DU Review Spring 2023, Vol. 24 Issue

Davenport

PG. 16

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Executive Vice President

Rachel Render

Executive Director of Advancement Operations

Laura Macka

Director of Alumni and Donor Engagement

Whitney Enge

Marketing & Communications

Executive Vice President

Deb Cooper

Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations

Amy Miller

Director of Content Marketing and Communications

Leslie Kinnee

Sr. Art Directors

Ben Huff & Keith Jensen

Project Coordinator

Connie Valkema

A message from the president

Addressing barriers in education

This year marks the halfway point for achieving our vision, Vision 2025, and I could not be more proud of the work this university has already accomplished on behalf of our students.

We’ve created new scholarships to assist schools in filling the teacher talent gap, introduced new mental health degrees, opened a new wellness center on campus, launched a new suite of online class delivery formats through Online+ and much more.

These achievements, on behalf of our students, would not be possible without the continued support of our community. That’s why in December, we introduced ELEVATE, a campaign for Davenport University, focused on raising $35 million in funds to support the incredible programs developed to achieve Vision 2025. We are well on our way to hitting our goal, having already received commitments from generous donors totaling more than $23 million during the silent phase of the campaign.

The ELEVATE campaign will support Davenport’s continued efforts to remove barriers so all students have the opportunity to become the leaders Michigan’s economy and communities need to thrive.

The ELEVATE campaign speaks to the incredible outcomes that we are working hard as a university to accomplish, including:

• Elevating the student experience

• Elevating higher education through our commitment to quality

• Elevating innovation in the classroom

Through ELEVATE, Davenport is building highly impactful programs, such as new undergraduate degrees to support the teacher talent shortage in urban school districts, an enhanced first-generation mentoring program, and Casa Latina, which offers new dual-language degree programs and services designed specifically to support bilingual students.

You’ll learn more about Casa Latina in this issue as we discuss the goals of the program and introduce Carlos Sanchez, the new executive director of the program. We also shine a spotlight on the women’s volleyball team and the journey one player took to realize her dreams of playing collegiate athletics. You’ll read an update on the incredible successes of our athletic teams this fall, including being named among the top 20 in NCAA Division II for academic performance.

We also share an incredible story about one of our alumna who has an unusual career in nursing within our government. You’ll enjoy her story and the interesting pathway her career has taken — especially as we get ready to celebrate National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week in May.

With the work we have already accomplished and all that we have planned as part of Vision 2025, Davenport will undoubtedly build the strong and diverse talent needed to address Michigan’s growing talent gap.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D. President

Jailine

Maine College of Business

First-Generation Student

A Campaign for Davenport University

Fundraising campaign will ‘ELEVATE’ student success

Davenport strengthens its commitment to helping students become the leaders Michigan’s economy and communities need to thrive.

Davenport University recently unveiled a $35 million fundraising campaign that invites individuals, businesses and foundations to “ELEVATE” Michigan’s talent by investing in its students and programs dedicated to improving their success.

“This campaign aligns with the goals of Davenport’s vision, Vision 2025, which is pushing our university to set the bar in higher education by removing barriers so all students have the opportunity to become the leaders Michigan’s economy

and communities need to thrive,” said Dr. Richard J. Pappas, Davenport University president. “Our ability to solve these issues and expand access for students will enable our university to address Michigan’s growing talent gap.”

Campaign funding will support custom-built and highly impactful programs, including the university’s College of Urban Education, its first-generation initiative, its mental health programming, its expansion of online class offerings, its scholarships and Casa Latina.

FIRST-GENERATION

The university has launched custom programming and activities designed to support first-generation students by addressing academic, emotional and financial obstacles to ensure Davenport students thrive in their first year of college and ultimately reach graduation.

The First-Generation Student Success Initiative encourages students to take advantage of available services, identify and bridge gaps to barriers, and track and monitor students and the impact of the initiative’s activities.

“This particular program is so dear to my heart because I can see how it positively affects our students,” said Dr. Jodi Hicks, director of student transitions and academic readiness at Davenport. “Being able to help a firstgeneration student be successful and see the impact it has on their family is just so powerful!”

Jessie, a first-generation student studying business at Davenport, is an excellent example of how this program helps transform lives. “Davenport has helped me be successful as a first-generation college student by giving me the confidence to overcome adversity and the confidence to find solutions in tough situations,” he said.

