Student Life

Make your university life memorable

Step outside the classroom and discover all the great ways to build a life you love on a Davenport University campus.

Picture your student life in college — now crank up the vibrancy with college extracurricular activities that put you in the middle of the action at Davenport. Try new things, make lifelong friends, get involved in one of our student organizations, create amazing memories and take giant steps toward your future, all from your Davenport University campus.

Explore this page to discover the big and small ways you can create an enriching university life and express your Panther pride on any Davenport University campus.

Get a glimpse of the Davenport University campus experience

Feel the school spirit that’s part of university life at Davenport. You’ll find it in our 40+ college student organizations, campus housing, 35+ athletic teams, campus traditions and academic programs. Plus, we're rated the #1 safest campus in Michigan (2021) and among the top safest universities in the country by YourLocalSecurity.com, partner of SafeStreets – an ADT Authorized Provider!

Campus traditions

Whether you’re a high school student transitioning to Davenport or are already a Panther, add more fun and connection to your student life in college with our year-round events and traditions.

Panther Prowl — welcoming you to student life in college

Feel right at home in this three-day transitional experience where you can make new friends, explore a Davenport University campus and learn how to make student life in college a success.

Learn more about Panther Prowl

Pantherpalooza — starting the school year with celebration

Kick off the school year with this free event, jam-packed with college extracurricular activities like games, good eating, ways to get involved in college student organizations and lots more.

30 Thursdays — energizing your university life all semester

Spend your Thursdays throughout the semester having incredible fun with your fellow Panthers in college extracurricular activities like a zombie run, Oktoberfest, snowboarding and sumo wrestling.

Learn more about 30 Thursdays

National Society of Leadership and Success — building your skills

Develop and refine your leadership abilities through the excellent training videos, speaker broadcasts and networking opportunities of this prestigious Davenport college student organization.

Learn more about the National Society of Leadership and Success

Homecoming — taking pride in all things Panther

Cheer your Panther team, tailgate, reconnect with classmates and celebrate alumni achievements during Homecoming weekend on and near the Davenport University campus in Grand Rapids.

Sibs & Kids Weekend — welcoming future Panthers

Invite your favorite kids to the Davenport University campus in Grand Rapids for this winter event, where they can compete in snowman building, attend a Panther game, sing karaoke and more.

College student organizations

Discover 40+ college student organizations on your Davenport University campus, where you’ll find active, like-minded students. Want to start your own organization? You can do that, too.

Social and recreational organizations — engaging interests

Find fellow students who share your enthusiasm for fun sporting activities, gaming, arts, STEM exploration, faith-based fellowship and more through these college student organizations.

View All

Campus Activities Board - CAB is an interdependent organization that seeks to build community through diverse, fun, and purposeful events. Contact: jford26@davenport.edu
Collegiate Association For The Research Of Principles (CARP) - We are a faith-based organization of chapters on college campuses, created for students by students. We create programs, events, and activities promoting principles and raising leaders. Contact: jwiggins6@davenport.edu
Delight Ministries- The mission of Delight Ministries is to invite women into Christ-centered community that fosters vulnerability and transforms stories. Contact: delightdavenportuniversity@gmail.com
DU Bass Fishing Team - A Bass Fishing club/team focused on bass fishing all around the state and nation, creating an outlet for students to create friendships as well as giving students the opportunity to fish and visit places they would not have had the opportunity to do before.Contact: Matthew.Krevda@davenport.edu
DU Drop-In Soccer - a non-competitive soccer league designed to bring people together to play for fun and exercise. It is informal play organized by participants at the field. No set teams, scores, or standings. Contact: jschnurer@davenport.edu
DU Gamers - This club's purpose is to allow for the free expression of all types of gaming. This includes board game, table top, card games, and video games. Contact: fjasper@davenport.edu
DU Dungeons and Dragons - This is one of the most popular Tabletop RPGs in America and were looking to get a group of DU Students together once a week to roll the dice! Contact: tosmer@davenport.edu
DU Ultimate - We want to set up regular times and days for students to play friendly games of Ultimate Frisbee. Contact: dpipal@davenport.edu
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship - A group where students can find Christian community on campus, study the Bible together, and learn to serve their campus. Contact: ghartfield@davenport.edu
Local Maxima Lansing - To develop a social community of students from all backgrounds exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) and foster a passion for these subjects in recreation, academic research, local communities, and various industries.
Outdoor Enthusiasts - Roller blading, biking, long boarding, winter hikes, and cross country skiing are just a few of the things this group is into! If you love spending time outside this group is perfect for you!
Panther Arts - This group seeks to bring creative, literary, and performing arts into students' lives via education, performance, and fun. We also aim to showcase the local talent here at DU.
Protect Life at Davenport University - Our goal is to create a campus culture that values all life, born or unborn. We do that by supporting women and families facing crisis pregnancy situations, educating students about the reality of abortion, and defending the value of life on our campus.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) - Davenport University Students who are either currently serving in the military, prior service military, dependents of such, or who are interested helping and being involved with Veteran initiatives.
Young Life - Young Life’s goal is to introduce students to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. We do this through club hangouts, camp trips, and awesome parties!

