Fred Stillwell

September 29, 2002
Commencement Speech
Kennesaw State University

Speaker: Fred Stillwell
Retired Cobb County Developer

Stillwell lecture

Fred Stillwell biography

Fred Stillwell, a retired Cobb County developer, has been a friend and loyal supporter to the entire Kennesaw State University community from its earliest days. He currently is serving as a member of the Kennesaw State University Foundation Board of Trustees and as a member of the Athletic Complex Steering Committee.

A graduate of Lehigh University with a B.S. in metallurgy, Stillwell began his career as a national sales manager with Amarlite in 1950. He began work in the construction business in 1961 and went on to found residential development firm Cotton States Property, where he served as chairman until his retirement in 1988. The firm was the leading East Cobb residential developer in the 1970s and '80s, creating more than 30 subdivisions.

As he neared retirement, Stillwell felt it was important to start to give back to the community, which led him to Kennesaw State. A fondness for the university has developed over the years. In addition to his work as a KSU Trustee, Stillwell has been an avid supporter of music, theater and athletics at Kennesaw State.

Known as the Fighting Owl's biggest supporter, Stillwell can be found at nearly every baseball game, talking to the players from warm-up through the last pitch. The coaches and athletes view him as not just a prominent booster, but as a genuine friend to the athletic program. This fact is evident at KSU's Stillwell Stadium, built with his generous support and named in honor of his family.

In 1992, Stillwell received KSU's first Erwin Zaban Prize for Entrepreneurial Spirit for his gift to endow the Howard Logan Stillwell Theater in memory of his father. At the time his gift was the largest in the school's history.

His thoughtful donations have also included personal items such as a violin handcrafted by his grandfather that is on display in the Stillwell Theater lobby. In addition, he has given the KSU Foundation an antique Model T Ford, on display in the KSU Center. The Stillwell family's generosity has endeared them to the students, faculty, staff and alumni at Kennesaw State University.

In 1997, Stillwell collaborated with Jerry Pallotta to write a children's picture book, The Airplane Alphabet Book, which has sold more than 25,000 copies. The book features pre-World War II airplanes and demonstrates Stillwell's lifelong fascination with aviation. Stillwell hopes this book will give children insight into the history of airplanes and a better understanding of a technology that they might otherwise take for granted.

Stillwell is married to Jane and has two children, Fred C. Stillwell and Julie E. Stillwell Duke. Fred C., a KSU alumnus (B.S. Education, '91), is a middle school teacher in Cobb County and Julie is an elementary school teacher in Gwinnett County.

KSU will always be indebted to Stillwell, who was one of the university's earliest supporters and who continues to devote his time and heart to the institution.

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