Alumni Commitment Award - Michael Bowen

Michael Bowen, '92, saw an educational need in the United States and assisted his alma mater in helping to fill that need.

He funded the M.J. Bowen Real Estate Development Program at CMU with a $1 million gift to develop students into innovative real estate problem solvers, ready for the forefront of the real estate development field.

Michael is founder and CEO of Westwood Development Group LLC, specializing in developing open-air shopping centers nationwide. His projects include sites in Michigan, Kansas, Nebraska, Arizona, Florida, and Hawaii.

He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, and he was named one of Grand Rapids' "40 Under 40" top entrepreneurs in 2003 and 2005.

For CMU he serves on the Finance Department Advisory Board, the College of Business Administration Campaign Committee, and the Grand Rapids Regional Campaign Committee. He also established the Michael J. Bowen Real Estate Development Program Leadership Award for faculty members who have made a difference in real estate development through their leadership roles.