S. Emmanuel Renner Award

The S. Emmanuel Renner Service Award is not bestowed every year; instead, it’s reserved for those individuals who have gone far above and beyond with exceptional service to Saint Ben’s. It is appropriate, on many levels, that we honor Judith Gretsch Schmid ’63 with an award as inimitable as its namesake.

This isn’t the first time Judy and S. Emmanuel have crossed paths. Judy joined Saint Ben’s as part of the class of 1963 but left after two years to get married and raise a family. A few years later, she returned to take a seminar at Saint Ben’s. There, she bumped into S. Emmanuel, who encouraged Judy to complete her studies.

Judy did just that, receiving her degree in 1978 – though she still strongly aligns with her original class. Judy credits S. Emmanuel with providing the inspiration to reframe herself as a student once again. (Of course, once a Bennie, always a Bennie, so Judy’s status in our community was never in doubt.)

That reframing was merely a chapter in the story of Judy’s extraordinary relationship with Saint Ben’s. Judy stayed very active with the college over the following decades. As she achieved success as co-owner (with her husband Terry) of Avon-based Lumber One, Judy made a conscious effort to spread opportunity to others.

And in 2004, the Schmids established the Terry J. and Judith Gretsch Schmid Endowed Scholars Fund at Saint Ben’s with a pledge for $1 million. They fulfilled that pledge, and it is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Judy’s donations made it possible for at least 103 women to receive multi-year scholarships to Saint Ben’s. That’s 103 women whose path is brighter as a direct result of Judy’s luminescence.

If you ask Judy, the gifts she has given to Saint Ben’s are a natural extension of her experience here. “The atmosphere at Saint Ben’s is one of respect, kindness and enrichment,” she says. “From graduation, we leave here with skills, knowledge and a newfound sense of esteem. We are ready to help others be good citizens of the world. It is my privilege and honor to give back to this institution of higher learning!”

Judy recently retired from Lumber One and looks forward to spending more time with her family (which counts other CSB alumnae among its ranks), but her legacy as a professional success story lives on. And, thanks to her generosity, many more women will have the chance to attend Saint Ben’s and develop the skills, knowledge and esteem that proved so valuable for Judy.

It has been decades since S. Emmanuel Renner encouraged Judy to continue her path at Saint Ben’s. This award is a fitting tribute to both women’s belief in each other, in Saint Ben’s, and in the conviction that each of us can truly make a difference.