URBAN EDUCATION

Davenport is recruiting and preparing teachers at the undergraduate level to address the substantial talent gap in STEM education in urban districts. This new bachelor’s degree program utilizes the College of Urban Education’s proven approach of a day-one coaching/mentoring model, data analytics in the classroom and culturally responsive teaching embedded in every course.

These efforts will decrease teacher and administration turnover rates and chronic absenteeism, make substantial gains in student achievement, increase graduation rates, and increase family and community engagement.

“Through the College of Urban Education, teachers are empowered and afforded the opportunity to share in transmitting values, purpose, dignity and decency to ALL their students,” said Dr. Rhonda White, associate dean for the College of Urban Education. “This allows those students to become positive change agents in their own communities for the sake of their future and the soul of our nation.”

TeLee College of Urban Education First-Generation Student

Jessie

Maine College of Business First-Generation Student

CASA LATINA

The Latino/a/x community is the fastest growing and the least represented in higher education. Davenport plans to help reverse this trend with its new approach to higher education and its support of the Latino/a/x community by providing duallanguage degrees leading to high-demand careers.

This innovative program will increase the number of bilingual professionals equally fluent in English and Spanish needed to strengthen Michigan’s workforce in business, health care, education, technology and the sciences.

“Casa Latina will embrace bilingualism, putting students on the path to higher-paying careers that lift up entire communities,” said Dr. Gilda Gely, provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs at Davenport University.

MENTAL HEALTH

A focus on mental health will enable the university to expand academic programming to develop future professionals in highdemand careers and expand additional on-site mental health services for students across all campuses.

In the fall of 2023, Davenport will launch two new mental health degree programs to help support our state in developing the talent needed to serve our communities. Students receiving a Master of Science in Nursing, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration or a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling will transition into high-demand careers through which they can truly make a difference in the lives of those they serve.

Davenport’s Wellness Center, located on the W.A. Lettinga campus, is positively impacting students seeking mental health support. According to Darren Oliver, lead counselor at the Wellness Center, there is a definite need for mental health services among students, and Davenport is helping to fill that void with in-person and virtual access.

“It is very difficult right now to secure an appointment with a mental health professional,” said Oliver. “Providing mental health services on campus makes it more convenient for students to be able to access the services they need.”

Jailine

Maine College of Business First-Generation Student

“Our ability to solve these issues and expand access for students will enable our university to address Michigan’s growing talent gap.” – Dr. Richard J. Pappas

Davenport has been offering online classes to students for more than 20 years. The recent Global Campus expansion to offer Online+, extending its class offerings to include livestream, on-demand, flex and blended options, allows students to learn in the format most beneficial to their needs.

“Online learning has gone from an isolating experience to a more immersive experience in which you converse with your instructor and talk with other students in your class,” said Brian Miller, dean of Global Campus and academic systems.

“It’s been very important for us to have the technology and the infrastructure in place that can actually support that learning.”

SCHOLARSHIPS

The university is committed to developing additional scholarships to allow more Davenport students to graduate with degrees in rewarding careers and the lowest student debt possible. Removing financial barriers to obtaining a college degree lets students focus on what’s important.

Ella

Maine College of Business

Thank you for your generosity

“I am honored and grateful to have received the full-ride Gerald R. Ford Memorial Scholarship,” said Ella, a Davenport business major. “It’s a four-year scholarship, so I’ll be able to focus on my academics and not stress about the financial aspect.”

To support the ELEVATE campaign and help tomorrow’s future leaders achieve personal and career success, visit davenport.edu/elevate

During the silent phase of the ELEVATE campaign, these and other generous donors have committed over $25 million toward the $35 million goal:

• The Jandernoa Foundation, supporting urban educators

• The Eileen DeVries Family Foundation, supporting first-generation scholarships

• Keith and Kathy Klingenberg, creating the Wellness Center and the Klingenberg Mental Health Fund

• Steve and Tana Wessell, in honor of Tyrus R. Wessell, funding the Casa Latina launch

• The Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation, creating an impactful scholarship match fund along with a commitment to first-generation students, urban educators and the launch of Casa Latina

• Wilbur and Sharon Lettinga, Bill Lettinga, Jr. and the late Michael P. Lettinga Trust (via Connie Lettinga) generously gifting real estate adjacent to the main campus in Grand Rapids

Avery Maine College of Business

Upcoming Alumni Events

Excellence in Business Gala

May 25

Founder’s Summer Kickoff

June 2

DU at John Ball Zoo

June 17

Top Golf Alumni Outing

June 22

Alumni Golf Outing

July 10

Register today at davenport.edu/alumni/events

Panthers bump, set and spike their way to a memorable season

Kreiger vividly remembers going to the gym at South Haven High School every day after school to watch her mom coach JV volleyball. This ritual began when she was just 6 years old and continued through middle school. Even at such an early age, she knew she wanted to play.

