Kindschi to step down as dean

Doug Kindschi has always been a man with a plan. While many of his plans have involved the Grand Valley community, this plan is personal. It takes him out of the role of dean of Science and Mathematics at the end of this fiscal year.

Kindschi says after 28 years as dean, the eventual move back to the faculty is something he's been planning for a while.

'Grand Valley has been a wonderful place to work, and I've appreciated the opportunity to help build it,' Kindschi said. 'I got involved in full-time administration very early in life, and I always wanted to complete my career as a faculty member, but in a way that provides for an easy transition.'

Transitioning away from the man who spearheaded the tremendous growth in the Science and Mathematics Division, which was created 20 years ago, will be easier because of the legacy Kindschi leaves behind. Under Kindschi's leadership, seven new undergraduate programs and six new graduate programs were developed. More are currently under development.

'We're very sorry to lose Doug's expertise as a dean,' said Gayle Davis, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. 'He's been very successful. We look forward to his continued work on our faculty and on special projects involving science and mathematics.'

Student research has been a big initiative under Kindschi. Student Scholarship Day began as Student Research Day in the Science and Mathematics Division in 1996. It was so successful, it went university-wide a short time later. During this past summer, 65 undergraduates in the S/M Division worked with faculty mentors in various research projects. Kindschi initiated the Annis Water Resources Institute in 1986. AWRI has been a very successful research effort and has brought in more than $25 million in grants and gifts.

Colleagues and university leaders credit Kindschi with forging other lasting initiatives, including the Regional Math and Science Center and Grand Valley's participation in the Science Olympiad Program. Other examples of Grand Valley partnerships supported through his vision include the Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center and Grand Rapids African American Health Institute.

President Mark A. Murray sums up his respect for Kindschi and his work by citing Grand Valley's excellence in health sciences over many years and its continued forward progress.

'We are increasingly respected in engineering. Our Regional Math and Science Center, our preparation of science and math teachers, our pre-med strength and so many other features of science and math education are compelling evidence of the many great contributions Dean Kindschi has made to this university and the whole region,' Murray said. 'Like any good leadership, his successes are the successes of so many people he worked with, but his vision and his tenacity have been essential elements.'

Donna Larson is one of the people who has worked side by side with Kindschi -- for 17 years. The associate dean can't say enough about the man she considers a steady mentor. 'Every single one of those years has been a wonderful journey into a brighter future for Grand Valley,' Larson said. 'Doug has been a terrific dean; one with high energy, incredible vision, superb leadership, honesty, fairness and the tenacity and skill to fight for what he knew would be best for the university.'

Kindschi's last day as dean will be June 30, 2004. He plans to take a year-long sabbatical before his return to the faculty. Because of the reorganization of the academic units underway at Grand Valley, Davis said any decision regarding a replacement will be delayed.