MyWMU October 11, 2017
A Message from the Publisher Greetings,
Welcome to Western Michigan Unversity’s specialty publication, ADVANTAGE! Within the pages of this publication we are excited to showcase why Western Michigan University is an accredited leader in higher education across the nation. Recognized nationally by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine for their role in diversity and inclusion for the past five years, Western Michigan University has implemented initiatives to make sure that every student receives the advantage of a quality educational experience. We also unfold an epic story of friendship, brotherhood, perserverance and philanthropy. Three young men from humble beginnings look back on their collegiac experience meeting on the campus of Western Michigan University with hope, dreams and aspirations. These three trailblazers, Dr. William F. Pickard, Dennis Archer, Sr. and the late Ronald E. Hall, Sr., graduated and continued on to accomplishment monumental achievements throughout the span of their careers. We invite you to read more about these gentlemen and their individual paths to success and how they continued to support one another through their personal journeys. Western Michigan University commemorates their legacy of service with the dedication of Hall, Archer, Pickard dormitories. It is a honor to share with you the great things happening on the campus of Western Michigan Michigan and to introduce you to their recently appointed president, Dr. Edward Montgomery. I would like to take this opportuntiy to say thank you to Dr. William F. Pickard, Dennis Archer, Sr., and posthumously Ronald E. Hall, Sr. who I consider to be mentors. Throughout my career, they taught me so much about being an African American man, a father and an entreprenuer. The lessons taught and learned along the way, have been priceless. I congratulate them all on 50 years of friendship and many more to come.
Hiram E. Jackson Publisher Michigan Chronicle
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A Message from the President There’s always been a strong connection between Detroit and Western Michigan University. The late Ronald Hall Sr., Dennis Archer and William Pickard--three Broncos who built their lives and careers around making Detroit a great city--have come to symbolize the strength of those past ties as well as the promise of new opportunities for generations to come. • Ronald Hall Sr. led the Michigan Minority Business Development Council and founded Detroit-based Bridgewater Interiors. • Dennis W. Archer served as Detroit mayor for two terms, was a Michigan Supreme Court Justice and was president of both the State Bar of Michigan and the American Bar Association. • Dr. William F. Pickard served as executive director and now executive board member of the NAACP Detroit Branch. He was among the nation’s first African-Americans to own a McDonald’s franchise, is co-managing partner of MGM Grand Detroit Casino, and founded Detroit-based automotive manufacturing company Global Automotive Alliance. On Sept. 27, we celebrated this trio of standout alumni by naming three campus facilities for them. We did so to honor the power of a friendship that began more than 50 years ago when these three men first met at WMU. That friendship continues to play a central role in the lives of the two who survive. Those three friends, who all became members of the WMU Board of Trustees, always recognized the profound impact of their undergraduate years at WMU. They treasured the education they received and the bonds they established. As they became political, civic and business leaders in the Detroit community, they always remained in touch with their alma mater and with each other. As they found success they could not have imagined as students, they each became champions of young people. They “paid it forward” by providing extraordinary financial support and mentorship opportunities that have allowed new generations of students to have the kind of transformational experiences they enjoyed at WMU. Indeed, a generous new gift from Dr. Pickard sparked this week’s naming ceremony. Two WMU residence halls and one conference room now bear the Hall-Archer-Pickard names, and we are widely spreading their stories of accomplishment. We want the students who live in these halls and meet in that conference room to take inspiration from those stories. We want them to know that determination to make a difference can lead to great things for our state, region and nation. The story of these three remarkable men is a Western Michigan University story. We honor it each day through our commitment to helping a diverse student population find success. We want Broncos to reach their full potential in their personal and professional lives and as citizens of communities that will be strengthened by their contributions. These three special men have left an indelible mark on their community. Their example and support, in turn, will allow us to leave an indelible WMU mark on the sons and daughters of our state and region for many years to come.
