Grand Valley dean leaves business school right on course

Administrators at Grand Valley State University accept the decision of David Mielke to resign as dean of the Seidman School of Business while acknowledging the impact of his many contributions to the university and the region.

Mielke's resignation will be effective July 1. He will then take a sabbatical and use the time to continue research, and his scholarly activities while preparing to return to the classroom and a position on the Seidman School faculty.

'Giving up my administrative duties as dean will allow me to devote more time to specific areas of interest,' Mielke explained. 'My work with the SmartZone projects, particularly the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon, has spurred increased interest on my part in the renewable energy field.'

Mielke came to Grand Valley as dean in July of 1999. He has been responsible for bringing many successful projects to the Seidman School. Under his leadership, Grand Valley developed the Family Owned Business Institute and the Center for Entrepreneurship. He was involved in positioning Grand Valley to house Michigan's Small Business Development Center and, subsequently, the state's Small Business and Technology Development Center. Mielke is given much credit for the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskeon, which is a SmartZone project slated to open in the fall.

'We appreciate all Dean Mielke has done for Grand Valley during his tenure as dean,' said Gayle Davis, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. 'He has expanded and enhanced the reputation of the Seidman School of Business and has spearheaded projects that will continue to have a positive impact on research and learning.'

Davis says an interim dean for the School of Business will be named in the fall, while the university searches for a permanent replacement.