Fast forward eight years, and everything came full circle for Kreiger. She had evolved from spectator to player and secured a spot on the varsity team as a first-year student. She found herself practicing and

playing in that same gym where she watched her mom coach. It was there that she began to hone her skills and learn the importance of teamwork and that hard work pays off. She was named All-Conference her sophomore, junior and senior years and All-State her senior year. Her team won the district title her sophomore year and brought home the conference title her senior year for the first time in three decades.

As her high school career came to a close, she set her sights on playing

volleyball and softball at the collegiate level. She recalls being told by more than one person that she couldn’t play two sports in college and had to choose one. But she dismissed the doubters and was determined to prove them all wrong.

She immediately set her sights on attending Davenport for several reasons. Her older brother, who played baseball for Davenport, encouraged her to attend. Kreiger had always looked up to her brother and liked the idea of following in his footsteps.

Hayley Kreiger’s mom, Linda, will tell you that her daughter has been playing volleyball ever since she was able to hold the ball, a claim the Davenport senior does not dispute.

Plus, she was already familiar with the campus and enjoyed the homey atmosphere, great people and strong sense of community.

“My mom kept telling me that I needed to apply to other schools in addition to Davenport, just to keep my options open, but I never did,” Kreiger recalls. “I could see myself at Davenport and knew I would be happy here.”

So when she was offered a scholarship to play softball and volleyball for the Panthers, she was ecstatic. “Being allowed to pursue the sports I love in college was a dream come true,” she said. “Being able to play for the college of my dreams was icing on the cake.”

Davenport quickly became a second home for Kreiger and her teammates—more like family. As the years progressed, the team’s bond strengthened and became more cohesive, resulting in success on the court.

Brian Netzler, Davenport’s women’s volleyball coach, is beyond proud of his team and all they have accomplished. This was a breakthrough season for the team, going 22-9 and narrowly missing out on the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Panthers were 13-5 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), which was third place and their best finish since joining the league. Their 22

performed exceptionally well. In this, her senior year, Kreiger led NCAA Division II in kills for a second year, wrapping up a remarkable career.

American, Second Team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), Midwest Regional Player of the Year, GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year and GLIAC Player of the Year. She leaves as a four-time First Team All-GLIAC selection.

wins were the most in a season since joining NCAA Division II and the most overall since the 2014 season.

While the entire team performed well this season, several members

She is the all-time leader in kills at Davenport with 1,936 and is one of two Panthers to have 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. She was named a two-time Academic All-

Another team standout this year was senior Kenzy Corstange. She was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-GLIAC and Second Team All-Region. She was 10th in NCAA Division II in total digs with 594, the ninth member of the Davenport 1,000 digs club and eighth all-time in digs at Davenport with 1,262 digs. She leaves as a four-time First Team All-GLIAC selection.

Also scoring four all-conference selections are outside hitter Lindsay Taylor and setter Lexie Beeke.

Senior Hayley Kreiger is grateful for the opportunity to play volleyball at Davenport and will forever cherish the friendships she’s made.

“Being allowed to pursue the sports I love in college was a dream come true. Being able to play for the college of my dreams was icing on the cake.”

–Hayley Kreiger

Kreiger attributes her success to her coaches and teammates for inspiring her and pushing her to do more. She is also thankful for her mom’s guidance and 20 years of volleyball experience for helping to shape her into the athlete she is.

While the entire season was one of big wins, one really stands out for Netzler, and that's beating Grand Valley on their home floor.

This season marked Netzler’s fourth as head coach at Davenport. His role

is one he takes seriously, and he knows his players will be able to apply their on-court lessons to their personal and professional lives.

“I love being able to help studentathletes grow life skills through sports,” Netzler said. “It’s so valuable for them to learn that being part of something bigger than themselves and coming together to achieve new heights will benefit them later in life.”

Since the season ended in November, Kreiger has had time to reflect.

DU athletics: An incredible fall season

Football

The Panthers finished 8-3 to set the season record for wins and ranked as high as 13th nationally in NCAA Division II.

