Mary Schroth

Fund Donor: Mary Schroth

Class of 1981

Carl and Frances B. Schroth Lecture Series Fund

Mary Margaret Schroth Endowed Scholarship Fund

Mary Margaret Schroth Research Endowment Fund

 

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Fund Descriptions

• Carl and Frances Schroth Lecture Series Fund

  About the Fund

  The lecture series is endowed by Mary Margaret Schroth in memory of her parents, Carl and Frances Schroth of Charlotte, MI. Carl Schroth graduated from Charlotte High School and attended Michigan Agricultural College in the 1920's. He owned several service stations in the mid-Michigan area before retiring in 1965. He was born on May 5, 1902 in Schoolcraft, MI and died on January 19, 1979. Frances Schroth graduated from St. Philip High School in Battle Creek and was a registered nurse and homemaker. She was born on July 4, 1918 and died on April 9, 1992. The couple has three daughters, all of whom attended Michigan State University. Patricia earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1977 and is a copy editor at the Detroit Free Press. Carla completed her degree in 1978 at St. Mary's School of Nursing in Grand Rapids and works at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Mary attended MSU's Lyman Briggs College and earned bachelor's degrees in mathematics and microbiology in 1981. She received her master's degree in applied mathematics in 1985. During her career, she has taught at Olivet College where she was Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and the Battle Creek Area Mathematics and Science Center, where she currently works as a mathematics specialist. This endowment will be used to host a lecture series in Lyman Briggs College with invitations being extended to all students in the Honors College to support science and mathematics education at the discretion of its dean.
• Mary Margaret Schroth Endowed Scholarship Fund

  About the Fund

  This scholarship is established by Mary Margaret Schroth because of her affection for the students that she has taught at the Battle Creek Area Mathematics & Science Center. Mary attended MSU's Lyman Briggs College and earned bachelor's degrees in mathematics and microbiology in 1981, where she was also a member of the Honors College. She received her master's degree in applied mathematics in 1985. During her career, she has taught at Olivet College where she was Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and the Battle Creek Area Mathematics & Science Center, where she currently works as a mathematics specialist. Mary has been a lifelong Spartan and grateful for the education that she received at MSU. She has actively promoted Lyman Briggs College to her students and has had numerous attend. The recipient of this scholarship shall be a graduate of the Battle Creek Area Mathematics & Science Center, enrolled in LBC with preference to juniors and seniors.

• Mary Margaret Schroth Research Endowment Fund
  The fund is endowed by Mary Margaret Schroth and reflects her abiding interest in environmental issues, especially those related to climate change. Mary is a 1981 graduate of Lyman Briggs College and the Honors College with degrees in mathematics and microbiology. She received her master's degree in applied mathematics in 1985. She has spent her career teaching mathematics at Olivet College (where she chaired the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science) and the Battle Creek Area Mathematics and Science Center. She works closely with a variety of environmental and STEM organizations and is the Green School Coordinator for Calhoun County. She is a lifelong Spartan and appreciates the educational and teaching opportunities that were available to her at MSU.

A Conversation with the Donor

What was your goal in establishing each fund?
I have established a lecture fund (The Carl and Frances B Schroth Lecture Series) with the goal of ensuring that national and international speakers can be brought to campus to interact with students about topics of current interest and importance, particularly with regard to the environment and climate change. My sister Patricia Schroth has subsequently joined me in providing funds for this series.

I have also established a scholarship fund for students from the Battle Creek Area Mathematics and Science Center to provide financial support for individuals attending LBC from the school I was on the faculty of for over twenty years. Many of these individuals are first-generation college students and all are looking to make a significant contribution to society though their education and research.

What impacted you the most from your time in Lyman Briggs?

The chance to work with the amazing faculty and motivated peers. It was a perfect illustration of the phrase "Like iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another"

In what ways are you using your LBC education in our professional life to contribute to society?
I recently retired after many years of private and public-school teaching. I believe that on a daily basis I was able to show my students how important knowledge of STEM was to society and to their everyday lives.

What do you think will be a major research breakthrough in the next decade?
Reduction of carbon in our environment.

What was your favorite memory of campus or Holmes Hall?
Being a member of Tower Guard.

Who is someone who inspires you?
St. Teresa of Calcutta. I try to remember her words "Spread love everywhere you go. Let
no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

What was something you never expected as an alum of MSU?
How easy it is to find another MSU connection, whether it be professionally or at a concert
or theme park.

Why is giving back to LBC important to you? What would you say to a classmate who is
considering a gift of their own?
I believe in leaving a legacy, whatever form that may take. If someone is financially able to
become a donor, they should consider the many individuals that their gift can potentially impact.

What is your favorite book?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

What is something you like to do in your free time?
Travel

What is the coolest gadget that you love to use?
My Tl CAS calculator

What is your ideal Saturday afternoon?
Attending a football game

What is your favorite food?
Pizza

What is something that is on your bucket list?
Seeing every painting by Johannes Vermeer. This quest has taken me to many different
countries (France, Germany, Austria, Ireland, etc.) and I am down to my final two (of his 39
attributed works).

What is your favorite song?
Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen

What do you think is the world's worst invention?
Cigarettes

What do you think is the world's best invention?
The internet

What is the most surprising talent you have?
I'm not sure if it is a talent, but I am fairly good at blocking out the negativity of others.

What is the coolest place you have traveled?
Either Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska or Neuschwanstein Castle in
Hohenschwangau, Germany

Someplace you would like to travel once COVID is in the past?
I was planning on attending the Oberammergau (Germany) Passion Play in 2020, but that
event was canceled this year. Traditionally only performed every decade, it has been moved to
2022. I already have my tickets!