Dr. Edward Montgomery President Western Michigan University
WMU Advantage 3
WMU Alumni Merze Tate
Terry Crews
MyWMU Psyche Terry
(B.B.A.’03, Marketing) is the founder and chief inspiration officer of UI Global Brands, which has expanded into hair and skincare (Urban Hydration Naturals) as well as home cleaning, with products in 6000-plus stores. This includes a lingerie line in Macy’s, a bra line in Walmart, and a hair line in Sally’s. Because of her dedication, Terry became the first black woman to have a lingerie line sold in Walmart, Ross and Macy’s.
Greg Jennings
(B.A. ’10, Communication Studies) is a former American football wide receiver who played 10 seasons in the NFL. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers out of Western Michigan University in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft and won Super Bowl XLV with the team. Jennings also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins. He is currently an analyst for Fox Sports.
Ira Murchison (’58)
won a gold medal as part of the 4x100-meter relay team at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
(’86) became known as the Old Spice man and has appeared in numerous films and television series including the Golden Globe winning “Brooklyn NineNine.” As a football player, Crews was a defensive end and linebacker in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers and the Washington Redskins.
LZ Granderson,
(B.A. ’96, Interpersonal Communication), is a well-known journalist and commentator for ESPN and CNN. Aside from writing a weekly column for CNN.com, Granderson is a senior writer and columnists for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com Page 2. He has contributed to Sports Center, Outside the Lines, Around the Horn, Sportsnation, and ESPN First Take.
Phyllis Seabolt
Photo not available
(B.S ‘47, Home Economics; M.A.’62, Teaching of Home Economics) became the first African American high school teacher in the Kalamazoo Public Schools and went on to become a faculty member in Family and Consumer Sciences at WMU.
Judge Gershwin A. Drain
Roy Roberts
Loretta Long
Ed Gordon
(B.A. ’70, Secondary Education) has spent his career advancing through the court systems to his current position as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.
(B.A.’60, Social Science) is best known as Miss Susan on the favorite children’s television show Sesame Street from its debut in 1969. She earned a doctorate of education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1973 and is a 1971 WMU Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.
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(’25, Certificate of Teaching) & (B.A. ’27, History) was not only the first African American graduate of WMU, but was the first African American woman to attend Oxford, and to earn a Ph.D. in government and international relations from Harvard.
(B.B.A.’70, Management) had a long, distinguished career at General Motors before retiring as group vice president of North American Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing in 2000. He also served as a state-appointed emergency manager for Detroit Public Schools from 2011-13.
(B.A. ‘82, Communication Arts & Sciences; Political Science) is a long time news correspondent and anchor that has worked for NPR, CBS 60 Minutes Wednesday, NBC, and is currently a correspondent and host for BET Networks, hosting “Weekly with Ed Gordon.”
Western Michigan University,
Western Michigan University
a national leader for diversity and inclusion MyWMU
By Donald James
nation, then-WMU President James W. Miller raised $28.000 to establish the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fund, which garnered significant supporting funds from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Thus, “Project 73” was created that awarded more than 60 scholarships to African American freshmen at Western in 1968. This program at Western ultimately became the Martin Luther King Program.
