg@davenport.edu
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S U M M E R 2012 . VO LU M E 5. No 1
Kaylen Williams Director of Annual Giving kaylen.williams@davenport.edu Jason Madden Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Athletic Development jason.madden@davenport.edu
Pursuit of excellence
Linda Prentice Advancement Services Coordinator linda.prentice@davenport.edu
In May we honored business and community leaders Dave and Carol Van Andel with the Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award, recognizing them for their success in leading outstanding businesses such as Amway, IdeaSphere and the Grand Rapids Griffins, while contributing to the greater good of their community through leadership at the Van Andel Institute and numerous local and regional organizations. In their acceptance speeches, Dave and Carol lauded leaders from the previous generation, including the late Peter C. Cook, for the strong examples they had provided to them and to others about working together and giving back to their communities. Dave challenged the nearly 850 guests in attendance to pick up that torch and carry it forward for the next generation. The keynote speaker at our Excellence in Business Gala was Tom Izzo, the outstanding coach of Michigan State University’s men’s basketball team, who had just been named the Division 1 Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches for the second time after guiding MSU to a Big Ten championship and a 15th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament. Tom talked about leadership and lauded those who not only serve as good examples, but also “drag others along.” He said great leaders not only have learned to listen, but listen to learn from others.They have a strong work ethic and they respect others. They make those around them better than they ever could have been on their own. As Davenport continues to make progress toward the realization of Vision 2015, we are pursuing excellence in all we do.We are studying the marketplace so that our programs match the needs of Michigan’s economy. We are listening to business leaders so that we understand their needs and help prepare our graduates to contribute in meaningful ways. We extend our congratulations to more than 2,200 students who earned their DU degrees this year. These new graduates are entering the marketplace to make a difference, just as attendees at our Excellence in Business Gala made a difference through their contributions toward DU scholarships. Working together, we all are helping DU move forward to a bright, excellent future.
Heather Kalafut Executive Administrative Assistant heather.kalafut@davenport.edu
University Relations and Communications Kim Bruyn Executive Vice President for University Relations and Communications kim.bruyn@davenport.edu Robin Luymes, APR Executive Director of Communications robin.luymes@davenport.edu Steve Landrum Executive Director of Marketing steve.landrum@davenport.edu Suzy Starkey Director of Marketing sstarkey1@davenport.edu Richard Crispo Creative Director richard.crispo@davenport.edu Rick Jensen Communications Manager rick.jensen@davenport.edu Elizabeth Szubinski Marketing Project Manager eszubinski@davenport.edu John Teichman Graphic Designer jteichman@davenport.edu Christine Fisher Executive Administrative Assistant cfisher@davenport.edu
Online davenport.edu/DUReview facebook.com/DavenportU twitter.com/DavenportU flickr.com/photos/davenportuniversity youtube.com/davenportweb
DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY REVIEW is published quarterly by Davenport University, 6191 Kraft Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
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Sincerely, Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D. President
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2012 Excellence in Business Dinner Gala honors Van Andels
Top David Van Andel, recipient of the 2012 Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award, speaks to the crowd. Above: Guests mingle during the general reception.
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A significant source of scholarship funds for Davenport University comes from the annual Excellence in Business (EIB) Dinner Gala. Creating competitive advantages for our students is a primary focus at Davenport through outstanding academic instruction and leadership, diverse student life opportunities, top-notch support services and facilities, and scholarships. This year’s event honored local business and community leaders David and Carol Van Andel. Nearly 850 guests attended the black tie fundraiser on Friday, May 11, where the Van Andels received the Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award. Tom Izzo, head coach of men’s basketball at Michigan State University, was the keynote speaker for the gala, in its 14th year of raising scholarship funds for DU students. The Excellence in Business dinner was established in 1998 in honor of alumnus Peter C. Cook. Since then, nearly $2 million has been raised to benefit Davenport University foundation scholarships through these annual award galas. Previous award recipients include Peter C. Cook, Frederik Meijer, Richard M. DeVos, Wilbur A. Lettinga, David G. Frey, John Spoelhof, Robert L. Hooker, Betsy DeVos, Donald W. Maine, John C. Canepa, Fred P. Keller, Ambassador Peter F. Secchia, Doug DeVos and Steve Van Andel, and Jim Hackett.
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Left to Right: Tom Izzo, MSU head basketball coach, giving the keynote address; President Richard Pappas awarding Elizabeth Overbeek with the 2012 Gerald R. Ford Memorial Scholarship; Chancellor Emeritus Donald W. Maine and his wife Kathleen on the red carpet.
Above: Jeff Richter, ’88, networking with guests. Left: Guests mingle during the general reception at DeVos Place.
Thank you to our 2012 premier event sponsors! Gold Sponsors The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation Fifth Third Bank Silver Sponsors
Visit Davenport’s Flickr page for more photos from the event
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Cook Holdings Huntington Bank Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation Rockford Construction Company Steelcase Inc. David and Carol Van Andel Foundation Varnum davenport.edu
Above: Ambassador Peter F. Secchia and wife Joan spend time catching up with friends. Bottom: David and CarolVan Andel with President Richard Pappas, after receiving the Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award.
A closer look: David and Carol Van Andel As past emcees and attendees of Davenport University’s Excellence in Business Gala, David and Carol Van Andel were well aware of high profile leaders honored with the Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award in the past, including Fred Meijer, Rich DeVos, David Frey, John Canepa, Don Maine and Ambassador Peter Secchia. They also were very familiar with Peter C. Cook, the award’s first recipient and namesake, who served on the board for the Van Andel Institute and was considered a friend and mentor by the couple. “Peter had a clear vision of the future and his place in it,” said David, adding that he “remained faithful to a core set of beliefs that have provided a bedrock of strength—a belief in family, faith and community, and above all, a belief in acting to benefit others.” “He was also our dear friend, and we will always cherish his wisdom, common sense and good humor,” added Carol. In many ways, David and Carol have emulated the example of Peter and other past honorees as they are now recognized with the 2012 Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award. They are a formidable team devoted to building their businesses and the Van Andel Institute while contributing to their community interests with passion. David is chairman and CEO of the Van Andel Institute and chairman of IdeaSphere Inc. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Amway Corporation’s Pyxis Innovations business unit and remains a member of Amway’s Board of Directors. He co-owns one of the region’s premier sports franchises, the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL), and is active in numerous community organizations, including The Right Place, the Grand Rapids Economic Club and the Hope College Board of Trustees. davenport.edu
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“You have to line up your avocation with your vocation.” –David Van Andel
CarolVan Andel catches up with friends at the 2012 Excellence in Business Dinner Gala. Carol is an active volunteer and philanthropist committed to children’s issues, healthy lifestyles and community development. In addition to her role as Executive Director of the David and Carol Van Andel Foundation, she has served on many boards, including Bethany Christian Services, Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation Board, Van Andel Education Institute Advisory Board and the YMCA National Board. Heart and soul are crucial to the success of their businesses and philanthropy. “You have to line up your avocation with your vocation,” says David. “In doing that, you create a better sense of purpose for what you do, plus you have more passion for what you do.
“An investment in hope and opportunity strengthens not just the individual, but his or her family and the community as well.” –Carol Van Andel “That’s critically important to be successful, whether it’s for profit, nonprofit or philanthropy. When you’re passionate about something, you put more energy into it and there will be fewer conflicts.” Many contributing to the success of the Van Andel Institute, for instance, feel a calling to be there, says David, himself included. When he was 26 and just a year and a half into his marriage to Carol, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. “I wasn’t sure I was going to see 27,” he recalls. “Later you have this ‘aha’ moment,” Carol says. “So that’s why the good Lord put that in our life. This is a true passion for us,” Carol says of the Institute and its foundation. David’s focus is on the future, while gaining inspiration from the past. “It is up to us, the present generation, to continue on in the same spirit of optimism, growth, prosperity and generosity” as Peter C. Cook and others of his generation, said David. “To reshape Michigan’s future, we need to embrace new ideas, new technologies and new ways of doing business to help create a more diversified economic portfolio.” With a strong belief in the power of education, Carol lauded the support for Davenport scholarships and the impact on people’s lives. “An investment in hope and opportunity strengthens not just the individual, but his or her family and the community as well,” she said.
