Cornerstone University Honors Faculty and Alumni at Winter Gala
Esteemed Cornerstone University faculty, staff, alumni, family and friends gathered at Frederik Meijer Gardens on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, for the annual Cornerstone University Winter Gala. The night was a special time set aside to honor and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments and contributions made by Cornerstone faculty and alumni. University Board Member Lori Cook started the night off with a prayer.
The Staff Hall of Honor inductees included Keith DeBoer, dean of student services; Cindy Wiltheiss, director of food service; and the late Vi Hager, who served as controller at CU (1960-98). Hager’s great-niece, CU Student India Hager, and her nephew, CU alum Lindsay Hager, accepted the award in Vi’s Honor. DeBoer expressed his gratitude for the award and thanked his wife, his four children and his nine grandchildren for their support. Wiltheiss gave a heartfelt thank you to the Cornerstone community, her many colleagues and friends.
The recipients of the alumnus of the year awards included Doug Busch, M.B.A.; Julie Lepzinski, M.B.A.; and Artie Lindsay, M.T.S. Doug Busch currently serves as vice president and general manager of Molex’s Optical Solutions business and is part of Molex’s Global Management Team. He earned his undergraduate degree in business administration from Cornerstone and his M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. Julie Lepzinski is the chief operating officer and senior vice president of the Spectrum Health Medical Group. She has served as a leader for many health care initiatives throughout West Michigan. Lepzinski graduated from Grand Rapids Community College, then Grand Rapids Junior College and completed her bachelor’s degree at University of Detroit Mercy. She subsequently completed the first cohort of the health care M.B.A. at Cornerstone. Artie Lindsay currently serves as the teaching pastor at Tabernacle Community Church in Grand Rapids. Lindsay graduated from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2004.
The Faculty Hall of Honor inductees included Larry J. Bos, M.B.A., and David Turner, Ph.D. Professor Larry J. Bos has been a professor in Cornerstone’s Business Division since 1970. He has served on many committees, taught various business classes and helped form what is known today as the Professional & Graduate Studies division. Bos thanked his wife, children and grandchildren for attending the gala and for their continual encouragement. David Turner has been teaching at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary since 1986 and has shared valuable experience and knowledge with students. Turner has been married to his wife Beverly for 44 years and thanked her for her support and for helping him achieve his goals.
Megan Tibbits, a Cornerstone alumna and finalist from NBC’s “Rising Star,” was a musical guest at the gala. She performed an original song, “Paint the Town,” as well as several worship songs. CU vocal ensemble Credo also entertained the crowd with several impressive pieces performed a capella.
To end the night, President Dr. Joe Stowell shared a university update. This included celebrating accomplishments such as our men’s basketball team bringing home a national championship last year, the unveiling of the new Christ Chapel this past fall and the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Cornerstone. He also revealed some future plans for the university.
Overall, the evening was a great time to connect with CU alumni, faculty and staff; to honor the accomplishments of some of Cornerstone’s finest; and to bring glory and honor to God.
