NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY

Values Emphasis Week
March 20th - 24th 2017



Northwood University’s Values Emphasis Week offers a formal, yearly opportunity for students, faculty and staff to reflect on moral and ethical values relating to their personal lives, involvement in the community, and their work in the world of business. It originated in 1979 with guidance from the ministerial staff at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Midland, Michigan. Guest speakers are invited to address these issues and share their experiences and expertise with the campus community.

The Northwood University community of students, faculty, and staff affirm this code of ethics as the behaviors that advance our shared values:

  • Freedom:
    We will exercise personal freedom while insuring others be immune from arbitrary interference on account of condition or circumstance, insuring that freedom will be constrained only by our responsibility for its consequences.
  • Respect:
    We will treat all others with consideration for their circumstances and with thoughtful regard for their value as human beings.
  • Empathy:
    We will endeavor to understand the feelings, thoughts and notions of others in order that compassion and fairness of our actions may result.
  • Spirituality:
    We will seek the spiritual development necessary for our happiness and growth and encourage an environment that supports this growth for all.
  • Honesty:
    We will embrace truthfulness, fairness, probity and demand the absence of fraud or deceit in ourselves and others with whom we act.
  • Achievement:
    We will exercise our skills to create high achievement and applaud the high achievement of others.
  • Integrity:
    In all our actions, we shall be guided by a code of behavior which reflects our values, unimpeded by circumstance, personal gain, public pressure or private temptation.
  • Responsibility:
    We will be accountable for the care and welfare of others and responsible for the intended and unintended consequences of our actions.

See some of the wisdom and insights that were shared during past Values Emphasis Week’s on social media by using #NUVEW, or check out Storify.

Agenda

Monday, March 20:

Don Watkins is the co-author of Northwood’s spring term Omniquest selection Equal is Unfair: America’s Misguided Fight Against Income Inequality. Watkins is a vocal opponent of the welfare state and also the co-author of the national best-seller Free Market Revolution: How Ayn Rand’s Ideas Can End Big Government and author of RooseveltCare: How Social Security Is Sabotaging the Land of Self-Reliance. As a fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, Watkins studies inequality, Social Security reform, the welfare state and the moral foundations of capitalism. He has been interviewed on hundreds of radio and TV programs, and speaks and debates regularly at conferences and university campuses. Watkins is also the host of a podcast on inequality and the welfare state, The Debt Dialogues. Learn more about Watkins.

- Griswold Lecture Hall, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 21:

A screening of the movie Land Grab, described as “the story of an eccentric finance mogul’s dream to create the world’s largest urban farm in his hometown of Detroit and the political firestorm he unintentionally ignited by announcing that he would spend $30 million of his own fortune to build this farm in one of the most economically devastated neighborhoods of the bankrupt motor city.” See the trailer here.

- After the viewing, join a discussion with special guests Sean O’Grady, Land Grab director, and John Hantz, Northwood alum and president and CEO of Hantz Group, Inc.

- Griswold Lecture Hall, 6:30 p.m. viewing, followed by discussion.

Wednesday, March 22:

Star Parker, founder and president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, a public policy think tank that promotes market-based solutions to fight poverty. Parker has a bachelor's degree in Marketing and International Business from Woodbury University, and has received numerous awards and commendations for her work on public policy issues. She regularly consults with both federal and state legislators on market-based strategies to fight poverty.

- Griswold Lecture Hall, 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 23:

Northwood’s Founder’s Day; Outstanding Alumni Awards ceremony, honoring:

- Michael D. Abbondanza, BBA 1999, Marketing and Management; Vice President/Co-owner of Newton Motor Group, Gallatin, Tennessee. Leadership Award.

- Grant E. Baidas, BBA 2010, Management and Entrepreneurship; Director of Internet and E-Commerce Operations, General RV Center. Young Alumni Award.

- Robert A. Chapman, BBA2003, Management; U.S. Department of Justice, Ret. Service Award, Texas.

- Mary E. George-Hess, BBA 1981, Hotel and Restaurant Management; Senior Vice President, Sales, HRG. Achievement Award.

- Mauro Gregorio, MBA 1999, Chief Executive Officer, Dow Corning & Business President, Dow Consumer Solutions. Achievement Award.

- RSVP-only dinner and ceremony, register here. Riepma Arena, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 23:

Keynote speaker Brian Calley, Michigan Lieutenant Governor. Calley was first elected as lieutenant governor in 2010, and works with Governor Rick Snyder. Combining skills acquired from an accomplished private sector career in the financial services industry, he is well-known for his contributions to public service. Calley is often referenced for redefining the role of lieutenant governor in Michigan with a hands-on approach. He has been honored as one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 under 40, and has received recognition from organizations across Michigan. Learn more about Lt. Gov. Calley here.

