Roche’s accomplishments
On Nov. 5, in Jackson, Mich., a dinner will be held in honor of former Hillsdale College President George Roche III. The dinner, organized by former college Vice President Ron Trowbridge, is a tribute to Roche, both in celebration of his 70th birthday and of his tremendous achievements as college president.
Controversy certainly surrounded Roche’s resignation; and in light of that fact, it is odd that a dinner honoring him is being held so close to campus—especially considering that Trowbridge now resides in Texas and Roche lives in Colorado. And, yes, those who were left in the wake of the scandal surrounding Roche’s resignation have conflicting opinions regarding this tribute.
But let’s look at the facts.
All controversy aside, the dinner will justly recognize all that Roche achieved for Hillsdale College during his 28-year presidency.
The college we now attend is largely the result of the work of George Roche. Today, Hillsdale College is a bulwark for conservatism, passing down the Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman tradition through a classical curriculum. These two facets of our heritage make Hillsdale one of the most important educational institutions in America. And Hillsdale’s refusal to accept federal money for funding ensures that our college may continue to function in this way.
Roche became a hero to conservatives when he refused to budge on the issue of affirmative action—which then, of course, resulted in his, and therefore Hillsdale’s, refusal to accept federal money so that Hillsdale College would not have to submit to certain demands of the federal government.
To compensate for the lack of federal aid, Hillsdale had to build a sizable endowment, which Roche undeniably accomplished. In a Dec. 6, 1999, article, National Review called Roche “one of America’s best conservative fundraisers.” During his presidency, Roche raised more than $324 million, including approximately $45 million during his last year. This increased Hillsdale’s endowment from $4 million to $184 million, covering the costs of new buildings and providing for substantial student aid.
We recognize and respect the hurt that many experienced six years ago and the wounds that have yet to heal, but we also want to publicly recognize what is clear: that Hillsdale College owesmuch to Roche.