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Featured alum: Ken Metzger, Class of '67

Manchester College says “Thanks a million” to longtime trustee Ken Metzger ’67, literally.

Ken teamed with Til ’47 and Dortha Martz ’47 King to raise more than a million dollars over the 20-plus years they organized the Friends of Manchester Golf Outing in Auburn, Ind. The event today is one of the premiere golf outings in the Midwest as it builds camaraderie among Manchester alumni and friends and supports Spartan student-athletes.

The golf outing has had a profound effect on Manchester teams, providing press boxes, batting cages, bleachers, soccer shelters, soccer goals, video equipment, and training equipment such as a volleyball serving machine, baseball pitching machines, and football blocking sleds. It has paid for improvements to Stauffer-Wolfe Arena, equipment for Brown Fitness Center, and a renovation of the concession-restroom building at Carl Burt Stadium, says Athletic Director Rick Espeset. Because of Auburn, Rick says, “I get to say ‘yes’ a lot.”

Through the years, Ken and the Kings were persistent in cultivating new friends for the College. “They rolled up their sleeves to find supporters,” says President Jo Young ’69 Switzer, “and they treated those friends like members of the Manchester family.”

Ken understands that athletic competition at Manchester builds character and complements Manchester’s strong academics. He knows that athletics enrich the college experience for everyone – student-athletes, student spectators and alumni.

A North Manchester native, Ken graduated in 1967 with a degree in economics and business administration. He was a certified public accountant for Coopers & Lybrand before serving 19 years as vice president of finance for Universal Tool and Stamping Co. in Butler. Today, he is retired as co-owner and president of Herbert E. Orr Co. Inc., an automotive supplier in Paulding, Ohio.

Ken has served Manchester extensively, including 20 years on the Board of Trustees. For much of that time, he was on the Financial Affairs Committee, asking smart, tough questions, always with Manchester’s best interests at heart.

He also helped establish the Tilson and Dortha King Scholarship Fund and the Kenneth D. Metzger Entrepreneurial Scholarship.

Charlie Smith ’67 calls his friend and classmate the perfect Manchester graduate: successful in business, yet humble. Strong ethics and morals. Loyal to his alma mater and gives back.

For his many years of service to Manchester College and for creating opportunities that help Manchester’s students realize their full potential, the College this spring presented Ken Metzger ’67 with an Alumni Honor Award.

By Melinda Lantz ’81