Children of Ruth and A.R. O’Connor

Ruth O’Connor graduated from the SVSU College of Education in 1971, and passed away in 2000, at the age of 87. Mrs. O’Connor’s grandfather started Bliss Alger Business College in Saginaw in 1885. In 1911, the college bought the International Business College in Saginaw and merged the curricula, creating the Saginaw Business Institute. Mrs. O’Connor graduated from the Business Institute in 1931 and from Bay City Junior College in 1933.

Returning to college later in life, she received her Bachelor’s degree from SVSU at the age of 58. She attended SVSU at the same time as her son, Richard. Mrs. O’Connor retired from teaching in the Saginaw area schools in 1976. Her husband, Richard, predeceased her in 1989. She was survived by her son, Richard, and daughters Nancy Bandeen and Patricia Schneider.

The family established this scholarship following Mrs. O’Connor’s death to honor her memory.