For more than 25 years, Bonnie Kopp ’84, ’94 has worked to create legacies for others through her work as senior trust advisor at Northern Trust. Bonnie works with families to help build wealth, create estate plans and manage funds for those who have created trusts. About her philosophy, she says, “It isn’t the number of years you spend on earth that matters; it is the legacy you leave behind for those that follow you.”
Bonnie is also part of a proud a legacy family at Davenport University. Both she and her husband of 32 years, Ron Kopp ‘88, attended Davenport after high school. “I worked full-time at a bank during the day and went to school at night, while Ron worked in the factory at Steelcase at night and went to school during the day. Our companies had tuition reimbursement so it was only natural for us to pursue our degrees.”
Bonnie graduated with an associate degree in 1984 and bachelor’s degree in 1994 while Ron graduated with his associate degree in 1988. Davenport continued to be a part of their life as their careers flourished and they started a family.
Nearly 30 years later, Bonnie’s oldest daughter, Melanie (Kopp) Reilly ‘13 needed a school that offered a flexible online program to earn an MBA while she worked in New Zealand. Bonnie recommended Davenport. DU’s online program was exactly what she was looking for. “Studying online at Davenport worked really well for me because of the flexibility offered,” said Melanie. “It didn’t matter that I was in a different time zone. The instructors were supportive and genuinely interested in my experience overseas; they were happy to help cater my homework and essays towards how it would apply to New Zealand. I enjoyed interacting with students all over the U.S.”
Now, as an alumni board member, Bonnie shares her passion with fellow alumni who want to give back to the University. “As an alumna and now parent of a student, I have a more well-rounded understanding of what Davenport has to offer. I hope that our story motivates others to share their experiences and passion for Davenport.”
Did you know?
Davenport’s academic programs available through the online Global Campus are receiving accolades from various organizations based upon a variety of criteria, including cost, value, accreditation, experiential training and curriculum. “We are excited about the growing recognition for Davenport’s high quality academic programs available through its online Global Campus,” said Brian Miller, Dean for Davenport’s Global Campus. “Online learning allows many students to better manage their time while pursuing their higher education degree while also working. The Global Campus brings more than 50 high-quality programs to students wherever they may live.”
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