National Writer, Real Times Media
For the past five years, Western Michigan University (WMU) has been recognized for its leadership role in diversity and inclusion by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a national magazine that evaluates diversity/inclusion initiatives and programs on college campuses. While diversity and inclusion can sometimes be vaguely defined in many circles of higher education, at WMU the definition is crystal clear, thanks to the work of Dr. Martha Warfield, Western’s vice president for diversity and inclusion. The university, according to Warfield, views diversity and inclusion as encompassing the full dimensions of race, ethnicity, national and international origins, sex, gender identity/sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical attributes and abilities, and religious, political, cultural and intellectual ideologies and practices. “This means that we understand that all students, staff and faculty members are unique individuals,” said Warfield. “Therefore, Western believes that commonalities and differences make the contributions offered by all that more valuable.” Warfield has been a major source for shaping diversity and inclusion policies and practices at WMU for many years. In 2013, Warfield oversaw the Campus Climate Study, which was the product of a multiyear effort of facilitating survey instruments and focus groups. Commissioned by WMU, the study gave stakeholders an in-depth look at diversity and inclusion issues on campus, and how various areas could be improved where needed. In 2009, Warfield accepted the leadership role of vice president of diversity and inclusion. Actually, her governance in diversity and inclusion dates back even more. In 2004, then-WMU President Judith I. Bailey appointed Warfield to lead Western’s Council on Instructional Diversity. The Council, under Warfield’s purview, was tasked with reviewing, evaluating and providing advice on policy changes, comprehensive diversity plans and any strategies and programs needed to improve the climate of diversity on campus. In 2002, Warfield served as assistant vice president, and directed the Presidential Initiative on Diversity and Multiculturalism. In this capacity, Warfield developed and implemented Western’s Diversity and Multiculturalism Action Plan (DMAP). In recognition of her contributions at WMU, in 2000 Warfield received the
Warfield, who attended WMU before the Martin Luther King Program, reflected on her college days on campus. “When I began attending Western in the late 1950s, there were less than 100 African Americans on campus,” said Warfield, a native of Dowagiac, Mich., who graduated from WMU in 1961. “There was no faculty of color at that time. In order for me to have support of any kind, I had to seek out the small group of students who looked like me.” Dr. Martha Warfield school’s “Distinguished Service Award” for developing new concepts that impacted student retention at the university. “Getting the buy-in and participation of students, faculty and staff have been very important to the success of diversity and inclusion at WMU,” Warfield said. “It’s always important to make people aware and understand that we are a diverse campus. This diversity gives people and groups, who are different, the opportunities to see and know that different is positive. I’m proud how Western has been very open to embracing such differences.” Western Michigan University has an interesting history as it pertains to integration. Black students began attending Western around 1913, about 10 years after the college was established in Kalamazoo. In 1962, numerous campus organizations, including the Alpha Interest Group, Campus Christian Fellowship, Council on Human Relations, Delta Sigma Theta, International Club, and Kappa Alpha Psi, sponsored a retreat called “Image of America” at Crystal Springs Camp in Dowagiac, Michigan. The objective was to bring white, black, and international students together to discuss racial relations and harmony. In December of 1963, as part of the “Conscience of America” lecture symposium, WMU invited Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to speak on campus about racial prejudice and race relations. The venue to see and hear King was packed. Within days of King’s April, 1968 assassi-
After earning a bachelor’s degree in social science from Western, Warfield went on to receive a master’s degree in education from the University of Oregon (1969), and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Michigan State University (1979). Warfield, in 1992, returned to Western’s Division of Student Affairs as a psychologist and associate professor in the Counseling and Testing Center. She ultimately served as director of the Division of Multicultural Affairs from 1993 to 2002. These days, Warfield is still excited about the important scope of her executive position as it pertains to advancing inclusion and diversity initiatives and programs at Western. “I love what I do,” said Warfield. “I’ve become really energized to see things put into motion, and see their outcome. Yet, I couldn’t do this by myself. I have a tremendous staff, and we are the most diverse group on campus. Without them, there’s no way this level of success in diversity and inclusion at Western could happen.” Asked about Western’s future commitment to diversity and inclusion, Warfield replied. “Western Michigan University will always be a leader in diversity and inclusion,” said Warfield. “We will continue to foster environments where diversity in all its forms is investigated, explained, practiced, celebrated, affirmed, and vigorously pursued. There’s no way that we can truthfully say that the greatest contributions come from one mindset or one group of people. You have to have a broad diversity of people and minds to reach maximum opportunities and potentials.”
