1999 Founding
1999 Founding investigators join VAI 2000 Van Andel Institute celebrates Grand Opening Nearly two years after the groundbreaking for Van Andel Institute, Phase I was complete. A grand opening ceremony was held on May 10, 2000, at the new 169,000-square-foot building to celebrate a dream turned tangible. Attendees included former President Gerald Ford, then-Gov. John Engler and others. Dr. Arthur S. Alberts, Laboratory of Cell Structure and Signal Integration Dr. Han-Mo Koo, Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacogenetics Father and son Jay and David Van Andel shared a particularly powerful moment as they conducted the ceremonial ribbon cutting. The founder's movements had slowed as a result of Parkinson's disease, but David Van Andel ensured that the ribbon cutting was not rushed and that his father had the opportunity to experience this historic moment for the Institute he helped bring into existence. VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE | 25 YEARS Dr. Brian Cao, Laboratory of Antibody Technology Dr. Nick Duesbery, Laboratory of Cancer and Developmental Cell Biology Dr. Jim Resau, Laboratory of Analytical, Cellular and Molecular Microscopy; Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics Dr. Craig P. Webb, Laboratory of Tumor Metastasis and Angiogenesis "I was watching a point in history that was never going to be repeated again," David Van Andel said. "And I was glad that I took the time to wait." Bryn Eagleson, Vivarium and Transgenics Core Dr. Bart Williams, Laboratory of Cell Signaling and Carcinogenesis 12 1999 – 2000
VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE | 25 YEARS (CLOCKWISE, STARTING AT TOP): VAI FOUNDER JAY VAN ANDEL & HIS SON & VAI CHAIRMAN & CEO DAVID VAN ANDEL CUT THE RIBBON AT THE INSTITUTE’S PHASE I GRAND OPENING, 2000; FORMER PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD, JAY VAN ANDEL & DAVID VAN ANDEL; JAY VAN ANDEL; DAVID VAN ANDEL ADDRESSING THE CROWD AT THE GRAND OPENING; SIGNED PHASE I BEAM PRIOR TO PLACEMENT; JAY & DAVID VAN ANDEL CELEBRATE VAI’S GRAND OPENING 2000 13
