Davenport University Appoints Next President

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Davenport University
has completed an extensive, four-month national search with the selection of
the university's next president.

Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D., president of National-Louis University in Chicago,
accepted the position of Davenport University president following a unanimous
vote in favor of his appointment by the board of trustees. He is expected to
officially begin his duties as president in August, prior to the start of
Davenport's coming academic year.

Dr. Pappas is well prepared for his new role at DU. He has 35 years of
experience in higher education, including 20 years as a college and university
president. Prior to National-Louis University, he served as president of Lake
Michigan College in Benton Harbor, and president of Harford Community College,
in Bel Air, Md. Dr. Pappas holds a doctorate in higher, adult and continuing
education as well as a master's degree in higher education and business
management from the University of Michigan.

The Davenport University Presidential Search Committee was formed last
December to conduct an extensive national search and narrowed the pool to two
finalists - Pappas and Dr. H. James Williams, Dean of the Seidman College of
Business at Grand Valley State University. The search committee voted
unanimously to recommend to the board of trustees the appointment of Pappas as
DU president.

Through extensive interviews of two finalists and video presentations of
interviews, all Davenport employees and students were given the opportunity to
provide input to the search committee. Members of the Foundation Board had the
opportunity to meet with the candidates, and members of the community were
invited early on to provide recommendations on potential candidates.

"The search committee's thorough process in identifying and screening an
extremely qualified pool of candidates was highly evident to the board of
trustees. The board was impressed with both Dr. Pappas and Dr. Williams," said
Ken Bovee, chairman of the Davenport University Board of Trustees and member
of the search committee. "Both exhibited a passion for students and academic
quality."

Bovee further noted that the board based its decision for selecting Dr. Pappas
on his successful track record in strategic planning, academics, admissions,
fund-raising, alumni relations and community leadership.

About Davenport University
Davenport University - the only West Michigan-based private university
specializing in business, technology and health professions - serves an
enrollment of more than 11,000 students at its campus in Grand Rapids,
locations throughout Michigan, and online. Davenport focuses on innovative,
practical and affordable education and offers graduate and undergraduate
programs. More information is available at www.davenport.edu.

SOURCE Davenport University

Rick Jensen of Davenport University, +1-616-732-1172,
rick.jensen@davenport.edu