Donor Profile: Marcia Nunn
Marcia Nunn, trustee and Open Windows Campaign donor, may not have an Alma College degree, yet she remains committed to the institution that is the alma mater to her father, sister, son and five nieces and nephews.
Her father, Robert C. Nunn, graduated from Alma in 1932 and later was president of the Alumni Association in 1978 and ’79 and a member of the Board of Trustees from 1977 to 1980. Her sister, Carol Nelson, is a 1971 alumna.
“My dad was a townie from Riverdale; his family owned the general store,” says Marcia. “He had a car and drove to campus every day and was the envy of his classmates. He was a good friend with Dr. Potter; they graduated about the same time.
Alma College Trustee and donor
Marcia Nunn
“Growing up, my sister and I heard my father talk a lot about Alma College. To my dad, we were going to Alma College; there was no other choice for us,” she says.
Marcia attended Alma for two years, studying mathematics and chemistry before marrying and transferring to the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She is classified as a non-degreed member of the class of 1973.
“One of my biggest Alma memories is sitting around the TV set in VanDusen and watching the draft numbers get selected for Vietnam,” she says. “Some of the guys stormed out of the room when their birthdays were called.
“I also remember sliding down the hill by the library on a cafeteria tray, knocking over a beaker of acid solution on my clothes in the chemistry lab, and serving as an RA in my second year,” she says.
After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she went on to earn a law degree at the University of Michigan. She worked 30 years as corporate counsel for Ford Motor Company, retiring in 2008.
“The mathematics and chemistry programs at Alma, with their requirements for logical thinking, were extremely important in preparing me for what I did in law,” she says.
While retired from Ford, she continues in her role as an Alma College trustee. Appointed in 2004, she enjoys her participation on the Faculty, Academic and Student Affairs Committee.
“I push all the time that families must receive value for the tuition dollars they are spending,” says Nunn. “When students graduate, they should be prepared to enter the workplace and be successful. I look forward to the signature programs enhancing that opportunity for many of our students.”
She also supports the College through her financial giving, with gifts designated to Wright Hall, the Alma Fund, the Robert C. Nunn Endowed Scholarship, Center for Responsible Leadership, Metro Detroit Roundtable/ Maroon and Cream Gala, and an estate commitment.
“I believe in Alma College,” she says. “There are two important things that students receive from an Alma College education: critical thinking skills and an awareness and appreciation for other people, not just themselves—a social awareness. Alma really lives its mission statement to make the world a better place.”
Marcia’s son, Todd Swinehart, a captain in the Marines, is a 2002 graduate. In addition, five of Marcia’s nieces and nephews are Alma alumni: Mark Baker ’86, Sarah Baker Jome ’85, Susan Baker Cramer ’88, Carrie Nelson Pishek ’97, and Robert Nelson ’99.