WMU Advantage 5
Hall. Archer. Pickard. Three names etched into legacy at Western Michigan University By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor
T
hree college buddies who met at Western Michigan University nearly 50 years ago made a promise to themselves and to each other — their friendship would endure, they would all succeed, and help each other to do so, and they would all give back to their communities. Last week, the power of that promise — a promise kept beyond all of their imaginings — was honored at their alma mater with a dormitory naming ceremony. Thanks to a tremendously generous contribution to WMU from trustee William Pickard, founder and CEO of Global Automotive Alliance, the unveiling revealed not only Pickard’s last name above the entrance of the two companion dormitories, but those of his two close and longtime friends, former Detroit Mayor and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Dennis Archer, and the late Ron Hall, founder, chairman and former CEO of Detroit-based automotive firm Bridgewater Interiors, LLC. “Dad would just love knowing that he’s a
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WMU President Dr. Edward Montgomery part of this important recognition,” said Ron Hall, Jr. at an earlier luncheon where both he and Archer spoke to a large and appreciative crowd. “I can share with you that those stories and adventures from when Dr. Pickard was still Willie [and] when Mayor Archer was the
guy they teased as the guy from Cassopolis that nobody had ever heard of are pretty legion in our family and the fabric has become the tapestry of our family over the years as Dad would pass on the lessons that this group learned together to myself and my brothers. “Dad very much appreciated the education he received here at Western. He was a very proud Bronco. As long as I can remember, he talked about the importance of education and academic attainment and how it was really the foundational rungs on the ladder that anybody from any group needs to climb to get toward greater opportunity for themselves. Not just economic, but the whole person — mental, emotional, spiritual. He was a big believer in that. “He was also fond of that Mark Twain quote of not letting your schooling get in the way of your education. He talked about all the things he learned away from the classroom with these individuals who you heard were growing up in a very tempestuous time in the country ... They were in crisis. America was in crisis. It was very gratifying to him to look back decades later and know that they had kept the promises they made to themselves and to each other to move the needle, to make the world a better place than they had found it.” Archer reflected on his time at WMU, and all that it has come to mean. He also asked the audience to ponder the deep significance of the event and to share it with others. “Remind them how three people who met on Western’s campus tried to make a difference and heard the phrase ‘pay it forward,’ how we wanted to try to make a difference in our respective lives. “Bill and I were very fortunate to have great family members supporting us. They wanted us to get a good education. They wanted us to graduate. They wanted us to find a way to give back to our respective communities. And we were all very fortunate to wind up here at Western Michigan University. Despite all of the challenges that we experienced back in the ‘60s — and there were a lot of them — the great education that we received here was also magnified by great friends. “So we are blessed, and our friendship throughout all of the years, from the time we left this campus through today, has never fallen. That friendship is what has caused us to be here today, and the generosity of Bill. And so this afternoon we will go and celebrate three guys who cared deeply about each other, respected each other, who came from
Dr. William Pickard, Ann Hall and Dennis Archer – Montez Miller photos great families, and who acquired a great education here at Western Michigan University … and therefore we have a lifelong bond. What we frankly hope is that others who might read about this will consider encouraging their friends and other colleagues and alumni to give back.” Pickard spoke at the outdoor ceremony, and he gave praise to those who paved the way for him and his friends at WMU by naming each one of them. “William ‘Bill’ Boards,’ Joseph Lee Moore, Douglas Leroy Smith, William ‘Bill’ Moten, Dr. Charles ‘Chuck’ Warfield, Dr. Calvin Williams, Mr. Dennis Raymond Wright. Ladies and gentlemen, those are some of the shoulders of the men that Dennis, Ron and I stood on in the early days of coming to WMU. Those were the men who came to this place of learning and decided they wanted to create a bond
so that all of us could fellowship, work hard together, and serve our communities. So we are very indebted to the great price that these early pioneers invested.” For Dr. Edward Montgomery, WMU’s new president who began his tenure just weeks ago, coming to Michigan from Georgetown University,the event was an inspiration. “These men met here as students in the 1960s and went on to incredibly distinguished careers,” he said. “The three have served as trustees and have served in so many ways that we can’t count them all. “To me, this is a university that is really trying to change the lives of its students, and it’s really involved in being part of the community. And if you think about these three men, they represent exactly those same kinds of values, both individually and giving back to the campus.”
