2023 Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award: Gloria Ender

Gloria Ender was a reluctant college student.

“I was shy, and I lacked confidence,” she said. “The first time I spoke in front of a class was at LMC. The teacher told me I was a good speaker, which gave me confidence I never knew I had. By the time I graduated, I realized that if I could earn my college degree, I could do anything, and I did.”

The 1990 LMC graduate owns Freedom Finishing, an industrial coating business with a 60,000-square-foot production center in Benton Harbor.

“Growing up, I thought I was going to be a factory worker like my parents, and here I am, owning a factory,” Gloria said.

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Gloria is one of seven children. Her family moved to Saugatuck when she was 6 years old. After graduating from Saugatuck High School, Gloria graduated with honors from LMC, earning an Associate in Arts degree. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Indiana University South Bend.

While working as an elementary bilingual teacher at Sylvester Elementary in Berrien Springs, Gloria started Freedom Finishing with her husband, Erik. Freedom Finishing electro- and powder-coats 100,000 parts a day for businesses that include GM, Ford, Whirlpool, and Herman Miller. She has been president and CEO of the company since 1999 and its sole owner since 2005. Freedom Finishing is Green and Woman Owned Small Business Certified.

When she isn’t running her business, Gloria gives back to the community. She uses her fluency in Spanish as an on-call volunteer translator with local hospitals and the Benton Township Police Department. She assists the Hispanic community through Telemon Corporation and works with various organizations to distribute food and clothing to families in need.

Gloria is a board member for the Southwest Michigan Tri-County Manufacturing Coalition, Lake Michigan College Foundation, Sturgis Bank’s St. Joseph Banking Center Community Advisory Board, Cornerstone Alliance Women’s Business Center, Business Alliance Support Group, and Berrien Community Foundation.

She previously received LMC’s Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017 and Alumni Service Award in 2006.

“I want to give back to the college because of what the college gave to me,” she said. “It made me the person I am today. It is not just an educational experience; it is a life experience. It is a cornerstone on which to build. That’s LMC.”