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Ferris Awards Stephanie Leonardos Honorary Doctoral Degree

BIG RAPIDS – Stephanie Leonardos of Grand Rapids will be the recipient of an honorary doctoral degree for business and industry from Ferris State University during commencement ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9, for the university’s College of Engineering Technology.

Leonardos is the president and CEO of Amerikam, Inc., a manufacturer and designer of flow control products for industries as diverse as medical, plumbing and defense. Throughout its 74 years in business, Amerikam’s technology has resulted in products that have made life easier for the handicapped, facilitated space travel and helped save the lives of soldiers in Iraq. The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce recognized the company as its 2007 Outstanding Manufacturing Company of the Year.

She joined Amerikam in 1991 and has served as president since 1997. She also has a great depth of board experience and currently serves, or has served, as vice-chair of the Board of the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Board of Directors of the Plumbing Manufacturer’s Institute, Ferris State University’s Commission for the Future and Manufacturing Engineering Technology Advisory Board, and United Way Women’s Leadership Council. Describing her commitment to both the educational and business worlds, Leonardos says, “The collaboration between business and industry and the educational community is key to preparing a job-ready workforce for Michigan. We see that as our duty and these programs have our full commitment.”

Under Leonardos, Amerikam has grown its reputation as a company that gives freely of itself to this West Michigan community, highlighted by frequent partnerships with Ferris and its Kendall College of Art and Design, which provide opportunities for students of design and engineering technology.

Leonardos holds a B.A. from Mt. Union College and an M.A. from Kent State University. She and husband, George, have three children and seven grandchildren.