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NEWS & EVENTS
Read the latest campaign news here:
Alumni Grassroots Fundraising Effort Announced at Enrichment Dinner
Alumni Leaders Stepping Forward for Campaign Gift Leads to Gallery Expansion
Coopersville Couple Builds a Bridge to the Future Doing Good, and Doing it Well The Shape of Grand Valley’s Future Conceived to forge a meaningful connection between Grand Valley students and community leaders, the Peter Cook Leadership Academy has quickly become a dynamic enterprise and is exceeding expectations for success.
Housed within Grand Valley’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, the academy was founded in 2004 on the belief that learning to lead is best done through direct exposure to people who are themselves accomplished leaders.
“It’s a unique blend of academics, experience, and philanthropy,” said Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center. “In a scholarly setting, we have generous people who are willing to share not only their resources, but their knowledge and experience with our students.”
Thanks to a gift from Peter Cook, the academy has gained a stronger financial base for its program. Each year, a group of talented and diverse students is selected for membership in the academy. Becoming a Leadership Fellow offers multiple opportunities, including a monthly lunch meeting with a national, state or local leader to discuss the challenges and opportunities of leadership.
Participation in the Hauenstein Center’s public programs broadens the fellows’ exposure to leaders and scholars of national stature. The center’s partnerships — with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum and the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, among others — provide fellows opportunities to participate in some of the area’s most anticipated gatherings.
A Student Opportunity Like No Other
The Leadership Fellows clearly feel enriched by their involvement with the program. Dan Reed, a social studies and physical education major, said, “No other association has provided me with more opportunities to grow and learn than the Hauenstein Center’s Leadership Academy.”
The fellows have met four presidents, two vice presidents, three secretaries of state, two governors, numerous Pulitzer Prize recipients and a Grammy winner, among others. It’s an impressive list, to be sure, but perhaps even more important are the small group gatherings that fellows have with local and regional leaders, including numerous corporate, nonprofit and educational executives.
The chairman of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies Advisory Cabinet is Hilary Snell, a former managing partner at Varnum. He believes the detailed professional insight being shared during these meetings is invaluable for the leaders of tomorrow. “These students are being exposed to a plethora of approaches that have been applied to universal leadership problems,” Snell said. “At every level of leadership, from local volunteer positions to corporate management — all the way up the ladder of leadership responsibility — fellows will be able to draw on what they learned in dealing with the wide variety of situations they will face.”
Fellow Petra Alsoofy, a political science major with a minor in Middle Eastern studies, said: “The Leadership Academy provides me with a chance to see how leadership works in all fields. Professionalism is stressed, which is important for students who want practice and preparation for the workforce or for further education.”
Mentors Sharing Values and Experience
The Leadership Academy supports 25 fellows. Each fellow has the opportunity to be guided by a mentor, who is a recognized leader in West Michigan.
Jim Mitchell, an attorney and partner at Varnum, is a long-time friend of the Hauenstein Center and a supporter of the Leadership Academy. He said: “The academy provides a tremendous opportunity for sharing between young people accepting the mantle of leadership and those who have been leaders in the past. Today, there’s an abundance of information available — but it takes wisdom and experience, and someone willing to share it, to examine that information critically, and apply it meaningfully.”
Providing models for civic involvement is an important part of the process too, cabinet member Mary Seeger points out. Seeger is a dean emeritus of Grand Valley. “It’s good to teach young people to become involved in the community early in life – the younger, the better,” she said.
Leadership Past, Present and Future
Snell is impressed with how the academy gives Grand Valley, and all those who benefit from it, a first-rate historical analysis of how leaders work. “It’s incredible to watch the teaching of history become a meaningful part of the debate surrounding current issues,” he said. “To one who loves the study of history, that is truly exciting.”
Today’s environment is formidable, and there is a dire need for talented leaders. The Peter Cook Leadership Academy is creating those leaders, and when community members step forward with their support, they make a very real investment in the future. More information about the academy is available at www.allpresidents.org.
Hauenstein Center Inspires New Generations
Ralph Hauenstein understands how important effective leadership is for society. “In the 20th century, I saw the worst that leaders are capable of,” he said of his experiences as the head of U.S. intelligence in the European theater during World War II.
“In the 21st century, I want to encourage the best leadership possible, so that the world will be better for my children’s children,” Hauenstein said. Through the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, he hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders devoted to public service.
It is on this foundation that Peter Cook generously sponsored the establishment of the Leadership Academy at the Hauenstein Center. Cook describes himself as a friend of Hauenstein who values the American presidency and wants to see the next generation gain from the best insights and traditions of that uniquely American institution.
“Ralph and Peter are great philanthropists,” said Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center. “We’re delighted with their commitment and enthusiasm. They have made it possible for the center to create a real connection with students and a genuine engagement with community leaders.”
As part of Shaping Our Future, Grand Valley’s comprehensive campaign, friends of the Hauenstein Center have raised $2.8 million towards the $3 million endowment goal.