WMU Advantage 7
Remembering the life and legacy of…
Ronald “Ron” Hall, Sr. By Donald James
region.
National Writer, Real Times Media
“At the time, there were no minority businesses with annual sales of more than $75 million, and they were mostly local operations with little or no advanced technology,” said Detroiter and attorney Alex Parrish, a longtime friend and business partner of Hall. “With Ron’s leadership, a number of us helped minority businesses prosper through joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals and complex corporate finance transactions.”
C
aring about family, other people and building a successful business were hallmarks of the late Ronald Hall, Sr., often just called Ron. The native Detroiter established Bridgewater Interiors in 1998 as a joint venture between Epsilon Technologies LLC and Johnson Controls, Inc. Over the ensuing years, the Detroit-based Bridgewater, under Hall’s top executive leadership, evolved into a premier automotive seating manufacturing company specializing in just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing, sequencing and delivery of seating, as well as overhead and center console systems. With a master plan to grow, Hall established Bridgewater operational facilities in Detroit, Warren and Lansing, Mich., as well as Eastaboga, Ala. Bridgewater, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) company currently has more than 2,000 employees, and has posted annual revenues of $2 billion numerous times. Bridgewater’s list of clients include General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, and Honda Manufacturing of America. On June 1, 2016, Ron Hall, Sr. passed. He was 72. Yet, his life, love for family (wife, Ann Durel, and sons, Ron, Jr., Kahn, Roman and Erik) and his business acumen and accomplishments are inspiring stories about one man’s great contributions to the world. As a young man growing up in the Motor City, Hall showed a high aptitude for mathematics and business. He would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Western Michigan University, and subsequently, received an MBA from Wayne State University. From 1992 to 1998, Hall served as president of the Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMBDC). He is widely credited with turning the organization into one of the nation’s premier business organizations, after executing his mandate to double the organization’s membership. His accomplishments gave new hope to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) across the
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While the revenue of any company is paramount to survival – and Bridgewater is no exception – the company prides itself in empowering the community through ongoing social, educational, and community initiatives. Through the years, Bridgewater, at the behest of Hall, regularly partnered with charitable organizations and community groups to improve the quality of life for adults, youths and families. “My father made and kept many commitments to pursue and empower and create equal economic and other opportunities for communities,” said Ron Hall, Jr., who in October, 2015, became Bridgewater’s president and CEO, after the elder Hall stepped over to chairman. “These convictions inspire our work, as we continue his legacy. Our sadness is tempered by the knowledge that he remains with us in spirit.” Bridgewater’s social missions and community empowerment contributions have not gone unnoticed. With Hall, Sr. at the helm, UNCF presented Bridgewater with the “Company of the Year” Award in 2014 for the business’ top fundraising efforts in supporting UNCF’s Annual Walk for Education. Bridgewater was also the recipient of the “Minority Manufacturer of the Year Award” in 2013, presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency. Through it all, diversity and inclusion was, and still is, a strong-suit for all Bridgewater operations. “Our commitment to creating a diverse environment is a top priority and key source of our success,” Hall, Sr. said in 2012, after Corp! Magazine honored his company for
diversity. “As an industry leader in diversity, we are able to better serve the global automotive market effectively.”
Diversity and inclusion have also been important in other business ventures that were executively led and/or owned by Hall, Sr., inclusive of Troy-based Renaissance Capital Alliance, an equipment leasing company; Departure Travel Management in Birmingham; and the Detroit-based New Center Stamping, an automotive service parts stamping facility. While Hall achieved great success with all business endeavors, Bridgewater was his most beloved, profitable and successful venture. “This company was his life,” said Hall, Jr. “He created a strong company culture that provided equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of race or gender.”
By Donald James
of needed jobs for Detroiters,” Archer recalled. “And, I was the last mayor before bankruptcy to have a balanced budget, a rainy fund, and a budget surplus in each of my years as mayor.”
