LGBT Center to be named for late professor
Apr 2, 2014
The LGBT Resource Center at Grand Valley will be named for Milton
E. Ford, professor of liberal studies and founding director of the
center. Ford died March 19 after a long battle with cancer. He was 72.
The LGBT Resource Center opened its doors in the Kirkhof Center
in 2008. At the time, Ford said the office space represented important
progress for the university to recognize a need for students to feel
comfortable and for everyone to be treated equally.
“It is very fitting that the LGBT Resource Center be named in
Milt’s honor,” said President Thomas J. Haas. “Milt was instrumental
in creating a positive environment at Grand Valley where people know
that inclusion and diversity are valued. Through diversity we become a
university.”
Provost Gayle Davis called Ford her hero. “Milt’s contributions
to Grand Valley were enormous, and his personal characteristics and
values rare. He cared deeply for his campus community of colleagues
and students as evident in the many ways he supported us all,” she said.
Ford joined Grand Valley’s faculty in 1973 and celebrated
receiving his 40-year service award in December. A compassionate
teacher and lifelong researcher, Ford is remembered for leading
efforts to integrate the LGBT community with university academics and
its student life.
A formal dedication will be held in the fall.
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