- Bennett Sport Center: Riepma Arena, 7:45 p.m.

Northwood Student Lunch & Learn

Come and meet three of the 2017 Northwood University Outstanding Alumni Award recipients and hear about the opportunities and obstacles they faced in their careers. Plus, enjoy lunch on us!

Thursday, March 23, 2017    12:30pm-1:30pm    NADA
THEME: Obstacles into Opportunities

Space is limited, please RSVP to alumni@northwood.edu

Featuring Alumni Panelists

Grant Baidas
Class of 2010
General RV
Director of Internet and E-commerce Operations		 Mike Abbondanza
Class of 1999
Newton Motor Group
Co-Owner		 Mary Ellen George-Hess
Class of 1980
HRG
Senior Vice President, Sales

Students, faculty and staff are also invited to attend the Outstanding Alumni Dinner and Awards ceremony later that day in Riepma Arena. Please email alumni@northwood.edu for more information.

Want to know more? about Northwood University

Northwood University is committed to the most personal attention to prepare students for success in their careers and in their communities; it promotes critical thinking skills, personal effectiveness, and the importance of ethics, individual freedom and responsibility.

Private, nonprofit, and accredited, Northwood University specializes in managerial and entrepreneurial education at a full-service, residential campus located in mid-Michigan. Adult Degree Programs are available in eight states with many course delivery options including an online option. The DeVos Graduate School offers day, evening and weekend programming in Michigan and Texas. The Alden B. Dow Center for Creativity and Enterprise provides system-wide expertise in family enterprise, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and new business development. International education is offered through study abroad and in Program Centers in Switzerland, China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Learn More

Travel/Location

Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
Campus Map


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By Air

  • MBS International Airport, serviced by United, Delta, and many commuter flights, is 18 miles from the campus. Limousine service is available at the airport. The airport has several car rental agencies.

To Northwood University from the airport:

  • Leaving airport grounds, turn right (north) onto Garfield Road.
  • Go approximately 4 miles and turn left (west) onto U.S. 10.
  • Go northwest on US 10 (toward Clare) approximately 11 miles to the Eastman Road Midland exit (as you approach the exit, Midland Cinemas is on the right).
  • Go left (south) on Eastman Road approximately 1 mile to Saginaw Road.
  • Turn right (west) on Saginaw Road and travel approximately 1.5 miles
  • Turn left on Main Street and travel approximately 1 mile
  • Turn right on University Drive

By Car from Detroit

(approximately 135 miles)

  • Follow I-75 (north) beyond Saginaw to the US 10 intersection.
  • Go west on US 10 (toward Clare) to the Eastman Road Midland exit (as you approach the exit, Midland Cinemas is on the right).
  • Go left (south) on Eastman Road approximately 1 mile to Saginaw Road.
  • Turn right (west) on Saginaw Road and travel approximately 1.5 miles
  • Turn left on Main Street and travel approximately 1 mile
  • Turn right on University Drive

By Car from Lansing

(approximately 100 miles)

  • Follow US 127 (north) to M-20.
  • Go (east) on M-20 about 24 miles to Main Street of Midland (traffic light).
  • Turn left on Main Street, go approximately 1 mile
  • Turn left on University Drive

By Car from Grand Rapids

(approximately 125 miles)

  • Take US 131 expressway (north) to M-46 East.
  • Go east on M-46. Proceed east to US 127.
  • Follow US 27 (north) to M-20.
  • Go left (east) on M-20 about 24 miles to Main Street of Midland (traffic light).
  • Turn left on Main Street, go approximately 1 mile
  • Turn left on University Drive

Hotel Accomodations

NADA Hotel
For maximum comfort and easy of travel, stay on campus at the NADA Hotel & Conference center. Located in the heart of campus, this striking building features a floor to ceiling window in its main meeting hall, backdrop to frequent campus gatherings. The NADA Hotel is a non-smoking, adult-oriented facility. Guests also have access to our fitness center throughout their stay. Online reservations may be made in just a few clicks.
Online Hotel Reservations
Northwood University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, gender, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability or veteran status. The University also is committed to compliance with all applicable laws regarding nondiscrimination.
Higher Learning Commission Mark of Affiliation Northwood University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (800.621.7440; higherlearningcommission.org).