- Arend Lubbers
Arend "Don" Lubbers was president of
Grand Valley State University (and predecessor Grand Valley State College) from 1969 to 2001. He was the second president of Grand Valley, serving afterJames Zumberge and before Mark Murray. He currently holds the title of PresidentEmeritus . Most of the university's growth came during his tenure.Early life
A native of
Holland, Michigan , he graduated fromHope College . His fatherErwin Lubbers was president of Hope.He received his master's degree from
Rutgers University in 1956.He taught at
Wittenberg University He served as president of
Central College inPella, Iowa until he became Grand Valley's president.Grand Valley State University
He became president of GVSC at the age of 37, making him one of the nation's youngest university presidents.
The university expanded from a small cluster of colleges to Michigan's fastest growing university.
Lubbers Stadium on the Allendale Campus is named for him.
When he retired in 2001, Lubbers was the longest serving state university leader in the country.
References
* [http://www.gvsu.edu/gvhistory/index.cfm?id=3A8ABBB7-0D0D-5215-100082908E4CC322 Grand Valley History page]
* [http://www.gvsu.edu/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.old_archive_read&news_id=237 Retirement press release]
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