Welcome
Happy belated new year DeVos alumni and friends! Welcome to the February 2007 edition of your DeVos Alumni Quarterly Newsletter. There have been a number of exciting changes here at the graduate school over the past few months and we are all eager to share them with you!
This installment marks the inaugural edition of our newly adopted newsletter layout and design. In 2006, in collaboration with alumni, students, faculty and staff, DeVos launched an innovative marketing and branding campaign. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the brand image and awareness of your graduate school. In alignment with our ACHIEVE MORE strategy, we are pleased to introduce to you our new e-newsletter design.
In addition to our new “facelift,” we are pleased to provide you with some innovative online tools as well. In response to your requests, we have created exclusive DeVos Graduate School of Management screensavers and desktop wallpapers. You can access these here.
To further engage you intellectually, we have added a Recommended Reading segment. Provided in part by faculty, staff and fellow DeVos alumni, we want to further connect you with useful articles, books, and readings that will enable you to “relive” your DeVos Experience.
Enjoy!
Matthew L. Bennett (’00)
Director of Marketing
T) 800.622.9000
F) 989.837.4800
E) mbennett@northwood.edu
Keith A. Pretty Named Northwood
University President and CEO
Keith A. Pretty joined Northwood University on September 15, 2006, as President and CEO of Northwood University. Dr. Pretty succeeds Dr. David E. Fry after Dr. Fry’s distinguished presidential career of over 20 years. Dr. Pretty was one of seven finalists selected out of 80 original applicants.
Before joining Northwood University, Dr. Pretty served as President and CEO of Walsh College and prior to Walsh College, he held various positions at Western Michigan University. Dr. Pretty’s background includes experience in higher education, the private sector, and government. His career in the private sector entailed various positions with Amoco Corporation from 1980 to 1987.
Dr. Pretty received his Bachelor of Science degree in education from Western Michigan University and earned a juris doctor degree from The Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI. He and his wife, Gretchen, have four children. The DeVos Graduate School encourages you to join us in welcoming President Keith A. Pretty to our Northwood family.
Back to TopHerzberger and Cramer Join the DeVos
Team!
We are pleased to announce that after careful consideration we have filled the positions of Associate Director of Graduate Admissions for our Full-time MBA Program and Administrative Marketing Assistant for the DeVos Graduate School of Management. We are happy to welcome Kristen Herzberger and Brandi Cramer to the DeVos team!
Kristen joined DeVos in December of 2006 as Associate Director of Graduate Admissions for the Full-time MBA Program; her office is located in Midland. She graduated with honors from Northwood University Midland campus in 2004, majoring in Marketing/Management. Kristen is also a graduate student of the Richard DeVos Graduate School of Management as a member of the Full-time MBA class of 2006. She can be reached by calling 989.837.4272 or via email at herzberg@northwood.edu.
Brandi joined DeVos in January 2007 as Administrative Marketing Assistant; her office is also located in Midland. Her responsibilities will involve alumni, marketing and advancement. Brandi has extensive experience in marketing, communications and civic involvement gained through her previous roll with the Bay City Downtown Management Board and Development Authority. She can be reached by calling 989.837.4425 or via email at cramerb@northwood.edu.
Each of them looks forward to working with you!
Back to TopDeVos Student’s Leadership Honored
December 16, 2006 marked a momentous day for Troy EMBA student Joy Labadie. Joy was
pleasantly surprised by a visit from Dr. William Busby, Dean and COO of the DeVos Graduate School, and faculty member Dr. Daniel Behring. Drs. Behring and Busby formally presented Joy the Dr. Daniel W. Behring Student Leadership Award for the 2006-2007 academic year.
The Dr. Daniel W. Behring Student Leadership Award is bestowed upon the student who best exemplified the commitment, passion and leadership attributes essential for personal and professional growth within the curriculum of The Richard DeVos Graduate School of Management. The nomination and selection process for the Behring Student Leadership Award is facilitated exclusively by DeVos faculty members. Joy was a unanimous selection for her outstanding contributions in and out of class, and her unparalleled commitment to excellence.
Joy was humbled by the award. “I was in disbelief!” “There are so many strong and deserving candidates in my cohort alone, let alone the other programs and locations; I am honored to have been selected!” Joy has thoroughly enjoyed her DeVos MBA experience and she eagerly anticipates commencement in May 2007. “I am thrilled with my DeVos education.” “I enjoy my classmates, and the fact that I can learn on Tuesday night, and apply that learning on Wednesday morning at work!” “It has been a remarkable journey, and this award is an honor!”
Back to TopBusiness Leaders…Truly Outstanding!
DeVos MBA student Bernie Defreitas (DeVos-Dow-Hantz MBA Midland ‘08) was recently nominated and selected to play an integral role in Northwood University’s 27th annual Outstanding Business Leaders Award Gala at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, FL. On January 27th, Bernie had the privilege of introducing a Northwood University Outstanding Business Leader award honoree for 2007.
Bernie had the opportunity to introduce Mr. Wallace (Wally) Tsuha (Auburn Hills, MI), Chairman and CEO, Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc. Saturn Electronics & Engineering is a global supplier to the original Equipment Manufacturers and their suppliers. Their innovative products are manufactured for the automotive, appliance, and communications industry. Mr. Tshua exemplifies the Northwood University entrepreneurial spirit as he has clearly demonstrated the passion and commitment necessary to succeed in growing Saturn to a $400 million supplier.
