Davenport University housing is some of the best on any campus in Michigan, according to a recent review. Davenport’s living units were named the #2 best college dorms in Michigan by University Magazine.ca for good reason. 

The university’s homey apartment-style residence halls, located on the beautiful W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus, are modern and spacious and within walking distance to everything students need to make their time at Davenport unforgettable, as well as convenient.

“Davenport provides students with safe and affordable housing, with easy access to everything, including classes, dining, tutoring, extracurricular activities and sporting events,” said Andrea Prins, director of Residence Life.

Prins said the top reasons for students to stay on campus include close proximity to:

• Several dining options, including the main dining hall inside South Hall
• Extracurricular activities and fun events hosted by Campus Life
• Join student organizations 
• The Student Activity Center
• The Center for Learning and Engagement offers opportunities to study, collaborate on projects, and receive in-person services
• The Wellness Center, which offers health services and counseling 
• The athletic complex, which is just minutes away, makes it convenient for athletes and those who want to attend sporting events

Senior marketing major Alyssa Pressel has lived at Panther Ridge apartments for two years and said she would have missed out on so much if she hadn’t lived on campus. 

One of the aspects of residing on campus she has enjoyed most is the sense of community that develops when living so close to other students.

“Living on campus has allowed me to make more friends and build stronger bonds than if I had commuted to class every day,” she said. “It’s also led me to feel a stronger connection to the entire campus community.”  

Another positive aspect of being a campus resident is that it has helped Pressel gain more independence. It’s something she says has been very impactful and will prove beneficial as she nears graduation and embarks on the next phase of her life. 

“I live two and a half hours from home, so living on campus pushed me to be my own person and take on my own responsibilities,” she said. “I’ve become more self-reliant, learned valuable life skills and learned how to depend on myself to handle situations that my family would have helped with if they were closer. 

Pressel said that, as she learned to navigate life on her own, she has become more resilient and has a better understanding of who she is. “Living on my own has taught me to trust myself and my decisions,” she said.

The convenience of living on campus is another thing Pressel has come to appreciate. “Living on campus has saved me a lot of travel time,” she said. “Panther Ridge is within walking distance to classes, and the drive takes just a few minutes. It’s also been nice to carpool with my soccer teammates and roommates to campus events.” 

For McKenna Severt, a digital marketing major, the top benefit of living on campus and serving as a resident advisor (RA) at Panther Ridge has been the increase in independence it has provided her. “Under the guidance of Davenport’s Housing staff, I have grown into a version of myself that the younger me always aspired to be,” she said. 

Severt also appreciates the connections she has made with students and staff, and said it is refreshing to see so many familiar faces on campus. 

“I tell first-year students on my floor to step out of their comfort zones by meeting new people and trying new things, because they can’t learn and grow if they are content staying in the same place,” she said. 

 

Abby Wampler is an accounting major who takes great pride in her job as an RA.

“I get to help create an environment for the students on my floor in which they feel comfortable, supported and connected, and that’s pretty special,” she said. “I also value building meaningful relationships with the residents on my floor, learning about their individual interests and aspirations and serving as a reliable resource for any questions or concerns they may have.”

Wampler said watching her residents develop friendships, actively engage in housing programs and grow more connected to campus are among the most fulfilling aspects of her role.

“The most important advice I would offer first-year students is to get involved as early as possible by joining campus organizations, attending events and putting themselves out there to meet new people. Speaking from experience, the first year of college goes by incredibly fast, and getting involved early sets the foundation for the rest of your college journey,” she said.

Wampler said she has seen firsthand how stepping slightly outside of one’s comfort zone can lead to meaningful friendships, unexpected opportunities and experiences that will shape the rest of their time in college.

“Looking back, acting upon those small moments of courage is exactly how I found my best friends and built the life I have here at Davenport,” she said. 

Biological Laboratory Science major Aubrey Underwood has been an RA at Davenport for almost two years and loves the part she plays in building a strong community at the Grand Rapids Campus. 

“I believe students should live on campus because they get a taste of what it’s like to live on their own in a controlled environment, and it helps prepare them for life after college,” Underwood said. “And, like me, students often meet lifelong friends while living on campus, so it’s an overall great experience.”

Click here to learn more about campus life at DU, including housing options, events, sports and more.  

Click here for a guided virtual tour of Davenport’s Grand Rapids Campus.