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Top: DavidVan Andel addresses the crowd after receiving the Excellence in Business Award. Bottom:Van Andel chats with a guest at the event.
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UNIVERSITY
NEWS
More than 2,200 grads earn DU degrees More than 2,200 students earned their DU degrees this year and more than 1,100 students from across Michigan participated in Davenport University’s commencement ceremony Sunday, April 29, at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Attending the event were friends and families of students receiving their graduate and undergraduate degrees from DU’s Colleges of Business, Technology and Health Professions. Keynote speaker and recipient of Davenport’s Honorary Doctorate of Laws was Tracy D. Graham, Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees. Graham is founder and managing principal of Graham Allen Partners, a South Bend, Ind., private investment firm focused on partnering with entrepreneurs to build transformational technology companies. Dr. Richard J. Pappas, President of Davenport University, presided over the ceremonies.
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Attending the event were friends and families of students receiving their graduate and undergraduate degrees from DU’s Colleges of Business, Technology and Health Professions.
Visit Davenport’s Flickr page for more photos from the event
Student speaker discusses milestones, college graduation Cuban immigrant Elizabeth Chinea-Garcia, who was awarded a newly minted DU BBA degree in marketing and international business, inspired the Class of 2012 with her speech titled “Milestones,” about the possibilities awaiting her classmates. She recalled her experiences when she arrived in America in 1999 and had to learn to adjust from living in a tropical climate to the cold winter days in Michigan. She described her life in Cuba as very different, saying she probably would have attended college but might never have learned to speak English. Chinea-Garcia hopes to explore her possibilities in a job where she can travel the world.
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DU students shatter awards record at BPA National Leadership Conference
DU students from Grand Rapids, Holland and Kalamazoo took home many awards from the BPA National Leadership Conference in Chicago, Ill. Visit Davenport’s Flickr page for more photos from the event
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Davenport University students dominated leadership awards when they earned 12 first-place awards and 92 Top Ten finalist rankings at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference in Chicago, April 24-28. The impressive standings shatter all-time BPA records, continuing a legacy of excellence DU students display at BPA competitions. BPA is a student organization designed to develop a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic and technological skills. Forty-two students from Davenport’s W.A. Lettinga, Holland and Kalamazoo campuses qualified and represented the University at the conference, where more than 5,000 students from 20 states participated. In the past four years, DU students have earned first-place awards in 35 national events – another BPA record. There were numerous national highlights for individual DU students. The Financial Analyst Team won its event for the fourth year in a row. DU students swept the top five rankings in the Information Technology Concepts competition. Weston Pay earned three first-place awards, and Jacob Harig and Tom Costello each earned two first-place awards. In addition, DU students placed in the new competitions in Microsoft Office certification exams, including Christopher Lammers, who won first-place in the MS Operating Systems Backpack competition. Earlier in the year, BPA students earned 26 first-place awards among their 105 honors March 22-25 at the 40th annual BPA State Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich., an all-time Michigan BPA record high. Students from more than 100 colleges and universities statewide competed in the event. BPA is a national career and technical student organization consisting of 23 state associations and more than 54,000 members for business education programs at a secondary or postsecondary institution. Congratulations to all DU Award winners! Visit davenport.edu/BPANationals to see the full list of student award winners.
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Accounting students certified by IRS to prepare tax returns
Our award-winning DECA students and DU faculty gather at the International Career and Development Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
DECA students win national and state awards The Davenport DECA team won nine coveted national awards and 33 state awards in DECA competitions that apply classroom skills to real-world business simulations. Nine students from the W.A. Lettinga Campus competed against 2,000 college students from across the U.S. and Canada, April 21-24 at the annual International Career and Development Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kyle Studebaker and Erinn Trask earned second-place awards in the Businessto-Business Marketing competition while Ron Komdeur and Brendon Reali brought home third-place honors in Business Law. Recognized as top 10 national finalists were Admir Lugonjic in Marketing Management, Austin Benner and Jamie Fuller in International Marketing and Shalisha Cunningham and Nichole Kremer in Advertising Campaign. The honors kept the winning streak going after DU’s DECA team earned 12 first-place awards, one runner-up finish and 20 finalist awards Feb. 3-5 in state competition in Battle Creek, Mich. DECA is an international association of students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality and marketing sales and service. Visit davenport.edu/DECAAwards for a full list of student winners.
Accounting students and faculty volunteered their time again this year to help low- and middle-income families prepare their income tax returns for free. Individuals with an annual income of $20,000 or less and families with annual incomes of $49,000 or less qualified for the assistance and free electronic filing at 11 West Michigan sites. Students were certified by the Internal Revenue Service to work in conjunction with the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that partners with community groups to help families, seniors and disabled e-file their tax returns. For the first time, the program offered an alternative method to e-file for free called the FAST or FreeFile program. Individuals could prepare their own taxes with the assistance of a tax coach at three designated sites. “This volunteer effort gives students a chance to gain some real-world work experience with actual clients while also benefiting those who need assistance completing their tax returns,” says Judy Knapp, Program Coordinator and Honors Accounting Faculty at Davenport University.
Left to Right: Kyle Studebaker and Erinn Trask; Nichole Kremer and Shalisha Cunningham; Brandon Reali and Ron Kondeur.
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Black Heritage Month observed with special luncheon Four Davenport University alumni returned to their college roots Feb. 25 to reflect on their unique experiences and contributions to DU’s black heritage in celebration of Black Heritage Month. More than 100 DU students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members attended the 2012 Black Heritage Luncheon: A Celebration of Presence, Participation, and Progress. Guest speakers included DeShaun Mateen ’11, Wilma Mitchell ’86, Antonio McCutchen ’99 and Kalyn Risker ’06, members of the DU student body, staff, faculty and alumni. Each presentation reflected on unique experiences and roles at DU and the support and encouragement received from the DU community. “You will be reminded that, yes, people of black heritage have been present at DU, but not just sitting on the sidelines,” Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker, mistress of ceremonies and Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, told the attendees. “We have participated in the life of DU and contributed to its success as DU offers greater educational opportunities to people of all backgrounds.” Helping to celebrate the event were performances by the Grand Rapids African American Youth Chorus and the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus.
DU celebrates MLK Day on many campuses Hundreds of DU students, faculty and staff celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with community service, presentations, song and other events on many campuses to honor the legendary civil rights leader. Activities were spread over three days starting Sunday, Jan. 15, with a celebration service at New Hope Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. In the Metro Detroit area, DU representatives joined more than 550 other community members to contribute 2,750 community service hours on 20 projects that benefited the homeless, hungry, disadvantaged youth and others in need. Students from the Warren Campus attended an inspirational dinner celebration Monday, Jan. 16, featuring keynote speaker Rev. Richard Gleason, a Michigan-born Freedom Rider who knew Dr. King personally. They also joined colleagues from the Livonia Campus for another celebration the following day. Students, faculty and staff from the Holland Campus celebrated by watching a clip of MLK’s famous “I have a Dream” speech followed by a peace march. The Kalamazoo Campus participated in various service projects benefiting numerous non-profit organizations.
