As seen in the Fall DU Review magazine

 

College of Health Professions Alumni Award

Gladys Pico-Gleason, ‘22

RN, BSN, Clinical Manager of Corewell Health’s Diagnostic Lung Mass Clinic and Betty Ford Breast Care Services

Gladys M. Picó-Gleason is the clinical manager of Corewell Health’s Diagnostic Lung Mass Clinic and Betty Ford Breast Care Services in Grand Rapids, MI. She leads with compassion, precision and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. With 13 years of experience in community health, she has championed chronic disease prevention in marginalized communities and remains deeply committed to advancing health equity. Gladys plays a pivotal role in streamlining processes and improving outcomes. Outside of work, she serves as president of the No Surrender Running Club, a non-profit, multigenerational community that promotes physical and emotional health and positive youth development through movement. Gladys is a 2022 graduate of Davenport University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

 

College of Urban Education Alumni Award

Whitley Morse, ‘16 

Educator at Grand Rapids Public Schools

Whitley Morse’s passion for education began early—watching her mother study to become a teacher and later “forcing cousins to play school.” Born in Kalamazoo and raised in rural Van Buren County, she experienced the contrast between predominantly urban and rural schools, shaping her commitment to equity in education. After earning her undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University, Whitley began teaching in Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS), where she experienced the challenges and rewards of working in an urban setting.

Seeking to deepen her impact, she enrolled in Davenport University’s Urban Education program with her husband and fellow educator, Dan Morse. Davenport helped her gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to become a stronger teacher and leader. Today, Whitley and her husband continue to work in education and proudly have their daughter attend school in the GRPS system, where they are committed to public schools and the community they love. She is currently working towards her National Board Certification through a TeachMi Fellowship and was named “Teacher of the Year” for GRPS. Davenport’s program laid the foundation for the work she does every day. She is honored to receive this award and grateful to represent the program that helped her grow as an educator, advocate and parent.

 

Daniel Morse, ‘16

Principal at North Park Montessori Academy

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Dan Morse’s roots here run deep. His mother taught children with hearing impairments in GRPS for more than 30 years, and he graduated from GRPS in 2006 with a drive to return home and make an impact in some of those same classrooms one day. His first classroom was at Creston High School, where he taught social studies and history before finding a more permanent home at Innovation Central High School in 2013.

While at Innovation Central, Morse enrolled in the first cohort of the College of Urban Education. Working in this dynamic program with driven and passionate colleagues drove him to explore how our classrooms and schools are connected to our homes and communities. It pushed him to learn more – not just about educational practices and policies, but also how they impact students, families and teachers – and how we can change them for the better. Now entering his 15th year in education, Dan is now the principal at North Park Montessori Academy, a vibrant school community of more than 500 learners in grades PK-8. Dan lives in the Ridgemoor neighborhood of Grand Rapids with his amazing wife, Whitley, and daughter, Geneva.

 

College of Technology Alumni Award

Clayton Maas, ‘10

VP of Engineering & Sustainability at SpartanNash

Clayton Maas is Vice President of Engineering and Sustainability at SpartanNash, a grocery retailer and distributor serving 2,500 independent stores and the U.S. military. Based in Byron Center, MI, he leads supply chain automation, sustainability, capital budgeting and maintenance operations. His career spans more than 20 years, including roles at Whirlpool Corporation and TotalEnergies. Maas holds degrees from Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University and Davenport University, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He has taught as a Distinguished Adjunct Instructor at Davenport for more than two decades. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, basketball, fishing, and weightlifting, and is a proud parent of two sons at Zeeland West High School.

 

 

Donald W. Maine College of Business Alumni Award

Kendal Malstrom, ‘91

Vice President of Business Development/Co-founder at Integrated Packaging Machinery (Retired)

Kendal Malstrom, a native of Ludington, earned an associate degree from West Shore CC, followed by a bachelor’s in Marketing from Davenport College in 1991. While working and taking night classes, he began his career as a design engineer.

In 1998, he then co-founded Integrated Packaging Machinery (IPM). The company started in his basement and grew to 100 employees and $50 million in sales by 2019, prompting an ownership transition. In 2024, the company doubled its revenue to $100 million.

Among his proudest achievements, he cites helping clients like Fairlife and Hudsonville Ice Cream become “Dairy Processor of the Year” and being named KUKA Robotics’ Growth Integrator of the Year for North America.

Recently retired, Kendal enjoys time with his wife, Natalie, their children, and grandchildren. His hobbies include classic cars, real estate investing and golf. As a proud alumnus, Kendal and his family have established the Malstrom Family Endowed Scholarship.

 

Hy Berkowitz Professional Excellence Award

Daniyel Baer, ‘24

Regional Director of Residential Services at Cardinal Senior Living

Daniyel Baer is the Regional Director of Residential Services at Cardinal Senior Living and the developer of its I/DD division, launching the organization’s first specialized residential program at Harbor Homes in Norton Shores, Michigan. She previously opened the first smart home for MOKA, pioneering the use of enabling technology to reduce staffing needs and introduce alternative living models across Michigan. Daniyel’s work blends innovation, clinical insight, and a deep commitment to person-centered care for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and physical challenges. A proud Davenport University alumna and recipient of the 2025 Hy Berkowitz Professional Excellence Alumni Award, she exemplifies leadership, perseverance and impact in the human services field.

 

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Clarice McFadden, ‘16

Regional CFO, Xerox Business Solutions

Clarice began her career with Michigan Office Solutions, a subsidiary of Xerox in 2010 as a Financial Analyst, where she quickly established a reputation for her analytical expertise, leadership potential, and dedication to operational excellence. She advanced through a series of roles of increasing responsibility within the finance department culminating in her promotion to CFO in 2016 at the age of 29. She has since increased her responsibility to XBS Regional CFO. In recognition of her exceptional performance and commitment to driving continuous improvement, Clarice has been honored with the prestigious President’s Club award three times and Xerox CEO Club award in 2023.

These distinctions underscore both her professional achievements and her ability to deliver results in a competitive environment. She earned her BBA from Grand Valley State University in 2009 and her MBA from Davenport University in 2016. Clarice and her husband Mike enjoy raising their three young boys Isaac, Micah and Jaxon.

 

Distinguished Alumni Award

William B. Lettinga, ‘78

President of Kentland

William “Bill” Lettinga is an entrepreneur, real estate investor and community leader with a diverse professional background. He served as President of Kentland Corporation, a family-owned company that operated 19 manufactured housing and RV communities with 6,000 sites before its sale to Sun Communities in 2011. Bill continues to own and operate Orchard Hills Village and has partnered in ventures including TC Financial Holdings and KH Safeguard Insurance. His leadership roles include vice chairman of the Michigan Manufactured Housing Commission (2017–2020), Past Executive Board Chair of the Michigan Manufactured Housing & RV Association, and Past President of its Housing Division.

Bill currently serves on the Board of Directors of Legacy Trust and chairs the Davenport University Foundation Board. He also serves with Hope Network, South Christian High School Foundation and Mercy Holistic Health Foundation. Bill and his wife, Rochelle, enjoy time with their three children, five grandchildren, and outdoor activities year-round.