Head Coach Sparky McEwen was named GLIAC Coach of the Year, and four players earned First Team All-GLIAC: wide receiver Sy Barnett, kicker Brandon Gielow, defensive end Austin Alward and defensive back Shaq Floyd.

touchdowns against Wayne State on Oct. 15, and he threw for five touchdowns against Northwood on Sept. 24 and Michigan Tech on Oct. 1. He now has four of the top five passing yardage games in school history, throwing for over 307 yards in each of those games. Whittaker holds single-season records for passing attempts (343), passing completions (184), passing yards (2,292) and passing touchdowns (26).

Davenport also set season records for rushing touchdowns (17), passing touchdowns (27), total offense (3,999 yards), scoring (336 points) and fumbles recovered (11).

Men’s Rugby

Quarterback Jason Whittaker set several game and season records for passing in his first year with the team. Whittaker holds the single-game record with six

The men's rugby team ended the fall season with a record of 7-1 and was ranked fourth in the nation in Division 1. Their lone loss came against No. 2 Lindenwood on Nov. 19 in the final game of the fall. The team looks forward to the spring season.

Lexie Beeke, BBA ’23

Shaq Floyd, BBA ’24

“Volleyball has been a part of my life as long as I can remember,” she said. “I’m really going to miss competing, but what I’ll miss most is the friendships I’ve made.”

Kreiger graduated with a bachelor’s in business with a focus on project management in spring 2022 and will graduate with a master’s in marketing in fall 2023. She’s not sure what the future holds beyond graduation, but she knows where she’ll be next fall: finishing up her master’s degree at the

school she loves with the team she cherishes as an assistant volleyball coach. She looks forward to being involved in the game a little longer and continuing with the Panther volleyball program, albeit in a different role.

Only time will tell what the future holds for this team, but according to coach Netzler, one thing is certainthey will continue their pursuit of GLIAC championship and NCAA tournament wins.

Men’s Soccer

The Panthers finished with an overall record of 8-8-3 (8 wins, 8 losses, 3 ties) and posted a 5-4-3 (5 wins, 4 losses, 3 ties) mark in the GLIAC this season. The team advanced to the GLIAC Tournament final after wins over St. Cloud State (3-2) and No. 15 Parkside (3-0). They fell 3-2 in the tournament championship against No. 4 Saginaw Valley State. The team also had a 3-0 win over No. 16 Illinois-Springfield to begin the season.

Senior forward Matt Whelan was named First Team All-GLIAC, First Team All-Midwest Region by Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) and Second Team All-American by D2CCA. The Cork, Ireland native was named First Team All-GLIAC three times in his career, and he tied for the GLIAC lead with 16 goals and was fifth in NCAA Division II in total goals at the end of the regular season. He leaves Davenport with the sixth most goals in a season and the most since joining NCAA Division II.

Women’s Rugby

The women's rugby team had a successful fall season. They had a 7-1 record and advanced to the NIRA Division II Championship hosted by Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. They beat West Chester 57-7 in the first round of the playoffs and then fell 34-27 in overtime against Queens University out of Charlotte, North Carolina, in the championship game. They return to the field in the spring.

Hayley Kreiger, BBA ’22 and MBA ’23

Casa Latina

Davenport becomes the first university in Michigan to offer dual-language degree programs

The demographics of the U.S. are shifting. According to the Pew Research Center, those of Hispanic descent make up approximately 29% of the total U.S. population, with numbers expected to rise to 128 million by 2050. And despite being the fastest-growing population in the country, the Latino/a/x population is the least represented in higher education. The report also shared that in 2021, only 23% of the U.S. Hispanic population held a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The state of Michigan is seeing similar trends. During the 2020-21 school year, MI School Data reported that Hispanic/Latino students made up 3.5% of total university enrollees in Michigan.

These trends inspired Davenport University to create a program designed to advance the education of the nation’s growing bilingual population. Starting in fall 2024, Davenport will introduce its Casa

admissions, financial aid, student life and advising.

This program will pave the way for more Latino/a/x students to earn a higher education while addressing

–Carlos Sanchez

Casa Latina Executive Director

Latina program, a robust suite of fully bilingual academic degree programs, supports and services to help students navigate through each step of higher education in both English and Spanish. The program will also offer students bilingual services, integrated throughout the university, including

a growing need for bilingual talent across the global economy.

“Davenport University is committed to being at the forefront of innovation in higher education,” said Dr. Richard J. Pappas, president. “We are committed to creating and implementing new

ideas to continue supporting our students’ needs while increasing accessibility across all of our colleges and degree programs.”