“The Vagina Monologues” raises money to stop violence
Visit Davenport’s Flickr page for more photos from the event
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Several hundred dollars were raised to stop violence against women and girls in Grand Rapids and Haiti this past February through three performances of “The Vagina Monologues” at the W.A. Lettinga Campus. Students, staff, alumni and faculty donated their time and skills during the performances Feb. 9, 10 and 11 to raise funds for Sacred Beginnings, a women’s transitional program in Grand Rapids, and V-Day Spotlight, which this year aims to raise awareness and funds for women and girls in Haiti experiencing violence in their lives. “The Vagina Monologues” is composed of various readings by several women that somehow relate to the vagina, depicted in the presentations as a tool of female empowerment.The first draft was written by Eve Ensler in 1996 and led to a global nonprofit movement to stop violence against women and girls. davenport.edu
The rebirth of athletics
Tony Deakin played for Davenport from 2005-2008 and was theWHAC Player of theYear in 2007. davenport.edu
Y E A RS
Celebrating 10 years
A proud smile starts to spread across Paul Lowden’s face when the Davenport University Director of Athletics recalls the humble beginnings of the rebirth of the University’s athletic department a decade ago. University leadership had a grand plan when re-launching a long-dormant athletic program during the fall of 2002, transforming it into an emerging powerhouse that today includes 26 teams, more than 500 student-athletes, 61 coaches, nine administrators and a state-of-the-art Student Center that has become the centerpiece of student life. He had no idea what to expect upon reporting for his first day on the job as coach of the hockey team. “I started in a broom closet,” he recalls with a laugh. “I remember recruits would come by to meet with you (at the former downtown Grand Rapids campus). I’d talk to them and their parents. There was another closet just off mine, where the women’s basketball coach was working, and the women’s bathroom was on the other side of that wall.You could hear the toilets flushing all the time. Every time.” “It really does keep you grounded,” he adds. It required long hours, hard work and dedication from many different people for Davenport to feel the pride the school feels today as its reborn athletic department celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY REVIEW
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The 2012 Rugby Team captured a back-to-back national championship with a 39-0 win over San Diego State. “I reminisce sometimes about where we started,” Lowden says from his office in the Student Center. “I think, ‘Look what we’ve accomplished here.’ But I don’t spend a lot of time doing that since there is still so much more to be done.” “I remind current athletes not to forget the athletes who came before them,” he adds. “They laid the groundwork for the facilities and this campus we now have. It’s something we’re all proud of here.” His appreciation runs deep for everyone who has been part of the re-launch. ‘We had a strategy to get younger’ In the earliest stages of the relaunch, Mike Volk, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, shared a vision with other leaders of the University for restarting the athletic program and using it as a branding element to raise Davenport’s profile while attracting traditional-age students to its campus. “I can still remember looking out my office window and seeing an older student walking through, and I told the president ‘I never thought I’d work at a university, let alone one without sports,’ says Volk. “I’m a sports fanatic. It’s just my passion. It turns out he was thinking the same thing.” “So we both said, ‘Why couldn’t we have sports?’ Davenport had athletics at one time,” Volk says. “As we thought about our strategy to get younger students to achieve that balance, we looked at eachother and said, ‘Why not? What’s stopping us?’” It started in the fall of 2002 with Men’s Hockey and Women’s Basketball. The athletic department began as an independent, joined the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a Division II member in 2004 and became a full member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) in 2005. The inaugural class of student-athletes included 16 hockey players and nine women’s basketball players. Lowden estimates 60 to 70 percent of all students living on campus now are participants in intercollegiate athletics. This allows Davenport to offer a much more complete student experience. Since moving to the W.A. Lettinga Campus in 2005, Grand Rapids enrollment has surged past the 3,000 mark, with enrollment of traditional-age students reaching 1,900. Athletics has been a catalyst for sparking this growth. “It’s been huge,” Volk insists. “It has changed everybody’s mindset about Daven-
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Top: JeanetteWoodberry played at DU from 20062008 and helped the Lady Panthers claim two Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference championships. She was also the program’s first-ever 1st Team NAIA AllAmerican. Bottom: After leading Davenport University to its second consecutive Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) All-Sports Trophy, Paul Lowden was named the conference’s Athletic Director of theYear.
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port University. In the past, the University was a fine school, but it was more of an adult college and a commuter school.” “I remember somebody challenged us,‘Why would we have athletics?’” Volk says. “I said right out, ‘We wouldn’t be out on M-6 without athletics.’ There’d be no reason for it. We had 1,700 to 1,800 students downtown. In my mind, we’d still be at 1,800 students or fewer. Athletics has just opened the door.”
Top: The 2011 Men’s Lacrosse team captured their first ever MCLA DII National Title with a 14-9 win over St.Thomas (Minn.) in Denver, Colo. Middle: The 2011-12 school year was one to remember as the D1 Hockey team captured the national title giving the program their fourth consecutive national crown. DU defeated Lindenwood 3-2 in OT to secure the championship. Bottom Left: Men’s Hockey was the school’s first program in 2002-03 under the direction of Head Coach Paul Lowden. Bottom Right: Brandon Romero threw the school’s first ever nohitter in a 10-0 win over Goshen College. Romero was also the player who threw out the first pitch in school history. davenport.edu
A visible presence along M-6 It is impossible not to notice the DU Student Center while traveling on M-6. The 87,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility stands sentry at the west end of campus off Kraft Avenue. It serves as the home court for the nationally ranked Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs and includes locker rooms, meeting rooms, administrative offices, a weight room and a turf field occupied by the lacrosse, soccer and rugby teams. Nick Davidson is the Assistant Director of the Student Center and an Assistant Athletic Director in charge of overseeing the athletic departments’ elite-level club sports. “We take care of our student-athletes and provide them with good experiences,” he says. “The early thinking was we considered them to be varsity sports. The term ‘club sport’ … we don’t typically use that around here. We appreciate every student-athlete’s commitment to their respective sport. We treat them as equals.” The full support and funding of several programs have prompted an influx of traditional-age student-athletes in niche sports. In the past, student-athletes often left the area to find schools offering those sports. DU’s reputation for treating its ‘club sports’ teams as equals to other programs has been amplified by three American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II national titles and a trifecta of national championships in D-I Men’s Hockey, D-I Rugby and D-II Men’s Lacrosse during the 2010-11 academic year. In May, the D1 Rugby team defeated San Diego State for a back-toback national championship. For more on this story, visit dupanthers.com.
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Students participate in Student Advocacy Day at State Capitol More than 40 DU students, campus leaders, financial aid advisors and student services staff representing DU campuses statewide made their annual journey to Lansing March 14 to urge legislators to support funding the need-based Michigan Tuition Grant program. Originating in 2006, the Student Advocacy Day at the State Capitol is dedicated to promoting continued funding of the Tuition Grant program that helps keep education affordable for more than 4,500 students at Davenport and 35,000 students – Michigan residents – attending 49 independent colleges and universities in the state. While in Lansing, DU students, all who are Tuition Grant recipients, shared their personal struggles in paying for college – putting a face to the valued funding – and expressed their appreciation to state legislators for their continued support for the Tuition Grant program.
Students, staff and faculty from campuses across the state visit the Capitol in Lansing, Mich., to rally support for the Michigan Tuition Grant.