The Outstanding Business Leader Awards are presented by the Northwood University Board of Trustees. Each awardee is selected on the basis of personal achievements which typify the unique philosophy of Northwood University. Criteria used in the selection of awardees include contribution to the philosophy of private enterprise, support of the integration of business and the arts, contribution to education, economic innovation, creative marketing ideas, community involvement, religious leadership, philanthropic contributions, as well as business success. Other 2007 Outstanding Business Leader Award recipients include:
- “Famous Dave” Anderson, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Famous Dave’s of America
- Dan DeVos, President/CEO, DP Fox Ventures
- Tom Gallagher, Chairman, President & CEO, Genuine Parts Company
- James Olan Hutcheson, Founder & CEO, ReGENERATION Partners
- Larry McCurdy, Chairman of the Board, Affinia Group
- Philip Odeen, Chairman of the Board, Avaya
- Karen Pitts, Co-CEO, Link Staffing Services Corporation, Inc.
DeVos Information Drive to Engage You!
We trust by now you have received your official Richard DeVos Graduate School of Management alumni lapel pin. We hope you wear this often and with great pride in support of your alma mater. If you have not received your alumni lapel pin, please contact Brandi Cramer at 989.837.4425 or via email at cramerb@northwood.edu.
Since our last alumni newsletter, Northwood University held its winter commencement ceremony on December 9, 2006. During this ceremony 45 new graduates were added to the distinguished DeVos Graduate School of Management alumni family. With these additions we have also begun the process of updating all alumni records. We ask that you play a significant role in this effort by providing your current contact information. This will greatly assist us in providing you valuable resources such as upcoming events, leadership workshops and seminars, and various academic and social engagements.
A representative from the DeVos Graduate School will be contacting you soon to update our alumni records. Your active involvement and participation are crucial to the success of the DeVos Graduate School. If you would like to update your information beforehand, or if you have any ideas for future alumni events, please contact us at 800.MBA.9000 or via email at: devosalumni@northwood.edu.
Back to TopSupport a Fellow DeVos Family Member
We are always interested in informing our alumni and friends of significant situations that occur throughout the quarter. Our stories are submitted by faculty, alumni and staff and we aim to provide a diverse selection to you!
Recently, we were informed of a struggle currently facing a DeVos Managerial MBA student and we wanted to share it with you. Brenda Christian has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer which required a double mastectomy. In addition, doctors found cancer in her lymph nodes and needed to remove those. While Brenda was undergoing additional tests to determine the best route of chemotherapy, another set of lymph nodes were found that are cancerous as well.
Brenda is currently battling a disease and we offer our support and prayers for a quick and speedy recovery. To assist Brenda in her recovery efforts, her cohort group has organized a charity dinner for her to raise funds to assist in deterring her medical expense. A Spaghetti Dinner has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at The Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 103 E. Midland Street, Bay City, MI (corner of Midland Street and Wenona--participants to use the DeWitt Street entrance).
If you have any questions, or would like to assist further, you can reach class representative Patti Wesenick at 989.737.6844 or via email at pwesenick@toast.net
Back to TopAlumni to Be Rewarded For Their Efforts
The Richard DeVos Graduate School of Management is pleased to announce a special Alumni Referral Rewards Program. This program is designed to reward any DeVos alumni or friends that refer a prospective MBA candidate to the program. As a token of our gratitude, those that refer a candidate that enrolls in a DeVos MBA program of study will receive a complimentary gift card to Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar. For more information about the Referral Rewards Program or if you would like to refer a MBA candidate to DeVos, please contact us via email at our newly developed alumni email address: devosalumni@northwood.edu.
Back to TopRecommended Reading
As an added resource to you, we are excited to introduce a new segment to your alumni newsletter, Recommended Reading. Our first recommendation is a book entitled the Undercover Economist. This selection comes highly regarded from our very own Dean, Dr. William T. Busby.
The Undercover Economist, written by Tim Harford, is an informative book that introduces economic reasoning through a variety of real life examples. This book will appeal to individuals with or without an economic background and will shed light on how various marketing concepts have an effect on our daily lives. This book is geared toward shaping the reader into a savvy consumer, by providing them with the ability to read between the lines.
We hope you enjoy, and look forward to your feedback about this February 2007 Recommended Reading selection!
Back to TopUpcoming Events
Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce Area Commerce Exchange
Bavarian Inn Lodge & Conference Center
Wednesday, February 28 10-6 p.m.
Great Lakes Loons
Dow Diamond Baseball Park
Friday, April 20 5:30 p.m.
Wills & Trusts Basics! Learn the Basics of Estate Planning
Troy - Wednesday, March 14 6-9 p.m.
Midland - Thursday, March 29 6-9 p.m.
2007 S.E. Michigan Career Expo
City of Troy Community Center
3179 Livernois Troy, MI 48083
Tuesday, April 17, 2007 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Please RSVP via email at devosalumni@northwood.edu.
Back to TopComments to the Dean
This is your newsletter, if there is something you want to see or that you want to help make happen please let me know. We are always open to suggestions, your feedback and ideas are vital in our planning of alumni events and services.
Bill
Dr. William T. Busby
busby@northwood.edu
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Northwood University
DeVos Graduate School
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, Michigan 48640
Toll free: 800.MBA.9000
devosalumni@northwood.edu
DeVos Graduate School | Tel. 800.MBA.9000 | Fax: 989.837.4800