Currently, there isn’t another university in Michigan and few across the country creating university-wide degree programs and supports that are fully bilingual.

“Recognizing that Spanish is the second largest language spoken in the U.S. and that the U.S. has the second largest population of Spanish speakers in the world, Davenport’s Casa Latina program will help to ensure that we strengthen Michigan’s English-Spanish-speaking workforce in business, health, urban education, technology and the sciences,” said Pappas. “We will graduate students who are equally fluent and professionally proficient in English and Spanish for their chosen degree program. Bilingualism, fully developed, provides cognitive, socioeconomic and

“

Community is important and, thus, is integral to the success of Casa Latina.”

professional advantages that become an asset to the community and the employers for whom Casa Latina graduates will serve.”

Carlos Sanchez, Davenport’s new executive director of Casa Latina, said, “These courses will be reflective of those currently offered regarding

Casa Latina Executive Director

content, objectives and academic rigor. This program is not about learning Spanish or learning English; it is about graduating with the professional proficiency of a degree in both languages, preparing students for highly sought-after professions across several global industries.”

Sanchez joined Davenport in the fall of 2022 to lead the university’s work with the Latino/a/x community and will be instrumental in the launch of the program.

“When it comes to advancing language skills, comprehension precedes production; people can usually

Carlos Sanchez, BBA ’07

Casa Latina:

Addressing growing demand for Spanish-speaking professionals

of total U.S. population is Hispanic

3.5% total college enrollment in Michigan is Hispanic/Latino

of Latinos hold a bachelor’s degree or higher

Source: Pew Research Center and MI School Data

most spoken language in the U.S. is Spanish

understand a language before they can speak it or write it,” said Sanchez. “This is an important piece of formulating the existing curriculum into the bilingual format that fits each degree program and the classes within it.”

Davenport will use a systematic approach to curriculum development to determine what needs to be in English and what needs to be in Spanish. Ultimately, lessons will alternate between languages, but the details of that layout will be specific to each program’s curriculum, class and profession.

For instance, accountants often use terms such as equity, accruals, dividends, etc. This terminology, and how it is discussed within the profession, will be covered in both English and Spanish, as part of the curriculum. Just like learning the discourse of a particular career, constructing communications (oral or written) that are culturally responsive and appropriate is essential to the bilingual professional.

This approach will create confidence in each student’s bilingualism while building their professional proficiency in both languages. Graduates will ultimately become fluent in their professional discourse, vocabulary and content of their careers.

“Community is important and, thus, is integral to the success of Casa Latina,” Sanchez said. “Davenport will utilize a community engagement approach to build upon a familyoriented culture and develop support through strategic partnerships to mobilize resources and sustain this initiative long term.”

The community has come together to support the launch of Casa Latina with generous gifts to the ELEVATE campaign. These donors include the Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation, the M.E. Davenport Committee through the M.E. Davenport Foundation, the Steelcase Foundation, and Steve and Tana Wessell in memory of Tyrus R. Wessell.

An advisory board will be established to include community stakeholders to ensure Casa Latina will work closely within the fabric of the community to develop a pipeline for Latino/a/x enrollment, provide Latino/a/x college students with additional support from social networks and resources, and provide bilingual internships and post-graduation employment for Latino/a/x students. To learn more about Casa Latina, visit

Casa Latina

Daniel & Pamella

DeVos Foundation

M.E. Davenport Committee through the M.E. Davenport Foundation

Steelcase Foundation

Steve and Tana

Wessell in memory of Tyrus R. Wessell

Who can benefit from Casa Latina:

A first-generation bilingual student who is the first in their family to attend college

A professional interested in advancing their education and sees value in building out their professional discourse in both languages

A prospective bilingual student who is most comfortable utilizing Spanish support services to enroll in and succeed in college

A high school student who participated in a Spanish immersion program and would like to continue their bilingual education

Top 20 in NCAA Division II for academic performance.

The NCAA has named Davenport University among the top 20 universities in the country for student-athlete academic performance.

dupanthers.com

NURSING in the DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

If you are in the health care field, you have likely heard the name Florence Nightingale. For those not privy to her history, she was a pioneer of the health care profession during her time as a nurse. She is known for improving sanitation processes, patient care and psychological support. Nightingale was known as the “Lady With the Lamp,” as she would walk the halls during the nighttime hours at the hospital where soldiers from the Crimean War of 1835 were placed to ensure they were cared for. Across the U.S., we celebrate National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week during the week of Nightingale’s birthday, May 12.

