Sheline moves closer to retirement

Mary Ann Sheline is relinquishing her role, since 1994, as Director of the Regional Math and Science Center as she moves a step closer to retirement. Although she will step down as director on December 31, Sheline is choosing to stay actively involved in current, on-going grants held by the RMSC involving mathematics and science teacher leadership statewide. Karen Meyers, who has served RMSC for many years as assistant director, will serve as interim director.

Sheline has been instrumental in the development and execution of programs that have brought significant recognition to the university while also improving science and mathematics education in West Michigan. Even as her retirement approaches she is being contacted by organizations, both from within the university and the community-at-large, to serve on boards and executive committees.

Sheline was initially hired in 1984 by Grand Valley’s Science and Math Division as a part-time employee to conduct the Regional Science Olympiad Competition. Twenty-four years later, she has organized a tournament that is now the largest in the country, with the reputation of being the best in the nation. Grand Valley was honored to host the National Science Olympiad in 1998, due in great part to Sheline’s efforts, which were recognized with the Grand Rapids Hometown Hero Award for 1998.

“I remember we had to convince then President Lubbers to allow us to bring Laura the Elephant here from Muskegon for the parade of schools opening the National Science Olympiad,” said Sheline. “There was a lot of concern about her weight damaging the fieldhouse floors, so we asked the Physics Department to calculate the pressure. They determined since the pressure was spread out over the elephant’s large feet it was safer than that of a woman in high heels, so Laura came.”

Sheline was instrumental in starting the STEPS (Science, Technology and Engineering Summer Preview Camp,) the Math & Science Student Support (MS3) Center, and developing and implementing the new Integrated Science major at Grand Valley. Sheline has also encouraged Grand Valley students to engage in research with grants received through the Michigan Space Grant Consortium. During her 20 years of RMSC leadership, she has brought more than $5 million in grant monies to Grand Valley.

“I am so very grateful for the support Grand Valley has given over the years to the Regional Math and Science Center,” said Sheline, who remembers first starting in the Math and Science Dean’s office in Loutit Hall with a desk in the work room, then moving to the herberium closet before a more suitable space was found.

At the local level Sheline was involved with building significant links to school districts and area informal science organizations such as the Frederik Meijer Gardens and John Ball Zoo. She also initiated and maintained successful partnerships with area businesses and industries including Alticor, Steelcase, GE Aviation (formerly Smiths Aerospace), and Howmet Casting.

On both the state and national levels, Sheline has served on several committees that have collected and evaluated data, including work related to the Cherry Commission and a study for the College Board. She has served the Michigan Mathematics and Science Center Network as treasurer, and served on the executive boards of the Michigan Science Teachers Association, National Science Olympiad, and Michigan Science Olympiad, and represented Grand Valley as an affiliate on the board of the Michigan Space Grant Consortium and their Grant Review Committee. In addition, Sheline collaborated with the Grand Rapids Chapter of American Association of University Women to bring “Science is for Girls” to the community for the past 14 years.

“I believe that the programs Mary Ann has organized over the years have had a very strong positive impact on the community’s image of Grand Valley, and on good students’ willingness to consider matriculating here,” said Fred Antczak College of Liberal Arts and Sciences dean. “Her ability to plan highly professional and effective outreach and educational events has provided the community with a unique view of the university’s ability to do science.”

A party celebrating Sheline’s years of service is open to the Grand Valley community on Friday, January 11, 2008, in the Pere Marquette Room, KC, from 3-5 p.m.