Hometown Hillsdale: Ron Budd, ’82
Written by Stephanie Gordon
Ron Budd, ’82, enjoyed growing up in small-town Hillsdale, Michigan. The born-and-raised Hillsdalian came to Hillsdale College on the Bernard L. Davis Scholarship—a scholarship offered to Hillsdale High School graduates. Not having a connection to the College while growing up, Ron said the school has become near and dear to him.
Ron’s father worked at Hillsdale Tool for nearly 50 years, and his mother was a part-time nurse at various local doctors’ offices. “Our father was quite amazing as he could build or fix anything, so we really had everything we needed,” Ron said. “In fact, we had the only outdoor ice rink every winter at our house on Spring Street. Growing up, we could ride our bikes all over Hillsdale. I had a weekly paper route throughout town, and near every school there was a neighborhood store, which made it great to buy candy without mom knowing! Our childhood in Hillsdale was rather charmed.”
The youngest of five, Ron said all of his siblings went to state universities. “With the scholarship, I felt Hillsdale was the way to go for not only my parents, but myself,” said Ron. “I didn’t know much about the College at the time, but I did know it was there, and I thought ‘why not?’”
So Ron chose to go to Hillsdale College, a decision that was also influenced by former cross country coach Joe Rogers. “I thought I wanted to play basketball in college, but I didn’t really pursue that,” Ron said. “Coach Rogers recruited me, so I decided to run track and cross country.”
Ron said his most memorable moment on the track was his relay team placing at the national meet and earning All-American status. According to the Athletic Department, Ron was part of an All-American two-mile relay team at the 1979 NAIA Indoor Championships, placing fifth nationally with a time of 7:56.64.
“It was a different time back in the ’70s and ’80s,” said Ron. “I really enjoyed my friendships with the guys on the team. It was a great time.”
In addition to success on the College’s track, Ron also had success on Hillsdale High School’s track, where he met his wife, Julie Willson Budd, ’84. “We met on the high school track at a fun run,” Ron smiled. “We dated in high school, and eventually, Julie came to Hillsdale College as well.”
The couple married as Hillsdale College students, and when asked if Ron had a class with the beloved history professor Dr. John Willson, he said, “I only sat in my father-in-law’s class one day, and then I switched classes. Fortunately, I’ve had a lifetime in his class.”
After graduation, Ron and Julie stayed in Hillsdale to raise their family. The couple welcomed a son, Ryan, when Julie was a senior in college. They went on to have two more children—twins Alison and Andrew (Class of 2011).
Post-graduation, the communication arts major worked for three years at County National Bank in Hillsdale, and eventually moved to the insurance world, owning and operating his own agency for nearly 42 years in nearby Coldwater, Michigan. Ron retired in 2025.
Since retirement, Ron has enjoyed the slower-paced life retirement offers. For many years, Ron was involved in the Optimist Club, the Exchange Club, Boy Scouts, and coaching basketball, soccer, and Little League baseball during his children’s younger years. “I have been on a schedule for so many years, so I’m finally getting things done around the house,” Ron laughed. We enjoy traveling and spending time with our grandchildren and friends. And, I play golf when I have the time.”
Ron said that he and Julie will never move from their hometown and are enjoying retirement in Hillsdale. “Hillsdale has a lot of pluses in terms of its size and its community,” he said. “Not every small town has a college and Hillsdale College adds so much to the city of Hillsdale. Julie and I love all of the events and activities that the College has to offer—from CCAs, theatre and music events, Liberty Shooting Camps, and athletic events. I am always learning more about the College and all it has to offer. Coming to Hillsdale was an opportunity that I’m glad I had. It worked out well for this born-and-raised Hillsdalian.”
Stephanie Gordon, a lifelong Hillsdale native, is the managing editor of Virtue and Valor: The Official Blog of Hillsdale College. She is married to chiropractor, Dr. Matt Gordon, and has three children – Eloise, Flora, and Jack. She enjoys baking, floating on Baw Beese Lake, Detroit Lions football, and breaking a sweat at the gym.
Published in September 2026