- Mala Adiga '93

Ron Lavender '50 is well known as a successful business owner, having built his real estate enterprise from scratch. But some may not realize that he also has consistently given back to his community. Ron credits Grinnell College with laying the foundation for his commitment to volunteerism and service.

Ron graduated from Grinnell in 1950 with a double major in political science and economics. He has fond memories of the College. Ron lived in Ganaway House, next to Smith Hall, and fondly remembers his housemates, which included Honor G President Stu Richmond '49 and Scarlet and Black editor Harvey Sanford '49. Ron also played the alto saxophone and led his own combo at Grinnell, and he was a member of the Glee Club.

After graduation, Ron began his career with the Shell Company in St. Louis. His true dream, however, was to work in foreign commerce. So he left Shell to accept an offer in Venezuela, but the contract fell through due to a political coup in that country. In 1953, Ron spoke with a close friend who had just returned from a vacation in Acapulco, Mexico, and who raved about the amazing potential of that city. That was all Ron needed to hear. He moved to Acapulco to try his luck.

After a few business endeavors that included a restaurant named "Hungry Herman's" and a chicken-farming venture, Ron launched his real estate career in 1964. No one in Acapulco was doing serious real estate at that time. Based on his real estate experience with Shell, he leased a corner for $65 a month, built a plywood office, and hasn't looked back since. The Ron Lavender Group now encompasses sales, property management, and rentals, and he continues to be the first person to arrive at the office in the morning, and the last one to leave at night.

Ron readily acknowledges that he spent the early part of his life establishing his career, receiving help from others, and in his words "taking out of the basket." But at a certain point in his life, Ron "started putting back into the basket" by giving back to his community through volunteer work with Grinnell and civic organizations. To Ron, this service is not only repaying an obligation for what he has been given, but also something that provides him with great satisfaction.

Ron has volunteered for Grinnell College for nearly 15 years. He is a former member of the Grinnell College Board of Trustees, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed. He currently serves as Asa Turner chair, encouraging alumni to remember Grinnell College through their estate planning. Ron stays in touch with his classmates. He makes it a priority to attend his class reunions, and he is looking forward to his 60th reunion.

Ron is involved in several charitable organizations in Acapulco - service that is another example of Ron giving back to a community that has been generous to him. He is particularly proud of Amigos de Acapulco; he is a founding member and currently serving his third term as president. This organization, which will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary, helps underprivileged children in Acapulco by providing them with a home, educational and social assistance, and health care. Ron is also a board member of the World Cataract Foundation. The foundation funds a team of doctors who perform free cataract surgeries twice a year in a village south of Acapulco. People walk for two to three days to come to this village and to have the surgery, and Ron described the emotions he felt when a grandmother who had been blind for 15 years saw her grandchildren for the first time after her surgery.

Ron is a perfect example of how to unite business success with volunteer service. He proudly notes that Grinnell College laid the groundwork for this union.

July 2009 Honoree: Michael Schaffer '70
May 2009 Honoree: Ron Lavender '50
March 2009 Honorees: Carl Adkins '59 and Catherine Foster Alter '60
January 2009 Honoree: Ruth Koehler Bergerson '66
November 2008 Honoree: David V. Evans '64
September 2008 Honoree: Samantha Massingale Gerth '91
July 2008 Honoree: Audrey "Bunny" Howard Swanson '43
May 2008 Honoree: Emily Westergaard '02
March 2008 Honoree: David Rosenbaum '78
January 2008 Honoree: Beverly Burd Stubbee '48