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Consciously or subconsciously,people want to be remembered after they die; however, not everyone is. It is through acts of goodwill that a legacy is created. The legacies of the late David Hayhow and the late Russell G. Mawby live on through Olivet College. They generously donated what they had to make the campus a better place.
Hayhow served the Olivet College community in his tenure by overseeing the Heritage Campaign while he was a member of the Board of Trustees. This campaign ran from 2006 to 2010.
He was a member of the board from 1995 to 2015. Barb Spencer, executive assistant to the president, confirmed that Hayhow was not only a member of the board, but, in fact, the chairman.
Hayhow was involved in numerous projects on campus. He wanted to improve the college for the students and make it a better place for them to learn and grow. He worked with many current employees. Burrage Librarian Judy Fales said, “He was always well prepared and organized. I observed him take serious stands in cases of promises made to students. He was very fair. A very classy, elegant, man.”
Similarly, Russell G. Mawby had the betterment of the college in mind. Biology Professor Leah Knapp
said, “The garden was named in honor of [Mawby] and his wife, Ruth. Technically it’s the Russell and Ruth Mawby Michigan Native Plant Garden.” The garden is adjacent to the Kirk Center on Cottage Street. Mawby was the chief executive officer and chair of the board of trustees for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Their mission is to “support children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors tothe larger community and society.”
Fales, who also knew Mawby, said, “He was very approachable and friendly. When the garden was established here, he came and worked with all of the students, faculty and staff who were installing the garden. My husband and I noticed that he worked around until he had had a chance to work with each student and talk with them.”
Hayhow died on January 7, 2018 at age 86. President Steven M. Corey said, “His service as board chair was remarkable and made a significant positive impact on the college.”Mawby died on October 20, 2017 at age 89. Kathy Agard, former executive director of the Johnson Center, an academic center at Grand Valley State University which Mawby helped to establish, said, “Future generations will benefit from, and be inspired by his exemplary legacy.”
The Achievements of the Heritage Campaign: Cutler Event Center – Phase 2 Mott Auditorium Renovations Riethmiller Blackman Art BuildingUpton Swimming Pool and locker room renovations
Kolassa Track renovations Mott Classroom renovations Endowed Scholarships