Community service awards presented to 15 DU students A returning student from Davenport University’s Livonia Campus was awarded the prestigious Commitment to Service Award from the Michigan Campus Compact (MCC) for his outstanding volunteer efforts, particularly in the Islamic community in the Detroit area. Anas Alkatib, an honored former translator for the American military in Iraq, was among 15 DU students recognized April 14 by the MCC at its 16th annual Outstanding Student Service Awards Celebration in East Lansing. MCC is a network of 43 presidents from public and private colleges and universities statewide who are committed to advancing service-learning opportunities for college students. Alkatib was recognized for managing a capstone project team responsible for configuring and installing a computer network at the Islamic Institute Academy at the Islamic Institute in Detroit. He also is a volunteer local reporter for EastWest Link, a newspaper published in English and Urdu that recruits and mentors high-school-aged writers Computer Networking student Anas Alkatib, with his family, receiving an in multicultural journalism. In addition to this, he represents DU’s award for outstanding service from Jessica Johnson at MCC. student government for the campuses in Southeast Michigan and volunteers for many other projects. “He is an outstanding example of the kind of civic and community engagement we support in our students through their curricular and co-curricular activities,” says Dr. Wayne Sneath, Director or Experiential Learning. MCC’s Heart and Soul Award was earned by 14 other DU students in recognition of their time, effort and personal commitment to service in their communities. This year, more than 350 students from 27 member campuses received awards. Alkatib was one of only 31 students to receive the Commitment to Service Award.
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New Vice President of IPEx announced Dave A. Lawrence, has joined Davenport as Vice President of the University’s Institute of Professional Excellence (IPEx), which specializes in individual and corporate training, development and certification programs. Before assuming his new role last November, Lawrence was a faculty member focusing on delivery of IPEx course and content development to corporate clients in sales, business acumen and communications, and leadership. He brings with him valuable corporate connections he established as an instructor while building the IPEx client roster. Lawrence has 21 years of experience in management, sales and marketing, organizational development and training through previous positions. IPEx offers customized classroom and online programs for corporate and non-profit clients that emphasize practical skills for facing tomorrow’s economic challenges. Instructors are leaders in their professions who use case studies and real-world applications in their curriculum and bring in compelling speakers to their classes to add in-depth analysis. Lawrence holds a MS in communications from Grand Valley State University and a BA in organizational leadership from Cornerstone University.
New Executive Director of Process Improvement joins DU Sheri Maxim has been hired as Executive Director of Process Improvement. She brings more than 10 years’ experience leading continuous quality improvement efforts in the private sector, including stints at Eaton Corporation, Covenant Healthcare, Sparrow Health System and John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Since she started last September, Maxim has been providing leadership for process improvement efforts at DU, including the use of criteria from the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) and Baldrige National Quality Program. She holds an MS and BS degree in statistics from Western Michigan University and reports to Dr. Scott Epstein, Executive Vice President for Quality and Effectiveness.
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New Dean of Online Education hired After a thorough national search, Christine M. Wallace, Ph.D., has been appointed Dean of Online Education for Davenport University. Previously, Wallace was Executive Director of Health, Human Services and Strategic Product Initiatives at Laureate Education Inc., a leading online international network of quality, innovative institutions of higher education. Wallace was hired based on her extensive leadership experience and previous oversight of online academic programs at other higher education institutions. At Laureate Education Inc.,Wallace held various leadership positions over the past several years. She managed recruitment and selection of national experts and faculty for curriculum development, and she developed a quality assurance process that was adopted by the product development team within the Laureate Higher Education Group. She also was responsible for department oversight and leadership in the development of bachelor, master and doctoral education programs for online delivery in both domestic and international markets. Wallace holds a Doctor of Philosophy in public affairs and administration from Western Michigan University, a master of education in community counseling from Augusta State University and a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Michigan.
DU wins numerous awards for marketing and communications work Efforts to promote the University through relevant, compelling marketing and communications to key audiences have been honored with numerous awards applauding outstanding work. Educational Advertising Awards DU earned a “Best of Show” award for its MBA ad series plus 10 additional awards in the 27th Annual Educational Advertising Awards. ADDY Awards The 2011 Annual Report, “Focus,” was recognized with a Silver ADDY Award by the West Michigan Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. Audio-Visual Arts Awards Three Platinum and six Gold Audio-Visual Arts Awards (AVA) were earned for videos produced in 2011 for the DU website. PRoof Awards Five PRoof Awards from the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America recognized outstanding communication campaigns and programs of national caliber. DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY REVIEW
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Nursing students from the College of Health Professions assist in the mock disaster as “victims” and nursing staff in the simulation labs on the W.A. Lettinga Campus.
‘Plane crash’ exercise piloted at W. A. Lettinga Campus It looked like a horrific plane crash. Clothing, luggage, debris and bloodied victims – some still strapped in their seats – were strewn across the W. A. Lettinga Campus and into the woods. While sirens blared and the injured moaned, emergency personnel responded swiftly. But wait. What appeared to be a large-scale disaster Saturday, May 5, was actually an exercise planned months ago, the brainchild of Davenport University’s Office of Risk Management. “We wanted to see how we would handle a disaster of this type and how we would work with area emergency services,” recalls Dr. Duane Terpstra, Vice President of Risk Management. The disaster scenario, the largest of its kind ever practiced at a DU campus, spread onto the Farmers Insurance property located across Kraft Avenue and drew hundreds of emergency professionals and curious onlookers.
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More than 100 volunteer “victims,” area law enforcement agencies and emergency health care personnel hurriedly moved into action following alarming news of a 90-passenger commercial “airplane” crash at DU.The imitation plane was actually an old bus encased in a fuselage with wings. Local emergency responder teams fully deployed their equipment and personnel to practice their response, including tracking dogs and underwater dive teams. Participating in the exercise were DU nursing students from across the state, student volunteers and personnel from Davenport University, Farmers Insurance, area fire departments, rescue teams, emergency medical services and law enforcement personnel as well as other agencies and organizations from the public and private sector. “It’s been an incredible learning experience,” Terpstra says.
Clockwise: Students from the College of Health Professions assist in triage in the simulation labs; The “plane” that was built on the W.A. Lettinga Campus; DU Security and other emergency personnel assisting “victims” from the mock plane crash.
Visit Davenport’s Flickr page for more photos from the event davenport.edu
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Alternative Spring Break: a life-changing experience for DU students
Students volunteering and building the famous Cumberland Trail during Alternative Spring Break in Tennessee.
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While many students sunbathed during spring break in the warm breezes of Florida, 14 members of the DU community volunteered to spend their time making a positive environmental impact on Soddy-Daisy, a small community 17 miles north of Chattanooga. Leaving their studies behind, 12 students led by site leaders Kyle Holstege and Kiandra Williams loaded up a few mini-vans at DU at the start of their Alternative Spring Break (ASB) and drove south for nearly 14 hours to Tennessee. Once there, they joined students from three other schools who volunteered to spend the week of Feb. 26 through March 3 constructing a mountain hiking trail.Working their way up a mountainside, they removed rocks and trees to create a safe pathway for hikers. “Being involved in ASB has restored my faith in humanity,” says Holstege. “Seeing 12 college students, traditional and non-traditional, willingly give up their spring break to do extremely tedious, hard work was amazing.” “ASB has changed my life by showing me that a lot of hard work goes into the things we sometimes take for granted,” said DU student Leslie Ley. “I learned that it is more fun to accomplish tasks as a group and make new friends along the way.” Another participant, Dathisha Robins, says the trip changed her life as well by teaching her to “focus on the smaller things that make the larger things possible,” she says. “I am a way more appreciative and observant person now.” Planning for their journey began last November with their first service trip to the Howard Christensen Nature Center in Kent City, Mich.The students set up a candlelit walk at the center and helped with an educational recycling program for grade school children. Upon their return from Tennessee, the students were welcomed to Michigan with the arrival of an early spring. “The group was so charged from their service work they wanted more,” says Holstege. So the students returned to Howard Christensen Nature Center to clear a path around the pond, spread mulch and clean flower beds. The group is grateful to the DU community for their support. “Whether it was at our bake sale, restaurant fundraiser or anything else, thank you!” Holstege says. “It is because of you that we had this amazing opportunity to go and do something that really matters!” Alternative Spring Break is a nationwide movement that promotes lifelong active citizenship. davenport.edu
Livonia Campus plans new pilot programs Davenport University’s Livonia Campus is working with Wayne and Livonia Michigan Works! Service Centers to develop new community outreach programs to help adults “Get where the world is going.” Details are still being worked out, but officials hope to announce the programs soon following wildly successful pilot sessions last February called Adult Computer Skills Boot Camp. Open to the general public, the computer “boot camp” was held each Saturday to help adults learn basic computer skills they could use in a career transition or in pursuit of a college degree. Many students had limited access to computer technology in the past. “We found so many people intimidated by technology, and it was really impairing their job search,” said Dr. James Loughran, Executive Director for the Livonia Campus. With help from a handful of tutors, the students became “very engaged” as they learned new skills each week, he said.