National Writer, Real Times Media
T
he city of Detroit is on a serious roll. Across downtown and midtown, construction and renovation projects are occurring at a record rate. New businesses, inclusive of minority-owned entities, are on the uptick, while many established companies outside Detroit City Limits, want in. Neighborhoods, which seemed to have been forgotten in this rebirth, are beginning to see positive changes, both for residents and businesses. While there’s more work to be done, Detroit is truly alive, well, and on the rise. Yet, there are some foundational reasons from the past as to why Detroit is on the rise, and if a short list was assembled of individuals who have been instrumental in the elevation of the Motor City over the past 25 years, such a diminutive list should include former Detroit mayor, Dennis W. Archer.
From 1994 to 2002, Archer served as Detroit’s second African American mayor. He followed the city’s first black and longest-serving mayor, Coleman A. Young, who held the position for five terms. When Archer took office in January, 1994, he was ready for the job, and to create jobs for Detroiters. “I knew Detroiters needed jobs,” said Archer. “So my administration was able to win a Federal Empowerment Zone designation which helped economic development in Detroit and led to thousands of new jobs for Detroiters.” Detroit, because of Archer’s leadership, was one of the first cities in the United States to receive $100 million for an empowerment zone. Archer also was instrumental in growing minority-owned and operated businesses in Detroit, and made sure many received contracts for business and construction endeavors around town.
Born in Detroit and raised in Cassopolis, Mich., Archer earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Western Michigan University (1965), where he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha. Returning to Detroit, Archer taught special education students at Bunch and Duffield Elementary Schools. At Bunche, Archer met Trudy DunCombe, a first grade teacher who encouraged him to attend Detroit College of Law and become an attorney. By the time Archer earned his J.D. in 1970, the couple had married. They later parented two sons (Dennis, Jr. and Vincent). Interestingly, in 1981, DunCombe also earned a law degree from Detroit College of Law, and practiced as an attorney before becoming a judge. “The smartest thing that I’ve ever done was marry the teacher who talked me into going to law school,” Dennis Archer said. “We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on June 17th of this year.” Years after graduating from Detroit College of Law, Archer returned as an associate professor. He also was an adjunct professor at Wayne State University. In 1985. Archer, a member of Charfoos, Christensen & Archer P.C., was appointed by Governor James Blanchard to serve as an associate justice on the Michigan Supreme Court (1986 -1990). As a pioneer, Archer is the first person of color to serve as president of both the American Bar Association (ABA) and the State Bar Association. He was also president of the National Bar Association. Over his long career, Archer has received 54 awards/honors, including Western Michigan University’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government, and the ABA Medal, the American Bar Association’s highest honor. Archer, now chairman and CEO of downtown-based Dennis W. Archer PLLC, and chair emeritus of Dickinson Wright PLLC, has received over 25 honorary doctor of law degrees, the first of which from WMU in 1987. He served on Western’s Board of Trustees from 2005 -2012, the last of which as chair. Through the Dennis W. Archer Scholarship Fund, established by Archer over 15 years ago, more than $1 million have been given to over 200 minority students attending WMU and Wayne State University. “As a practicing lawyer, state Supreme Court justice, mayor of Detroit, chairman of his firm and first African American president of the ABA, Dennis Archer’s professional accomplishments are unparalleled,” said Paulette Brown, current ABA president. “On a personal level, Dennis Archer has been a wise and encouraging mentor and role model to me and countless other diverse lawyers.”
