President's Weekly Messages

Graduating the Future Leaders of a Global Free Enterprise Society
2012-05-18
Over the course of the past two weeks, we held Commencement ceremonies on all three residential campuses of Northwood University. Commencement is what we plan for at Northwood University. In fact, our Mission Statement - "to develop the future leaders of a global free-enterprise society" - suggests exactly that. What we teach our graduates in the time they spend on our campuses or in any of our programs is meant to prepare them for their future and to be the leaders of our new global society.

A Commencement Message for the Rest of Us
2012-05-11
In the spirit of the Commencement exercises taking place this week in Florida, Michigan, and Texas, I thought a little commencement-like wisdom and advice might be in order for those of us not walking across the stage. As we continue to work toward being an even stronger and more nimble organization prepared to meet the needs of today's students we would do well to remember five timeless principles.

Northwood Alumni: The Key to Our Long-Term Success
2012-05-04
With the demands of our busy lives always in front of us, it's sometimes easy to overlook the importance of the past with regard to our present and future work. But our past helps to define our future, especially in the form of our alumni. Our continuing achievement is founded on their professional and personal success, particularly in their roles as models of excellence for future generations of Northwood students and alumni.

Good Debt. Bad Debt.
2012-04-27
While the process of securing a loan is a fairly easy one, the decision to take one should not be. Following the dictates of The Northwood Idea, we must practice careful planning when determining how much debt, if any, to take on in order to pay for something as important and expensive as a university education.

NU's Alden B. Dow Center for Creativity & Enterprise Expands Offerings, Impact
2012-04-20
Private enterprise, entrepreneurship, and creativity are pillars of Northwood University and The Northwood Idea. If anything proclaims, "this is who we are" it is these core values. As such they are discussed and practiced system wide in myriad ways, but one division that stands out in this regard is the Alden B. Dow Center for Creativity & Entrepreneurship (ABDCCE).

The NU Degree - A Balanced Approach
2012-04-13
An article that appeared in the April 5th edition of the Wall Street Journal, "Wealth or Waste? Rethinking the Value of a Business Major," is one that is well worth our review. Like many of the institutions mentioned, we have consistently broadened and deepened our business degree programs with courses and exercises that develop the thinking, communication, and analysis skills that today's employers seek from their workforce.

Environmental Stewardship
2012-04-05
While many in the popular media classify environmental stewardship and free-market economics as polar opposites, we believe differently. Like Russell Kirk, one of the chief architects of the intellectual conservative movement in America, we understand the practice of "piety" includes "respect for the natural balance in the world."

Northwood University is Doing Good Things
2012-03-30
An editorial in the March 29th edition of the Midland Daily News sings our praises pointing out many of the good things that are happening at Northwood University. While it is always nice to receive outside recognition there is only so much that a visiting editorial writer can capture in one visit. As you and I know from the Spring System Update, there are many good things happening throughout Northwood and we need to keep these successes in mind as we focus our energy and attention on those things that need improving.

Founders' Day
2012-03-23
194 years after Patrick Henry's famous "Give me liberty, or give me death," speech, Arthur Turner and Gary Stauffer dared to strike out on their own by establishing the Institute that blossomed into Northwood University. And the vision that guided their work stems from the very same philosophy that informed and inspired Patrick Henry and America's founding fathers; a philosophy that understands that the "opportunity society" can only grow in a culture that cherishes, protects, and practices the virtues of freedom, ordered-liberty, enterprise, and personal responsibility.

Northwood University and RosettaStone® Partner to Educate the Future Leaders of a Global, Free-Enterprise Society
2012-03-16
As part of our continuing mission, Northwood University is partnering with RosettaStone the leading provider of computer-based foreign-language education in the world today. Like our partnership with the Wall Street Journal, our collaboration with RosettaStone demonstrates our ongoing commitment to be the business school of choice in the world today.

More for less: Northwood's 2012 Summer Session and the Future of Higher Education
2012-03-09
In today's competitive landscape colleges and universities, the demand for more learning options at increasingly competitive rates is a message that continues to rank high. As an institution that prides itself on understanding the nature of consumer markets, we've heard the message loud and clear and we've responded.