Career Fair jammed with 140 employers Wanted for employment: Davenport University students and grads. That’s the message employers announced May 21 when recruiters representing 140 companies and organizations swooped down at the W. A. Lettinga Campus for DU’s annual Career Fair in search of the best and brightest. With the economy improving, the number of employers at the fair nearly doubled compared to last year. Most of West Michigan’s largest employers were represented at the Student Center, meeting more than 300 DU students and alumni hoping to land an internship, part-time position or full-time job. “The economy is really turning around, and it’s evident that employers are learning more about the quality of our students,” says Gail Beausoleil, Director of Career Services. Alumni looking for new career opportunities are encouraged to take advantage of the University’s free and ongoing employment resources in which career professionals review resumes, conduct mock interviews and coordinate other career fairs, such as the one Sept. 25 specifically designed for CPAs, Beausoleil says. The Career Services department also offers an online job posting system, DUCareerNET, which allows job seekers to search for postings specific to DU alumni nationwide. DUCareerNET, Career Services contact information and other helpful employment resources can be found at davenport.edu/career-services. Beausoleil encourages alumni working in healthcare, technology or business who are aware of internships or other job opportunities at their employers to email her at gail.beausoleil@davenport.edu so she can help spread news of the openings.
More than 500 students attend Professional Development Day at Saginaw Campus Dr. James Loughran, Executive Director for the Livonia Campus, speaks to computer boot camp students during a recent weekend program.
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More than 500 Saginaw-area high school students received a mini-lesson in job hunting and career building Feb. 28 when they attended Professional Development Day at the Saginaw Campus, a seminar hosted by the Saginaw Career Complex and DU. Students participated in mock job interviews with local business professionals, attended seminars offering suggestions for creating a strong social media identity and learned the secrets of developing a successful sales pitch for future interviews.
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DONOR
IMPACT
Farmers Insurance donates land for new athletics complex Davenport University’s baseball, softball and tennis teams will soon have their own home turf with construction of a new $6 million state-of-the-art athletic complex near the W.A. Lettinga Campus, thanks to the generous support of Farmers Insurance Group and other donors invited to participate in the campaign. Contributors stepped up to the plate with their support following news earlier this year that the University’s neighbor, Farmers Insurance, was donating 17 acres on 68th Street just south of the W.A. Lettinga Campus in Caledonia for construction of new athletic facilities. Groundbreaking for the Davenport University/Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex is scheduled to begin this summer so that the Panthers can get into their new digs by fall. Naming rights for the new complex’s key components will honor donors participating in the campaign. The complex fulfills a dream alumni and University leaders envisioned a decade ago when sports were reintroduced at DU. Starting with 25 determined athletes competing in men’s hockey and women’s basketball games, the athletic program has now grown to 26 programs, boasting more than 500 athletes and a growing Panther fan base.
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Renderings of Davenport University’s new Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex near the W.A. Lettinga Campus.
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Gone will be the days when the teams practiced and hosted “home” games in areas off-campus. “Davenport University is extremely grateful to Farmers Insurance Group for this generous donation,” says Dr. Richard J. Pappas, President of Davenport University. “This new space will complement our current athletic facilities at the W.A. Lettinga Campus and provide student-athletes new opportunities for training and competition. Also, this new complex will be a wonderful new venue to stage community events.” Plans are to construct a new baseball field with bleacher seating for 300, a softball stadium with seating for 200 and eight tennis courts. The complex will have locker rooms for home and away teams, a clubhouse, concession area, public restrooms and press boxes. Outdoor lighting in all three areas will permit night competition. Artificial turf will be utilized for both the baseball and softball stadiums. Dimensions for the baseball field are 330 feet to the right and left outfields and 400 feet down center while the softball field will measure 200 feet to the left and right and 210 to center. The complex is a dream come true for many supporters, including Paul Lowden, Athletics Director, who Davenport brought on board in 2001 to help re-launch the University’s program. “It’s been a remarkable experience,” he says about the journey that led to the new complex. “We’re just wrapping up the final details for the design and layout.” “This will be a great recruiting tool to attract top athletes locally, regionally and nationally – even from other countries,” he says. “And it’s going to create a great opportunity for alumni, students and faculty to come out and cheer our teams in a facility that’s more comfortable.You’re going to see exciting athletics!” DU’s self-proclaimed “Biggest Fan,” Michael Munson of Greenville, is thrilled with the announcement. “I can’t wait until davenport.edu
Above: Map showing the location of the future Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex. Below: Construction has begun on the new complex.
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Plans are to construct a new baseball field with bleacher seating for 300, a softball stadium with seating for 200 and eight tennis courts. The complex will have locker rooms for home and away teams, a clubhouse, concession area, public restrooms and press boxes. Outdoor lighting in all three areas will permit night competition.
it gets built,” gushed Munson, a longtime Panther fan. “A school needs a home field.” He’s hoping the new facility lures more alumni to attend the games. “They should go and watch their kids and grandkids play!” says the DU graduate. “We have such a super group of athletes. A lot of people like the big colleges and they play a lot of ball, but our athletes play just as hard.” The games are more affordable and accessible as well, he adds. Over the years, Munson has become a familiar figure at all sporting events. You’ll find him on the field taking photographs at many games, and donating hundreds of pictures to the Alumni Association and the Athletic Department. Another 800 of his photographs showing construction of the W.A. Lettinga Campus have been donated to the DU Archives. His dedication is his way of saying “thanks” to DU for helping him launch a remarkable 33-year-long career at the same company, a rarity these days. Munson was attending DU in the mid-1960s when the University helped him secure a payroll job in 1967 at the former Gibson refrigeration plant in Greenville, later known as the Electrolux AB plant that closed in 2006. Thanks to the company’s tuition reimbursement plan, Munson was able to return to DU to earn an associate degree in 1992 and a BBA in 1996. “They helped me out when I needed it,” he says.
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You can help! Join the Panther Athletic Club! The Panther Athletic Fund could use your support more than ever. Join the Panther Athletic Club for as little as $100 and receive your Panther Watch eNewsletter, Athletic Annual Report and access to our online honor roll. Other levels of support climb up to Hall of Fame status, where you’ll be recognized at all home games, receive Spirit Store discounts, invitations to sports banquets and more. Your membership will help fund intercollegiate athletics at Davenport University and help achieve success on and off the field. Your support is vital to our growth and continued success! For more information, visit dupanthers.com/ pantherfund or contact Jason Madden, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Athletic Development Officer, at 616-233-2593 or at jmadden@davenport.edu.
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DONOR PROFILE
Leaving a legacy Sharon Buursma’s heart stopped for 45 seconds in full cardiac arrest as she lay in the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. Her heart had been through a lot – a heart attack months before, then 10 hours of open heart surgery. Now, she was flat-lining on the electrocardiogram. Buursma, former member of Davenport University’s Board of Trustees and of Davenport University Foundation’s Board of Directors, says God kept her alive to make a difference somehow. Which brings us to the Pakistani woman living in the lower level of Buursma’s Grand Rapids condo. Buursma, president and CEO of Visiting Nurse Foundation, met Naureen Dells Durrani in her doctor’s office while there for a chest X-ray as part of her follow-up heart care.
