Anderson named interim dean of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

August 6, 2024 (Volume 47, Number 20)
Article by Kristen Krueger-Corrado

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Donovan Anderson was named interim dean of CLAS.

Photo Credit: Cory Morse

As an associate professor of German, Donovan Anderson is known for sprinkling German words and phrases into conversations.

“I really like the expression, 'Halt die Ohren steif,'” Anderson said. “It literally means, ‘Hold your ears stiff and upright.’ It’s an expression with roots in the animal kingdom. It communicates support and encouragement to hang in there and not give up in the face of challenge.”

When CLAS Dean Jennifer Drake was named acting provost, Anderson quickly transitioned into the role of interim dean of GVSU’s largest college, which he will now lead for the next two years. The German phrase is an apt one, and the CLAS Dean’s Office Team encouraged him to take on the role and gave him their full support.

“When I was offered the position, I was initially very surprised and a little bit uncertain," said Anderson, who had served as associate dean. "It’s a daunting task to think about leading such a large and complex college. However, the dean doesn’t have to lead alone. 

"Dean Drake has assembled and empowered an amazing group of people in her office, and we have outstanding unit head leadership in CLAS. I’m really looking forward to the collaborative work."

He came to GVSU in 2006 as an assistant professor of German in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. After serving on the CLAS Personnel Committee and eventually chairing it, he transitioned to the dean’s office and has focused primarily on planning, hiring and personnel issues since that time. 

In that role, he was a part of the team that led the college through many changes including a dean search, the COVID-19 pandemic, and developing the CLAS vision and commitments. As the interim dean, his mission for the next two years is to continue the thoughtful and innovative work started by Drake.

“We will finish building and implementing the CLAS Voyage and stay true to our vision and commitments,” said Anderson. “Our priorities remain the same: supporting student success, centering DEI-AB, and creating a climate in which our faculty and staff can thrive.”

Anderson earned a bachelor's degree in German and Russian from the University of Kansas. He then studied German literature for two years at the University of Kiel in northern Germany before going to the University of Michigan to earn a Ph.D. in German Studies. While working on his doctorate, he spent two years in the German Department at the University of Lausanne. 

– Kristen Krueger-Corrado is the director of communications for CLAS 

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