Linda and Larry Stone met backstage during a Michigan State University production of “Of Thee I Sing.”
“Our love of theatre and MSU began a life-long bond between us,” Linda, a 1965 speech and theater graduate, said.
Married for 56 years, the Stones point to their experiences at MSU as transformative; not only because they met, but because of the opportunities their Spartan education provided.
“The MSU experience was so important to me,” Linda said. “It was at MSU that I was able to discover so much more about the possibilities for my career and obtain a greater understanding of my own approach to life and living.
“Majoring in speech and theater gave me the flexibility to pursue so many career options.” Linda said.
Linda received her M.D. from OSU in 1979. Currently, she is the special assistant to the dean for Humanism and Professionalism at the OSU College of Medicine. Previously, she served as a family physician for more than 25 years, and predoctoral education director for the Department of Family Medicine at OSU.
Larry reflects on his time at MSU. He said: “I came to MSU from New Jersey without having the opportunity to visit prior to arrival for fall term due to financial issues. From the start, I was warmly greeted and quickly became a Spartan. It was all that I had hoped for and more. I was a TV-radio major and, in addition to the course offerings, I had the opportunity to work at WMSB-TV as a student, which was terrific.”
Larry received his bachelor’s in television and radio in 1964, and master’s in education in 1968.
Before retiring, Larry was the first executive director of the Ohio Judicial College of the Supreme Court of Ohio for over 20 years.
Larry and Linda both received ComArtSci’s Outstanding Alumni Award. Linda received the honor in 2016; Larry in 2018.
Linda said receiving the prestigious award felt like a full-circle moment.
“We have tried to live our lives in a way that reflects the values inherent in an MSU education including personal integrity, a continuous pursuit of excellence, service to others, respect for each individual and altruism,” she said. “MSU will always be an integral part of who we are and receiving the awards was a beautiful reminder of that.”
By Jennifer Trenkamp