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Sharon Buursma, president and CEO of Visiting Nurse Foundation, and current DU student Naureen Dells Durrani, at the home they share in Grand Rapids, Mich. Buursma wondered aloud how this medical assistant got so proficient at taking X-rays – not usually part of the job description. “She teared up,” Buursma recalls. “She said back home in Pakistan, she was a radiology technician, but her credentials weren’t recognized here in the United States.” To get certification here, Durrani would have to go to school and start over. But she also had to work. She was supporting not just herself, but her parents and unemployed sister back home in Pakistan. As Buursma got to know this engaging and competent young woman, she got to thinking. Buursma had a long and distinguished career in health care, starting out as a nurse after graduating from Michigan State University. She considers
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herself blessed. Education opened doors for her, she says. How could she pay her own success forward? “I knew the programs Davenport had,” Buursma says. “I knew they welcomed and supported foreign students. I knew she could take classes part-time and online.” The former Davenport tag line, “Dream it, Do it,” was stuck in Buursma’s head. “Intellectually, I knew ‘Dream it, Do it,’” Buursma says. “I believed it. But until you experience it ... It’s not just for your kids,” she says. “I said to myself, ‘There’s no way Naureen can pay rent, pay for food, utilities, go to school and support her parents. So I invited her to dinner one evening.” Then Buursma invited Naureen to move in. davenport.edu
When Durrani stopped in at the Davenport campus to ask about attending there, “I was welcomed with arms wide open, like I belonged there,” she recalls. “I fell in love with the school instantly, with the people.”
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That was four years ago, and Durrani, 36, still recalls the stunning moment. “I said, ‘Wow, that’s great.’ But I had a difficult time digesting it,” she says, sitting at Buursma’s dining room table. “It was so unusual. I didn’t grow up here – why would anybody want to help me? It was such a blessing from God.” “She started to cry,” Buursma recalls. When Durrani stopped at Davenport to investigate, “I was welcomed with arms wide open, like I belonged there,” she recalls. “I fell in love with the school instantly, with the people.” She’ll graduate in 2013 with a degree in health information management. “I told my friends I invited this young Pakistani woman to live with me, and they said, ‘For how long?’ I said, ‘Oh, five or six years.’ They said, ‘What? What are you thinking?’ “I had come through this near-death experience and 10 hours of open heart surgery, and anybody who goes through that has some kind of spiritual experience,” Buursma says. “God sent me a couple messages,” she says. She smiles. “One was, ‘You talk too much – you have to listen to people.’ And be grateful for the good things that happen, but be grateful for the bad things that happen, too. That’s how God teaches you.” Buursma has given to Davenport University in many ways. She made a contribution toward a classroom in her late mother’s name, Marian Ensfield, during construction of the W.A. Lettinga Campus. It has her name on the door. Durrani took a class in that room. “I see my mother’s spirit floating around that classroom, totally confused by all the technology but knowing good things are happening there,” Buursma says. Buursma recently decided to give an estate gift to DU, designating a percentage of her estate to the University after her death. Durrani has received several scholarships because of such donations to DU. Her degree will be a springboard to a good job, a master’s degree and eventually a Ph.D. Durrani recently earned her U.S. citizenship and is working to get her husband, Noel, from Pakistan to the U.S. “It means a secure future,” Durrani says. “I’ve struggled all my life. I came to this country with nothing in my pocket.” She’s quiet for a minute, thinking. “She has been so good to me,” Durrani says of Buursma. “I don’t think I can ever repay her kindness and generosity. It lifted me out of a pit and onto stable ground. It makes me want to do something for someone some day. I’ll pass it on.” Buursma muses that she doesn’t know how long she’ll live. But she knows she’s leaving a legacy of education and success. “You want to take care of your family,” she says, “but you also want to leave a legacy. It’s nice to know your legacy will live on, to give opportunities to students who otherwise wouldn’t have them.” “I want to give back to the place that changed Naureen’s life,” Buursma says. “I changed her life, but Davenport did, too.” DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY REVIEW
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DONOR PROFILE Jim and Clarine Lanting Jim Lanting still wears the small Phi Theta Pi fraternity pin from his days at Davenport. He first pinned it on more than 50 years ago, but the memories are good, and Lanting likes them. He was president of the fraternity for a while, was king of the Tinsel Ball, played softball. “I met so many good people,” recalls Lanting, 83, who with his wife, Clarine, has given a lot to Davenport over the years. “I think you should support your alma mater, if you make out well and use what you Jim Lanting and his family at the 2012 Excellence in Business Dinner Gala where they met learned there,” he says. “You’re not obligated, but keynote speaker, and head MSU basketball coach,Tom Izzo. you should want to.” Lanting was fresh from serving in the Korean War in 1951 when he came back to his hometown In 1990, the Lantings and decided to enroll in business school. established the James He got $135 a month to put toward education from the GI Bill, and what do you know, that’s R. and Clarine L. exactly how much tuition was at Davenport. “Math came naturally to me,” he says. “So I decided to be a CPA.” It worked out well for a few Lanting Expression of years after graduation, but soon Lanting, a personable kind of guy, felt stifled behind a desk. So he Gratitude Scholarship came out from behind the desk and ventured into real estate. for Davenport students “I was always good in sales,” he says. “I like people, and they could always sense I liked them.” That’s when his success soared. The enterprising businessman has owned and operated motels, with financial needs. condos, mobile home parks and a bowling alley and is the founder and president of Aspen Enterprises Limited, a business consulting company. “I could add two and three and four before Davenport,” Lanting says. “But they showed me how to use math properly. It’s where I learned about auditing.” Lanting started giving money to his alma mater, and he got involved hands-on, too, serving on the University’s Board of Directors and its Foundation Board, where he got a deeper sense of Davenport’s needs. Over the years, the Lantings have donated generously to numerous Davenport projects: the Welcome Center at the former Fulton Street Campus and the Jim and Clarine Lanting Meeting Halls in the Richard M. DeVos and Jay Van Andel Academic Building. In 1990, the Lantings established the James R. and Clarine The 2011-2012 Give Green for Student Scholarships Campaign L. Lanting Expression of Gratitude Scholarship for Davenport had raised 106 percent of its goal by April to support scholarstudents with financial needs. Most recently, they gave toward a ships and programs that ease the burden for students financing scholarship for a graduate of Calvin Christian High School. their own education. The Office of Advancement reports 312 Davenport has given back to its old pal, Jim, too. In 1987, Lanting Davenport employees contributed toward the campaign. received the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and in 2007 he If you would like to participate in the campaign, please received an honorary doctorate of law from Davenport. contact the Office of Advancement for information on making “I’ve been blessed,” Lanting says. “I’ve been given a lot, so I an outright gift. Visit giving.davenport.edu or call Dr. Barbara give a lot. Davenport has always felt like part of me. Like family. Mieras at 616-233-3413. So I just kept giving.”