The center has received endowment gifts from two private foundations and a local family.These gifts will permanently support five of the 25 Leadership Fellows. Campaign leaders hope similar endowments will follow.
Library to Honor Mary Idema Pew
 Robert and Mary have been generous benefactors of "My wife cared about education because of what it could do for people's lives," said Robert Pew. "Her compassion was with everyday people. We know this library will ultimately benefit everyone in this region as it raises the academic achievement of The Mary Idema Pew Library is named as a tribute to Mrs. Pew and members of her family who have been major supporters of Shaping Our Future. The campaign's centerpiece goal is funding for the library, which will use new technology and learning design to serve as an incubator for 21st century skills.
"It's very meaningful to us that The library is expected to cost $70 million, with $30 million in private donations and the rest coming from state appropriations. University officials hope the state support for construction of this project will be approved by the legislature next year. The  At the Grand Valley University Foundation’s 2009 Enrichment Dinner, Shaping Our Future Co-Chairs Dan and Pam DeVos announced the establishment of the Alumni Champions Committee. The group was formed in response to interest from alumni, who wanted to contribute to Shaping Our Future’s goal of raising $50 million by the University’s 50th anniversary.
Led by six co-chairs, the committee had already attracted over 100 members by the time it was officially announced. Creation of the Alumni Champions Committee is just one evidence of the tremendous response and impressive momentum Shaping Our Future has gained since the campaign was unveiled at the 2008 Enrichment Dinner.
Celebrating a successful year for the campaign and looking to the challenges of the next phase, Pam DeVos pointed out that $10 million still needs to be raised for the campaign to reach its goal. DeVos discussed how wide-ranging involvement will be needed for the campaign’s success, and the impact its completion would have.
“It’s going to take a lot of work to make this happen – a real broad-based effort,” she said. “While it’s exciting to hear about how much has been raised, it’s even more exciting and motivating to think of what this means for Grand Valley, for our students – who are the future workforce – and to the future of our region and state.”
Meet the Co-Chairs Six prominent alumni leaders have agreed to lead an alumni effort to help complete Shaping Our Future, the university’s first-ever comprehensive campaign for its capital and endowment needs.
The leaders are Frances E. Brown ’79, Marie O. Canepa ’81, Maria P. DeVos ’91, William R. Padnos ’79, Donald J. Paton ’67, and Diane M. Paton ’67. They are joined by 100 alumni who will help them raise the needed funds, making this the largest alumni campaign effort in Grand Valley’s history. “This is very exciting to us. We have more than 70,000 alumni today, and 30,000 of them work, live and lead here in West Michigan,” said Grand Valley President Thomas J. Haas. “They are becoming more vested and vocal about the university, and they want to ensure its future is successful. They are key to the broad-based portion of our campaign, as we seek to complete and exceed every goal in our $50 million campaign.” Retired arts education administrator William R. Padnos said he is pleased to participate. “Grand Valley has come into its own as a university,” he said. “It gives back to our region every day, economically and culturally. It is poised to give back even more when we complete the fundraising for the Mary Idema Pew Library and other portions of this campaign.” “There are many of us who have a lot of history with Grand Valley and are at the point in life where we want to support this institution that gave us so much,” said Diane M. Paton, a retired teacher now from Holland. Don Paton, retired executive vice president of Datacomp Appraisal Systems of Grand Rapids, said: “Grand Valley is already a key catalyst for West Michigan, with an economic impact of $590 million annually. But we also recognize the role it will play in providing talent for the emerging knowledge economy, which is an area where Michigan is actually gaining jobs.” The Alumni Champions Committee will work toward the campaign’s goal of concluding by the academic year 2010-2011, when the university celebrates its 50th anniversary. See coverage from the Grand Rapids Press here.
Gift Leads to Gallery Expansion
The Gordon Gallery doubled in size thanks to a gift from George and Barbara Gordon, allowing space to hold more of the 2,500 works of art Mathias J. Alten (1871 – 1938) painted in his lifetime. “Mathias Alten is our region’s connection to the Impressionist movement, which swept the world in the early 20th century,” said George Gordon, a businessperson in the oil and gas industry and member of the Grand Valley University Foundation’s Advisory Cabinet. “Barbara and I are grateful that our gift will make his works more directly accessible to the public and to university students and faculty. To me, this expansion turned a room with paintings hung on the wall into a true gallery, and it brings out the best of Alten’s craft and color.”
Alten became a celebrated American regional artist and the great figurehead of Grand Rapids' cultural identity. Displayed in the Gordon Gallery are 43 of Alten's paintings, including 10 new gifts not previously on display. More than 60 of his works are included in the collections at Grand Valley State University.
