Alumni Profile: Arlan Edgar
Professor Emeritus Arlan Edgar ‘49 frequently used the word “fealty” when describing the loyalty and allegiance that Alma College graduates have for their alma mater.
Fealty is defined as the fidelity or faithfulness that is shown to someone or something.
“When you talk to a person who graduated from Alma 50 years ago, it’s not hard for them to recall as easily today as 50 years ago what made Alma special to them,” Edgar would say. “They consistently describe a kind of Alma College ambiance, a sort of aroma, that left them changed for the better.”
Edgar is remembered for a distinguished career that focused on teaching, research and encouraging students to participate in scholarly activities. He died Dec. 22, 2007 at age 81.
“We are grateful for his longstanding and never-wavering support and passion for Alma College,” said Carol Hyble, Vice President for Advancement. “More than 55 years after his graduation, and 20 years after his retirement, Dr. Edgar obviously cared deeply about the College and continued to provide financial support with annual gifts.”
Dr. Edgar estimated that he taught more than 900 biology majors during his 35 years (1950-1985) as a member of the biology faculty.
He claimed that his greatest honor came in the form of unsolicited comments from former students acknowledging the positive impact he had on their lives and careers. One of his most popular courses took students to Jamaica during Spring Term studying marine invertebrates and constructing water and sanitary systems for the villages where they stayed.
“I’m convinced, based on what former students say, that Alma College is special to our graduates and had an impact in some way, whether it was in the classroom, socially, or regarding principles of life or attitudes toward others,” said Edgar in a 2006 interview.
He supported the Alma Fund, the Alma Symphony Orchestra, the arts and the Arlan Edgar Biology Endowment for student research. Many of his gifts were made in honor of specific people, such as a gift he made in 2005 in honor of the 90th birthday of former president Dr. Robert Swanson.
Financial giving is a way for alumni to reconnect with their alma mater, Edgar maintained.
“It allows them access to the heritage they received when they were students,” he said.
– Mike Silverthorn
