Marion and Arnold Ott, seated, celebrate the signing of a new scholarship for women business students. The scholarship is named for Hilda Holder, who is standing with Seidman College of Business Dean H. James Williams
Arnold C. Ott and his wife, Marion, have continued their support for Grand Valley by creating an endowed scholarship for women business students.
The scholarship is named for Hilda C. Holder, who had worked as a personal secretary to Ott for more than 40 years. Ott said naming the scholarship for Holder helps express his love and appreciation for her. The first scholarship recipient will be named next year. Scholarship candidates must be in their junior or senior year and enrolled in the Seidman College of Business and meet grade point and financial aid requirements. Holder graduated from Hunter College in New York City in 1949. She started her career as a secretary and in 1954 became executive secretary to Ott, who was then Corn Products' corporate vice president and scientific director. In 1969, the Ott and Holder families moved to Grand Rapids.
Ott served as vice chairman of Grand Valley's Board of Control from 1961-75 and as its chairman from 1978-79. He is an honorary member of the GVU Foundation board. In 2001, he created and endowed the Arnold C. Ott Lectureship in Chemistry at Grand Valley.
