Total Surprise: $100,000 Gift
Ron Sexton '68 got the surprise of his life at his retirement dinner.
Dow Corning Corporation acknowledged Sexton’s 28-year career with the company by pledging $100,000 to establish an Alma College scholarship in his name.
“It came as a total surprise,” says Sexton. “The company worked out all the details with [Alma President] Saundra Tracy. To the best of my knowledge, Dow Corning has never honored an employee in this way until now. This was the ideal retirement gift.”
The Ron R. Sexton Endowed Finance and Accounting Scholarship will be awarded annually to deserving finance and accounting majors at Alma who meet minimum academic requirements. The scholarship is renewable to students who maintain a minimum grade point average.
The gift in part acknowledges Sexton’s enthusiastic efforts to recruit Alma College graduates to work at Dow Corning, according to Dr. Stephanie Burns, Dow Corning’s president and chief executive officer.
“We really wanted to recognize Ron’s long service to Dow Corning in a way that he would truly appreciate,” says Dr. Burns, who addressed Alma’s 2006 graduates at April commencement. “This scholarship is the perfect way to celebrate his retirement, his well-known love for Alma College and his contributions to our company over the years - which include the benefit of his relationships at Alma.
“We have about 30 Alma graduates working for us right now, most of whom Ron had a hand in recruiting. They are working in many different areas of the company and all over the world - from Midland to Shanghai. We knew someday Ron would retire from Dow Corning; we doubt he will ever retire from his service to Alma! This scholarship helps us maintain the connection in his honor,” she says.
Both Ron and his wife, Mary, take pride in their strong family ties to Alma College, with numerous close and extended family members as alumni, including sons Andrew ‘97 and Steven ‘99.
“I have many fond memories of Alma College, and I am particularly indebted to [professor emeritus of business administration] George Gazmararian,” says Ron. “We have remained in contact ever since. The support and encouragement I have received from George over the years is what makes the Alma experience truly unique.”
After receiving his master’s degree, Ron worked seven years as a certified public accountant for Arthur Andersen before joining Dow Corning in 1977. He retired in 2005 as corporate treasurer. Ron was appointed to Alma’s Board of Trustees in 2004 and continues to serve on the board.
