• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Presidential!We Are Generous!We Are Having Fun!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

George Alber

By MarionMade! on April 30, 2018

He lived in Marion, believed in Marion, and when he died on Thanksgiving Day in 1997, forever left his mark on our community and its people. George Alber was–and is–MarionMade! thanks to his legacy gift of a $32 million trust, administered through the Columbus Foundation.

.
Each year, thousands of Marion County residents feel the impact of Alber’s generosity through local charities including American Red Cross of Marion, United Way of Marion County, Marion Family YMCA Endowment Fund, Salvation Army of Marion, American Cancer Society, and American Heart Association, among others. But, that’s only half of the story.
.
The other half comes from his love for Ohio State. With a degree in business administration and a varsity football jersey, Alber credited much of his success to his alma mater. When he died, Alber directed that the remainder of his estate would provide scholarships for students to attend Ohio State’s Marion Campus. Each year, more than 200 students from high schools all over Marion County attend college at Ohio State Marion thanks to the George H. and Dorothy T. Alber Endowed Scholarship Fund. In fact, the Alber Student Center on the Marion campus was named in his honor.
.
How did he do it? Soon after graduating from Ohio State in 1929, Alber moved to Marion where he started Marion Plant Life Services, eventually expanding it into five subsidiaries throughout Ohio. When he sold the company in 1971, it was the largest privately-owned fertilizer company in the United States, with clients around the world.
.
As a tribute to Alber and his impact on our community and Ohio State Marion, the Alber Enterprise Center in Maynard Hall was given his name when it was created in 1996. The Center continues to serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development, not only in Marion, but throughout Ohio.
.
#WeAreMarionMade #WeArePhilanthropists

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • The Candy Shack & Cafe

    THE CANDY SHACK AND CAFÉ. Thirteen years ago, when Jody Lackey’s father suggested she open a candy shop for the holidays, she had little idea that more than a decade later that temporary shop would grow into a Marion mainstay for both sweets and tasty lunches. Now in Charleston Place on Center Street, the Candy […]Read More »
  • Black Leadership in Marion Between the World Wars

    At the close of World War I, as American troops returned home after defending democracy, Black Marionites still had to demand equal treatment as they lived and worked in an expanding, industrializing, modernizing Marion, according to a recent lecture by Dr. Margaret Sumner, associate history professor at The Ohio State University at Marion. Battle For […]Read More »
  • Marion Public Library

    Advocates for Ohio libraries use the phrase “Ohio Libraries = Strong Communities.”  That is what the Marion Public Library brings to Marion County. Each day the Marion Public Library hosts a variety of programs and events for the public to attend – some days with multiple options.  It is the Library’s hope that these programs […]Read More »
  • “Stop Practicing… Start Performing” Harding Grad Makes Stuff Happen

    Accomplished Musician. Entrepreneur. Teacher. Producer. Curious Community Connector.  Jason Gittinger said he has had “no trouble making stuff happen” throughout his life.  Born in Marion in 1977, Gittinger graduated from Harding High School in 1995 and has been touted as “…one of Detroit’s most versatile studio and live drummer/percussionists.” A graduate of Wayne State University […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2025 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image