Richard & Helen DeVos Receive Honorary Doctorates
On Wednesday, May 8th, friends of The King’s College met in Palm Beach, FL to confer honorary doctorates to Richard and Helen DeVos. The evening also celebrated the recent addition of the DeVoses to the Board of Trustees of The King’s College.
NEW YORK, May 9th, 2013—On Wednesday, May 8th, friends of The King’s College met in Palm Beach, FL to confer honorary doctorates to Richard and Helen DeVos. The evening also celebrated the recent addition of the DeVoses to the Board of Trustees of The King’s College.
The Devoses joined the board in March of 2013. Richard DeVos is the Co-Founder and Former President of Amway Corp. and Chairman of the Orlando Magic. Helen DeVos is a contributor to many Christian organizations and a generous supporter of the arts, education, and healthcare. In 2006 they received the William E. Simon Prize in Philanthropic Leadership for their generous support to major charities.
Board member Allie Hanley opened the evening, inviting Emmanuel Kampouris to speak. Kampouris, former chairman and chief executive officer of American Standard Companies, praised the DeVoses contributions in business and in philanthropy. He also recognized the faith that has marked their lives and led their service. Afterwards, Anthony Randazzo, a 2008 graduate and current Director of Economic Research at the Reason Foundation, described the unique experience he and fellow alumni enjoyed during their time at King’s.
Also attending the event were current students who represented the College’s unique House System. Houses at The King’s College are student-led, mission-driven communities. They serve as social, academic, and spiritual support for students at King’s.
At the presentation of the honorary doctorates, President Andy Mills described his appreciation for the DeVos’s commitment to King’s as “profound.” Additionally, he reaffirmed that the core identity of The King’s College is “enthusiastically Christian, centered on a common core, and focused on developing the whole person.” Mills also said he is increasingly convinced of the important role that New York City plays in shaping the education students receive.
President Mills concluded the evening speeches, saying “I want to thank the DeVoses for their great commitment to an education of faith and consequence.”
The dinner was generously hosted by board members Lee and Allie Hanley.