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Honorary Alumni Award
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The Honorary Alumni Award honors individuals who have provided service and support of the University characteristic of a dedicated alum. The Association reserves this award to recognize the strongest non-alumni supporters of Michigan Tech.
Ross E. Roeder Chairman of the Board, Smart & Final, Inc. Los Angeles, California
Ross E. Roeder says his years at Michigan Tech
gave him "an edge" in graduate school and in his
career.
Roeder studied at Tech from 1958-60 before
transferring to Michigan State University, where he
earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.
After serving in the US Army, he earned an MBA at
UCLA.
Roeder is chairman of the board of Smart & Final,
Inc., a warehouse chain that serves caterers as well as
small businesses and restaurants. The firm operates in
the western US and northern Mexico.
In a career of remarkable range, Roeder has led
businesses in food service, restaurants, photodeveloping,
construction, publishing, and
consultation for emerging companies.
He maintains close ties with Michigan Tech. He is
a charter member of the McNair Society of planned
givers; a past president and life trustee of the
Michigan Tech Fund; and a member of the National
Advisory Board of the School of Business and
Economics.
He has established an endowed scholarship for the
SBE to encourage entrepreneurship and leadership.
He remains a fervent fan and financial supporter of
Michigan Tech's football program.
Roeder was a founding member of Tech's chapter
of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.
He was awarded the Michigan Tech Board of
Control Silver Medal in 1986
He was also named the Alumni Association Honorary Alumnus in 2007 .