Dennis W. Archer: For Detroit with love
What paved the way for such success was Archer’s vision to create and sign Executive Order No. 4, which replaced the Market Share Program, (an Affirmative Action Program) that Mayor Young created to help minority businesses in the city grow and create jobs in Detroit. Archer’s Executive Order No. 4 opened the door for minority businesses and jobs for Detroiters to soar even higher. While Young was a tough act to follow, many local and national political analysts credit Archer with re-branding Detroit to reflect a more business-friendly atmosphere that sparked national and international commerce. Archer is also credited with modernizing the city’s aging information technological infrastructure; shepherding negotiations leading to the construction of Comerica Park (Home of the Detroit Tigers) and Ford Field (Home of the Detroit Lions); convincing General Motors to keep its world headquarters
in Detroit; convincing Peter Karmanos, Jr. to build a new Compuware world headquarters downtown; and facilitating a favorable statewide push and vote to build three privately-owned casinos downtown: Greektown, MGM Grand and MotorCity. Additionally, under Archer’s administration, major crime in Detroit, according to the Associated Press in 2001, hit a 30-year low. During his tenure as mayor, the nation lauded Archer’s work. He was named Public Official of the Year by Governing magazine, one of the 25 Most Dynamic Mayors in America by Newsweek, and one of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans by Ebony magazine, to name a few. “At the end of my eight-year term, we had $20.2 billion of new investment in Detroit, which really created thousands
WMU Advantage 9
Dr. William F.
Pickard:
An entrepreneur of great splendor
By Donald James National Writer, Real Times Media
W
hen it comes to successful entrepreneurship built the old-fashioned American way, Dr. William F. Pickard wrote the book – literally. His popular-selling Millionaire Moves - Seven Proven Principles of Entrepreneurship, offers readers a glimpse into this millionaire’s mindset and epic journey to becoming one of the nation’s most intriguing businessmen – black or white. Mega-success was eminent for Pickard more than 50 years ago, when in 1971, he and two business partners made history by starting a McDonald’s franchise in Detroit. Thus, the trio of men became one of the first African Americans in the nation to own a franchise under the Golden Arches. At one time, Pickard and his business partners owned as many as 12 McDonald’s franchises. In 1989, Pickard started an automotive manufacturing company in Detroit, which morphed into Global Automotive Alliance (GAA), a conglomerate of logistics and manufacturing companies. As chairman, Pickard has built the company into one of the top African American-owned businesses in the nation, with more than $500 million in annual sales. GAA has eight plants in the United States and Canada.
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While it appears there has not been failure in Pickard’s career as an entrepreneur, think again.
you don’t know. And it doesn’t necessary have to be through earning an MBA.”
“Man, failure is just part of the game,” said Pickard, who in 1980 was honored by Western Michigan University as a ‘Distinguished Alumnus.’ “You’re going to hit a brick wall. You’re going to run into some stuff you didn’t plan for…and boom, there it is! So when you stumble and fall based on business decisions made in sometimes unpredictable business climates, you get up much smarter and get back in the game.”
These days, Dr. Pickard shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to serve as GAA’s chairman. He is co-managing partner of MGM Grand Detroit Casino, one of the nation’s most profitable gambling entities. Pickard is also CEO of Bearwood Management Company, which oversees his McDonald’s franchises. Pickard is co-owner of Real Times Media, the Detroit-based publisher of such historic black newspapers and magazines, as the Michigan Chronicle, Chicago Defender, Pittsburgh Courier, Atlanta Daily World, and Atlanta Tribune magazine.
Interestingly, Pickard’s early road to becoming a successful businessman and multi-millionaire wasn’t the typical journey. Born in La Grange, Georgia and raised in Flint, Mich., Pickard began his career as a social worker. His educational preparation includes an associate degree in social work from Mott Community College, bachelor’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University, master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from The Ohio State University. One would think that somewhere along the line, Pickard’s educational portfolio would have included some business related degrees. “Anybody from anyplace can accomplish anything; I really believe that,” Pickard said. “I also believe you must be willing to put the work in and learn things that
In a move to re-connect Pickard to his alma mater, in 2016, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder appointed Pickard to the WMU Board of Trustees to serve the remainder of an eight-year term left vacant by the passing of Trustee Ronald Hall, Sr., Pickard’s friend and former classmate at WMU. Pickard offered concluding advice about how to prepare one’s mindset for success. “If you don’t think positive and have a positive attitude, and if you don’t visualize what you want to actualize, you probably will never achieve anything,” Pickard said. “You got to see what you want to be. It sounds like pop psychology, but it works!”
