Giving Back
'Alma College gave a lot to me, so I want to give back to the College.' — David Blanden
David '67 and Barbara Baker '68 Blanden have supported Alma College in multiple ways through the years. They have targeted their financial support to the Center for Responsible Leadership, Stone Recreation Center and the Alumni House Project Fund. They also have provided for the College in their estate plan.
"Supporting Alma College is part of giving back so others can have the same opportunities we have had," says Barbara.
The Blandens live in Tecumseh, where David works as a dentist and Barbara teaches techniques for alternative healing. They rarely miss attending homecoming.
"We like to hook up with old friends," says Barbara, who majored in English and sociology and later received a master's degree from Western Michigan University.
They knew each other at Alma, but it wasn't until later they got together as a couple. They re-met through a mutual friend at the University of Detroit Mercy, where David was attending dental school.
"David has said that when he learned to study in college, he became a lifelong learner," says Barbara. "He takes continuing education courses for life enhancement or through dentistry."
As a student, David majored in chemistry and was a three-year member of the golf team coached by Art Smith. They captured the MIAA championship in Dave's senior season. He remembers with fondness his chemistry teachers - Jake DeYoung and Charlie Skinner.
"Alma College gave a lot to me, so I want to give back to the College," says David. "The education I received at Alma gave me a great base for going on to dentistry school. Dentistry has been a great profession for me."
- Mike Silverthorn