Exhibit - Forest H. Akers: Not Just a Clever Name for a Golf Course
The name Forest Akers is a familiar one at Michigan State University. It can be found on two golf courses on Harrison Road and on a residence hall not far from the MSU Archives and Historical Collections. But few are familiar with the man behind the clever name.
Forest H. Akers attended MSU (then called Michigan Agricultural College) from 1905 to 1908. Akers was the star pitcher of the M.A.C. Aggies baseball team. During his time at the college, Akers was a well known prankster. He majored in forestry until he was asked to leave M.A.C. in 1908 due to his poor academic performance and trouble-making. After his departure, Akers worked his way up the corporate ladder and became Vice President of Chrysler Corporation’s Dodge Division in 1938. Around that same time Akers decided to give back to his alma mater. He received the Republican nomination to run for the State Board of Agriculture, Michigan State’s governing board, because, according to Akers, “nobody else wanted it.” He won and served on the Board for 18 years. Akers was a generous benefactor of MSU who donated money and property for the construction of two golf courses, established two scholarships for athletes and those involved in athletics, and gave money to students who encountered financial difficulties. Later in his life Akers was asked if he would support the college administration’s decision to expel a student who comported himself like Akers had as an Aggie. Akers replied “They were never, in all their history, more right.”
Timeline of Forest Akers' Life
1886, December 31: Akers was born on a farm near Williamston, MI
1905: Graduates from Williamston HS, where he was class president
1905: Freshman year at MAC
1908, April: asked to leave MAC
Circa 1908: works as a salesman for Oliver Chilled Plow Works for $60 a month
Circa 1910: works for the Ohio Rake Company out of Dayton, OH.
1914: Salesman, Reo Motor Car Company, Lansing, MI
1917: promoted to Reo Sales Manager
1917, December 29: marries Alice Rockwell
1920: leaves Reo for Chrysler Corporation’s Dodge Division
1930: promoted to manager of Dodge’s Detroit region
1938: promoted to Vice President of Dodge Division
1939: Elected to the State Board of Agriculture (now known as the Board of Trustees). Serves from 1939 to 1957
1947: Retires from Chrysler/Dodge
1947: Establishes the Forest Akers Scholarship
Post-retirement: becomes President of the Dependable Insurance Corporation of Jacksonville, Florida
1958: named Trustee Emeritus of MSU
1958: Awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by MSU
1958: the first Forest Akers Golf Course is completed
1962, November 29: his wife, Alice, dies
1963: New residence hall at MSU is named in honor of Forest and Alice Akers
1966: Second Forest Akers Golf Course opens
1966, December 8: Forest Akers dies
Exhibit created by Megan Badgley, June 2010.
Related Objects
 A. Photograph of a young Forest Akers Date: 1890-1899 Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  |  C. Letter from M.A.C. President Jonathan Snyder to G. W. Akers April 3, 1908 Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |
 D. Front of a postcard sent to Alice Rockwell from Forest Akers 1909 Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  |  |
 |  |  |
 J. Forest Akers and "Biggie" Munn pose next to the plaque at the Forest Akers Golf Course Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  K. Akers with Brewer Award recipient Sonny Grandelius. Date: 1950-1959 Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  |
 The Short Happy College Career of Forest Akers Date: 1940-1949 Text: pdf MSU Archives and Historical Collections |
