News
Vale, Bill Seeger
March 16, 2022
Wilhelm (Bill) Seeger, professor emeritus of modern languages and literatures, died March 9, 2022. He was 85 and preceded in death (2019) by his wife, Mary, retired dean and professor emerita of modern languages and literatures.
Bill and Mary arrived at Grand Valley in 1965 to teach German classes. Bill taught for more than 40 years. He formed the foundation for GVSU's international education program in 1967, by asking his German relatives to host GVSU students. He also ran the Schnitzelbank Restaurant, the restaurant in Grand Rapids established by his grandparents.
The Seegers have given generously to Grand Valley for more than 43 years. Mary was one of the university’s leading supporters as a lifetime donor and a member of the Gillett Society, which honors legacy and estate giving. The couple gave generously to multiple scholarships and capital campaigns over the years, and established a scholarship to aid Grand Valley students who want to study abroad.
To show their gratitude to the Seegers, alumni established the Mary and Wilhelm Seeger Scholarship, which is awarded to students who plan to study one or more foreign languages at Grand Valley.