Leadership Donors:

• Amway
• David G. & Mary L. Annis
• Baldwin Foundation
• BDO USA, LLP
• Hy & Greta Berkowitz Foundation
• BISSELL Inc.
• The Brooks Family – Holland
• Custer, Inc.
• Daniel & Pamella DeVos
• Michael & Lynette Ellis
• Fifth Third Bank
• Raleigh J. Finkelstein
• Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber
• Henry A. “Happy” Fox Jr.
• Tom & Mickie Fox Family
• Frey Foundation
• Gordon Food Service
• M. James & Sarah G. Gunberg Family
• William Randolph Hearst Foundation
• The Jandernoa Family
• Betty & David Killoran
• Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
• Masons of Michigan
• Mark ’75, ’80 & Judy ’75 Olesnavage
• Chris & Joan Panopoulos
• Peter P. & Patricia Renucci
• Sally & Larry Robson
• Rockford Construction
• Sebastian Foundation
• Gary L. ’77 & Jennifer Tilkin
• Jerry & Marcia Tubergen
• James & Almeda Vander Waals Foundation
• Michael & Gayle VanGessel

Raleigh J. Finkelstein grew up knowing that good things would come if he would just ‘stick to it’ through hard work and a firm commitment to his goals, his family, and his community.

Born and raised on Grand Rapids’ east side, Raleigh’s financial and business acumen helped him and his brothers grow the family business, Michigan Clothiers, which was started by their parents. The business evolved into a surplus store after World War II and ultimately became MC Sporting Goods into the largest retail operation of its kind in the Midwest with more than 2,000 employees at its peak.

Decades later, after selling the retail chain, Raleigh is still practicing his negotiating skills in real estate and other endeavors along with his initial and lifelong partners, his brothers Mort and Ed. Their current business REM Real Estate is active in properties throughout West Michigan. Raleigh also helped form Arbor Mortgage and served as its chairperson, and was a founding leader of Northpointe Bank. Other successful ventures included businesses in the automotive and restaurant industries.

That thoughtful, consistent nature led him to share his success with Grand Valley State University students as the first and lead donor for the initial building in the university’s expanding Health Campus. This building is named, Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall in his honor.

Raleigh’s strong family values and appreciation for his community have led him to give back in a way that will help Grand Valley students reach their potential, and serve West Michigan long into the future.

• Opened for classes in May of 2018

• The five-story building houses 16 teaching laboratories and 90 faculty and staff offices.

• The 84,000-square-foot project was constructed to meet or exceed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

• Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall will provide a home for occupational therapy, recreational therapy, speech-language pathology, sonography, public health, and allied health programs that require intensive interactive learning spaces and the space to work as interprofessional teams.

• The addition of space on the Health Campus will allow Grand Valley to add new health sciences programs, as our regional and statewide health care providers need them.

• The expansion of classrooms and laboratory facilities creates more opportunities for students to attain the foundation they need prior to their clinical experiences.

• Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall will allow Grand Valley to educate students in emerging technologies, as well as meet existing shortfalls within the health care field.