Future leaders of Tomorrow Tiffany Hubbard
MyWMU
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Status: Graduating Senior Major: Music Theatre Performance Student Organization Affiliations: Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Vice President of Black Student Union Best Thing About WMU: For me the best thing about going to Western is the undying passion we all share for equality and good spirits! It has been made very clear that our campus is one for peace and unity. I can’t even count the amount of times where there’s been an issue in a certain community that I haven’t seen WMU students take a stand and take action on campus. We are true, we are concerned, we are always evolving. Every inch of this campus is filled with energy, love and Brown and Gold!
David Hamilton Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Status: Graduating Senior Major: Interdisciplinary Health Services (IHS) Minor: Communication Student Organization Affiliations: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Young Black Males Support Network, Black Student Union, Trio Best Thing About WMU: One of the best things about attending Western Michigan University for me would have to be the overwhelming support and opportunity that faculty and staff provide for their students. It is through the connections and opportunities that I have made that have truly enhanced my experience here at the university. Encouraging me to stay discipline and focused on the main thing, which are my academics and ultimately graduating.
Deja Pryor Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Status: Junior Student Organization Affiliations: Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity, You Beautiful Black Women, and First Year Experience CoFacilitator Major: Finance Best thing About WMU: The amount of resources that are made available to me that contribute to the success in my career, and the multiple opportunities to network with my future employers.
Cameron Smith Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Status: Senior Major/ Minor: Interdisciplinary Health Services/ Holistic Health Student Organization Affiliations: Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Psi CoEd Professional Business Fraternity, Western Student Association- Allocations Committee, served as a Student Ambassador and Fall Welcome Ambassador, and currently I am a FYE 2100 Co-Facilitator. Best thing about WMU: The best thing about Western Michigan University is the leadership opportunities. Students have so many outlets to get involved and grow not just academically but socially as well. WMU encourages students to get involved and it really does help with making friends and building connections and your network.
Chiante’ Lymon Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Status: Senior Major: Criminal Justice/ Minor-Communications/Sociology Student Organization Affiliations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.- Fundraising Chair Western Student Association-President Student Association of Michigan-WMU Representative United States Student Association-Midwest Regional Chair Best thing about WMU: Western Michigan University has so much to offer to its students from state-of-the-art buildings to Aviation programming. We serve students in the areas of business, chemistry, education, health and human services, science research, and the visual
and performing arts. In addition, we have a medical school and law school that helps students to expand on education and versatility. University renovations to residential neighborhoods across the main campus keep a variety of resources and amenities close at hand.
Dami Diran- Ojo Hometown: Southfield, Michigan Status: Senior Major/ Minor: Electrical Engineering Student Organization Affiliations: President of National Society of Black Engineers, Alpha Phi Alpha Best Thing about WMU: The best part of attending WMU is the community of staff and faculty that care about students. Helping to ensure that we all succeed.
Taylor B. Hall Hometown: Southfield, Michigan Status: Senior Major: Interdisciplinary Health Services/ Minor Psychology Student Organization Affiliations: Western Student Association, Lee Honors College, Student Occupational Therapy Association, Undergraduate Psychology Department Teaching Assistant, First Year Co-Facilitator, Orientation Student Leader, You Beautiful Black Woman, Black Student Union, Resident Assistant Best Thing about WMU: The best thing about attending WMU would be the people you meet. From the faculty and staff who encourage us as mentors. As well as the students I get to collaborate with in student organizations or at special event meant to encourage discussion.
WMU Advantage 11
Western Michigan University is proud of the civic and business leadership and accomplishments of alumni Ronald Hall, Sr.; Dennis Archer; and Dr. William Pickard. The campus community will forever be grateful for their passionate dedication to higher education. Thank you for inspiring a new generation of leaders at WMU.
12 WMU Advantage