Featuring an exclusive conversation with
Anderson Cooper
ANCHOR, ANDERSON COOPER 360° & CORRESPONDENT, 60 MINUTES
We invite you to join us for the 25th Excellence in Business Gala - An annual fundraiser to support student scholarships. This year's event will bring back a casual conversation with CNN News anchor, Anderson Cooper, as he returns to the stage with Davenport University President Dr. Richard J. Pappas. As a guest, you will have the opportunity to hear firsthand his recounting of presidential debates, experiences reporting on the front lines of natural disasters and brutal conflicts around the globe. Anderson Cooper's front-row seat to history is unparalleled.
Honoring the 2024 Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award Recipient
Rick Keyes
PRESIDENT & CEO OF MEIJER
We are thrilled to announce that Rick Keyes will be honored as this year's Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award recipient.
May 17, 2024 | 6:00 pm | DeVos Place
Black Tie Attire
Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper is the anchor of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360°, a global newscast that goes beyond the headlines with in-depth reporting and investigations. The show airs weeknights at 8:00 pm ET on CNN and is simulcast to an international audience on CNN International. Since April 2023, Anderson also hosts The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper, airing Sundays on CNN, which showcases character-driven stories, special interviews, profiles, and investigative deep dives from CNN anchors and correspondents.
Since the start of his career in 1992, Cooper has worked in nearly eighty countries and has covered major news events around the world, often reporting from the scene.
Cooper’s four books—Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune, Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty, The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss and Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of Wars, Disaster, and Survival — all topped the New York Times Best-seller List.
Rick Keyes
Rick Keyes is the President & CEO of Meijer, the family-owned and privately held retailer that operates more than 500 supercenters, neighborhood markets, grocery stores, and express locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.
A 35-year Meijer veteran, Rick is the company’s 11th President and first non-Meijer family member CEO. Under his leadership, Meijer has strengthened its position throughout the Midwest by focusing on taking care of the customer. This includes introducing new store formats, expanding digital shopping options, and offering more health and wellness products and services.
Similarly, Rick ensured Meijer played a vital role in helping its communities navigate the COVID-19 pandemic by providing reliable access to quality food, medication, vaccines, and household essentials.
He has a passion for the company’s purpose to enrich lives in the communities it serves and has been particularly instrumental in creating community partnerships that empower people with disabilities.
Rick earned his Bachelor of Science Pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University, where he now serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. He is also actively involved with and serves on several industry and community boards, including the Retail Industry Leaders Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Business Leaders for Michigan, FMI Foundation, TalentFirst, and The Right Place.
What time does the event start?
- The platinum reception will begin at 5:45 pm and will end at 6:45 pm
- The general reception will begin at 6:00 pm and end at 6:45 pm
What is the platinum reception?
The platinum reception is a VIP reception that takes place in conjunction with the general reception. Access to the reception is based on sponsorship level. Tickets are limited and provided on a first-come-first-serve basis.
What are the security protocols for the event?
- No media, personal photography, note-taking or recording will be allowed.
- No large bags, backpacks, event bags, laptop bags, briefcases or coats permitted in the event space. A complimentary coat check will be available.
What do I wear?
The recommended dress for the evening is black tie.
How do I request a special meal due to dietary restrictions?
If your request was not submitted with your guest list, please contact Erin Carpenter at Erin.Carpenter@davenport.edu.
I am a sponsor, who do I send my guest names to?
Guest names can be submitted here.
What is the deadline to provide guest names?
The deadline to provide guest names is May 2, 2024.
Who do I contact if I have further questions?
If you have any further questions about the gala, please send us an email at events@davenport.edu.
Thank you to our event sponsors
