DeWitt Public Schools first annual Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is

William G. Schaar Ph.D.

Bill graduated from DeWitt High School in1950 and was Valedictorian of his class. His activities were varsity basketball, baseball, track, theater and band. (DeWitt had 23 grads back then!)

After graduation, Bill worked at a skilled trades job at Oldsmobile and was there for six months until he joined the Air Force and served during the Korean War for three years and nine months. After his service, he used the GI bill to go to college. He first attended Adrian College for one year and then MSU. He received a BA and a Masters degree in Counseling and Guidance in his first four years of college. He married Charlene A. Shafley, also a DeWitt graduate, in 1955. She of course, forever became know as "Char Schaar".

In 1956, Bill graduated from Methodist Seminary in Erie, Colorado. While in school, he worked as a Student Minister in a local church. After graduation, he and Charlene moved back to DeWitt where he taught at DeWitt High School, and worked as a youth minister at Price Road United Methodist Church. It was then that he decided that education was more of a calling for him than the ministry. He then took the job of a High School Counselor at Bloomfield Hills High School for two years.

In 1962, Bill became the Dean of Student Activities at Muskegon Community College, and worked in that post until 1968. During that period, he received his PhD. from MSU in Higher Education Administration. In the summer of 1968 he moved his family back to DeWitt, taking the position of Dean of Student Personal Services at Lansing Community College. He worked there until his retirement in 1993. He served on the DeWitt School Board for eight years in the 1970's. He is past President of the DeWitt Lions Club, and was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader. He has always been active in many positions and committees within DeWitt Redeemer United Methodist Church. He is the proud father of two sons, Mark, class of 1976, and Mike, class of 1978. He is an even prouder Grandfather of six grandchildren, all graduates of DHS: Eric (2003), Austin (2005), Anna and Andrew (2007), Christina (2010), and of course Addison this year (2012). He is a loyal fan and supporter of "ALL" DeWitt athletic teams and other school sponsored activities, and has been a fixture in the stands for several decades. He believes strongly in the benefits of higher education and life-long learning. Hundreds of people, that he "worked with" at LCC, have received degrees and advanced degrees because of the support and urging that "Dean Schaar" gave them during and after the time he worked there.

His grandchildren, while in college, hear "Keep your nose to the Grindstone" every time they receive their "Wednesday night phone call". He wants to remind them that their hard work will pay off for them in the long run.