Reifel named interim Seidman dean

Longtime Grand Valley economics professor John Reifel has been named interim dean of the Seidman School of Business.

He assumes the position for the upcoming academic year during the search for a permanent dean. David Mielke resigned as dean in July to pursue research projects and return to a position on the SSB faculty.

Grand Valley Provost Gayle Davis said, 'Dr. Reifel will be an excellent interim dean and a person who can draw on his rapport with the faculty and staff, knowledge of the school, and long-standing reputation as a respected Seidman faculty member to take us productively through the coming year.'

After receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, Reifel earned master's and doctorate degrees from Michigan State University. His research interests are urban economics and public finance; a recent project focused on housing prices discrepancies for black and white buyers. Reifel has worked as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In 1997, he earned SSB's Outstanding Teacher Award, as voted by his colleagues. Reifel joined Grand Valley's faculty in 1971.