Les and Jackie Stiner, Howell residents since 1970, have dedicated their lives to helping others.
“’If you have the ability to help someone less fortunate, you do it,’ my parents told me as I was growing up in a small farming community outside Columbus, Ohio,” reflects Les. Jackie’s family didn’t talk about it; they just gave to others throughout their lifetime.
Recently, they focused their philanthropic efforts on Cleary University. “It is a small Livingston County gem that deserves attention,” the Stiners say often.
After attending a celebration at Cleary, the couple toured the Arthur Secunda Museum inside the university, where the world’s largest collection of the renowned artist’s work is on exhibit. They were intrigued and interested. They met with many members of the faculty and staff and felt compelled to invest in the future of Cleary by establishing The Drs. Les & Jackie Stiner Curator’s Fund for Interpretive Learning & Engagement.
This endowed fund invests in the future of the Arthur Secunda Museum and its role as a vibrant cultural and educational resource. It will support exhibitions, student and faculty collaborations, public engagement and programming, and creative learning. The fund empowers the curator to expand the museum’s reach, and make art meaningful, accessible and alive for everyone, while ensuring the Secunda Collection remains a dynamic part of Michigan’s cultural landscape.
Cleary recently hosted a dedication ceremony of the Drs. Les & Jackie Stiner Art Exhibit Room, previously known as the Meditation Gallery. This room contains 22 monotypes of The Torah and Old Testament from the Book of Genesis that Secunda began creating more than 30 years ago. (The entire series consists of 69 prints; many will go on display in 2027 at Cleary.)
“What a joy to celebrate your generosity,” announced Cleary President Alan Drimmer at the dedication. “Les and Jackie are giving us their legacy of education through the arts, and this is a very special gift from two very special people that we, and future generations, will cherish.”
“Art is an important part of business and education; that is why we set up this endowment,” Jackie said at the dedication. “Our initiative is to get Cleary known more in the community for the work the school is doing to improve education and the arts. Our alma mater is education,” she added.
Jay Redman, vice president of Advancement at Cleary, also extended his appreciation to the Stiners. “Your generosity is leaving a lasting legacy that will support Cleary and the arts. Your name on the door to this room means so much more; you have invested in our community and are shaping future generations.”
In addition to The Drs. Les & Jackie Stiner Curator’s Fund for Interpretive Learning & Engagement, the Stiners have set up two more endowments:
The Drs. Les & Jackie Stiner Howell High School Scholarship and The Drs. Les & Jackie Stiner Brighton High School Scholarship.
These endowed scholarships are awarded to first-year Cleary students who graduated from Howell High School and Brighton High School; need financial assistance; and show promise, grit, and a desire to succeed at Cleary. These endowed scholarships reflect the Stiners’ belief in “a helping hand up” and will open doors for students who may not otherwise see college as accessible.
“These endowments will shape the lives of Cleary students and strengthen the university for generations to come,” says Redman. “The Stiners’ legacy will touch thousands of lives and inspire others to invest in Cleary’s future.”
These gifts reflect Cleary University’s mission:
- Expanding opportunity for local students
- Bringing art, culture and imagination into the heart of campus life
- Strengthening community partnerships and honoring educational heritage
- Building a permanent, sustainable foundation for student success and cultural engagement
“Moments like this underscore the power of philanthropy and the impact of community leaders who step forward with heart, purpose, and belief in the next generation,” President Drimmer finds. “The Stiners’ generosity strengthens Cleary’s mission, enriches our community, and creates opportunities that will echo far into the future.”
Jackie Stiner was a teacher at Northwest Elementary School in Howell for 32 years. Les worked for the ACE Hardware Corporation where he retired in 1998. They live in the same home in downtown Howell they purchased more than 55 years ago.
