As a first-generation college student himself, alumnus Troy Calkins’ desire to help students at risk of not completing their education is personal.
He recalls having to navigate quite a bit on his own, which was the impetus for his recent gift to James Madison College to create a bridge program for first-generation college students.
The program invites incoming first-year students who identify as first-generation to move in one week prior to the start of classes and engage in a variety of activities, including a writing course taught by JMC faculty, a financial planning workshop, mentoring by JMC students, tours of Lansing and East Lansing, a meet and greet with JMC faculty and staff and a dinner with JMC alumni and legislators. The benefit for students is to have added supports in place prior to the start of the fall semester.
“I look back and think about some of the guys I knew as a freshman who dropped out. They didn’t drop out because they couldn’t cut it academically,” Troy said. “If they had had someone who was a resource to them—someone they could go to when they found themselves in a stressful situation—they might have avoided that.”
Troy is the former executive vice president and chief legal officer for Workiva Inc., a software development company. Now retired, Troy divides his time between Chicago and Key West. He remains active as a “house husband” to his partner of more than 28 years, Dr. Robert Liem.
Troy and his husband are passionate about opportunities to promote growth and a sense of belonging, especially for students who do not have a strong foundation of supports.
“I want people to feel more at home. Building community can increase the odds of having a successful college experience,” Troy said.
LEARN MORE about support for James Madison College by contacting Director of Development Rocky Beckett at beckettr@msu.edu or by calling (517) 432-2117.