Adrian College Receives Generous Gift posted 11/1/07
Dr. Hildreth Spencer contributes to the growth of the Adrian College music department.

President Docking, Dr. Hildreth Spencer, and Ms. Kathryn Mohr (Chairman of the Board of Trustees)

ADRIAN, Mich. – Adrian College will soon be making plans for the expansion of Spencer Music Hall thanks to the generosity of Adrian resident Dr. Hildreth Spencer. Spencer Music Hall was named in honor of Dr. Spencer’s father, Dr. James H. Spencer, composer and director of music at Adrian College for 44 years.

"I'd like to see my parents remembered for all that they did for Adrian College,” said Dr. Spencer. “I decided to give a gift where I thought the College needed it the most: the music department. They need rooms to practice, play, and teach in. Without adequate facilities, the program cannot be sustained, let alone continue to grow.”

Dr. Hildreth Spencer is very devoted to the department and has become good friends with John Dodson, Associate Professor of music and Director of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, and Tom Hodgman, Associate Professor and Chair of the music department.

“I am giving this gift mostly due to the great leadership of Thomas Hodgman and John Dodson, and all of the other outstanding faculty in the music department,” said Spencer.

"Together they have taken a somewhat moribund program and created one of the most burgeoning and successful programs at Adrian College."

Professor John Dodson shares in the excitement Spencer’s gift is bringing to the department and to the entire college campus.

“All of us are looking forward to having a new, high quality building which can meet the growing needs of such a vibrant music department,” said Dodson. “Hildreth Spencer has made a decision that will change the lives of generations of students at Adrian College.”

Dodson also commented upon the significance of the same family still helping the music department today.

“Long ago, the Spencer family helped establish quality music in this area of the state. It is amazing that the same family name is still able to continue to make such a dramatic impact upon the future of music here.”

President Jeffrey Docking is also very grateful to Dr. Spencer for her support and what this will mean to the future of music at Adrian College.

“The generosity of Hildreth Spencer and the remarkable gift she is giving us is going to allow our vibrant music program to continue to grow here at Adrian College,” said Docking. “Giving the students and faculty an upscale facility will guarantee the program’s success now and in the future. The Spencer family has been committed to strengthening music at Adrian College for years, and I can’t thank Hildreth Spencer enough for continuing their support.”

Docking went on to explain that this gift is opening the doors for Adrian College’s Renaissance II project. “During this time of exciting and dynamic change at Adrian College, it is wonderful to receive a gift to focus these changes on the academics of the college. This gift begins the process of moving our philanthropy towards academic improvements by enhancing a major scholastic facility on campus. This is our mission of the Renaissance II project.”

Dr. Spencer enjoys the opportunity to support music at the College but she also enjoys spending time with the students who are enrolled in the programs. As a part of an oral history project, she had the opportunity last week to speak to one of Professor Dodson’s classes. She was able to share with the students her family’s history with Adrian College as well as her experiences watching some of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century perform. Her interest in music and art continues to this day, and she regularly attends concerts not only in Adrian but in Ann Arbor and Chicago as well.

Diane Henningfeld, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Adrian College, was able to sit in on the class. “The students stayed 30 minutes after the class ended just so they could keep talking to her,” said Henningfeld. “They were mesmerized at what she said.”

Henningfeld has had the pleasure of getting to know Dr. Spencer on both a professional and a personal level over the past year.

“She is one of the most dynamic and vibrant women I’ve ever known,” said Henningfeld. “This gift demonstrates her great generosity of spirit.”

Dr. Hildreth Spencer holds a Ph. D in history from Northwestern University. After a career of teaching high school in the Chicago area, she continued to travel throughout the world. A remarkable woman, Dr. Spencer’s generosity will benefit many future generations of students at Adrian College.