Dutch is seeking the Republican nomination to the Board of Trustees. He was raised in East Lansing, three of his children currently attend MSU and he graduated from MSU's Eli Broad College of Business. 

Dutch also spent eight years as a naval Special Operations Officer serving in combat. He also served seven years as the president of the Broad Alumni Advisory Board. He helped fund the Broad College Endowed Scholarship for veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

“Dave Dutch’s character and background are exactly what Michigan State University needs in a Trustee," MSU College Republicans said in a statement. "His experience as a business leader, as well as military leader, give Dutch the right stuff to get MSU back on track and continue to be a model university for its students."

With the nominating convention approaching in August, Dutch said he will work closely with MSU College Republicans and hopes to serve as their voice on the Board of Trustees. 

“In short, I am a Spartan," Dutch said in his statement. "And every Spartan knows the school we love needs healing and change. ... Every MSU student can trust that my door will always be open to their concerns, their ideas, and I will not stop working until we restore the trust in our great university."