President's Advisory Council Provides Creative Input
When it comes to talent, expertise and influence, the members of the
President's Advisory Council take a back seat to no one when providing
wise council to Alma College.
The PAC, a group that has grown to 17 individuals, includes company
CEOs, newspaper editors, a U.S. Congressman, a senior Presbyterian
pastor, a foundation president, a state superintendent of education,
and other high-ranking executives and entrepreneurs.
The PAC gathers for an annual meeting on campus in the fall. The group
stays informed throughout the year through regular communication.
“The PAC is an important source of candid input to me, the Board of
Trustees and the College from a wide variety of perspectives,” says
President Saundra Tracy. “The individuals have been selected because of
the significant roles they play in their respective professional
fields. They also represent a range of ages and backgrounds.
“Since they have no formal policy-making role for the College, they can
offer outside-the-box ideas for us to do with as we deem best,” she
says. “The PAC also allows individuals who might not have the time or
close connection to Alma College that is required of trustees to
contribute their talents and experiences to Alma.”
Another role PAC members play is to extend the visibility of the College, says Tracy.
“PAC members have spheres of professional and personal influence beyond
what we otherwise might reach,” she says. “One of the commitments they
make in serving on the Council is to intentionally promote the
institution.”
Presidential advisory councils have been around in a variety of forms
for many years. As institutions strive to stay connected to their
broader communities and respond to rapid global changes, their value
continues to increase, says Tracy.
“I am so pleased that such a talented and respected group of
individuals commit time and effort to Alma College,” says Tracy. “For
example, Chairperson Larry Beck, best known as the founder of Waste
Management, continues to be professionally active as an entrepreneur
and businessman.”
The annual PAC meetings typically focus on strategic issues facing the College.
“Last year the PAC helped us think through what it means to prepare
students for a global society,” says Tracy. “At the group’s first
meeting several years ago, the members defined the qualities for
leadership they believed colleges should emphasize for their graduates.
Those conversations were instrumental in the creation of the Center for
Responsible Leadership.”
The following individuals make up this year’s PAC:
Larry Beck, Chair
President, Birchwood Construction Co., Harbor Springs
Merrill Gus Armstrong
Armstrong International, Inc., Summerfield, Fla.
Stephanie Burns
Chairman, President & CEO, Dow Corning Corp., Midland
David Camp
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
Paula Cunningham
President, CEO, Capitol National Bank, Lansing
Douglas Dome
President, Dome Consulting, Chicago
John Gordon
Vice Chairman, Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids
Paul Hillegonds
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, DTE Energy Co., Detroit
Mary Kramer
Publisher, Crain’s Detroit Business, Detroit
Karen Magnuson
Editor, Vice President/News, Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, N.Y.
Kevin Miller
President & CEO, TexasLending.com, Dallas
Steven Oesterle
President & CEO, Decision Sciences Corp., San Diego
Rev. David Pierce
Senior Pastor, Memorial Presbyterian Church, Midland
Suellen Reed
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, Indianapolis
Margaret Riecker
President, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Midland
Thomas Sullivan
President & CEO, Firstbank Corp., Alma
Linda Valentine
Executive Director, General Assembly Council, Presbyterian Church USA, Louisville
Posted: Mon, October 6th, 2008 at 9:08AM
