Davenport University’s business gala will feature tennis legend John McEnroe

CEO of BAMF Anthony Chang to receive Peter C. Cook Award

Davenport University President Richard J. Pappas announced the university will host tennis great John McEnroe as a special guest at its Excellence in Business Gala to be held May 21, 2025, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. The Founder and CEO of BAMF Health Anthony Chang, Ph.D., will be honored as this year’s top business leader in West Michigan. 

The Excellence in Business Gala will feature a lively conversation between Pappas and McEnroe, who is a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and a ten-time doubles winner. He became the youngest #1 ranked male in the history of professional tennis and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1999. He later captained the U.S. Davis Cup team. McEnroe is known for being bold and passionate, and following his successful tennis career, he turned to being a broadcast announcer and analyst. He provides opportunities for players through the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, which focuses on young athletes. While known for tennis, he also supports the arts and philanthropy through his gallery and foundation.

“It is exciting for us to host John McEnroe, who has had an amazing tennis career and a longer-lasting impact on the game through his ongoing work in television and with young players,” said Richard J. Pappas, president of Davenport University. “Anyone who has watched him play and followed his career knows the intense spirit he has, and I am expecting a full conversation, covering his life on and off the court. We have plans for a little fun, too.”

During the gala, the university will honor Anthony Chang with the Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award. Cook was a Davenport alumnus, successful leader of Mazda Great Lakes and generous philanthropist.

Chang’s efforts to launch BAMF Health, which is the world’s largest and most advanced comprehensive theranostics center, demanded grit and determination. He is using his background in biomedical engineering and medical physics to revolutionize precision medicine through AI-enabled molecular imaging and molecular targeted radiation therapy. Under his leadership, BAMF Health is improving patient outcomes for cancer, neurological diseases and more. 

“Anthony Chang possesses keen intelligence and a driving will to improve health care for more people,” said Pappas. “He operates with the same entrepreneurial spirit that Peter Cook had. We are fortunate to have Anthony and BAMF located in West Michigan. He has already made a significant mark in the health care field, and we know there is much more to come from his cutting-edge work in precision medicine.”

Davenport’s annual gala featuring a nationally known speaker and a prominent business leader is critical to supporting Davenport’s mission to provide scholarships so more students can attend the university. Seating and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information about the Excellence in Business Gala, click here.