GRAND RAPIDS — If you’re going to throw one last gala before riding off into retirement, you might as well bring in someone who knows how to own a stage.
That’s exactly what Davenport University is doing.
The university’s annual Excellence in Business Gala on May 2 at DeVos Place will feature Emmy- and Tony-winning actor and comedian Martin Short in what promises to be part stand-up, part conversation, and part reflection on resilience, reinvention — and maybe a few outrageous characters.
For Davenport President Richard J. Pappas, it will be his final gala before retiring in June, capping a 50-year career in higher education and 17 years leading the private university.
And yes — there will be laughs.
From SCTV to the Five-Timers Club
Short’s résumé reads like a comedy masterclass.
He first gained prominence on Canada’s SCTV, before joining Saturday Night Live, where he became a fan favorite more than three decades ago. He’s since hosted SNL five times and joined the elite “Five-Timers Club.”
Movie audiences remember him in Three Amigos, the cult comedy that paired him with Steve Martin and Chevy Chase. He later stole scenes in Father of the Bride and its sequel as the flamboyant wedding planner Franck Eggelhoffer.
More recently, he has teamed again with Steve Martin — this time alongside Selena Gomez — in Hulu’s hit series Only Murders in the Building, proving that comedy longevity isn’t an accident. It’s craft.
Short also chronicled his life in the 2014 memoir ay: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend, blending humor with deeply personal reflections on grief, gratitude and persistence — themes that align neatly with a university gala built around leadership and impact.
Pappas’ Final Curtain Call
This year’s gala carries additional weight.
Pappas announced he will retire in June, making this his final Excellence in Business Gala as president. During the event, he will receive the Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award, honoring both his tenure at Davenport and his broader contributions to higher education.
Under Pappas’ leadership since 2009, Davenport experienced significant institutional transformation, including a reported 200% increase in graduation rates. The university expanded student support services, strengthened its financial position, and sharpened its industry-focused academic programming.
Davenport became the first university to receive the Michigan Performance Excellence Award, based on the Baldrige Criteria, and later earned the American Council on Education/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation. Pappas also recently received the Presidential Legacy Award from the Urban League of West Michigan.
That’s a serious résumé — and a fitting setup for a conversation about reinvention and resilience with a comedian who has built a career on both.
Why This Gala Matters
While the headliner draws attention, the mission drives the event.
Davenport’s annual gala funds scholarships, supporting students who might not otherwise afford private higher education. The university serves roughly 5,000 students, including a high percentage of working adults, veterans, first-generation students and transfer learners.
In a Michigan economy increasingly focused on workforce alignment, technical skills and industry-ready graduates, events like this are more than social gatherings. They are revenue engines for access.
And let’s be honest: scholarship fundraising works better when people are laughing.
A Conversation, Not Just a Performance
Unlike a traditional stand-up set, the evening will feature a moderated conversation between Pappas and Short — blending humor with insight. Pappas has indicated he plans to explore both Short’s career highlights and the more personal themes from his memoir, including loss and gratitude.
That mix could resonate.
Short has spoken candidly over the years about the death of his wife, actress Nancy Dolman, and about navigating grief while maintaining a public persona built on joy. It’s that contrast — exuberant characters on stage, introspective reflection off stage — that gives depth to what might otherwise be “just another celebrity keynote.”
Expect sharp wit. But also expect perspective.
Timing Is Everything
There’s something fitting about pairing a retiring university president with a comedy legend whose career has spanned generations.
Both careers demonstrate reinvention. Both require stamina. And both depend on audience connection.
For West Michigan’s business and philanthropic community, the Excellence in Business Gala has long been a high-profile event. Adding Martin Short elevates it from annual fundraiser to marquee cultural moment.
The setting — DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids — ensures scale. The mission ensures meaning. And the headliner ensures nobody checks their phone during dessert.
Davenport University, founded in 1866, positions itself as a private nonprofit focused on career-ready education with relatively low tuition compared to other private institutions in Michigan. With more than 100 degree and certificate programs, it emphasizes industry alignment — a message that resonates strongly in Michigan’s evolving workforce landscape.
In many ways, bringing in Martin Short is brand-consistent. Davenport markets practicality and results — but it also understands the importance of storytelling.
And if there’s one thing Martin Short knows, it’s how to tell a story that sticks.
Event: Excellence in Business Gala
Date: May 2, 2026
Location: DeVos Place, Grand Rapids
Purpose: Scholarship fundraising
Featured Guest: Martin Short
Honoree: Richard J. Pappas
Tickets and sponsorship information are available through Davenport University.
If this is Pappas’ final act as president, he’s closing it the right way — with purpose, gratitude, and a comedian who understands that the best performances blend humor with heart.
