2006 Recipients

Since 1988, Evans has enjoyed a successful career as an internationally known choreographer, performer, rehearsal director and master teacher. Originally from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Evans was named a Presidential Scholar in Dance at WMU. He finished the University’s academic requirements for dance in 1988, but left prior to graduating to pursue performance opportunities. He returned to WMU in 2000 to complete his degree requirements.

As a dancer, Evans has performed with many well-known dance companies, including the Cori Terry/Wellspring Dance Collaborative, the River North Chicago Dance Company and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. He has toured the country with Sweet Charity as the dance captain and in the role of Big Daddy. He has been featured in commercials for JC Penny, K-Mart, Levi, and Intel and has performed with a host of recording artists, including Liza Minnelli, Dionne Warwick, and Michael Jackson.

Evans’ work as a choreographer is equally varied and diverse. He has created works for Motion Mania Dance Theatre in Maryland, the Monthey Dance Center in Switzerland and for the WMU Department of Dance, to name but a few. He has choreographed numerous industrials for companies such as Footlocker, ATT, Reebok, Nautica, and Nike as well as for several musicals. His work as an assistant choreographer for the off-Broadway musical Four Guys Named Jose was honored with an HOLA nomination and he was one of four choreographers featured in the Emmy winning PBS documentary about the River North Chicago Dance Company. He was a co-choreographer the 2005 European Youth Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony in Switzerland.

Before making his name in the business world, Bobb accomplished himself in the field of law. After graduating from WMU, he went on to earn his Doctor of Law degree from The University of Notre Dame in 1972. He then served as a law clerk to the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Court, Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Trial Division, and an attorney at Hopkins & Sutter.

Since 1978, Bobb has been a principal equity investor in small to middle market companies engaged in real estate development, financial services, beverage distribution, trucking, steel processing, construction, and agriculture. Such investments have included start-ups, turnarounds, and acquisitions from both private and public sellers. In all of these endeavors, Bobb served as CEO or Chairman of the Board.

In addition to these private investments, Bobb and a partner formed Cardinal Growth L.P., a small business investment company, in 2000. Cardinal, of which Bobb serves as its chairman, is a $100 million fund investing in small to middle market companies and is located in Chicago.

A life member of the WMU Alumni Association, Bobb has maintained close ties to his alma mater. He is currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Western Michigan University Foundation and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Haworth College of Business.