Harvey Geiger (left) pictured with Jay Leno.

Harvey Geiger recognizes the formative role of experiential learning, a concept McPherson College values across its academic programs, especially in the automotive restoration program. This year, Geiger joins McPherson College’s Power Day with a $35,000 matching challenge for the Automotive Restoration Program.

His challenge is among the more than $150,000 in donor challenges for academic programs, athletics, and the Student Debt Project offered during Power Day, the college’s annual day of giving on March 13.

Having published more than 200 articles, Geiger is recognized as an authority on automotive design, history, and car culture. He was a Scholar in Residence at the College of Charleston, where he taught Automobilist 101 and understands the importance of hands-on learning opportunities.

“I appreciate the formative role of travel and internships in the education of students and encourage the first-hand exploration of significant issues and contexts,” Geiger said. “I think McPherson College offers these kinds of enhanced learning opportunities to students and wanted to support that.”

Since 2002, Geiger has judged at more than 30 national Concours d’Elegance events and was one of the founders of the Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance, where McPherson College students participate as student judges and in other concours activities. He has been the honorary chairman, emcee, and head judge for Cars on Kiawah. In recognition of his writing and research, Geiger received the Fahnestock Award from the Classic Car Club of America, the prestigious Lee Iacocca Award for his contributions to the American automotive heritage, and the Lifetime Achievement Award by Cars on Kiawah.

For over a decade, Power Day has provided an avenue for alumni and friends of McPherson College to support academic programs and scholarships in a one-day, online giving event. This year’s Power Day will feature live videos and updates on all the college’s social media channels. Last year’s Power Day raised $324,000. Other matching opportunities this year include a $50,000 matching gift for the MC Fund or any academic program from the Paul Family, a $25,000 matching gift for athletics from Midway Motors, and a $20,000 matching challenge for the Student Debt Project, among others.

More information about Power Day is on the McPherson College website, mblayst.com/power.

McPherson College today announced that an anonymous donor has established a $500,000 endowed scholarship fund for its Automotive Restoration students in honor of Alex Finigan, a respected classic car expert and beloved automotive enthusiast, who passed away in April 2023.

The scholarship will help students jumpstart their careers in classic cars through McPherson College’s one-of-a-kind Automotive Restoration Technology program – the only four-year degree in restoring classic cars.

“Alex would be touched to know that his legacy of kindness, inclusivity and passion for this industry will live on through the development of students who share his joy in the history, restoration and preservation of fine automobiles,” said the Finigan family in a statement.

A self-proclaimed gearhead, Finigan was one of the most respected experts in the field of classic cars and facilitated transactions of many of the most valuable cars in the world, helping friends and collectors obtain the cars of their dreams. Finigan’s expertise ranged from hot rods, Porsches, and rare Mercedes-Benzes to Volkswagen Beetles – the car he got his start from in the automotive world when he opened an independent VW repair business. He was an integral part of Paul Russell and Company since its founding in 1978, working first as a restoration mechanic and later as Classic Car Sales Manager.

“Alex was one of those people whose enthusiasm – for cars, people, and fun, was contagious. You could feel it from far away as soon as you saw that big, warm smile. The Alex Finigan Endowed Scholarship fund is an appropriate way to honor Alex and all he brought to the automotive endeavor,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost of McPherson College. “Many students who share his same passion and are seeking to expand their knowledge and skillset will benefit from these scholarships.”

Anyone wishing to add to the scholarship fund in Finigan’s memory can do so by visiting npbl.mblayst.com/giving/make-a-gift/, selecting “Auto Restoration” in the gift designation menu, and entering “Finigan Scholarship” in the comment section.

Visitors to the McPherson Museum & Art Foundation will have an opportunity to see several unique cars this winter in a temporary exhibition open now through March. The museum is hosting Classic Cars of McPherson College, featuring the Pebble Beach award-winning 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet.

“The college has helped the museum coordinate a car exhibit over the winter for the past several years,” said Tyler Glidden, executive director of the museum. “Last year’s exhibit brought many out-of-town visitors to the museum, and we anticipate this exhibit will draw a large crowd to see the Mercedes.”

The exhibition’s centerpiece is the recently completed restoration of the Mercedes-Benz 300 S that was invited to participate at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August. It received a remarkable second-in-class finish in the Post-War Luxury class. The restoration took seven years to complete and thousands of hours of research and work, all done by students in the Automotive Restoration program at the college.

The exhibit includes other cars from faculty and the college’s collection dating back to 1907. A rare 1910 Auburn Baby Tonneau, on loan to the museum from Chris Paulsen, professor in the automotive restoration program, is one of only four known to exist. The car’s restoration was completed by the Paulsen family in 2022. It was invited to compete at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2022, where it was the oldest car to complete the 70-mile Tour d’Elegance held before the Concours.

One of the earliest examples of the automobile, a 1907 Holsman, is also on display. The vehicle was originally purchased by the grandfather of a former college biology professor, Gilford Ikenberry, and has been in the family its entire lifetime. It was restored by McPherson College students in the auto restoration program. A 1929 Lincoln Model L “Town Car” from the college’s collection is another of the cars on display. This is one of 72 “Town Cars,” a body style characterized by an open driver’s compartment and sumptuously appointed rear enclosed passenger compartment.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our community and visitors from the surrounding area to see the Mercedes and appreciate what the automotive restoration program has accomplished with this car,” Glidden said. “We are grateful for the relationship we have with the college. Our student workers come from the college, its employees serve on our board, and the college has shared resources and helped with other exhibits. It’s an important partnership for us.”

The McPherson Museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and admission is free. It is located at 1111 East Kansas Ave.