Coopersville Couple Builds a Bridge to the Future
 The future of their rural community: that’s what was on the minds of Ed and Nancy Hanenburg when they created the Coopersville Scholarship. Ed is a successful farmer and a businessman, with interests across the region. Coopersville’s agricultural heritage was central to Ed’s upbringing. He treasures its rural values even as many of its young people look toward bigger cities for their futures. Both he and his wife, Nancy, knew the power of education. As past executive director of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, Nancy and the trustees had supported projects at Grand Valley. And both understood that the promise of an affordable education would appeal to young people and families. Ed and Nancy knew of Grand Valley’s quality and value. With the Allendale Campus just 10 miles away, it was a natural to partner with GVSU to build a “bridge to the future” from the Coopersville Public Schools to a college education. The Hanenburgs began to work with GVSU officials along with school district officials Superintendent Kevin O’Neill ‘76 and high school Principal Ron Veldman ‘87, ’93. They created a scholarship so that every Coopersville senior accepted at GVSU would get some financial support guaranteed, regardless of need. Ed and Nancy also declined to name the scholarship for themselves, stating that this is about the community and not about them. The Hanenburg family has encouraged others to join in and invest in Coopersville through this scholarship. In fall 2007, the first 26 Coopersville Scholars will begin classes at GVSU. It’s the start of a legacy that one rural town and its supporters can be extremely proud of. Doing Good, and Doing it Well
 Being in the top 10 is great, but moving up to number three is even better. That’s just one result of the “Growing Greater Good” endowment campaign for the Johnson Center for Philanthropy, according to David Frey, campaign co-chair. The Johnson Center, dedicated to improving the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, now has the third largest endowment of any similar academic center. It also has the second largest staff. Others in the top three are at Arizona State and Indiana University. The Center’s honorary committee surpassed its $5 million goal, raising $5.2 million. The committee celebrated at a May 30 luncheon, and was praised by Grand Valley President Emeritus Don Lubbers and campaign co-chair Ranny Riecker, president of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. The Dow Foundation gave $1 million to kick off the campaign, naming the Center’s Nonprofit Leadership Institute. “We are especially proud to become the home of the world’s first chair in family foundations, the Frey Foundation Chair for Family Foundations and Philanthropy,” said Lubbers. With 36,700 family foundations in the U.S., David Frey and his fellow trustees wanted to bring focus to this little-studied area of philanthropy. The Frey Chair, to be filled by September, will combine research and education to help foundations share and implement best practices to effectively target their support. Begun during the “quiet” phase of the Shaping Our Future Campaign, this endowment campaign was so successful it was completed before the comprehensive campaign became public. More on the Johnson Center campaign. The Shape of Grand Valley’s Future
 “Grand Valley has the power—and responsibility—to help transform our West Michigan economy,” said Dan DeVos. “Shaping Our Future is the way for us all to get there.” Joined by his fellow co-chairs Pam DeVos and Jim and Donna Brooks, Dan announced Grand Valley’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, with a $50 million minimum goal for the university’s top capital and endowment needs. “Today, we ask you to consider the full impact of Grand Valley on this region, and to invest accordingly,” said Pam DeVos. “With its economic impact of $524 million annually, with more than 23,000 students, and with about 85 percent of its working graduates staying in Michigan, giving to Grand Valley means giving back to ourselves and our communities.” Unveiled at the June 10 Enrichment Dinner before 1,000 guests were the campaign logo and the first images of the Learning and Information Commons, the campaign’s flagship. A new kind of library for the 21st century, it will offer online, hard-copy and human resources to help prepare students for global competition in the information age. Jim and Donna Brooks acknowledged 18 leadership donors to the campaign. “With their generosity, and with 100 percent of our Board of Trustees joining in support, we are pleased to announce we are more than halfway to our $50 million goal,” said Jim Brooks. Donna Brooks explained that the campaign would conclude by the academic year 2010-2011, Grand Valley’s 50th anniversary. More on the announcement of Shaping Our Future at GVNow. Shaping Our Future Leadership Giving Jack H. and Nancy L. Batts Brooks Family - Holland
Peter and Pat Cook Dan and Pam DeVos Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation Frey Foundation George and Barbara Gordon Ed and Nancy Hanenburg Ralph Hauenstein F. Martin and Dorothy A. Johnson Mary Ann Keeler John and Nancy Kennedy Fred and Lena Meijer
Seymour and Esther Padnos Stuart Padnos Robert Pew II The Peter F. Secchia Family Tom and Joyce Wisner Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation Our campaign announcement at the Grand Valley University Foundation's Enrichment Dinner on June 10th drew significant media coverage from several television stations, newspapers and online media sources. See the future take shape at the links below.
Fox 17
story and video (Click on "video," then in the Video Box, click on the News Archive tab, then search for "GVSU Funds") Other coverage:
 Catch up on the latest happenings at Grand Valley State University:
http://www.gvsu.edu/news/For the campus community, visit: http://www.gvsu.edu/gvnow/ Watch "Around Grand Valley" and other our News videos. |
