ONE Northwood University

Feb 1, 2008

Outstanding Business Leaders

Northwood Colleagues:

Last weekend we celebrated the Outstanding Business Leaders (OBL) annual event. The theme this year was Business Growth and honorees were selected because each has substantially grown his or her respective endeavor to success. But business growth is not only about an individual’s enterprise success, it’s also about investment in a greater cause–the economic growth of our nation and our world.

While Florida has traditionally hosted the event, each of the honorees has personally agreed to speak on one of our three campuses and share his or her story of success and character building. Part of being an OBL means engagement with Northwood does not stop after the event, but rather the event is the starting point. Our Class of 2008 OBLs includes Alberto Daire, Liberty Power; Charles Daly, retired NBA coach; Patty DeDominic, DeDominic & Associates; Peter and Lorraine Kornafel, CARQUEST; Alfredo J. Molina, The Molina Group; George Seay III, Annadale Capital, LLC and Seay Stewardship & Investment. More information about the awardees can be found at http://www.northwood.edu/lp/media/obl/.

OBLs throughout the years have been a dynamic group of people who look forward to their interactions with our students. Often they see in our students a younger version of themselves–ambitious yet idealistic. From one generation to another, The Northwood Idea comes to life.

This year we had over 15 University College (UC) students, 15 or more Florida traditional students, a cohort group from DeVos, and a number of students from Michigan and Texas who served as hosts and introducers. It was truly a One Northwood event. The benefits of all this networking may seem intangible but are certainly significant. Contacts are made; alliances are formed; mentoring opportunities increase. Already one of our student introducers has been invited to spend the week between terms this spring at the OBL’s business in California. Just yesterday an OBL selected in 2007, Larry McCurdy, the retired CEO of the Affina Group, was on the Michigan campus delivering guest lectures to automotive aftermarket students. Our OBLS and Distinguished Women (DWs) are great resources. Opportunities are plentiful here.

Our awards activities are an important part of the Northwood experience. Each time we extend the invitation to become either an OBL or DW, we are engaging in a partnership with the honoree. We teach them about Northwood University and they, in turn, teach our students the life lessons of successful leaders.

When a student chooses to attend a smaller university like Northwood, there is an expectation there will be opportunities for strong personal relationships with other students, with faculty and administration, and with professionals within their chosen field of study. OBL and DW events bring the best of the best to our students. Honorees are selected not just because they are successful in business, but also because they are leaders within their communities and professions.

As we work to develop the future leaders of a global, free-enterprise society, it is essential for us to maximize contact between our students and proven business leaders. Our students have chosen Northwood University believing they will graduate from our campuses ready to take their place in industry. It is our job to give them the skills they need, both in the classroom and in life, to step up to the promise we make to them.

OBL is a vital part of that promise. Please look at this year’s awardees and see if they might be a fit for our academic programs. Contact your Provost/Dean if you want to schedule a guest lecture or other activity.

Our OBLs and DWs have made it clear they want to get to know Northwood and I feel confident you’ll want to get to know them.

Have a great weekend!

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)

pretty@northwood.edu

Feb 1, 2008
	Outstanding Business Leaders Northwood Colleagues: Last weekend we celebrated the Outstanding Business Leaders (OBL) annual event. The theme this year was Business Growth and honorees were selected because each has substantially grown his or her respective endeavor to success. But business growth is not only about an individual’s enterprise success, it’s also about investment in a greater cause–the economic growth of our nation and our world. While Florida has traditionally hosted the event, each of the honorees has personally agreed to speak on one of our three campuses and share his or her story of success and character building. Part of being an OBL means engagement with Northwood does not stop after the event, but rather the event is the starting point. Our Class of 2008 OBLs includes Alberto Daire, Liberty Power; Charles Daly, retired NBA coach; Patty DeDominic, DeDominic & Associates; Peter and Lorraine Kornafel, CARQUEST; Alfredo J. Molina, The Molina Group; George Seay III, Annadale Capital, LLC and Seay Stewardship & Investment. More information about the awardees can be found at http://www.northwood.edu/lp/media/obl/. OBLs throughout the years have been a dynamic group of people who look forward to their interactions with our students. Often they see in our students a younger version of themselves–ambitious yet idealistic. From one generation to another, The Northwood Idea comes to life. This year we had over 15 University College (UC) students, 15 or more Florida traditional students, a cohort group from DeVos, and a number of students from Michigan and Texas who served as hosts and introducers. It was truly a One Northwood event. The benefits of all this networking may seem intangible but are certainly significant. Contacts are made; alliances are formed; mentoring opportunities increase. Already one of our student introducers has been invited to spend the week between terms this spring at the OBL’s business in California. Just yesterday an OBL selected in 2007, Larry McCurdy, the retired CEO of the Affina Group, was on the Michigan campus delivering guest lectures to automotive aftermarket students. Our OBLS and Distinguished Women (DWs) are great resources. Opportunities are plentiful here. Our awards activities are an important part of the Northwood experience. Each time we extend the invitation to become either an OBL or DW, we are engaging in a partnership with the honoree. We teach them about Northwood University and they, in turn, teach our students the life lessons of successful leaders. When a student chooses to attend a smaller university like Northwood, there is an expectation there will be opportunities for strong personal relationships with other students, with faculty and administration, and with professionals within their chosen field of study. OBL and DW events bring the best of the best to our students. Honorees are selected not just because they are successful in business, but also because they are leaders within their communities and professions. As we work to develop the future leaders of a global, free-enterprise society, it is essential for us to maximize contact between our students and proven business leaders. Our students have chosen Northwood University believing they will graduate from our campuses ready to take their place in industry. It is our job to give them the skills they need, both in the classroom and in life, to step up to the promise we make to them. OBL is a vital part of that promise. Please look at this year’s awardees and see if they might be a fit for our academic programs. Contact your Provost/Dean if you want to schedule a guest lecture or other activity. Our OBLs and DWs have made it clear they want to get to know Northwood and I feel confident you’ll want to get to know them. Have a great weekend! Keith A. Pretty, J.D. President and CEO Northwood University 4000 Whiting Drive Midland, MI 48640 989.837.4203 (phone) 989.832.9590 (fax) pretty@northwood.edu