The Parent Family

This scholarship fund was created to honor Samuel H. and Carlene S. Parent, Marvin E. Parent’s father and mother. Marvin taught chemistry and nutrition at the Auburn Hills Campus for 27 years. Later, Marvin’s son, Jeffery S. Parent, joined OCC as a math professor at the Royal Oak Campus where he continues to work.

Sam and Carlene left Princeton, Kentucky with Marvin in 1937. Job prospects were non-existent in the South as a result of the Great Depression. Neither Sam’s nor Carlene’s formal education extended beyond the 8th grade. Both had lost their fathers in separate tragic deaths. As teenagers, they both worked 48 hours per week in factory jobs to help provide for their respective families. Sam’s lifetime goal was two-fold: put a roof over his family’s head and food on the table. In spite of their lack of education and skills, Sam went to work at Timken Axel as a machinist and Carlene went to work at Stouffer’s Restaurant in Detroit.

Marvin’s early lack-luster educational achievements and a personal setback did not cause his father and mother to lose faith in him. Their emotional and financial support never wavered. Ultimately, Marvin earned a BS degree from Cleveland State University, an MA degree from the University of Michigan, an MS degree from Clarkson University, and a PhD degree from Wayne State University. He received an Outstanding Faculty Award in 1989. After Marvin retired, he was further honored by being named Professor Emeritus in 1999.

Marvin’s son, Jeffery S. Parent, continued the Parent Family legacy. Jeff earned an Associate Degree from OCC, a BS and an MS from the University of Michigan, and a MS from Arizona State University. Marvin and Jeff shared a personal and professional highlight when Jeff was hired to teach mathematics at the Royal Oak Campus. Like his father, Jeff was honored by being named Outstanding Faculty in 1998.

The personal joys and accomplishments that Marvin and Jeff have experienced would probably have never happened had Sam not left Kentucky to find work in Michigan. Soon thereafter, Carlene left Kentucky to join him in Detroit and she ultimately found work as a waitress. The utmost love for Samuel and Carlene Parent inspired us to create the Parent Family Endowed Scholarship in their memory.