Re-Thinking the Traditional Higher Education Model
2012-03-02
If you stop to think about it, higher education hasn't changed dramatically in the past 500 years. The model has worked well for generations in many ways but has limits in this rapidly moving technology-infused world. This may very well mean the "traditional" model of higher education will no longer work, and some of us will have to creatively develop new models to meet the needs of our future students and their employers in the 21st century.

The Increasing Global Relevance of the Northwood Idea
2012-02-24
Recent news reports about the quality of education worldwide, including an article in the Financial Times earlier this week, remind us that Northwood University's mission--"to develop the future leaders of a global, free-enterprise society"--is not only in tune with the times but is more relevant than ever.

Remembering Jeffrey Zaslow
2012-02-17
Jeffrey Zaslow made his living as a writer but it was his unique ability to communicate life's "permanent things", and to help others do the same, that endeared him to those who knew him and the millions of readers who made his books best sellers.

The importance of "soft skills" in today's business world
2012-02-10
While Northwood University enjoys a long and well-deserved reputation for the "hard" skills it imparts to its students it is equally deserving of the highest praise when it comes to teaching "soft" skills, most especially the arts of public speaking, networking, and leadership.

2012 Study Abroad Programs
2012-02-03
A key element of the Northwood University brand is the unique combination of classroom and experiential learning we offer to students, including the opportunity to study in any number of countries around the world. This week we review Northwood's 2012 Study Abroad Program offerings.

HIM Commencement & Crisis Oversight Committee Update
2012-01-27
In this week's message we celebrate the graduating class from our HRRM program at the Hotel Institute Montreux in Switzerland and review the latest update from our system wide Crisis Oversight Committee.

Outstanding Business Leaders & Freedom Seminar 2012
2012-01-20
Two of Northwood's proud traditions are its Gallery of Outstanding Business Leaders and the Annual Freedom Seminar. This week celebrate our 2012 Class of OBL's and preview this year's Freedom Seminar.

Northwood Online Program Ranks High with US News & World Report. Northwood Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr.
2012-01-13
Two examples of how our mission is succeeding is our online program and our commitment to creating new and better opportunities for all people. This week look at the US News & World Report's Online Education Rankings of our online program and our system wide celebrations of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

New Beginnings
2012-01-06
The New Year provides us an opportunity to approach our work with renewed determination and hope. With that in mind, we do well to review the goals we established at the start of the academic year at Convocation, see how we are doing, and rededicate ourselves to their achievement.

Happy New Year
2011-12-29
On January 1 we will welcome the arrival of the New Year. Like Hanukkah and Christmas before it, the New Year is a time of celebration, reflection, and planning.

Happy Holidays
2011-12-22
The meaning of the term Hanukkah-"to dedicate"-captures the essence of both the Hanukkah and Christmas holidays and is one that ought to give us pause to reflect. As members of the Northwood community, we have many reasons to be thankful during this holiday season, not least of which are the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy and the way of life that they have made possible for countless people around the world.

Winter Commencement. Disciplined Dreaming Update. Margaret Chase Smith Library.
2011-12-16
Tomorrow, 378 students will join the ranks of over 45,000 Northwood alumni, 39,000 of whom are active throughout the world today. This week review Winter Commencement and recent developments that support our mission to educate the future leaders of a global, free-enterprise society: NU's Disciplined Dreaming exercises and a change involving the Margaret Chase Smith Library.

In Giving We Receive
2011-12-09
The holiday season entails many traditions one of which is service to our surrounding communities. Consistent with our philosophy and mission, Northwood University students, faculty, and staff have been busy-and remain so-serving a variety of important causes and constituencies during the weeks heading into Hanukkah and Christmas.

NU Call Center & IACBE Updates
2011-12-02
Like any enterprise or industry, a university is comprised of many divisions all of which are charged with ensuring the growth and vitality of the entire institution and the market it serves. This week we continue to review some of the many ways that the faculty, staff, and students of Northwood University are advancing the operation behind its mission.

