Supporters Like You

No matter where he was on campus as a student, Vern says that he felt connected and enveloped in good relationships.  He was a DJ at WOCR and a member of Phi Alpha Pi and the baseball and football teams.  Vern shares, “It wasn’t about being popular, it wasn’t about being rich; if you could do it, you could earn it. I worked my tail off in football and I earned it.”  He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. 

Vern recalls that “Olivet was a safe place to be and to become ‘you,’ whatever that looked like. That’s what I loved about it – I was never judged.” He continued, “Things I never believed were possible early in my life became a reality at Olivet because there was an opportunity.”   

Upon graduation, Vern had an international career in advertising and lived in Europe, Australia, and Japan for nine years. After returning to the U.S., he coached varsity football and baseball in Deer Park, Texas, at the invitation of his Olivet College coach, Ron Lynch ‘61. 

Now a senior vice president at Capturing Kids’ Hearts, Vern travels the country making a positive impact through service and leadership. His passion for bringing out the best in others is a pillar of the work Vern and the Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) team do. Over 50,000 educators and millions of students are impacted annually by the educator training, year-round support, and student leadership curriculum provided by CHK. According to Vern, “If we can work together, we know we can create remarkable schools where students and teachers feel connected, empowered, and inspired to do great things.” 

Vern is a committed supporter of his alma mater.  He has made donations in support of UOlivet athletics and Phi Alpha Pi and recently made a significant pledge to the new student center. Vern continues to be active on the UOlivet campus, giving motivational talks to student athletes and serving as an invited speaker.  He founded an academic prize in theater and music, the Lenora Belle Hazard Award, in honor of his mother. Vern says, “If God has given you a blessing and a gift, you have a great opportunity to use it to serve others.”   

Vern credits the many positive relationships that influenced him in his life and career and likes to share those experiences with those closest to him.  He comes back to Michigan with his daughter, Alexandria, each year to participate in the annual UOlivet athletics golf outing.  “I’m so happy she has had an opportunity to see Olivet and know firsthand of the relationships that were built there.”   

Vern’s message to fellow alumni and students; “Leadership is not about you, it’s not a personal agenda; it’s about serving.  When we truly serve, we empower, and when we empower, we create multipliers. And that’s what Olivet has done – it has created multipliers. Always remember, it doesn’t matter where you start, it matters where you finish.  Finish strong!”  

Whether you’re a current student, recent grad, or lifetime member, we all have something in common: a desire to connect and help each other. Start building relationships through mentorship by joining Comet2Comet. 

Not surprisingly, Marty’s favorite memories as a student are of the other students. “We were all close during the 1960s. We dressed up for dinner and sat together at various tables, and with that, we got to know most of the students on campus,” she said. She added, “We created our own fun. Every weekend there were dances and speakers and entertainment.”

After graduating with a degree in fine arts and having successful careers in retail and travel, Marty answered a call to become the Olivet College alumni director, a position she held for 15 years. During that time, she was responsible for many events and activities that helped her fellow alumni stay connected to what has now become The University of Olivet.

Marty started her connection to Olivet as a first-year student on campus over 60 years ago and has remained connected to her Olivet friends since then. She feels especially close to her Soronian sisters and keeps in regular contact with them. Every September they spend five days in a huge house in Omena, Michigan, north of Traverse City, and during the rest of the year they stay connected via Zoom every two weeks.

In further evidence of their ongoing closeness, on the day of the phone interview for this story Marty and two of her Soronian sisters who started at Olivet the same day she did, Joanie Peterson Littman ’67 and Mary Sarles Pieri ’67, were meeting for lunch at Joanie’s house. Mary has been living in Minnesota for most of her life, and Joanie had just moved here to be near her daughter and four grandchildren, very much like Marty did six years ago to be near her two sons and eight grandchildren.

Even in retirement, Marty still does a lot of “friend-raising” for her alma mater, helping people stay connected to the institution that she loves so much. In addition to the regular gatherings with her Soronian sisters, she posts memories and “boosts” Olivet stories on social media, serves as an event champion in MA and attends alumni events. This is all part of the way she gives back. She especially enjoyed being part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1974 championship football team at Homecoming 2024.

When asked why she continues to do so much in support of UOlivet, Marty said, “Because I really care about the success and the future of Olivet. I can’t give financially in the way that some others can, but if I can help in any way connecting people, reconnecting people and telling them what is going on, I do. Olivet has always held a special place in my heart since that day I bought that first yearbook.”

Her advice to alumni and current students: “Stay connected. The relationships with Olivet family will be even more important to you in today’s world; reach out to alumni in your field.” She encourages you to give back to Olivet, in whatever way you are able.

Join Marty in bringing fellow Comets back together by becoming an Alumni Ambassador or an Event Champion. Reach out to Lori Otto, director of alumni engagement, at lotto@uolivet.edu or (269) 749-6628 to find the way for your passion and commitment to make a lasting impact.

At the time Walt was in high school Frank Ham was co-owner of a Chevrolet dealership in Cassopolis and gave Walt a summer job washing cars. He nurtured and mentored Walt into believing more was possible for him.  “Without Coach Ham I never would have even heard of Olivet,” Walt said, adding that his love for Coach Ham runs as deep as his love for The University of Olivet today.   

Walt’s high school biology teacher, Arthur Reed, also helped Walt navigate the path to higher education.  Both Reed and Ham were instrumental in helping find Olivet alumni scholarships that allowed the small-town kid from Cassopolis High School to go to college. 

