Nov. 8, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Start at GRCC and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful.
A notable achievement in Loyd Winer’s career was designing the original runways and taxiways for Gerald R. Ford International Airport. He now devotes much of his time and resources giving back to the school that helped him take off and soar.
Winer’s father had a sixth-grade education; his mother earned her GED diploma – at the age of 71. His dad paid for Winer’s sister to attend Michigan State University, but when Winer graduated from high school, he was told to get a job at Michigan Bell as he wasn’t college material.
Michigan Bell told Winer that he needed at least a two-year degree to be hired, so he enrolled at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College. He paid his own way by working while attending and graduated in 1950. Winer – now definitely college material – went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from MSU.
After serving in the Navy, Winer worked on engineering projects around the world, started his own company, and served as an expert witness in building failure and liability cases.
For Winer, success is meant to be shared: “God is first; others are second, and I’m third.”
He has established the Loyd and Suzanne Winer Scholarship through the GRCC Foundation. The fund targets students enrolled in STEM programs – science, technology, engineering and math – at GRCC.
These subjects were just as much a passion for Suzanne Winer and for her husband. Suzanne Winer, who passed away in 2018, graduated with honors from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Their children and many of their grandchildren have found careers in the STEM fields.
Winer is grateful to the college that set him on his career path and is happy he can help current and future students achieve their dreams.
“It’s an excellent community college, and there are so many students who need support,” he said.
To contribute to the Loyd and Suzanne Winer Scholarship – or any other scholarships offered through the GRCC Foundation, follow this link: grcc.edu/donate.
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