2008
Bio:
Richard P. Kughn, Chairman and President of Kughn Enterprises, is recipient of the Founders Award. He is recognized for his support of higher education in the tradition of UDM’s Jesuit and Mercy Founders. A Detroit native, Kughn is a real estate entrepreneur and civic leader in metro Detroit with numerous business interests. He is a member of Lionel Investors LLC; partner of RK Virginia Ventures, a retail properties developer; a managing member of ISP Technologies, LLC, a developer of state-of-the-art audio technology; and Vice Chairman/Advisory Board and managing member of Zana Network, LLC.
Long active in professional and civic organizations, Kughn serves on the boards of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Oakwood Healthcare Inc. Oakwood Healthcare System Foundation and The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. He is Chairman Emeritus of the University Cultural Center Association. Kughn also serves on the Meadow Crook Concours d’Elegance Board as well as the Classic Car Club of America Museum Board.
From 1980-1994, Kughn served on the University’s Board of Trustees, which he chaired from 1984-1993. As board Chair, he helped to facilitate the consolidation of University of Detroit and Mercy College of Detroit to form University of Detroit Mercy in 1990. He was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from UDM in 1990 in recognition of his commitment and service to the institution. In addition, Kughn was an active member of the University’s Commission on the Future School of Architecture Task Force during 1995-1996. He currently serves on the School of Architecture’s Advisory Board and continues to take the interest in the School’s Detroit Collaborative Design Center and community outreach efforts.
Kughn maintains his support for the University because “it provides an extraordinary education to its students, while playing a significant role in improving the quality of life of our community.”
Award was presented at The Ignation Circle Dinner by Fr. Gerard L. Stockhausen, S.J., President of the University of Detroit Mercy, September 28, 2008.