2025 Alumni Awards and Homecoming
Homecoming means cheering on your Panthers, connecting with old friends and making great memories. You will have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of fellow alumni, explore Davenport's growing W.A. Lettinga Campus and reconnect with faculty and staff.
Alumni Awards celebration & Homecoming tailgate
Each year we recognize our award recipients at our annual Alumni Awards celebration. Our 2025 alumni award winners will enjoy brunch and networking opportunities during the ceremony, followed by our Homecoming tent activities. We look forward to celebrating will all of our alumni in Fall 2025.
We are excited to celebrate this year's alumni awards and recognize the 2025 Alumni Awards recipients before the annual Homecoming tailgate. As we celebrate our 2025 alumni award winners enjoy brunch and networking with fellow alums. RSVPs are requested no later than October 11th, 2025. If you have any questions, please send them to events@davenport.edu.
Date to be announced
Alumni Awards
Guest arrival: 10:45 am | Brunch & program: 11:00 am
Donald W. Maine College of Business
Main reception area
Homecoming
Tailgate: 12:00 pm | Kickoff: 2:00 pm
DU Farmer's Insurance Athletic Complex
Cost: $10 per person
Registration for Homecoming includes an Alumni discount for game day tickets. Please see your confirmation email for the discount code. If you have any questions, please send us an email at events@davenport.edu.
Congratulations to Davenport's 2024 Alumni Award recipients
The Davenport University Alumni Association has the privilege to recognize graduates who exemplify the vision and values of the university through their professional and community service. For more information on 2025 award categories, click here.
College of Health Professions Alumni Award
Amy Painter, Class of 2011 & 2015
College of Technology Alumni Award
James Czerew, Class of 2007
College of Urban Education Alumni Award
Derrick Martin, Class of 2022
College of Business Alumni Award
Joel Blanchard, Class of 2005 & 2009
Young Alumni Award
Mackenzie Maschke, Class of 2020
Hy Berkowitz Professional Excellence Award
Jim Ayres, Class of 2000
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Dr. Arthur L. Garner, Jr., Class of 1991 & 2004
The highest award that Davenport University bestows on a graduate is the Distinguished Alumni Award established to recognize exceptional graduates who represent the mission, vision and values of the University. The award was first presented in 1978 to Tyrus R. Wessell, and since that time, a select group of outstanding individuals have followed in his footsteps.
The award is presented each year to a graduate who has made notable achievements in his or her field, given exemplary service to Davenport University, exemplified the mission and ideals of Davenport, and who is a distinguished person in public life, business or service to others.
The candidate should fit the following:
- Is a Davenport University graduate.
- Achieved notable success in his or her professional field.
- Given financial support and exemplary service to Davenport University.
- Exemplifies the mission and ideals of the University.
- Distinguished person in public life, business or service to others.
- Promotes the value of higher education for society.
Nominations closed
The Hy Berkowitz Professional Excellence Award recognizes graduates of Davenport University who have persevered through challenges and achieved exceptional professional and personal accomplishments.
Hy Berkowitz was a highly respected businessman and community advocate. Berkowitz was a trustee, generous supporter, and close friend of Davenport. He and his wife, Greta, co-founded Rogers Department Store in 1955 which grew to become one of Michigan’s largest family apparel stores. It is an honor for the Davenport University Alumni Association to recognize the distinguished life of Hy Berkowitz and to acknowledge his outstanding success.
The candidate should fit the following:
- Achieved outstanding professional success.
- Supported Davenport University through gifts of time, talent, and/or philanthropic support.
- Made significant contributions to their community through volunteering and community service.
- Overcome significant hardships to complete a degree and become established in his or her field.
Nominations closed
The College of Technology Alumni Award honors a graduate of the College of Technology who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments in a related field and who has demonstrated leadership in and dedication to the profession. The recipient is engaged in the vision and advancement of the College of Technology and its respective alumni community while exhibiting a commitment to public service.
Nominations closed
The College of Health Professions Alumni Award honors a graduate of the College of Health Professions who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments in a related field and who has demonstrated leadership in and dedication to the profession. The recipient is engaged in the vision and advancement of the College of Health Professions and its respective alumni community while exhibiting a commitment to public service.
Nominations closed
The Donald W. Maine College of Business Alumni Award honors a graduate of the College of Business who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments in a related field and who has demonstrated leadership in and dedication to the profession. The recipient is engaged in the vision and advancement of the Donald W. Maine College of Business and its respective alumni community while exhibiting a commitment to public service.
Nominations closed
The College of Urban Education Alumni Award honors a graduate of the College of Urban Education who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments in a related field and who has demonstrated leadership in and dedication to the profession. The recipient is engaged in the vision and advancement of the College of Urban Education and its respective alumni community while exhibiting a commitment to public service.
Nominations closed
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes a young alumnus who has accomplished early achievements in his or her chosen field, has demonstrated innovative and responsible professional leadership and has successfully engaged in community service. Please reserve nominations to Davenport graduates 40 years and under having completed a degree within the past ten years.
Nominations closed