1970 – Midland, Michigan
Vada Dow received an AB degree from Kalamazoo College in Michigan and a master’s degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, New York City. She taught in nursery schools at Vassar Euthenics Institute and elsewhere and established a nursery school in Midland which eventually included the early elementary grades. Her late husband, Alden B. Dow, noted international architect, was the son of Dr. Herbert H. Dow, founder of The Dow Chemical Company, and Grace A. Dow. They were the parents of three children, Mary Lloyd, Michael and Barbara. The Earl W. Bennett Sports Center on Northwood’s Midland campus, named for her father, was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Dow and the Earl W. and Eva V. Bennett Foundation. Vada Bennett Dow received the Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Northwood in 1975. A long-time friend and early supporter of Northwood, Mrs. Dow was the first Chair of the Northwood National Library League. The Dow Commons on the Michigan campus is named for Vada and Alden Dow, and the Alden B. Dow Creativity Center on campus commemorates Mr. Dow’s innovative philosophies. “My first interest in Northwood was quite naturally through my husband’s work as the campus architect. Interest and enthusiasm for the ideas and ideals of this most unusual school came later,” she stated. Her legacy of interest continues. (Deceased 1991)
