Dec 4, 2009
The Richard DeVos Graduate School of Management
In 1994, a grant of $5 million from the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation of Grand Rapids, Michigan allowed Northwood University to establish The Richard DeVos Graduate School of Management. It's interesting now to look back at the announcements accompanying this significant gift. Dr. Richard DeVos, co-founder of Amway Corporation, explained why the gift was made - "It is to perpetuate the education of business leaders with an understanding of democratic and compassionate capitalism." Northwood University co-founder Dr. Arthur E. Turner noted, "Amway and Northwood were both founded in 1959 and Rich DeVos has been involved with us from the earliest days on the first and former campus in Alma, Michigan when he spoke to students at a time when we were all too young to know where our adventure would lead us!"
The establishment of the Graduate School was a catalyst allowing Northwood to go from an institute to a university. As the Graduate School was formed, Louis Barnes, a faculty member from Harvard University, came to Northwood to lead faculty in the case management method of study. Through his efforts and with follow-through by faculty and university leadership, the case management method has become the trademark of a DeVos degree.
Graduate MBA coursework was first offered on our Michigan campus and for the first several years only one program, an evening part-time MBA program was available. While the goal of the Graduate School remains the same - to create highly effective leaders through a process of personal and professional transformation - today the DeVos Graduate School boasts MBA programs in a variety of formats and locations.
The success of our Midland Campus program showed the need and the opportunity to offer the DeVos MBA in other locations. The Graduate School first expanded to the metro Detroit area (Troy) and then to Lansing, Michigan. Currently, the Lansing center has over 60 students and Troy has 71. All programs share specific academic student outcomes of achieving highly developed business expertise, critical thinking, and personal effectiveness skills. All programs are grounded in the Northwood Idea, our Northwood University educational outcomes, and a unique and powerful student-driven learning attitude, which are confirmed by our students. As Brandi L. Jones, office manager at The Greater Lansing Business Monthly and an Evening MBA student, responded when asked what she likes best about the DeVos Program, "The opportunity to work with real life case studies that can be used in the work field on a daily basis." The convenience of the evening program is also valued, as noted by Shirley Boucha, a business services specialist at the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union and Lansing Evening MBA student. "It's the time and workload that makes this program work!"
In 2007, the DeVos Graduate School of Management was charged with moving our graduate education portfolio to an even more wide-ranging and higher profile within Northwood University and the overall management education market. Again we can thank the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation for their support in helping us expand. Their generous $10 million gift provided state-of-the-art facilities to house future MBA programs on the Florida and Texas campuses, as well as refurbishing and updating the DeVos Graduate School building on the Michigan campus.
Our first international expansion of the Graduate School took place in 2007. Building on the success of our partnership with Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM) at the undergraduate level, HIM and Northwood formed a strategic alliance to offer a graduate business degree. This partnership combines HIM's first-class student services and Northwood's tried and tested academic content and approach. The students benefit from a truly exceptional educational and cultural experience. Our innovative Montreux program is designed for high-caliber students from around the world and establishes a global footprint for graduate level free-market education for Northwood.
At Northwood, we maintain close contact with the industries we serve. After intense discussions with industry dealers, the need for two specialty graduate level degrees emerged. The Dealership Executive MBA was launched in fall 2008 and the Aftermarket MBA began in summer 2009. True to the Graduate School style, the academic materials and coursework are both practical and transformational. Says Dealership MBA candidate, Sara Villarin-Yi who works at Talisman Suzuki in Houston, "It's real-life, practical information an individual can use going back to the job - tomorrow!"
A major goal has been to bring the DeVos MBA Evening program to all our Northwood campuses. The Evening program is our most time-tested program and has evolved over the years to meet changing market needs.
In September 2009 our Texas campus enjoyed a very successful opening of the Evening MBA. The first cohort group comes from very diverse professional fields such as tax assessing, medical care, engineering, the military, and marketing and construction, and consists of 37 students of which 54% are male and 46% female. Norissa Stutson, a student in the inaugural Texas class, chose DeVos because she was attracted to the cohort method. "I like that we will begin together and end together. The bond we establish will last our lifetimes," she said. Norissa had the pleasure of introducing Sharon Harper at the 2009 Distinguished Women Awards this fall. Afterward she commented on her experience at DW as a highlight of her life, and she now knows her own personal
goals are reachable.
Our Texas campus has played a pivotal role in the history of the Graduate School as it has been a location for the delivery of the DeVos/Dow/Hantz Executive MBA since 2004.
Now the DeVos team is gearing up to launch the Evening MBA program on our Florida campus in fall 2010. Graduate School Dean Dr. Lisa Fairbairn, and Director of Graduate Programs Lake Hamilton, spent the week in West Palm Beach with the Florida team to discuss the intricacies and timeline of the launch. Fairbairn said, "We are very excited to launch our DeVos MBA program in Florida to complete our expansion plans of having the DeVos MBA program on our three full-service residential campuses."
Fairbairn went on to explain some of the specifics of the Evening MBA program. "This dynamic, part-time program is designed for individuals with significant work experience who aspire to both personal and professional growth. The program, which is characterized by a student-driven learning methodology and integrated business curriculum, spans 27 months and requires students to be in class one evening per week."
The DeVos and Florida teams are excited to begin this effort. The Florida market gives us the opportunity to expand the influence, brand, and reach of the Florida campus and our University by the transformation of Florida business leaders through the proven success of a DeVos education.
Dr. Rose Bellanca, Provost of the Florida campus, is enthusiastic about adding the evening MBA to Florida's degree programs. "The energy on the Northwood University Florida campus was palpable a few weeks ago, as long-time supporter and Outstanding Business Leader Rich DeVos commented on our latest announcement - Northwood University's Florida campus has launched the DeVos Graduate School of Management MBA Program. The curriculum will enable working professionals the opportunity to develop the business and leadership skills necessary to advance their careers. Tailored for current and aspiring managers, the program is unique in that students are evaluated on their written analysis and class participation rather than traditional tests. Classes begin August 31, 2010, and will be taught in a cohort format, which provides a focused, supportive and interactive learning environment," she commented.
The Florida campus MBA launch plan details will continue in January with faculty being interviewed for selection, and information sessions will be held for prospective students.
Please join me in welcoming the DeVos Graduate School MBA program to the Florida campus.
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)
