April 12, 2001
Economist Lester C. Thurow to Speak at Alma College Commencement
ALMA, Mich. -- Internationally recognized economist Dr. Lester C. Thurow addresses 276 Alma College degree candidates and their families and friends during Commencement ceremonies Saturday, April 21, on campus.
Thurow speaks about "Living and Working in a Knowledge-Based Economy" at 2 p.m. in Cappaert Gymnasium in the Hogan Physical Education Center. The day's activities begin with Baccalaureate services at 10:30 a.m. in Dunning Memorial Chapel, luncheon at 11 a.m. in Hamilton Commons and Commencement concert featuring the Alma College Winds and Kiltie Band at 1:30 p.m. in Cappaert Gymnasium. A reception sponsored by the Parent Board follows Commencement on the lawn or Heritage Center Lobby if it rains.
With three New York Times best-selling books to his credit, Thurow consults widely around the globe. His new book, published by Harper Business Books, is Building Wealth: New Rules for Individuals, Companies and Countries in a Knowledge-Based Economy. He is Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Professor of Management and Economics at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has been the Dean of the Sloan School of Management.
Following Alma College tradition, honorary degrees are given during Commencement ceremonies. This year's recipients of honorary Doctor of Letter degrees are Thurow, former president Alan J. Stone and John Colina, past chair of Alma's Board of Trustees.
President of Alma College from 1988-2000, Alan J. Stone currently is president and chief executive officer of the Alzheimers Association. During his time at Alma, enrollment increased from 1,000 to 1,400 and the endowment grew from $37.7 million to $124 million. The number of full-time faculty increased from 62 to 87. New facilities built during his tenure include the Heritage Center for the Performing Arts, the Ronald O. Kapp Science Laboratory Center, the Colina Library Wing, the McIntyre Center for Exercise and Health Science and the Alan J. Stone Center for Recreation, due to be completed in fall 2001. While Alma College president he served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and as chair of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, Michigan Campus Compact, Michigan Colleges Foundation and Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Colina served on the Alma College Board of Trustees from 1989-2000 and as chair from 1997-2000. In 1996 he and his wife Nancy donated the naming gift for the Colina Library Wing. Although he started his career as a junior high school teacher in Mason, he began working at Central Distributors in Romulus in 1967. He became chairman of its board and retired in 1992 to establish the non-profit Colina Foundation in Grosse Ile, where he now lives.
For a print-quality image of Thurow, please visit http://www.alma.edu/offices/publicrelations/winter2001/commencement_release.php
For more information contact: Judy Scott, Director of Public Relations(989) 463-7290 FAX (989) 463-7258
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