Rollins Alumni Record

Fall 2006

Graduating from Rollins with a psychology degree might seem like an unlikely beginning for someone who has enjoyed a long, successful career in the financial world, but at this point in Bill MacLean's life, it will come in handy. At the age of 53, when most working people start eyeing their retirement, MacLean, corporate vice president at U.S. Bank in Minneapolis, has other plans. He will soon swap the rigors of building portfolios for the rewards of serving people.

MacLean is back in school taking tests and writing papers preparing for a full-fledged career change. After graduating from Bethel Seminary, he looks forward to ordination in the Presbyterian Church and leading his own ministry. "I can see myself working in the ministry until I'm in my 70s," he said.

It's not that he regrets his many years in fixed-income sales and trading. MacLean, who started out as a CPA after graduating from Rollins in 1976, was the managing director of fixed-income for U.S. Bank/Piper Jaffray at the peak of his career. He's currently a consultant there, but says it still feels full-time. "Finance is an interesting world, but it's high stress. I’ve had enough of it," he laughed.

Besides, there's more to life than the 9-to-5 world. To relax, MacLean enjoys running and playing tennis. To celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in September, he and his wife Laurie, also a CPA, will attend the U.S. Open in New York.

Shifting careers was not a decision MacLean made lightly. He and his son took a missionary trip to India a few years ago and visited an area where his ancestors were missionaries in the 1800s. "It was amazing to see the hospitals, schools and churches that they started and how they were still serving people." Also, a good friend was diagnosed with brain cancer. "The journey of walking with him the last two years of his life was a life-changing experience for me, seeing him sort out what’s important and what's not."

MacLean transferred to Rollins from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida after his sister, Kathy MacLean Swan '77, sold him on the college. To stay connected with his alma mater, he attends reunions and keeps in touch with classmates. Of his four children, Grace, a high school junior, may attend Rollins and keep the family tradition alive.

Though he majored in psychology, he took business classes at his father's urging. "He was a great role model in that he always strove to uphold his high ethical standards," MacLean said. Ross "Middy" Evans (a former Rollins business administration professor) also got MacLean interested in business. "It wasn’t a path I ever thought of pursuing," he said.

With his business savvy and a scrupulous value system, MacLean sees his future in spiritual leadership as boundless. "I think I'm more credible having been through different experiences," he said. "My interest in people is what I attribute my success to. I consider going into the ministry a form of sales. It's almost an extension of that interest in people and of my psychology education."