Glenn A. Niemeyer, a pioneer faculty member and the first provost of Grand Valley State University, announced today that he will retire shortly after GVSU's Spring Commencement on April 28, 2001. He did not name a specific date.
Niemeyer, provost since 1980, made his plans known in a letter to GVSU faculty and staff. His announcement comes one day after President Arend D. Lubbers announced that he would retire on June 30, 2001.
I have had a wonderful career, full of opportunities and challenges, Niemeyer said. The institution has come to be more than I could ever have imagined all those years ago, and like others, I take great satisfaction in what we have accomplished.
Niemeyer was one of 13 faculty members when the then Grand Valley State College opened for classes in Fall 1963. He rose through the ranks from history professor to dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1970, vice president of the college in 1973, vice president for academic affairs in 1976, and then provost in 1980.
A Muskegon native, Niemeyer's received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College, and both his master's and doctorate degrees in U.S. history from Michigan State University.
He has held leadership positions with the North Central Association, a higher education accreditation organization. He led Grand Valley's recent university reaccreditation process.
Niemeyer has also served on the Michigan Council of State Universities, Academic Affairs Officers section, since 1973, and is a member of the American Council of Education; the American Association for Higher Education; the American Historical Association; and the Organization of American Historians.
Glenn and Betty Niemeyer have three grown children.