IACBE Update & A Thanksgiving Wish
2011-11-23
This week review the latest IACBE accreditation developments and reflect upon the many blessings we have, including those principles, persons, and institutions responsible for the liberties and securities we enjoy.

Building Customer Loyalty
2011-11-18
Building customer loyalty - be it with our external or internal customers - is vital to our continued well-being and growth. This week we review some of the key take-aways from Bill Quiseng's presentation earlier this week as well as two important initiatives that are part of our ongoing effort to be the university that makes "common sense" a "common practice."

Disciplined Dreaming & Veterans Day
2011-11-11
This week we review two examples of how our Disciplined Dreaming exercises are serving Northwood's continued growth and improvement. And in honor of Veterans Day, we consider the operation and staff behind our successful partnership with the U.S. military as well as one of the ways that we honor the men and women who serve our country.

Women Leaders Continue to Make a Difference
2011-11-04
This weekend, Northwood University will honor eight women leaders as part of the 42nd Distinguished Women Awards. This year's class brings the total number of honorees to date to 441 and, like their predecessors, our 2011 honorees are notable both for the level of their achievement and its relationship to the philosophy of The Northwood Idea. This year's class is an extraordinary gathering of leaders who typify the exceptionalism that gave rise to the United States and other leading nations around the world.

Professor Emeritus Otis Wilson & NU AAM Education Awards
2011-10-28
Professor Leadership is more than a familiar theme at Northwood University; it is the dynamic behind our founding and the force that guides our continued growth. This week we acknowledge and celebrate nine leaders whose efforts are the "value added" differences that continue to benefit Northwood and the communities and industries we serve: Professor Emeritus Otis Wilson and the 2011 Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award honorees.

Student Organization Life, Fall Semester 2011
2011-10-21
In this week's message we reflect upon and celebrate one of Northwood University's best and brightest, Michael Stille. In addition, we review some of the many student organization efforts and events taking place system wide.

Disciplined Dreaming
2011-10-14
One of the ways that Northwood University works to ensure that our business curricula are as current and relevant as possible is through the use of curriculum advisory boards for our various degree programs. This week we look at examples of Northwood's corporate and industry curriculum alliances and provide an update on the Disciplined Dreaming exercises taking place system wide.

Online Education
2011-10-07
As part of our ongoing effort to deliver and support the very best in online education, Northwood University is a co-sponsor again this year of the "Symposium for Excellence in Online Education," a project of the Alliance for Excellence in Online Education (AEOE). I am happy to report this is led by Northwood faculty member Dr. Patrick Callahan who also serves as president of AEOE.

In Memoriam: Venita Walker VanCaspel Harris, Homecoming, Auto Show, Hoops Mania
2011-09-30
In this week's message we reflect upon and celebrate the life of Venita Walker VanCaspel Harris whose vision and leadership have an enduring impact on Northwood University. Too, we take a look at some of the exciting events happening on our residential campuses systemwide: Homecoming in Michigan and Texas; the NU International Auto Show in Michigan and Florida; and "Hoops Mania" in Florida.

Continuing & Executive Education
2011-09-23
Partnering with industry and creating opportunities for lifelong education is a hallmark of Northwood University. One of the prime examples of this virtue in action is our University of the Aftermarket (U of A).

In Memoriam: Bob Deronvil; China Commencement 2011
2011-09-16
This week we honor and celebrate the life one of our fallen Northwood Family members, Florida Freshman Bob Deronvil and recognize and congratulate the Northwood BBA graduates of Jiangnan University and Jilin University in The People's Republic of China.

9-11 & Celebrating Constitution Day
2011-09-09
The coming week includes two important anniversaries in U.S. history: Sunday, September 11 marks the ten year anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States; Saturday, September 17 celebrates the 224th anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. While separated by many things, including time and the nature of the acts themselves, both events rank high in the history of our nation and the world.

Happy Labor Day
2011-09-02
On Monday, Northwood University will join with Americans everywhere to celebrate the dignity and value of human labor by observing our nation's annual Labor Day holiday.

Welcome to the 2011-2012 School Year
2011-08-26
Welcome Weekend on our residential campuses in Florida, Michigan and Texas 2011 marks the start of the 52nd school year at Northwood University. And while things are different in many respects from that first start in 1959 our mission remains the same: to develop the future leaders of a global, free enterprise society.

