People Commercial Business Davenport University to honor David and Corol Van Andel
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 9, 2011 – Davenport University will present the 2012 Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business (EIB) Award to well-known community leaders and philanthropists David and Carol Van Andel. The annual fundraising gala will be held at DeVos Place on Friday, May 11, 2012, with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Tom Izzo, head coach of men’s basketball at Michigan State University.
Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award Gala
DeVos Place
6 p.m., May 11, 2012
“This evening will be a celebration of business success and community service as exemplified by David and Carol Van Andel. We appreciate their contributions to business and to this community,” said Davenport University President Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D. “Also, this annual event is important to Davenport students who rely upon scholarship support. We are grateful for the support of generous contributors who help students achieve success in the classroom that leads to success in their careers.”
David Van Andel is Chairman and CEO of the Grand Rapids-based Van Andel Institute and Chairman of IdeaSphere Inc. Previously he served as Chief Operating Officer of Amway’s Pyxis Innovations business unit and he remains a member of Amway Corporation’s Board of Directors. He is a co-owner of the Grand Rapids Griffins Hockey team and is active in numerous business and community organizations including The Right Place and the Grand Rapids Economic Club and Hope College Board of Trustees.
Carol Van Andel 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 and continues to serve on many boards such as Bethany Christian Services, GR Public Museum Foundation Board, Van Andel Education Institute Advisory Board and YMCA National Board.
Tom Izzo has been head coach for the Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team since 1995, presiding over a prolonged period of success. Under Izzo, the MSU program has been one of the most successful in the country. Izzo led the Spartans to the 2000 NCAA Division I National Championship, the 2009 NCAA Division I National Championship Game, six Final Fours and six Big Ten Championships in his first 15 years at MSU. Currently the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten Conference, Izzo, whose teams are often recognized for their rebounding prowess and defensive tenacity, has won four national Coach of the Year Awards.
Table reservations and purchase of individual tickets can be made by calling 616-233-3412 or by visiting www.davenport.edu/EIB.
About The Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award
The Excellence in Business Award was established in 1998 in honor of alumnus Peter C. Cook. The award recognizes business and community leaders who exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit, success and generosity to community that are hallmarks of the Davenport University mission, vision and values.
More than $1.8 million has been raised to benefit Davenport University Foundation scholarships through the annual award galas over the past 14 years. 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, Steve Van Andel and James Hackett.
About Davenport University
Founded in 1866, Davenport is a private, non-profit university with campuses across Michigan and online courses serving an enrollment of nearly 13,000 students. With tuition among the lowest of all private universities in the state, Davenport provides high academic quality, small class sizes, conveniently located campuses, faculty with real-world experience and more than 40 dynamic undergraduate and graduate programs addressing in-demand careers. More information is available at www.davenport.edu.
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