Davenport University Alumni Newsletter
Alumni are invited to attend Davenport’s upcoming Career Fair in Grand Rapids. With over 81 registered employers, this is an opportunity you do not want to miss. To get a listing of employers and information about their ideal candidate, click here.
When: Tuesday, March 26 | 1 – 4 p.m.
Where: Davenport University Student Center (Map)
Cost: Free to attend
Attendees should bring copies of their résumé and professional dress is required.
Helen Zeerip, Janice Vanderbilt, Ann Vidro, Menda Wright and Beverly Wall
Davenport University was made proud by its Top Women Owned Business Owners honored at the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s bi-annual luncheon recognizing 35 women in the West Michigan community. Five of those women were Davenport graduates: Barbara Meconis, Ann Vidro, Janice Vanderbilt, Beverly Wall and Helen Zeerip. Barbara Meconis founded Holistic Care Approach, a natural healing center. Ann Vidro and her business partner Menda Wright, are co-founders and owners of Creative Studio Promotions, Inc., Janice Vanderbilt is founding partner of Vanderbilt CPA Group. Beverly Wall is founder and owner of Language Specialists, International , an interpretation service; and Helen Zeerip is President and co-owner with her husband, Craig, of Teddy’s Transport, a nation wide expediting service company.
We are very proud of our alumnae. Watch for the next edition of DU Review for additional details on these successful fellow graduates.
This event and recognition inspired an initiative to create a Women’s Entrepreneur Student program which is under way with the passion of Bev Wall at the helm. In addition, an alumni entrepreneur hub is also being established for DU alumni who have taken the plunge into establishing their own business. Are you an interested entrepreneur with advice to share or unanswered questions to ask of fellow business starters? Please email alumni@davenport.edu with your interest in participating in one of these groups or if you have an entrepreneurial experience to share!
On Friday, March 15th we hosted an alumni family movie night featuring Oz The Great and Powerful. We had an amazing showing of over 180 alumni and family members.
The evening started with an Oz-themed reception featuring fun food, a 50/50 raffle supporting the alumni campaign, DU Pride: Scholarships for Opportunity, and great conversation among old and new friends. The theatre for this private showing was practically filled to capacity and everyone seemed to enjoy the movie which was both funny and nail-biting. Laughter filled the room interrupted occasionally with a few gasps and at some points most of us were on the edge of our seats. The night was a great success! Watch for future opportunities for more family fun!
In this second installment of the PAS we are shining the spotlight on Zach Higgins, who starred as a goaltender for the lacrosse team at DU from 2009-2012. As a member of the 2011 National Championship team, alumnus Zach honed his skills into an outstanding college career and is beginning his professional career now.
Name: Zach Higgins
Degree: Sport Management, BBA ‘12
Sport: Lacrosse
Hometown: Courtice, Ontario, Canada
Team: Minnesota Swarm (NLL), Durham Turfdogs (CLAX)
1. How have you utilized your education and experiences from Davenport with your current team?
Davenport helped me achieve the importance of teamwork and the potential it has to lead to success. The experiences I learned are currently teaching me to hold myself accountable for the roles I provide to the team and how my role can impact the overall success of the team.
2. What would you say to fellow student athletes and alumni in pursuing their respective sports on the professional level?
If you have the goal to play at the highest level your sport has to offer, you must act on being able to achieve that goal. You have to be able to use all the contacts you have and make sure you work hard for the opportunity. You have to be able to prove to yourself that you are capable of playing at that level and taking advantage of any opportunity that is presented to you.
3. How has the professional sport of lacrosse grown in North America, specifically indoor lacrosse?
The professional sport of lacrosse has had a roller coaster of a ride in regards to growth. 2013 will be the first season that the NLL will not have a team pull out of the league. This shows a sign of improvement and with the league having goals to include more teams in the coming years to show the excitement lacrosse has to offer, the sport can only go up from here. The growth of lacrosse has shown massive improvement amongst the youth. Leagues all across North America are seeing increases in kids signing up each year and with these increases, the sport overall will feed off this growth.
Panther Athletics National Tournament updates
The D3 men’s hockey team continued to display its dominance at the 2013 National Championships in Springfield, Missouri. Starting the tournament off with a 7-1 victory over SUNY-Maritime College, they continued with a second victory over Marquette University 6-2. Their final pool game was against Kennesaw State University, where they pulled a come from behind overtime victory 6-5. Winning their pool play, DU faced off against fellow north division foe UofM-Flint in a semi final bout. Results here
The Lady Panthers basketball team made it all the way to the National Championship game against Indiana Wesleyan University, falling 43-61. This marks the second time that the lady Panthers have made it to the National Championship game in the past three seasons. The team earned some great accomplishments this season, earning their fourth straight WHAC Tournament title defeating Concordia 91-61.
Looking into the post-season, DU’s Sports Information Department is proud to cover all Panther Athletic teams that will be competing in the national tournaments. You can find more information at National Tournament Central including game notes, previews, pictures and ways to follow your favorite DU teams.
Know an Outstanding Faculty Member? Nominate them for the Faculty Excellence Awards
The Office of Performance Excellence is seeking nominations for the second annual DU Excellence in Teaching Award. This award recognizes outstanding adjunct and full-time faculty who:
Winners will be honored at Davenfest 2013, DU’s all employee meeting. Students, faculty and alumni are invited to nominate outstanding faculty for this annual award.
Submit your nomination online before March 24, 2013.
Join us on Tuesday, April 2 as Davenport participates in World Autism Awareness Day. Activities include panel discussion, showing of Temple Grandin’s TED Talk and more.
Click here for the full schedule of events.
If you’d like to get involved, want more information or need special accommodations; please contact Celeste Belcher-Girard.
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
