One

In 1928, the first Davenport basketball team was formed, introducing organized athletics to the school.
Two

In December 1884, Henry Ford took a three-month bookkeeping course from a Detroit business college that eventually became a part of DU.

Three

In 1935, both M.E. Davenport and Catholic Junior College (later to become Aquinas College) were interested in the same estate to use as a campus. CJC was uncomfortable with the asking price, but Davenport secured the funds for the University of Grand Rapids. According to folklore, CJC Academic Dean Sister Mildred Hawkins secretly buried religious medals on the property and asked for prayers of special intention. Ten year later, when Davenport’s UGR closed, they sold the property to Aquinas College.

Four

The Nancy Taylor course was offered to female students at over 300 business schools. It included an in-depth study of each student’s personality, manners, voice, and top-to-toe physical appearance.

Five

On Jan. 7, 1978, the first person of color was elected to Davenport’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Ralph Mathis, M.D. was instrumental in developing Davenport’s medical programs, including the emergency medical services curriculum. He served on the board for nearly 20 years.

Six

In 1930, DU alumna Viola Pauline Jonsson was declared Michigan’s youngest Register of Deeds. She was 22 years old.

Seven

President Lyndon Johnson sent a telegram to invite Davenport President Robert W. Sneden to the Oval Office signing ceremony for the bill extending educational benefits to all military veterans.

Eight
Erma Gould was asked by M.E. Davenport to establish an employment referral service. Gould helped develop Davenport’s first employment placement office, which went on to generate an incredible record of career placement for Davenport graduates — a ratio consistently near 100 percent. Her efforts helped establish the school’s reputation as a primary source of workplace talent.

Nine

George “Potsy” Clark, creator and first coach of the Detroit Lions, accepted the job in 1940 to become the head football coach for the University of Grand Rapids Lancers.

Ten

The Kalamazoo Business College and Telegraphic Institute was founded by William F. Parsons in 1869. Parsons published a book in 1882 called “Parsons’ Handbook of Forms: A Compendium of Business and Social Rules and a Complete Work of Reference and Self-Illustrations, with illustrations.” This book included sections on penmanship, commercial law, proper etiquette for railroad travel and the alphabet. It was reprinted in 1883, 1885, 1902 and 1909-1910. The institute was purchased by Davenport in 1956 and became DU’s Kalamazoo location.

Learn more

The history book, “Davenport: Educating Across Three Centuries,” tells the story of a unique and enduring educational mission, following Davenport’s growth from a sole proprietorship to a family business to a fully accredited higher education institution combining thousands of students at multiple campuses with a global online presence.

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