Why I Give
Thank you to more than 700 donors who made the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health possible. Your support will elevate the level of health care in our community and our state, and provide an exceptional education to thousands of students each year.
A special thank you to our leadership donors who inspired others to support the project with their gifts. Here are some of the reasons why they gave.
As a young executive, Peter Cook was one in a group of men who envisioned the strength and economic boost a strong public university would bring to Grand Rapids. This vision led the way for Grand Valley State University with support from Peter and his wife Pat.
Peter was also a visionary with the Spectrum Health Foundation, investing time and money to improve our health care system. When the opportunity came to strengthen and grow the health sciences curriculum at Grand Valley with a site on the Medical Mile, Peter and Pat, along with friends Rich and Helen DeVos, answered the call. After positively influencing our community and many students with education in the health sciences, the Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation was proud to make a grant to complete the campaign lead by the next generation for the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health.
-Carrie Boer, Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation
As the second generation in our family to support Grand Valley students, we felt drawn to be a part of this significant expansion for the university and its Health Campus. Our family is deeply committed to both education and health. To be able to support the point of intersection between the two, and to see such a meaningful advancement in technology and interprofessional learning is wonderful. There is no doubt that this expansion will help students and our community thrive.
-Gary and Joyce DeWitt
Grand Valley’s partnerships with the region’s health systems and companies have always led the university to create programs that prepare its students for careers where they are needed. We support the health science programs at Grand Valley because GVSU produces the best-trained personnel that helps improve the overall health in our communities.
We appreciate the opportunity to come alongside the other donors, as this project will keep Grand Valley on the cutting edge of health care education.
-John and Nancy Kennedy
We continue to be focused on health and education. This new facility is a significant addition to educational opportunities at Grand Valley. It provides a state-of-the-art environment where our nursing and health science students, guided by dedicated faculty and staff, can learn in the rapidly changing world of health care.
-Sam and Jean Martin
From the beginning, Mom and Dad were loyal supporters of Grand Valley. They believed strongly that West Michigan is better for having a university of this size and quality, and they helped make that happen. When they designated a gift in their estate for the university, it was only fitting that it helps with the expansion of the Health Campus. This facility will have a huge impact on the people of this region through the graduates that will care for our friends and family. We know Mom and Dad would be thrilled with how it turned out and the impact their gift will have for generations to come.
-Tony and Kyle Verplank on behalf of the Verplank family