Rochester Hills in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Slater-Montgomery Family Chapel
Before the 1959 founding of this educational institution, the Montgomery and Slater families believed a college affiliated with Churches of Christ was needed in the Midwest. To honor both families for their role in establishing and sustaining the university, Kenneth and Donna (Montgomery) Slater accepted a lead role in making this outdoor chapel possible.
Gerald E. Montgomery, Donna's grandfather, served as a member of the university's founding board of trustees. Beginning in 1935, he served as a minister in Churches of Christ for 40 years. In addition, he was a captain in the Detroit Fire Department and a director of the Detroit Safety Council. His wife, Ollie, helped establish the Associates, a volunteer group of women who raised over $4 million for this institution.
Donna's parents, Leonard and Martha Montgomery, supported the new college during its early years. Martha was an Associate and the family donated books in her name to the library after her passing.
Harold and Helen Slater, Ken's parents, served the university in exemplary fashion for over five decades. Harold, a former elder of the Dearborn Valley Church of Christ and executive at Ford Motor Company, encouraged other congregations to become involved in the development of the institution as well. Helen worked for many years with the Associates as a president and an events chairperson. The couple also established an endowed scholarship to provide financial assistance for students. The Slaters were honored by the university as Philanthropists of the Year in 2008.
Ken and Donna Slater were married on this campus in an outdoor ceremony in 1973. Donna is an alumna of the university and lifetime member of the Associates. She owns a business that designs and builds playgrounds in the Lansing area. She is a long-time teacher at the Greater Lansing Church of Christ and has served as a counselor at Michigan Christian Youth Camp. She also volunteers as a Master Gardener at the Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens.
Using his experience as an administrator for a public mental health agency and adjunct instructor at Michigan State University and Great Lakes Christian College, Dr. Ken Slater served on Rochester University's board of trustees for several years. He is an elder of the Greater Lansing Church of Christ, a board member at Michigan Christian Youth Camp, and a member of the MSU Religious Advisors Association executive council.
Both Ken and Donna Slater believe in Rochester University's mission of providing an education with the highest academic standards in a Christian environment. They feel this combination will foster leaders for a better community and world.
Erected by Rochester University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.
Location. 42° 40.047′ N, 83° 8.865′ W. Marker is in Rochester Hills, Michigan, in Oakland County. Marker can be reached from West Avon Road, 0.7 miles west of South Rochester Road (State Highway 150), on the right when traveling west. Marker is at the west end of Lake Norcentra Park, which is on the north side of the Rochester University campus, next to the Clinton River Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 West Avon Road, Rochester MI 48307, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lake Norcentra (a few steps from this marker); The Maxon Estate (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ken and Dorothy Stewart (about 400 feet away); Shane D. Carter (about 400 feet away); Mount Avon Cemetery (approx. 0.8 miles away); Disaster Strikes at Rochester Depot (approx. 0.8 miles away); Making Tracks on Main Street (approx. 0.9 miles away); George Vandeventer House (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester Hills.
Additional commentary.
1. Slater-Montgomery Family Chapel
The chapel was built in 2019.
— Submitted November 13, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 13, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.