Last night, we had the immense honor of seeing our founders' families recognized by The Grand Valley University Foundation with the Enrichment Award. This prestigious accolade celebrates their long-standing dedication to Grand Valley through philanthropy and community service. Brothers Gary and Midge Verplank, who founded Shape Corp. in 1974, are remembered not just for their professional achievements but for their profound community impact. Alongside Gary's wife, Vicki, they believed in putting people first, a legacy that continues to shape our company and community. Their unwavering support for Grand Valley State University engineering program and the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute has made a lasting difference. Today, Gary and Vicki’s sons, Tony and Kyle Verplank, carry forward this remarkable legacy as co-executive chairs of Shape Corp. Their support was instrumental in creating GVSU’s Shape Corp. Innovation Design Center. Check out the video from the ceremony to see the full story of the Verplank family's incredible contributions. #ShapeCorp #GrandValleyStateUniversity #50thAnniversary #CommunityService #Legacy #Innovation #Founding50toFuture50
What a well deserved honor. Such a great company to work for. I feel very lucky and blessed to be part of the team.
Blessed and thankful to work at such an amazing company. They built our company as a family and 50 years later the family is thriving.
Thank you to the Verplank family. Video says it all.
Never had a negative interaction with a Verplank. Tremendous impact on the community and so many lives.
The Verplanks are good people. Thankful that they choose to share their success with the community they live in and love.
Congratulations to a wonderful family building and leaving a legacy of support to their communities!
Wonderful celebration and recognition of a wonderful family.
Congratulations, Tony and Kyle. Midge always said, "Those two boys have it down right." He couldn't have been prouder of you.
Great family and wonderful business. The lengths to which this family has made a positive impact on West Michigan people would be impossible to quantify! Congratulations and thank you!
President at Ecoological
1moThat's a wonderful example of proactively "making good things happen"!