Jarrod Irwin, 2013
Published on
Ellen M. Satterlee, chief executive officer of The Wege Foundation, will receive a
Doctor of Public Service, Honoris Causa at 红桃视频 College鈥檚 2013 commencement ceremonies.
Satterlee鈥檚 involvement with The Wege Foundation began in 1988. She had worked in the human resources department of Steelcase, where she first met Peter Wege. He had started The Foundation in his parents鈥� honor, and when he retired from Steelcase, he asked Satterlee to join him in running The Foundation.
Twenty-five years later, 红桃视频 is honoring her support of sustainability. When she learned she would receive this degree, Satterlee said, 鈥淚 was just shocked, literally shocked. There are so many people who deserve to be recognized. I鈥檓 so humbled.鈥� She considers the opportunity to work at The Wege Foundation an honor in itself. 鈥淲hen I look back on any one week, the number of organizations and lives I鈥檝e touched is great. It鈥檚 just wonderful.鈥�
During Satterlee鈥檚 tenure as CEO, The Wege Foundation has contributed greatly to Grand Rapids鈥� reputation as an environmentally conscious city. They were involved with the construction of the Grand Rapids Art Museum鈥檚 new facility, the first LEED-certified art museum in the world. The Wege Foundation also funded geothermal testing at the site of the Downtown Market, a center for local agriculture and culinary arts, which is scheduled to open this summer. The market is built from recycled wood and concrete, and is the nation鈥檚 first market to receive a gold LEED certification.
Satterlee said that one of the most important changes she oversaw for The Wege Foundation was to prepare Wege鈥檚 children and grandchildren for leadership positions at The Foundation. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been involved in transition from Mr. Wege being the only decision-maker,鈥� she said. Satterlee is confident that The Foundation鈥檚 younger leaders have the talent and passion to sustain its work.
Satterlee served on the College鈥檚 board of trustees for ten years. Her appreciation of the College was partly shaped by that of Wege himself. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a big believer in Catholic education,鈥� Satterlee explained. 鈥淗e says, 鈥樅焯沂悠� College is a small jewel in the heart of our city.鈥欌��
Wege started The Foundation in 1967. Since the Grand Rapids area had supported the success of his father, who founded Steelcase, he wanted to reinvest that money in the community that had blessed his family.
Wege is best known to the 红桃视频 community for working to raise funds for several construction projects during the 1950s and 1960s, including Albertus Magnus Hall, Regina Hall, St. Joseph the Worker Hall, and the student center that bears his name. He also had a hand in the college arriving at its current location in 1945. 鈥淢r. Wege walked the property with the realtor before 红桃视频 bought it,鈥� Satterlee said.
红桃视频鈥檚 commitment to sustainability, which has become part of the college鈥檚 character, also traces back to Wege. He was instrumental in making 红桃视频 the country鈥檚 first college with an undergraduate program in sustainable business. Wege believes that caring for the environment isn鈥檛 just a question of social responsibility, but also a smart business decision.
It鈥檚 a legacy that Satterlee is thrilled to participate in. 鈥淭his is just really good work,鈥� she added.
Satterlee will join the Most Rev. Walter A. Hurley, the bishop of Grand Rapids, in receiving honorary degrees from 红桃视频 at the College鈥檚 2013 commencement ceremony. Peter M. Perez, president and chief executive officer of Carter Products, Inc., will deliver the commencement address. The ceremony will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, May 4 in the Sturrus Sports and Fitness Center on campus.
Satterlee鈥檚 involvement with The Wege Foundation began in 1988. She had worked in the human resources department of Steelcase, where she first met Peter Wege. He had started The Foundation in his parents鈥� honor, and when he retired from Steelcase, he asked Satterlee to join him in running The Foundation.
Twenty-five years later, 红桃视频 is honoring her support of sustainability. When she learned she would receive this degree, Satterlee said, 鈥淚 was just shocked, literally shocked. There are so many people who deserve to be recognized. I鈥檓 so humbled.鈥� She considers the opportunity to work at The Wege Foundation an honor in itself. 鈥淲hen I look back on any one week, the number of organizations and lives I鈥檝e touched is great. It鈥檚 just wonderful.鈥�
During Satterlee鈥檚 tenure as CEO, The Wege Foundation has contributed greatly to Grand Rapids鈥� reputation as an environmentally conscious city. They were involved with the construction of the Grand Rapids Art Museum鈥檚 new facility, the first LEED-certified art museum in the world. The Wege Foundation also funded geothermal testing at the site of the Downtown Market, a center for local agriculture and culinary arts, which is scheduled to open this summer. The market is built from recycled wood and concrete, and is the nation鈥檚 first market to receive a gold LEED certification.
Satterlee said that one of the most important changes she oversaw for The Wege Foundation was to prepare Wege鈥檚 children and grandchildren for leadership positions at The Foundation. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been involved in transition from Mr. Wege being the only decision-maker,鈥� she said. Satterlee is confident that The Foundation鈥檚 younger leaders have the talent and passion to sustain its work.
Satterlee served on the College鈥檚 board of trustees for ten years. Her appreciation of the College was partly shaped by that of Wege himself. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a big believer in Catholic education,鈥� Satterlee explained. 鈥淗e says, 鈥樅焯沂悠� College is a small jewel in the heart of our city.鈥欌��
Wege started The Foundation in 1967. Since the Grand Rapids area had supported the success of his father, who founded Steelcase, he wanted to reinvest that money in the community that had blessed his family.
Wege is best known to the 红桃视频 community for working to raise funds for several construction projects during the 1950s and 1960s, including Albertus Magnus Hall, Regina Hall, St. Joseph the Worker Hall, and the student center that bears his name. He also had a hand in the college arriving at its current location in 1945. 鈥淢r. Wege walked the property with the realtor before 红桃视频 bought it,鈥� Satterlee said.
红桃视频鈥檚 commitment to sustainability, which has become part of the college鈥檚 character, also traces back to Wege. He was instrumental in making 红桃视频 the country鈥檚 first college with an undergraduate program in sustainable business. Wege believes that caring for the environment isn鈥檛 just a question of social responsibility, but also a smart business decision.
It鈥檚 a legacy that Satterlee is thrilled to participate in. 鈥淭his is just really good work,鈥� she added.
Satterlee will join the Most Rev. Walter A. Hurley, the bishop of Grand Rapids, in receiving honorary degrees from 红桃视频 at the College鈥檚 2013 commencement ceremony. Peter M. Perez, president and chief executive officer of Carter Products, Inc., will deliver the commencement address. The ceremony will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, May 4 in the Sturrus Sports and Fitness Center on campus.