Office of Advancement surpasses scholarship goal
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davenport.edu
ALUMNI
NETWORK
Entrepreneurial alumni: Lisa Mininni Not everybody has the kind of wake-up call Lisa Mininni had – a semi-truck tire iron crashed through her car windshield and landed next to her on the seat. After she shakily navigated to a parking lot off the freeway, she got out of the car to inspect the damage and wait for police to arrive. There was a softball-sized hole in her windshield and a sixinch gash in the steel hood of her car that had, thankfully, changed the trajectory of the near-lethal tire iron. The police officers who arrived on the scene had a message that still gives her chills: Lady, you must be here on this earth for a reason. A lot has happened since that December day a decade ago. Today Mininni, of Canton, Mich., is a best-selling author, radio show host and speaker. President of her own company, Excellerate Associates, she created the Entrepreneurial Edge System that shows entrepreneurs how to build their business in record time. Mininni earned an associate degree in 1986 from Detroit College of Business and a bachelor’s degree in business administration davenport.edu
in 1990. The business college was later merged with sister colleges into Davenport University. Mininni went on to several great jobs, ultimately as vice president of human resources for a health care corporation. Then she learned she had to dismantle her own division. “I had to not only lay a lot of good people off, but I had to lay myself off,” she recalls. “Then, it was ‘Okay, now what?’” She was pondering starting her own business and writing a book when the tire iron crashed through her windshield. “You have to know when to shift your thinking,” she says. “But change is risky, right?” “Actually, it’s risky staying where you are,” Mininni says. “When you’re in one job, you have one income stream. When you’re an entrepreneur, you can build multiple income streams.” “My clients are people in their 40s and 50s in their second careers,” she says. “Their jobs got eliminated, or they had to take early retirement. They’re trying to discover who they are.” And that’s key, she says. “Who, uniquely, are you? Who are you trying to attract? You need to align your gifts and blessings that you naturally have with what you’re going to do.” Mininni helps clients “master their inner entrepreneur,” she says, and execute a blueprint for their business. The woman who helps train people for their new futures as entrepreneurs likes what she sees at Davenport. “Davenport has embraced technology and online learning,” she says. “People are wired differently – not everybody can sit in a lecture hall.” The first two years of her venture were a struggle, she says. “I needed to go through that,” she says. “Now I get to use my gifts to show people they don’t have to struggle.” Her voice catches as she gets emotional. “That’s the most rewarding thing,” she says. “To show people ‘I can be who I am.’” “Regardless of your wake-up call – whether you lose your job, get divorced, have an illness – you get a whack, you need to do something about it,” she says. “Go do something amazing in the world.”
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Passing of Mr. Lee Herbert Sneden Davenport University lost a friend Jan. 11 when Lee Herbert Sneden, 83, brother of former DU President Robert Sneden, died several months following a car accident. In his retirement, Mr. Sneden spent countless hours donating his time to DU organizing a photograph collection and initiating a project to encourage alumni keepsake donations from their Davenport years to the University Archives. Mr. Sneden’s career spanned varied occupations, including organist, choirmaster, teacher, writer and clinical social worker. One of his own contributions to the University Archives is an old photo of a Jamestown farmhouse built in 1870 where he, Robert and their two sisters were born and raised. Mr. Sneden and his sister, Celia Mumma, are honored with a plaque near the door of the DU Archives in honor of their contributions to the historical collection. Mr. Sneden’s volunteer work at DU was mostly done at the library on the W.A. Lettinga Campus, named for his sister-in-law, Margaret, wife of his older brother Robert and daughter of the University’s namesake, M.E. Davenport. Robert served as President of DU from 1959 to 1977, a position he assumed following the death of M.E. Davenport. The Robert W. Sneden Academic Center on the Fulton Street Campus and the Robert W. Sneden Center on the W.A. Lettinga Campus were both named for his brother. Mr. Sneden will be remembered by his family, friends and DU community.
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Above: Lee Sneden and DU Archivist Jennifer Morrison outside the Archive Rooms on the W.A. Lettinga Campus. Below: Sneden family farm, 1939. Bottom: Kneeling in front from left to right are Robert, Celia and Lee. They are surrounded by their parents, sister Margaret and other family members.
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DU alumnus shares networking tips in new book How do you master the art of networking, especially today when it’s more important than ever to connect with others to succeed? DU alumnus Ken Fortier, ’01, shared secrets of successful networking on Jan. 26 at a book launch on the W.A. Lettinga Campus. He outlined highlights of his new book, “NetPlus Connections” in the Lettinga Auditorium to a full house of engaged attendees. Fortier, President and CEO of Quantum Leap Communications, Inc., also was the first presenter in the new Secrets of Success speaker series held at the Peter C. Cook Center in downtown Grand Rapids in February. With the premise of making everyone else’s world bigger and better in mind, Fortier summarized what he describes as the nine qualities possessed by successful NetPlus people: • Being genuinely grateful • Raising someone else’s energy level • Understanding someone else’s needs • Being a problem solver • Not being a complainer • Connecting people to other NetPlus people • Not dividing or driving away others • Being connected in other fields/professions • Knowing where to go for solutions, ideas DU alumnus Ken Fortier, ’01, sharing secrets of success with a crowd of DU staff, faculty, alumni and opportunities and friends at his recent book launch.
UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS DU @ The Detroit Zoo Detroit Zoological Society July 21 3rd Annual Alumni Summer Celebration Watermark Country Club July 26
3rd Annual Hockey Alumni & Friends Golf Outing Mines Golf Course July 28
Cookout and DU Rugby vs. Notre Dame W.A. Lettinga Campus, Turf Field September 29
Detroit College of Business Alumni & Friends Golf Outing Dearborn Hills Golf Course August 10
Alumni Awards Banquet W.A. Lettinga Campus, Student Center November 16
For more information or to register for these events, visit DUalum.com/events or contact Jason Madden at jmadden@davenport.edu or 866-248-0012.
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Homecoming W.A. Lettinga Campus, Student Center November 17
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Davenport during the “Mad Men” years Earlier this year, visitors at the W.A. Lettinga Campus’s library could take a nostalgic trip back in time through a special temporary exhibit called “Davenport during the Mad MenYears.” Displaying original items from the DU Archives, such as promotional materials and yearbooks, viewers could explore how the University was part of that early 1960s culture depicted on the popular TV show “Mad Men.”
Look hot this summer in cool DU gear. Swing into style this summer!
Shop in store or online 24/7 at
DUspirit.com Facebook.com/DUspiritstore W.A. Lettinga Campus 6191 Kraft Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 616-554-4767
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davenport.edu
Call for Alumni Award nominations The Alumni Relations office is seeking nominations for six 2012 Alumni Awards, including three new honors that recognize deserving Davenport graduates who have shown outstanding professional accomplishments and demonstrated leadership and dedication in the fields of business, technology and health. One graduate specializing in each profession of study will be honored Nov. 16 with the first Donald W. Maine College of Business, College of Technology, and College of Health Professions Alumni Awards at the Alumni Awards Banquet. In addition, the Alumni Association is seeking nominations for its Distinguished Alumni Award, an honor established in 1974 to recognize exceptional Above: Jeff Richter,‘88, and Michelle Postma chat graduates who represent the at the 2011 Alumni Awards. Bill Lettinga,‘78, and University’s mission, vision and Brian Hogan,‘89, previous Hy Berkowitz Professional values. The recipient will have Excellence Award winners, discuss the importance of made notable achievements in giving back. his or her field and will be a distinguished person in public life, business or service to others. Another graduate will be selected for the Hy Berkowitz Professional Excellence Award in recognition for exceptional professional and personal accomplishments in his or her chosen field and in the community. The recipient will have overcome challenges to complete their degree and become established in their field. The Outstanding Young Alumni Award will recognize a graduate who has accomplished early achievements in his or her chosen field, has demonstrated innovative and responsible professional leadership and has successfully engaged in community service. Nominate someone! If you know someone who is deserving of these honors, please complete the online nomination form at DUalum.com/awards. For more information, contact the Alumni Relations office at 866-248-0012. More information on this event will be announced in our alumni eNewsletter – The Connection.