Northwood University Service Awards
2011-08-19
"Organizations are only as good as the people who make them up." - At times it sounds like an old saw, but in fact it is true. And while one can cite myriad experts from ancient philosophers and statesman to the leading business experts and market practitioners of today, there is no more immediate validation of this truism than what we witness daily as members of the Northwood family.

Celebrating the Lives and Contributions of Three Northwood Stalwarts
2011-08-12
To borrow from William James, life is full of flights and perchings. This past week the Northwood family witnessed the flight of two of its stalwarts - Eleanor Josaitis and Charles Wyly - who departed this world and the perching of another - Bob Rossiter - who has been and will continue to be a pillar in new and exciting capacities as he steps down from the helm at Lear Corporation.

Bay Harbor 2011 and the Future of Northwood University
2011-08-05
This weekend marks an important annual event for Northwood University: the Bay Harbor conference. Northwood trustees, administration, staff, faculty, students, alumni, supporters and friends - system-wide - are gathering in northern Michigan to review and celebrate the achievements of the past academic year and, more importantly, to outline and manage the University's continued success and health.

Sustain Liberty Share Our Story
2011-07-29
The current deficit debate in Washington D.C., and similar debates in political decision-making centers around the world, serve to remind us of how absolutely vital The Northwood Idea is to ensuring freedom and opportunity for all. While many debate the merits of topics such as spending cuts, lower taxes and the wealth creating powers of entrepreneurship, both sound reason and humanity's collective experience have already weighed in on the matter: free markets and free, creative persons work best.

DeVos Business Simulation Week
2011-07-22
One of Northwood's value-added differences will be on full display next week. Starting this coming Sunday, July 24th, through next week Friday, July 29th, Northwood MBA students and faculty will gather on the Michigan Campus for the DeVos Graduate School's Business Annual Simulation Week.

IPC Commencement in Sri Lanka
2011-07-15
This week we review two ways that we are practicing the Northwood Code of Ethics by exercising "our skills to create high achievement and applaud the high achievement of others."

Happiness Breeds Happiness
2011-07-08
This past Sunday the Northwood family lost a much loved and revered member in professor Otis Wilson following a courageous battle with leukemia AMS. A loving husband, father and grandfather, Otis will be dearly missed by those who knew and worked with him.

American Independence
2011-07-01
Monday July 4th commemorates our nation's birth. For most Americans it is naturally a day of rest from work and one filled with festivities associated with the warm summer months: outdoor activities, family gatherings and fireworks to name just a few.

Dr Stehouwer Interim Florida Provost
2011-06-24
It gives me great pleasure to announce to you this week the appointment of Dr. Kristin Stehouwer, Northwood University's executive vice president and chief academic officer, as Interim Provost for our Florida Campus. Dr. Stehouwer will assume this additional role, in concert with her current duties, effective July 1st and will serve in this capacity until we complete a national search for a permanent provost.

Summer Activities at Northwood University
2011-06-17
In many ways Northwood University can be thought of in terms of a symphony, "...a composition of different elements," as the Oxford Dictionaries Online defines it.

NU International Program Center Commencements
2011-06-13
Northwood University's mission is to develop the future leaders of the global, free-enterprise society and events such as Commencement at HIM this past Saturday and our other International Program Centers this summer and coming fall serve to remind us just how global Northwood truly is.

Summer Orientation and Recruitment Excellence
2011-06-03
The pursuit of excellence is more than talk at Northwood University. It is a daily ritual at work on a myriad of fronts. This week we look at two areas in which Northwood faculty, staff, students and alumni are doing all they can to do and be the very best.

Happy Memorial Day
2011-05-27
At Northwood University, the effort to preserve and protect the rights of individual liberty, private enterprise and individual initiative is perpetual. It is one that requires a tremendous sacrifice of time, energy, mind and spirit on the part of innumerable individuals, including and most notably our present day faculty, staff and students. Yet, as demanding and exacting as these efforts can sometimes be not one has ever required that we shed our blood.