(Community Matters 195) Remembering Dr. Joe Schwarz: Governor Gretchen Whitmer

This discussion is part of a series of interviews remembering former Battle Creek mayor, lawmaker and statesman, Dr. Joe Schwarz who passed away in May, 2026. 

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joins Community Matters to pay tribute to Dr. Joe Schwarz and reflects on how his principles shaped the way he led and the way others learned to lead around him. Whitmer talks about his fierce advocacy, respect for the oath, and why putting people first still works even when politics gets divisive. 

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Transcript

Tribute Introduction And Welcome

Richard Piet 0:02

Joining us now on our special tribute to Dr. Joe Schwarz on Community Matters is Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Welcome, Governor.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 0:12

Thank you. Good to be with you.

First Encounters At The Capitol

Richard Piet 0:14

How did you first encounter Dr. Joe? Was it simply as a lawmaker or had you already known him?

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 0:21

You know, I had known of him. I had worked on staff at the Capitol, and Joe Schwar z loomed large, right? Yeah. My father, who was in healthcare, worked with Joe Schwarz on a number of policy things. So Joe and my dad had a relationship. And then when I became a legislator, I worked on the budgets. I was uh, you know, an appropriations person. And so I learned a lot watching Joe Schwarz in action from the other side of the Capitol.

A Fierce Advocate With Humor

Richard Piet 0:48

What was the most prominent influence, would you say, Dr. Joe had on you as a lawmaker?

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 0:54

Joe was a fierce advocate. He was the head of the higher education budget, was one of the things I remember. And of course, as a proud Wolverine, he uh made sure he did right by all the universities, but especially by the University of Michigan, his alma mater. But I think that it was just uh seeing the humor with which he would lead, the opportunity to get to know him better in my later years as a lawmaker and then ultimately as an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan, I think was when I really got to know him at a personal level. But Joe was a fierce advocate. And if you were aligned, you couldn't have asked for a better partner. And if he was on the other side, you had better have yourself together.

Mentorship And Notes During Pandemic

Richard Piet 1:38

Did he reach out to you with thoughts about things during your tenure as governor? I hear that from people that he uh hesitated not about reaching out about things. What was he concerned about if he did?

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 1:53

You know, Joe was old school, right? Like he was a very principled person, but I think he revered the institution in which he served and took an oath. He thought that oath was important. He centered his work around doing what was what he thought was the right thing for his community. And I think that I got to see that in action, and I think it was always a powerful example of what how we're supposed to conduct ourselves in these roles. And Joe would reach out, of course, while I was governor. He, you know, became a mentor of mine at the University of Michigan and helped me a lot, gave me a lot of great advice while I was teaching. But certainly that extended into whether it was setting priorities or it was how I showed up in terms of centering the work around the people, or it was simply uh just a little note of encouragement during the pandemic. I, you know, I could count on Joe for wisdom and encouragement.

Fighting For Battle Creek Jobs

Richard Piet 2:50

Several people have called him Mr. Battle Creek. We've talked with several folks for this special hour. Did he ever come to you advocating for Battle Creek in some way?

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 3:01

Well, you know, certainly when W.K. Kellogg was going through some tough decisions and it was going to impact the footprint in Battle Creek. We had a lot of conversations about that, what it meant, how perhaps we could help have a positive impact on the decision making. And we worked together just as recently as a few years ago during that time.

Nonpartisan Reputation And Conviction

Richard Piet 3:21

Yeah. Here are some words I've heard, and I think you've started to allude to them when people were describing Dr. Joe. Pragmatic, non-partisan. Did that make an impression on you? And in today's landscape, do you think that was harder for him?

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 3:38

I think Joe was a principled man. So I while I think a lot of people struggle with what is the right thing to do is on any given moment with the political wins the way that they are, I don't think it ever bothered Joe. I think he had such a strong conviction about what was right and what was wrong and where he was headed and where he came from. And I I always admired that because I feel like principal leadership is really important. And maybe when everyone's trying to figure out the political wins, we lose some of that. And so I think uh Joe was a wonderful example of what's possible. And it's interesting when people say he's nonpartisan. Yeah, I mean, he's a Republican, he was a staunch Republican, and then he became more of an independent because the party changed. I don't think Joe ever changed though, and I think that's why even going into a tough negotiation, you knew where Joe was coming from and what was going to drive him at the end of the day. And you can always work with that.

What Would Dr. Joe Do

Richard Piet 4:37

Can we take something out of that when we're trying to guide our own selves? And how do we do that? I mean, this is so hard. These wins and and this divisiveness we have. Boy, you got to stop yourself in the middle of all that and say, I don't know, what would Dr. Joe do? You know, this is uh an opportunity for a perspective moment.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 4:58

Yeah. I think that if more legislators today knew and had could benefit from an example like Dr. Joe's, um, we'd all be better off. And the program that you're doing, the the memorial that I was fortunate enough to be asked to speak at alongside Governor John Engler. I think when you see that, it tells you everything you need to know about the man. When you put the people's interests first, you work hard to make sure you're knowledgeable about the issues, you can have confidence in whatever action you're taking, it's going to be the right thing at the end of the day. And the right policy, good policy is always good politics, too. And you shouldn't leave with a political question, you should lead it with what's the right thing to

Rivalries, Respect, And Maize Blue

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 5:44

do.

Richard Piet 5:44

Give you any give each other any guff when the Spartans and the Wolverines would play.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 5:48

Of course. Joe was insufferable, Wolverine. Um, and you know what? Both Governor Engler and I showed up in our maize in blue for his funeral. So that shows what kind of respect we two Spartans had for Joe Schwarz.

Richard Piet 6:03

And it should be noted the Governor's wearing green right now. So indeed. Uh yeah, so there you are.

A Life Of Service And Stories

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 6:09

He lived such a fascinating life, and it dedicated so much of it to serving his community, to helping make people well, to ensuring that they had opportunity. I loved listening to Joe's stories, especially when he was working, you know, in intelligence with the federal government. I mean, it was just an incredible life that he led, and I feel lucky to have have known him.

Gratitude And Farewell

Richard Piet 6:36

All right. Well, we appreciate the opportunity. Governor Gretchen Whitmer here with us on Community Matters. Thank you.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer 6:41

Thank you.