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Featured benefits: new benefits portal SmartSavings Discount Marketplace: • Discounts from more then 800 merchants and thousands of national brands. • Discounts on concert tickets, theme parks, sporting events and more! • Special Monthly Offers from some of the hottest brand names, including Disney, Dell, 1-800-Flowers, Barnes & Noble and others. • Ability to “save” your Favorite Merchants and check for bargains again and again. • Get shopping assistance with free SmartShopper service. Follow These Easy Steps: • Go to: www.smartway.motivano.com • Click on ‘Click here to register’ • Referral Code: DUAlumni • Password: Smartway1 • Follow the prompts to complete registration
Keep in touch!
Recently married or have a new baby? Promotion at work or a new job? 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 location you attended) or log on to www.davenport.edu/alumclassnotes
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Secrets of success
By Catherine G. Rogg, Director of Alumni Relations They aren’t really secrets if you share them, but they are the story behind the success that many Davenport University alumni are experiencing in their personal and professional lives. Three alumni have spent some time revealing their “secrets” with others at the new Secrets of Success monthly series co-hosted by the MBA Admissions, Marketing and Alumni Relations offices and held at the Peter C. Cook Center in downtown Grand Rapids. In February, Ken Fortier, ’01, shared Secrets of Success from his new book, “NetPlus Connections.” Ken is a “connector” extraordinaire, and through his experiences and genuine interest in helping others, he has discovered the 10 steps to being a NetPlus person (see page 31). In March, Carlos Sanchez, ’07, shared his Secrets of Success as they relate to the growth of Hispanic-owned businesses in the area. Carlos is the Executive Director of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and he moderated a panel of business owners who shared how to tap into the growing Hispanic market. In April, Ann Vidro, ’96, presented her Secrets of Success for setting and achieving goals, one step at a time. Ann is the CFO of StudioCraft, Inc. and a co-founder of the Grand Rapids Triathlon. Her goal-planning and tracking process was shared with all attendees, and a vibrant conversation ensued. What do these alumni have in common besides Davenport University? They each have a passion for the purpose of their lives, a devotion to their goals, and a commitment to others. They exemplify what we find to be evident in most of the alumni we meet, a desire to change lives by making the most of their own. One of the highlights of working in education is the opportunity to participate in Commencement and related activities that celebrate the accomplishments of our newest alumni. This year was no exception. I enjoyed the International Graduate Reception where several of our students from around the world shared their Davenport experience and appreciation with the faculty, staff and families who attended. Their affinity for Davenport was demonstrated in their carefully crafted presentations and wonderful smiles. I was also quite moved by the Outstanding Honors Brunch that recognized more than 50 graduates who achieved the highest level of academic success at DU. As each were introduced, one or two words summing up their experience at Davenport were shared, to powerful affect. Opportunity – Relationships – Commitment – Excellence – Success – Friendship – Quality – Future – New Beginning – Evolving – Enlightenment – Home Away from Home – Access – Fulfillment – Achievement – Students First! – Accomplishment – Real World – Advancement These new graduates will one day, perhaps sooner than later, discover their own personal Secrets of Success.We hope the first secret they share with others is that they are Davenport University grads! We are proud of all our graduates, and we hope you are proud of Davenport, too. Share your Secrets of Success in an email to alumni@davenport.edu, and you might see them in print in the next issue of DU Review! Come on … aren’t secrets meant to be shared?
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DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY REVIEW
Class Notes Professional Jason Madden, ’08, MBA Accounting, has been appointed President of the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Madden is the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Athletic Development Officer at Davenport University who has served on the EGRCF board since 2008. Beatrice Kelly, ’80, BBA Business Administration, has been appointed Vice President and Business Banking Relationship Manager for Fifth Third Bank Eastern Michigan. She has worked at Fifth Third from Comerica Bank in Southfield for 18 years. Katie Hyet, ’80 BBA Finance, has joined the Greenleaf team as Internal Auditor. She is responsible for conducting audit procedures to ensure compliance with policies and procedures, fiduciary principles and state and federal laws and regulations. Denise Garten, ’82, Diploma Admin Office Tech-Accounting, has recently been promoted to the position of Financial Planner, representing customers at the Kalamazoo office of The Wiser Financial Group. Rebecca Pearson, ’86, AAS Word Processing, has been named Dispensing Manager for operations in two of Perrigo’s manufacturing facilities. Rebecca has worked at Perrigo since 1998. HyDee Stehlik (Mallon), ’87, AAS Word Processing, after 14 years with the Michigan State Police, has been promoted to Secretary 9 at the Lansing Post. Sherri Thorp, ’93, Great Lakes College AAS CIS/Programming, has joined Smihal & Company, an accounting firm with offices in Bad Axe, Caseville, Ubly and Saginaw. She will be working in the Caseville office doing tax preparation, tax audits and appeals, accounting, financial statement preparation and business consulting. davenport.edu
Wayne Kline, ’93, BBA Business Management, has been promoted as SAP Release Manager for Perrigo’s information technology and services team in Allegan. He will be responsible for ensuring the sustainability and reliability of Perrigo’s SAP environment. Matthew J. Mieras, ’02, BS in Marketing, was named Loan Officer of theYear for the second year in a row by Benchmark Home Loans. Matthew lives with his wife, Jennifer, and young daughter in Charleston, S.C. Carolyn O’Connor, ’05, BS Human Resource Management, has accepted a position as Administrator for Overflow Community Church and Overflow Christian Community Development Association in Benton Harbor, Mich. Marni Berghuis, ’05 BS Management, ’10 MBA Human Resource Management, has recently joined HRM Innovations LLC for the People Placement Department. She will provide consulting services and executive placement. Dave Boes, ’07, BAS Computer Networking, has joined Independent Bank as Mortgage Information Technology Project Manager at the Grand Rapids East Beltline office. Susan Rafferty, ’07, BBA Business Management, has been named Finance Manager at Educational Community Credit Union. Her responsibilities include overseeing and directing the activities of the accounting, card services, financial analyst and payment systems staff, and assisting with the management of the credit union’s investment programs.
Michelle Higgins, ’10, MBA Strategic Management, has been promoted to Operations Manager at Flexible Plan Investments Ltd., a leading provider of investment risk management services. Michelle has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. Kevin Mazur, ’10, MBA Accounting, has been named a Manager at the Michigan City Accounting and Tax Consulting firm in Michigan City, Ind. He will be responsible for supervising the professional staff, performing financial and tax services for clients and teaching continuing education classes in order to keep members of the firm current on new audit developments. Courtney Phelps, ’11, Post Baccalaureate Paralegal Studies, has been recently hired as a Litigation Paralegal for the law firm of Keller & Keller. John Lewis, ’11, BS Computer Networking, has joined Saginawbased NetSource One as a Network Engineer in the communications group. He has been in the computer industry for more than 20 years. Marriage Jaime Brookmeyer, ’08 BBA Applied Business, and Kirk Van Essen will marry Aug. 11, 2012.
Heather Marie Goodin, ’09 ABA Business Administration, and Samuel Jay Smith were planning a May 5, 2012, wedding. Josh Boeve, ’10, BBA Marketing, and Lisa Correll, ’10 BBA Human Resource Management, both graduates of Davenport University, will marry next fall. Stephanie R. Lampen, ’10 BS Computer Information Systems, and Michael J. Ritsema will marry June 9, 2012.
Susan Teeter, ’09, ABA Business Administration, has been hired by Trego-Dugan Aviation as the Station Manager at the Bismarck Airport. Trego-Dugan Aviation does all of the ground handling for Allegiant.
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DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY REVIEW
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6191 Kraft Ave. Grand Rapids MI 49512
Save the Date! MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012 Shotgun Start: 12 p.m. Dinner, Auction & Raffle: 5 p.m. To learn about sponsorship opportunities, reserve a foursome or for more information visit davenport.edu/golf, call (616) 233-3412 or email golfclassic@davenport.edu.