Faculty Innovation in Teaching Reflected in Funding From the M.E. Davenport Legacy Endowment Fund

Established in 2015 with a $5.5 million commitment to the University from the M.E. Davenport Foundation, the M.E. Davenport Legacy Endowment Fund at Davenport is intended to optimize the educational, professional and civic mission of the University. Projects funded by the endowment advance academic excellence, promote innovations in the professions and enrich the communities that Davenport serves. The fund supports academic and learning-related initiatives, which are a part of the University’s Vision 2020.

The following initiatives received funding approval in November:

Connecting Across Borders:  Cultivating Shared Learning is a project presented by Dr. Chris Hamstra, the Associate Department Chair in English/Communications in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Stephen Snyder, the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Director of the Global Programs Office. This project offers the opportunity for faculty to learn and contribute in the global environment by developing a model for short-term, 2-3 week courses, for international teaching and learning opportunities.

Michigan BPA Middle Level State Leadership Conference is presented by Ronald Draayer, an Associate Professor in the College of Technology. With the national reputation of Davenport’s highly successful collegiate Business Professional Association (BPA) chapter, Ron serves as the state advisor for BPA’s efforts to pilot new programs at the middle school level. The University will host the state of Michigan’s State Leadership Conference in early March.

Dr. Tim Pennings, Department Chair for Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences, will partner with his colleagues to offer the DU Summer Math Camp.  A basic camp will be offered at the Holland Campus for those students, grades 9-12, who need assistance in mastering basic algebra; an advanced camp will be offered at the W.A. Lettinga Campus for advanced students, grades 9-12, who quickly master mathematics and are seeking something more challenging.

The Advancing a Research Agenda on Teacher Education is a project offered by Dr. Roque Neto, the Department Chair in the College of Urban Education. The project has three parts, all of which relate to new perspectives on problem-solving, working in teams, and innovation and creativity in teacher education for our Master’s in Urban Education candidates.

Congratulations to these faculty members on their successful proposals!  For more information on the M.E. Davenport Legacy Endowment Fund at the University, please visit the website at https://my.davenport.edu/advancement.