Jacqueline Okkonen, BSN ’14, attended Davenport as a nontraditional student while obtaining her nursing degree at the Grand Rapids campus. As she recalls her time at Davenport, she is flooded with fond memories of her professors and classes. Nearly a decade after Okkonen graduated, she remains connected with some of her favorite professors, Dr. Daley and Dr. Stahley.

“The small class sizes and professors with current clinical experience were integral to my success,” said Okkonen.

Join us in celebrating National Hospital Week

An alumna who took a unique job opportunity

Her only regret at Davenport? “If I were a few years younger, I would have loved to live on campus.”

When you think of a nurse or health care provider, you often think of a traditional hospital setting. Okkonen loves the opportunity to challenge that thought process.

“There are so many opportunities to take advantage of with your BSN that aren’t what you’d consider a traditional role,” she adds. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is probably not the first thing you think of when you graduate from the College of Health. Okkonen spent six years as an emergency room nurse and then more recently moved up to a hospital supervisor role within the organization.

“Out of my graduating class, I am the only one working for the military. I am a civilian but have a permanent government position,” she adds.

This means Okkonen can work at any military hospital in the world while maintaining her seniority and seeking new opportunities. She says this line of work has helped her to

Davenport University will celebrate National Hospital Week May 7-13 and National Nurses Week May 6-12. To see our posts celebrating health care workers, follow Davenport University Alumni Association.

davenportuniversityalumni DUAlumni

To donate to Davenport University’s College of Health Professions, visit davenport.edu/give-gift, or learn more about Davenport’s health care degrees at davenport.edu/academics/areas/health-professions.

broaden her horizons on the many interdisciplinary agencies and how they deliver care. When working at a military hospital, something as critical as airlifting a patient requires coordination with multiple agencies to ensure safety.

At the age of 34, Okkonen has a wealth of experience, showing the career diversity a BSN degree can provide. She started her career as an emergency department nurse at Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) before transitioning to work for the DOD, where she relocated to Hawaii at its Tripler Army Medical Center. While in Hawaii, she had the opportunity to develop the stroke program at the Tripler Army Medical Center and was a part of the team that brought the hospital to a Level II trauma center. During her time there, she worked with Secret Service when former President Obama and his family would come to vacation. While she continued her work with the DOD, she accepted a role in the emergency department at Evans Army Community Hospital in Carson, Colorado, where she is now the hospital supervisor.

“We are impacting lives in a multitude of different ways. My best advice is to lean into what you’re excited about, and you’re going to find a job in our field that electrifies you,” Okkonen concludes.

Below: While at Tripler Army Medical Center, Okkonen helped develop critical programs and worked with the U.S. Secret Service during presidential visits.

“There are so many opportunities to take advantage of with your BSN that aren’t what you’d consider a traditional role.”

– Jacqueline Okkonen

After President George H. W. Bush passed away, his family donated his service dog, Sully (at right) to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to boost the morale of veterans and service members in the Wounded Warrior program. The dogs also frequently visited health care workers at Walter Reed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii

WHY I GIVE

Casa Latina

As Davenport plans to launch the first bilingual degrees under Casa Latina in fall 2024, initial funding came from donors who understood the innovation of the program and the urgency to hire an executive director to get the program up and running.

STEVE (MBA ’ 21) AND TANA WESSELL

My dad, Tyrus R. Wessell, spent his entire career at Davenport before retiring as the head of finance. When we learned of Casa Latina, I knew immediately that this was something he would have been very supportive of, something he would want Davenport University to move on, and quickly.

– Steve Wessell

JACQUELINE TAYLOR, PH.D.

Chair, M.E. Davenport Legacy Endowment Committee

In 2015, M.E. Davenport’s family, via the M.E. Davenport Foundation, created an endowed fund at Davenport University. It annually funds new and innovative ideas and grant requests brought forward by Davenport’s faculty and staff that aren’t currently in the university’s budget. When the idea of launching bilingual degree programs and surrounding services was put forward, M.E. Davenport Committee members recognized immediately this was highly innovative for DU, an incredibly important step for higher education, and a major area of support that would create an outstanding pathway for students as well as the community. We unanimously voted ‘yes’ to directing funding to help support the launch of what is now known as Casa Latina. All members of the committee are extremely excited to watch this program grow and serve the university and the community.