Trustee Emeritus Continues To Support Alma College
“We are very pleased with what we have seen and heard about
what has been happening at Alma College. We know that the College is in
good shape.” — Fred Secrest
Fred and Stephanie Secrest, long-time supporters of Alma College and
current donors to the Open Windows Campaign, are enjoying life at the
Henry Ford Retirement Village in Dearborn.
“Like Alma, it’s a place that provides a quality environment,” says
Fred. “If you are someone who needs medical attention, you are able to
get it here. If you are able to live alone, you can do that with a huge
range of activities to choose from. We are 85 now and still able to get
around. I use the swimming pool regularly, while Stephanie goes to
fitness/balance class.
“We are very pleased with what we have seen and heard about what has
been happening at Alma College,” says Fred. “We know that the College
is in good shape.”
Fred Secrest
The
Secrests have supported many College initiatives, but most recently
have given to the ALMA Fund, the Wright Hall Campaign, the Stone
Recreation Center, and the Stephanie and Fred G. Secrest Professorship
for Performing Arts. The Secrest Professorship, established in 1993, is
currently held by Will Nichols.
They also are Heritage Cub members who have included the College in their estate plans.
Fred and Stephanie first became aware of Alma College through their
church and when their son, Stephen, enrolled in Alma, graduating in
1969. Fred eventually joined the Board of Trustees in 1975, serving
more than 20 years.
“I had the distinct privilege of working with three different
presidents — Bob Swanson, Oscar Remick and Alan Stone,” says Fred. “All
were different, but each was a great pleasure to work with. I probably
worked most closely with Stone because he came to Alma when I became
chair of the Board of Trustees. It was an interesting time because we
were facing one of those periodic financial crises that the College
faces from time to time.
“I have had greater involvement with Alma than any other institution,”
he says. “Stephanie and I believe it has done an excellent job in
positioning itself as an institution with something unique to offer. It
provides a very high class liberal arts education, keeps its curriculum
up to date, and makes it possible for graduates to have the best
opportunities for acceptance into graduate school or their professions.”
Fred is a retired executive vice president/consultant with Ford Motor
Company who also served the Dearborn First Presbyterian Church as an
elder, trustee and Board of National Missions member. He received an
honorary Doctor of Law degree from Alma College in 1996.
Open Windows Campaign Update
The Secrests’ gifts to Alma College support the Open Windows Campaign,
which seeks to strengthen Alma’s endowment to help support academic
programs, student scholarships and facility improvements. Launched in
October 2006, the Campaign has achieved 86.7 percent of the $35.25
million fund-raising goal as of May 31.
Click here to view the College’s newest Campaign Flash video.
Posted: Thu, June 26th, 2008 at 9:28AM
