EXPO 2009 Home

Janet DeVlieg Pope, granddaughter and daughter of the two DeVliegs the foundation is named for, serves as the president of the Charles DeVlieg Foundation. She lives in Clarkston, Washington, and owns a 1,300 acre ranch on Idaho's Joseph Plains overlooking the lower Salmon River. A Michigan State University graphic arts graduate, she worked for the DeVlieg Machine Company for 15 years as advertising manager.

"We are glad to extend our reach beyond Michigan," she said. "The family has always supported the areas they live in, and we wanted to continue to do that. Idaho provides wonderful engineering and natural resource educations. My grandfather only had an eighth grade education. But he had opportunity and aptitude. Now education is essential."

"My grandfather talked my father into coming to Detroit and joining in the family business," DeVlieg Pope said. "My dad had a high school education and was basically a talented machinist and draftsman, but in his heart, he wanted to be a forester. My dad loved the outdoors and he loved fishing. He particularly enjoyed fishing Michigan's Au Sable River. I think my grandfather gave dad wise advice when he said, 'Let tool making be your vocation and use the money you earn to pursue your passion. Be a forester in your leisure time.'

"My dad also loved to plant trees. I have very fond memories of planting seedlings with my dad," she said. In fact the DeVliegs planted over 20 acres of trees during those childhood summers. She shares her father's deep love of the wilderness and his commitment to conservation. In 1983, she met her husband, Jim Pope, a helicopter pilot and conservationist who has worked with public and private agencies for over 35 years to enhance Idaho's fisheries and wildlife populations and their habitat. Janet also served ten years as a board member of the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The DeVlieg Foundation has partnered with the College of Natural Resources to coordinate the development of the DeVlieg Cabin at Taylor Ranch Wilderness Research Station. This new multipurpose cabin replaces the buildings that were lost in the fire of 2000, and will expand housing for researchers and classes. The cabin provides lodging to 10 people, a kitchen, bathrooms and wireless internet connection. The Taylor Ranch Wilderness Research Station is located in central Idaho in the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return area. The Taylor Ranch Wilderness Research Station is surrounded by over 4 million acres of wilderness; the station provides outstanding access, facilities, and logistical support for research on natural environments and processes.

The prestigious appointment of the DeVlieg Presidential Professor of Ecohydraulics to Peter Goodwin has truly opened many doors for the University, the College and Dr. Goodwin for the last seven years, and this year once again is no exception. The DeVlieg Foundation supports the Center for Ecohydraulics Research, including two DeVlieg Assistantships in Ecohydraulics and DeVlieg Enrichment Travel Grants. Support from the DeVlieg Foundation significantly enhances the global research activity of the Center for Ecohydraulics Research, raising investigations to a higher level by yielding a fundamental understanding of the linkages between physical processes and ecological response in rivers, estuaries and wetlands.

The Charles DeVlieg Foundation provides annual scholarships to College of Engineering students. The continued support and inspiration that the DeVlieg Foundation has shown over the years for mechanical engineering scholarships, Ph.D. assistantships and enrichment travel grants in Ecohydraulics and recently their new support of the high school summer program, JEMS, is greatly appreciated by all in the College of Engineering.

We gratefully acknowledge that Janet DeVlieg Pope and Jim Pope, representing the DeVlieg Foundation are among the newest members of the Gem Society this year. The Gem Society honors alumni, friends, corporations and foundations who have a lifetime giving total of more than $1 million to the University of Idaho.