As an Olivet student, Walt built friendships that have been with him for a lifetime.  “I met students that first fall who became friends and those friendships became an important part of the fabric of my life,” he shared.  Three of the students he befriended during his time at Olivet – Benjamin Bernoudy ‘58, William “Buzz” McNally ’56, and Owen Whitkopf ’60 – are still his good friends more than 70 years later.  Another, Orlando Burton ‘57, remained his friend until Burton’s passing a few years ago. 

After graduation, Walt went on to have a successful career of 34 years in education and educational leadership in Chicago schools. His work as a teacher and administrator was influenced by his personal experiences as an undergraduate at UOlivet and in his own classroom.  “As a teacher, when you see one of your former students years later you want to be able to look them in the eye and know that you did your best for them,” Walt said. 

UOlivet became somewhat of a family tradition for the Parker family.  Walt’s daughter Kandace Parker Morris ’78 and granddaughter, Robin Morris ‘04, are also graduates of UOlivet. Kandace has since passed away but Walt says that Olivetians that he has met that knew her loved her, and that makes him and his wife Theresa really happy.  “Her smile was a perfect reflection of who she was,” Walt added. 

When asked why he supports The University today, Walt Parker is clear: the opportunities that Olivet opened for him were deeply impactful in his life.  “Olivet was kind of an oasis in a desert for me,” Walt said.  “Olivet supported me when I desperately needed support. I have the feeling that I could never do enough to return the favor of what Olivet has done for me.”   

Walt also calls out his personal commitment to inclusion and diversity as a commitment he recognizes in his alma mater, too.  “Olivet isn’t perfect, but It always has tried to improve and correct its flaws.  That is a tremendous blessing.  It makes the effort to do things right and to provide assistance where assistance is needed.” 

Walt and his wife Theresa are true champions for UOlivet, generously supporting The University through an annual pledge and by hosting a gathering of alumni and friends in Florida each winter. If you’re passionate, like Walt, about helping students achieve their dreams at Olivet or want to host an alumni event in your home state, take action today. Email alumnirelations@UOlivet.edu and let your Olivet pride shine!

Gretchen loves the sense of community at Olivet and how students are prepared for the working world here. She cites the resume workshops, mock interviews, business etiquette dinners and other experiences that helped her get ready to enter the professional workspace.  She even connected with her first employer in the insurance industry at a conference she attended with UOlivet’s chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS), an international insurance fraternity. 

Most of all, Gretchen loves the people she got to know and the experiences that she had while a student at UOlivet.  She made many friends through GIS.  One of those friends was Gregory Hurst ‘17, a fellow IRM major, who became her dearest friend.   

“Gregory was like a brother to me,” Gretchen shared.  “He loved Olivet, Gamma and his time at Phi Alpha Pi. He loved giving back.” Sadly, Gregory became ill with cancer and passed away in May 2022. Gretchen was there for him throughout his illness and speaks emotionally about the time that they were able to spend together during his final hospitalization. 

“We had a lot of great conversations about fears, dreams, wishes and all that.  One of his greatest fears was being forgotten. He also wanted to continue to help people even though he knew he would no longer be physically here.” 

Gretchen found a way to honor her friend and to support the institution that they both loved. She was instrumental in founding the Gregory Hurst Memorial Scholarship Fund at UOlivet. 

“Gregory’s eyes really lit up when we started talking about the scholarship,” Gretchen recalls.  “So many people from Olivet and the insurance industry came together to make it happen.” 

Gretchen offers some words of advice to her fellow alumni. “Sometimes we can get a little disconnected, but truly think about what Olivet did for you.  What scholarships were you able to get, what help were you able to get?  If you have financial means, you can help other students have that same experience so that they can also go out and do good in the world.” 

Join Gretchen and support the Gregory Hurst Memorial Scholarship Fund click here.  

After completing his bachelor’s degree, Ross started what would be a 37-year career at Charlotte Public Schools, just north of Olivet.  He eventually earned his master’s degree and did some evening teaching at a local community college. So, when the call came out from UOlivet for someone to teach calculus, Ross put his name in for consideration.  This reconnection to Olivet eventually led to a position as a full-time member of the faculty as well as chair of the mathematics department. 

Like many alumni, Ross credits the relationships he built while a student at UOlivet as crucial to him and his success.  He recalls that Dr. Fred Gruen, a much-beloved professor of chemistry, took over the teaching of his calculus II class after his first professor passed away suddenly. Ross really admired Dr. Gruen as a teacher, although he decided to remain a math major rather than switching to chemistry.     

Ross was exceptionally involved on campus as a student. He credits Al Doss ’68, with connecting him to Adelphic Alpha Pi, a relationship that eventually led him to be a co-advisor to the organization with Mike Fales ‘75.  Ross was one of the founders of a chapter of Sigma Zeta, a national science and math honor society that continues on campus today. Ross played in the concert band and fondly remembered that two of his professors, Joe Fleming and Mark Becker, played in the concert band with the students.   

One of the most important relationships Ross built while on campus was with fellow band student, Jenny Clarke. Jenny was a social studies major and eventually became his wife, Jenny Bohms ’73.  Jenny became an elementary teacher in both Charlotte and Nashville, Michigan.  Ross and Jenny enjoyed their connection to the music program so much that while Ross was a member of the faculty, both he and Jenny again played in the college’s concert band. 

The reason why Ross supports UOlivet is simple, “I want my alma mater to succeed,” he says.  He added that he really appreciates the social justice orientation of The University as well as its deep heritage.  While a member of the faculty he made monthly donations to the school through payroll deduction, but on the 50th anniversary of his graduation, he and Jenny decided to support the music program in a bigger way. “We wanted to give where our hearts were,” he said.  

Now is you chance to join Ross and Jenny Bohms to make a difference in a program that was meaningful to you as a student. Join them in giving back and making an impact by indicating your desired program or organization in the designation box.