MARQUETTE — Daniel and Pamella DeVos have continued their philanthropic support of Northern Michigan University through a recent $2 million gift from the Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation.

Half of this donation will be added to the permanent endowment of the DeVos Art Museum, ensuring its continued support. The remaining $1 million will be directed toward a fund aimed at advancing programs and facilities related to the development of an NMU arts district that will benefit the university and Marquette communities.

“We are honored to support Northern Michigan University and the Marquette community through this gift,” the couple stated. “We are passionate about investing in arts and culture, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this gift will have on the art museum and the planning of an arts district being developed in the community.”

“We proudly welcome and celebrate this vital investment, which will shape a transformative future for NMU and the Marquette community,” said NMU President Brock Tessman.

The couple first established the DeVos Art Museum, named after Dan’s parents, Richard and Helen DeVos, who were 1998 NMU honorary degree co-recipients.

“With this most recent generous gift, Dan and Pamella DeVos have set a new benchmark for the arts at Northern,” said Brad Canale, CEO of the NMU Foundation. “We are truly grateful for their renewed leadership and commitment.”

Dan’s connection to the university also included a seven-year term on the NMU Board of Trustees. He was appointed by former Gov. John Engler in April 1995 and served as chair from January 2001 until the end of his term in 2002.

Dan is chair and CEO of DP Fox Ventures LLC, which has interests in transportation, sports, entertainment, fashion, retail, resort management and real estate. Sports interests include majority ownership of the Grand Rapids Griffins, an American Hockey League franchise and top affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, and the Grand Rapids Rise of the Pro Volleyball Federation.

A member of the board of directors of Amway, the world’s largest direct-selling company, Dan also serves as president and CEO of Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. He is a partner in the Georgian Automotive Group, based in Barrie, Ontario, as well as a partner of CWD Real Estate Investment in Grand Rapids.

As chair of the Orlando Magic NBA franchise and a member of the NBA Board of Governors, Dan focuses on long-term strategic planning for the organization and new business initiatives. He also helps lead the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and is involved in a variety of philanthropic organizations. These include serving on the board of trustees for Hope Network Foundation, as past president of the board of the Grand Rapids Symphony, and as vice chair of the Grand Valley University Foundation. He also serves on the board of trustees for Northwood University, his alma mater.

Pamella DeVos is co-founder of DP Fox Ventures LLC and the president, owner, designer and creative director of her clothing line, pamella roland. Founded in 2002, the collection has retail distribution in Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Harrods and other leading retailers across the country and worldwide. In 2010, Pamella was inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America, a fashion industry group that includes many top American designers. In 2013, she partnered with Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids to open the Pamella Roland DeVos School of Fashion.

Pamella has committed her time and talent to many organizations. Her national involvement includes the boards of the Joffrey Ballet, Whitney Museum of American Art and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She also serves as a vice chair of the Grand Valley University Foundation, a member of the board of trustees of the Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Foundation, and an honorary life trustee at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

She is a graduate of Michigan State University.