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Flourish Online Magazine | Winter 2009 |
Donor Spotlight: Fred Stillwell
You could call him a renaissance man
By Kevin McKenzie
A patron of the College of the Arts, a lover of violin music, the biggest fan and supporter of the KSU Fighting Owls, Fred Stillwell chuckled at the suggestion that developers can’t stop helping to develop their community, even after retirement. “I don’t know about that,” Stillwell said. “I was asked to be on the board of trustees at Kennesaw and I accepted that job and just kind of fell in love with the place—I’ve been hanging around for almost 20 years now.”
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Fred Stillwell with Dean of the College of the Arts Joseph D. Meeks Photo by Melissa Ray |
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Howard Logan Stillwell Theater Photo by Cheryl Anderson Brown |
While “hanging around,” Stillwell’s contributions to KSU have included endowing the College of the Arts with one of its most significant gifts: the Howard Logan Stillwell Theater, named in memory of his father. “I was very fond of my dad,” said Stillwell, “and I always wanted to do something special for him. He loved music and taught me the love of music.”
The effect of this donation continues to be felt by Stillwell even today, as the theater undergoes refurbishment. “Riding down the highway and hearing that there’s going to be an event at the Howard Logan Stillwell Theater—that gives me emotional butterflies beyond belief,” said Stillwell. “There is no question that it is better to give than receive.”
This idea has become a philosophy for Stillwell. “I’ve told several people that the nicest thing, and the most enjoyable, and the most satisfying thing you could ever do is to adopt a college, adopt a school and do things for that school, whatever they need, either your time or your money.”
Stillwell’s numerous gifts to KSU also include the Stillwell Stadium, the Model T Ford on display in the KSU Center, even the handcrafted violin made by his grandfather, on display in the Stillwell Theater lobby. In return, Stillwell has developed what he considers the most rewarding part of his life: his relationship with Kennesaw. “I feel like I may have helped a few kids one way or the other,” said Stillwell. “Any time you can support kids’ learning, then you’ve done a masterful thing.”