Cornerstone University is hosting the “West Michigan Welcomes Joe & Martie Stowell” dinner gala at DeVos Place Sept. 12, to connect with the West Michigan community and continue the inaugural celebration of CU’s 11th president.

The 7 p.m. event is free because of the sponsorships of many West Michigan businesses,but it required reservations.

In two weeks, 2,000 seats were filled, and guests from all over the country were making travel arrangements.

“This is truly unprecedented and extraordinary,” said Ben Peterson, director of alumni relations. “There are West Michigan businesses that are excited about this and are willing to pay for others to come.”

Generous sponsors of the dinner include The Granger Group, RDV Corporation, The Jerry & Marcia Tubergen Foundation and the David & Carol Van Andel Foundation, as well as many more. Supporters and promoters of the event include the Inaugural Gala committee.

Keynote speakers for theevent are Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham, a global evangelist who led thousands to Christ, and Duane Liftin, president of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill.

Lotz is founder of AnGeL Ministries, whose Web site describes it as “an independent, non-profit organization based in Raleigh, N.C., and is committed to giving out messages of biblical exposition so that God’s Word is personal and relevant to ordinary people.”

She is the second oldest daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham and an award-winning and best-selling author.

“Stowell served on the board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and has a close relationship with the family,” Peterson said.

Liftin has been president of Wheaton College, a Christian Liberal Arts college, for 15 years, and Stowell is on the board of trustees. He has written many books including “Conceiving the Christian College,” published in 2004.

Heather Headley, an awardwinning artist and Christian who played Nala in the Broadway production of The Lion King, will provide the music. She also won a Tony award for her performance in the Broadway musical Aida.

Headley, born in Trinidad, began singing at a young age as the daughter of two ministers.

Headley was asked to perform because “Dr. Stowell thinks she is the most amazing musician,” Peterson said. “He is out-of-his-seat excited.”

Sharon Keegan, humanities faculty secretary, was the assistant to Ben Peterson for the planning and coordination of the dinner.

Keegan said that three kinds of salad, veggies, meat and desserts were tasted to choose the best selections for the dinner. Romaine lettuce with cheese and pistachio nuts was chosen for the salad, asparagus for the vegetable, and a potato, which she said is “kind of layered and shaped in a triangle.”

A small cut chicken topped with apple cranberry chutney was chosen for the meat, as well as beef. For dessert, a strawberry torte and a chocolate caramel cheese cake.

“The best part is the dessert,” Keegan said. She also coordinated student volunteers for the event to help guide attendees through the maze of 200 tables.

“You have to mobilize 2,000 people into one room,” she said. “We will have students placed throughout DeVos that will lead guests to the dining room and help guests to their seat.”

After guests find their seats, each guest will be surprised with an individual gift waiting for them.

“Dr. Stowell really wanted to create an atmosphere where the community can come together,” she said. “He wants to connect CU to West Michigan in a way it has never been before. We are hoping it will establish a strategic connection with the Michigan community.”

During the event, Stowell will share his vision for CU and the university’s role within the West Michigan community.

Stowell’s son, Matt, will also perform with his band throughout the dinner.

Peterson said that CU hopes to gain recognition from the dinner. “We want people to know who CU is and why we are here,” he said. “To share our mission and connect with new people who are excited about Michigan.

A reception will precede the dinner at 6 p.m.