Brian Bartes, Eta Nu/Alma 1987, was recently presented the George Herbert Service Award for his loyalty and service to his Alma Mater and the Alumni Association.
This article was posted with written permission from Mike Silverthorn, Director of Communications, Communications and Marketing, at Alma College. The article appeared in the 2014 issue of the Alma College Alumni Magazine, Accents.
Scots You Should Know
Brian Bartes ’87 | George Herbert Service Award
Presented annually to alumni for their loyalty and service to Alma College and the Alumni Association, the George Herbert Service Award is named in memory of George Herbert, the 1920 alumnus whose love of Alma College and work on behalf of the institution was an inspiration to all alumni. This year’s recipient is Brian Bartes ’87.
Brian has been a tireless ambassador of the college over a period of many years, serving on the Alumni Board, the President’s Advisory Council and organizing many events in the Detroit area for both students and alumni,” says Joanne Finnorn ’85, who nominated him for the award.
Bartes, who recently was appointed to the Alma College Board of Trustees, is the author of the 2011 book, Life Lessons: A Guide to Creating and Living Your Best Life.
Hometown: Saginaw, Mich.
Professional status: Chief Financial Officer, Wolverine Packing Co. I manage financial area of business for a meat packer and distributor.
Favorite TV show: I don’t watch much TV, but I tend to get hooked on one or two shows a year. I binge-watched both seasons of “House of Cards,” and I’m enjoying the current season of “24.”
Current reading: Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success. The author, Adam Grant, is the youngest tenured professor and single highest-rated teacher at The Wharton School. Also, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller, a pastor in Manhattan. It’s the best book on marriage I’ve ever read.
Favorite travel experience: I recently returned from a mission trip to Zambia. I’ve been to Haiti twice, too, and those trips cause me to be extremely grateful for having “won the geographic lottery.” They also illuminate the need to assist those less fortunate than us — both locally and around the world.
Your hero: Jesus Christ, because He is the perfect model of how we ought to live our lives.
Your greatest love: My wife, Heidi
Why did you choose to attend Alma? I have often told the story, half-facetiously, about how I chose Alma. My parents were very impressed with Alma. After the campus tour, they told me I could go wherever I wanted but, to the extent they were going to help support me financially, they were going to write their check to Alma College. I thought for a moment, and then picked Alma. The truth is, Alma felt like a good fit. I thought the smaller size would suit me, and it was fairly close to my hometown. Given that my girlfriend (who is now my wife of 25 years) lived there, distance from home was an important factor.
Why have you stayed involved with Alma? The education I received at Alma prepared me well for the world in which we live, and I remain a strong proponent of small, liberal arts education. In my quest to “give back,” I have stayed involved with Alma. While I suppose it benefits the College, it is also a blessing for me. I am actively involved with a great institution, and I continue to meet amazing students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni. Ultimately, those relationships reinforce the difference Alma makes for all who are connected to it.
Other family members who have attended Alma: My son, Andy, graduated in 2013.
Favorite Alma professor: Wesley Dykstra, professor of philosophy, because he stretched me to think critically
Alma activities: Theta Chi fraternity, jazz band (freshman and sophomore years), study abroad (Germany)
When was the last time you wore a kilt? Two years ago, at an event at the Detroit Athletic Club. I borrowed it from my fraternity brother Joel Kimball, who is an active piper and frequent kilt-wearer.