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Fashion Showcase Makes Special Contribution to Distinguished Women Awards Gala

November 20, 2024

The Northwood University Fashion Showcase made a dazzling contribution to this year’s Distinguished Women Awards Gala as students coordinated a stunning display of dresses donated by prior Distinguished Women Award recipients.

“Trinity Burtch, the director of the 2025 Northwood University Fashion Showcase, led an effort to collect dresses to display at the Distinguished Women Award Gala,” stated Signature Events Director Jen Carpenter. “The result was a gorgeous display that attendees said added an impressive and memorable dimension to year’s Distinguished Women Award programming.”

Burtch, a senior from St. Charles, Michigan, is studying fashion marketing and management. As a student presenter at last year’s Distinguished Women Awards Gala, Burtch knows the remarkable impact Distinguished Women Award recipients have on students as role models and mentors.

“I wanted to show people that these stunning pieces are more than just dresses. They represent the incredible women’s journey to where they are today,” Burtch stated. “Northwood’s Distinguished Women Awards Gala is by far my favorite event. Nothing makes me happier than empowering women and recognizing their outstanding contributions to the world. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to display these gowns.”

Burtch is particularly grateful to Pamella Roland DeVos, a 2007 Distinguished Women Award recipient who allowed Northwood to showcase six dresses from her signature collection of couture designs.

Pictured: This year’s Distinguished Women Awards Gala featured an impressive display of dresses, including six that were on loan from renowned designer Pamella Roland’s couture collections from 2018 to 2024.

“This generous loan meant the world to me, as Pamella Roland is a very renowned designer whose dresses have been worn by celebrity A-listers like Angelina Jolie, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Lily Collins, Eva Longoria, and Madonna,” Burtch explained. “She was inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and the Kendall College of Art and Design named its fashion studies program ‘The Pamella Roland DeVos School of Fashion.”

Since 1970, the Northwood University Distinguished Women Awards have honored individuals who value free enterprise, hard work, determination, creativity, and a passion for making the world a better place. These traits reflect the core values of Northwood’s guiding philosophy, The Northwood Idea. Proceeds from the Distinguished Women Awards program benefit Northwood University students through scholarships.

This year’s Distinguished Women Award recipients were honored during the Distinguished Women Awards Gala on Oct. 26, 2024, at The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan. Honorees included:

“The impact these honorees, and the ones who have come before them, have on students like me is invaluable and immeasurable,” said Burtch, who currently is being mentored by one of the inaugural Distinguished Women Award recipients, Nancy Barker of Midland. The pair plan to catalogue, preserve, and curate the growing collection of dresses that have been loaned to Northwood University, to ensure these important historical garments are carefully maintained for future generations.

For more information about the Distinguished Women Awards, including a list of past Distinguished Women Award recipients, visit https://www.northwood.edu/advancement/signature-events/distinguished-women-awards/.

A person in a dark purple dress stands in front of a brick planter with flowers and greenery, evoking the elegance of a fashion showcase.
Trinity Burtch, the director of the 2025 Northwood University Fashion Showcase, led an effort to collect dresses to display at the Distinguished Women Award Gala at The H Hotel in Midland, Michigan.

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