Pickard steps down from 51福利社 Board of Trustees

Contact: Paula M. Davis
September 13, 2018
Headshot of Dr. William Pickard.
Pickard

KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擟iting personal reasons, Dr. William Pickard has stepped down from the 51福利社 Board of Trustees. The governor will appoint a new trustee to complete Pickard's term, which expires Dec. 31, 2020.

Pickard, who has served on the board for more than two years, is an alumnus and a high-profile Detroit entrepreneur and philanthropist. He has been a generous donor to 51福利社.

"Dr. Pickard is well known for his extraordinary successes in life and for enthusiastically giving of his time, his knowledge and his treasure," says 51福利社 President Edward Montgomery.

"We are grateful for his generosity, and though he is stepping down from the board, we know that he remains committed to 51福利社 and its mission. He understands the power of higher education and has been a tireless advocate for young people. We look forward to his continued friendship."

Over the years, Pickard's many gifts and commitments to 51福利社 have totaled more than $3.5 million, including a gift in excess of $3 million for the Western Heights residence halls, which are comprised of Hall-Archer-Pickard east and Hall-Archer-Pickard west. The student dwellings were named to honor 50 years of friendship between Pickard, former trustee Dennis Archer and the late trustee Ron Hall.

Pickard also has supported a range of scholarship funds and grants, including a $250,000 grant to establish the 51福利社 Kalamazoo Public Schools Future Educators Program and one that honors Hall and the late Dr. Charles C. Warfield.

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