Service and advocacy organizations — giving back

Serve others while you gain lifelong leadership and advocacy skills in these college student organizations, which focus on a wide range of vulnerable communities and ways to promote success.

View All

Active Minds - Our mission is to bring awareness about the importance of mental health to all students and employees at Davenport University.
Alpha League - Alpha League works to promote brotherhood within men of diverse ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds through philanthropy, scholarship, leadership, and, social/emotional workshops.
Alternative Spring Break - Alternative Spring Break is a service organization which spends their spring break week in an alternative community working for the greater good.Black Student Union
ASPIRE - ASPIRE provides opportunities for women of color to better achieve academic success, foster strong interpersonal skills and relationships, and develop as leaders at Davenport University.
Black Student Union - BSU is for any student enrolled at Davenport University who is interested in improving human relations in general, and the quality of life for black students in particular, on the campus of Davenport University.
Diversify - Diversify provides a safe and supportive setting regardless of one's sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
Global Student Organization - GSO is a group of internationally minded members of the DU community. Through our programs and activities we strive to promote international education, global awareness, and cultural integration.
Latinx Student Union (LSU) - We will engage in Latinx communities and have our voices heard regarding social issues and community resources. We plan to educate Davenport students about Latino arts and culture.
Student Government of Davenport University - The mission of Student Government is to create and encourage a culture that embraces diversity, improves academic achievement, and drives student engagement throughout the Davenport community.

Academic and professional organizations — fostering careers

Learn career skills and support your academics through the college extracurricular activities in these student organizations. They cover many Davenport majors and include honor societies.

View All

Alpha Lambda Delta - Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) is a National Honor Society for first-year students who achieve a 3.5 GPA or better. We offer leadership, service, and scholarship opportunities for our members.
American Marketing Association - The mission of the AMA @ DU chapter is to cultivate and maintain a strong interest in marketing and better the educational value of marketing students at Davenport University.
Association for Computing Machinery - The chapter of the ACM at Davenport University operates to increase knowledge of and greater interest in the science, design, development, construction, languages, management and applications of modern computing.
Business Professionals of America - Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a competition where students compete either on an individual or team basis covering a wide variety of categories.
Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization - CEO’s mission is to inform, support, and inspire college students to be entrepreneurial and seek opportunity through enterprise creation.
Cyber Defense Organization - The CDO is a community of security-focused individuals pursuing knowledge in cybersecurity and threat mitigation throughout the private and public sectors.
Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) - provides leadership development and career opportunities to business students like you.
Allied Health/Health Information Student And Alumni Association - Student and alumni association of the Davenport University College of Health Professions. Celebrating the success of our students and alumni, and offer continuing education and networking opportunities to our members.
Legal Students at DU - Legal Assistants at DU provides valuable information and updates for the paralegal students at Davenport University. Volunteer opportunities, scholarship opportunities, upcoming events, and more.
National Society of Leadership and Success - We are a leadership group that offers students tools to become leaders. Through our training videos, speaker broadcasts, success networking teams, and networking.
Sigma Beta Delta - Honor Society for students in business, management, and administration serves institutions which offer baccalaureate and graduate degrees in business, management, and administration where the institution holds accreditation from one of the six regional accrediting bodies but not specialized accreditation in business.
Society for Human Resource Management - The advantages of joining our SHRM chapter are many: interesting speakers, a chance to network with local HR professionals, job shadowing, mentoring, internships, potential job offers, and professional recognition.
Sport Management Student Organization - The purpose of this organization is to bring together students who share an interest in Sport Management and to educate the students about what it takes to be a Sport Management professional.
Student Nurses Association - Lansing, W.A. Lettinga, Midland, Warren - SNA is a group of student nurses serving the community.
Student Occupational Therapy Association - This is an organization to generate service, interest, and awareness of the field of Occupational Therapy to the Grand Rapids community.
Women in Technology - Women in Technology @ Davenport University is a community of technology-focused individuals who strive to empower women to succeed in the IT field.

Opportunities for volunteering in college

Enjoy the rewards of making life better for others by volunteering in college alongside dedicated and committed Davenport faculty, staff and other students who share your passion for service.

HEROES mentoring — making a difference in a young life

Be a hero by volunteering in college as a mentor to a local middle school student. Grow personally and professionally while helping your student develop better self-esteem and relationships.

Days of Service — doing a lot of good in just one day

Through our one-day service opportunities, held throughout the year, you’ll earn honor roll credit while doing good at places like the YMCA, Ronald McDonald House, John Ball Zoo and more.

Alternative Spring Break — addressing critical societal issues

Spend your spring break volunteering in college-supported community service and education initiatives that address environmental, housing, health, hunger and education issues.

Volunteer partnerships — working powerfully together

Show your Davenport University pride by teaming with a community partner on projects with local benefit. Past projects have included refugee education and nature center service.

Contact Student Life

Email Us

616.554.5095

Additional resources

Top 10 reasons to live on your Davenport University campus

Be more independent and in the center of the action, from sporting events to student organizations, by living on campus. Here’s what our freshmen say about living on a Davenport University campus.

What to consider in your transition to university life

As you wrap up your high school career, choosing a college may seem daunting. With lots to consider — from location to academics to college extracurricular activities, here’s some helpful advice.