George Roche III
Former Hillsdale College President George Roche is returning to Michigan in November after a five-year absence following his resignation.
The occasion for Roche’s return is a tribute dinner in honor of his 70th birthday and his “monumental achievements as president of the college,” said Ron Trowbridge, the organizer and master of ceremonies of the Nov. 5 event that will be held in Jackson.
Trowbridge, who served as Hillsdale’s vice president from 1999 to 2000, sent invitations for the celebration to friends and colleagues of Roche. A public invitation was also printed in the Hillsdale Daily News on Sept. 12 welcoming Hillsdale residents to attend.
“There are two reasons I decided to put the tribute together,” Trowbridge said. “First, the complexity of the tragedy surrounding George’s departure just did not permit a tribute…and second, it is a matter of loyalty, but more specifically a matter of gratitude for what George did for the Hillsdale family.”
Trowbridge, now retired and residing in Texas, talked warmly about the “positive high road” that will be taken at the tribute, and said he hopes for a strong turnout from the “Hillsdale family” and community.
“The folks there at the college are saying, ‘should I go or not go?’” Trowbridge said. “I’d say they have to stop and think, ‘what did George do for me,’ and I think everyone can give a good response to that.”
For the Hillsdale faculty and administration, the feelings surrounding Roche remain sensitive and complicated, and many politely declined comment for this reason.
Robert Eden, professor of political science, shared his thoughts concerning the event.
“This is a thing that could embroil people throughout the Hillsdale community, especially because the campus—among the staff and faculty— is about equally divided on their opinions concerning [the Roche situation],” Eden said.
He said the event could have the effect of “opening old wounds” and that he thought some colleagues might want to celebrate Roche’s birthday but remain troubled about the situation.
John Reist, professor of Christianity and literature, said he was concerned about the close vicinity of the event to Hillsdale.
“I don’t think it is appropriate to have [the event] so close to the college because it may give the impression that the college is officially involved,” Reist said.
Robert Blackstock, provost and professor of law, said that the dinner “arose quite independent” of the college and confirmed that the event has “not involved the college in conception or planning.”
Sentiment concerning the location of the event varied.
“You’d think they would do it farther away, like Detroit, where it wouldn’t cause so much consternation,” said Rachel Bayer, a 2003 Hillsdale graduate.
However, Eden said holding the dinner farther from Hillsdale would make it difficult for friends of Roche and “someone like me” to attend.
Aimee England, co-owner of Volume I Bookstore, said she read the public invitation and doesn’t understand why the event is being held in Jackson.
“If it’s about Hillsdale, about Hillsdale College, then why isn’t it happening here in the community?” England said. “Why isn’t the college supporting this?”
Hillsdale graduate Jonathan Nikkila (‘04) said he thinks it is not in the best interest of the college to directly support such a tribute.
“It’s not appropriate for the college to hold this kind of celebration--regardless of the great things Roche did for the college there are too many questions involved with what happened,” Nikkila said. “It is not a very prudent thing for the college to do.”
According to assistant to the president Pat Loper, Hillsdale president Larry Arnn is offering a videotape to be played at the dinner.
“The college wishes Dr. Roche well, is grateful for his past service, and sends its greetings to him on the occasion of his birthday party,” Arnn said in a written statement.
Trowbridge said the addition of the videotape was “absolutely wonderful” and a nice contribution to the dinner’s focus on the “benevolent things, the good things.”
“All I’m asking is that you show up, you say ‘hi’ to George, you say ‘thank you,’ and so you express your gratitude,” Trowbridge said.
He emphasized the dinner’s open invitation to everyone in the Hillsdale College family and the importance of this event welcoming town residents as well.
Carol Gier, an employee of MaryBeth’s in downtown Hillsdale, said the college and matters having to do with the college are a big part of the Hillsdale community.
“It’s nice that they’re doing this, and I think they will have a good amount of community turnout,” Gier said.
“He’s been missed, even though the college has come a long way under the current president,” Patti Bailey, co-owner of Maggie Anne Shoppe, said. “I think it’s nice to try and welcome him back into the community.”
At the bookstore, a popular drop-in spot for many residents, England said she doesn’t feel there is much of a community interest.
“It kind of feels like, why now? What’s the point? Four, five, six years he’s been gone,” England said. “The community’s moved on—he’s not part of it anymore. He left town—I can’t blame him.”
Although most current Hillsdale students didn’t know Roche, they also shared responses. Senior August Stafford said that without personally defending a president’s actions, a tribute can still be appropriate.
“We should probably give the man his honors,” Stafford said. “But the case is closed, so we should be moving beyond it.”
Trowbridge wrote in the invitation: “In one sense, [the tribute] will bring closure for him and for us.”
For more information about the dinner, e-mail ronaldtrowbridge@yahoo.com.