ONE Northwood University

March 20, 2008

Founders Day

Northwood University celebrated its 35th Anniversary in April 1994 with a very special proclamation–March 23 would be forevermore celebrated as Founders Day with tribute and honor paid to Arthur and Johann Turner and Gary and Willa Stauffer for the pride and promise they created for the students of Northwood University.

As we approach this year’s Founders Day, I went back to the original document recognizing this event. It is interesting to read. I will share it with you here as I think you will find the words as moving and as true now as they were then.

WHEREAS Arthur E. Turner and R. Gary Stauffer had the vision to create a unique concept in business management education to teach the principles of the American free-enterprise system and,
WHEREAS they created Northwood Institute in an ageing mansion in Alma, Michigan and on the 23rd of March 1959, opened the doors to 100 eager students and,

WHEREAS through their continued energy, imagination and determination they built, from those beginnings, a college that has achieved international recognition and which stands among the finest business management universities in America and,

WHEREAS the many thousands of graduates from Northwood University have entered the business world with confidence and qualifications and have, by their success, manifested the wisdom and foresight of our founders,

WE THEREFORE declare from this day forth, March 23 will be celebrated as Founders Day with tribute and honor paid to Arthur and Johann Turner and Gary and Willa Stauffer for the pride and promise they have created for the students of Northwood University.

The first celebration of Founders Day was recognized with major events on all campuses. These events included a copy of the proclamation, a presentation of proclamations from the student bodies involved and from the mayors of the cities in which we were located naming March 23 as Northwood Founders Day. It was a great day for Gary and Willa, Arthur and Johann, and all our students.

We also enjoyed a bit of good fortune as we committed to Founders Day. Good Housekeeping magazine started their first Automotive Dealership Service Excellence Awards that year. Partnering with Automotive News and Northwood University, the April 1994 issue of the magazine saluted our University along with 10 deserving dealers who consistently did special, extra things for their customers. The partnership with Good Housekeeping and the awards lasted the better part of a decade.

Founders Day continues as a cornerstone event of Values Emphasis Week. There is much happening on our campuses that reinforces our Outcomes and Code of Ethics–two aspects of a Northwood University education that set us apart from other universities.
The vision and the values upon which Gary and Arthur founded Northwood University will continue to be celebrated, each year and every year.

We have a long weekend ahead of us as we recognize Easter. I trust you will all enjoy the time with your family and return Monday renewed and refreshed as we carry on the work of our founders.

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

March 20, 2008
	Founders Day Northwood University celebrated its 35th Anniversary in April 1994 with a very special proclamation–March 23 would be forevermore celebrated as Founders Day with tribute and honor paid to Arthur and Johann Turner and Gary and Willa Stauffer for the pride and promise they created for the students of Northwood University. As we approach this year’s Founders Day, I went back to the original document recognizing this event. It is interesting to read. I will share it with you here as I think you will find the words as moving and as true now as they were then. WHEREAS Arthur E. Turner and R. Gary Stauffer had the vision to create a unique concept in business management education to teach the principles of the American free-enterprise system and, WHEREAS they created Northwood Institute in an ageing mansion in Alma, Michigan and on the 23rd of March 1959, opened the doors to 100 eager students and, WHEREAS through their continued energy, imagination and determination they built, from those beginnings, a college that has achieved international recognition and which stands among the finest business management universities in America and, WHEREAS the many thousands of graduates from Northwood University have entered the business world with confidence and qualifications and have, by their success, manifested the wisdom and foresight of our founders, WE THEREFORE declare from this day forth, March 23 will be celebrated as Founders Day with tribute and honor paid to Arthur and Johann Turner and Gary and Willa Stauffer for the pride and promise they have created for the students of Northwood University. The first celebration of Founders Day was recognized with major events on all campuses. These events included a copy of the proclamation, a presentation of proclamations from the student bodies involved and from the mayors of the cities in which we were located naming March 23 as Northwood Founders Day. It was a great day for Gary and Willa, Arthur and Johann, and all our students. We also enjoyed a bit of good fortune as we committed to Founders Day. Good Housekeeping magazine started their first Automotive Dealership Service Excellence Awards that year. Partnering with Automotive News and Northwood University, the April 1994 issue of the magazine saluted our University along with 10 deserving dealers who consistently did special, extra things for their customers. The partnership with Good Housekeeping and the awards lasted the better part of a decade. Founders Day continues as a cornerstone event of Values Emphasis Week. There is much happening on our campuses that reinforces our Outcomes and Code of Ethics–two aspects of a Northwood University education that set us apart from other universities. The vision and the values upon which Gary and Arthur founded Northwood University will continue to be celebrated, each year and every year. We have a long weekend ahead of us as we recognize Easter. I trust you will all enjoy the time with your family and return Monday renewed and refreshed as we carry on the work of our founders. Keith A. Pretty, J.D. President and CEO Northwood University 4000 Whiting Drive Midland, MI 48640 989.837.4203 (phone) 989.832.9590 (fax)