Living center to be named for VanSteeland

A living center on the south end of the Allendale Campus will be renamed in honor of Ron VanSteeland, a long-serving former vice president for Finance and Administration.

South Living Center will be renamed the Ronald F. VanSteeland Living Center in a ceremony today from 3:30-5:30 p.m., with remarks at 4 p.m.
VanSteeland served Grand Valley for 35 years before retiring in 2001.

His fiscal leadership helped build the financial backbone of the university that has been ranked for 13 consecutive years as one of “America's 100 Best College Buys.” He began in 1966 as the first personnel officer, charged with establishing a personnel department. In 1968, he became the university’s business manager and then was promoted to vice president of the college in 1973. In 1979, VanSteeland became vice president for Finance and Administration, a position he held until his retirement.

With rigor and integrity, VanSteeland guided the university through a period of enormous growth; he was a trusted advisor to President Emeritus Arend D. Lubbers from the time there were just 2,000 students through the university’s explosive expansion in enrollment, programs and facilities.

Also, upon retirement, he received an honorary doctorate of humane letters. He received the Arend D. Lubbers Award for service to the university during June’s Enrichment Dinner.

Active outside the university as well, VanSteeland has served in many professional and civic leadership positions in the community. One of his volunteer activities is doing sing-alongs in area nursing homes.