Wenner to retire as dean

Much like an experienced relay runner, Wendy Wenner said she’s ready for the handoff.

Wenner will retire as dean of the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies at the end of May. She was named founding dean of the new college in 2004. Wenner joined Grand Valley in 1988 as a visiting faculty member in the English department. In 1999, she was named assistant vice president for Academic Affairs.

“We’ve got a good transition plan in place here for the next person,” Wenner said. “The college has a name, it’s established. It is time for someone else to lead it for the next 10 years.”

The college was established to provide innovative, integrative areas of study for students. It includes academic programs like the Meijer Honors College, Liberal Studies and Women and Gender Studies, and houses initiatives like the Fred Meijer Writing Center, Padnos International Center, and Sustainable Community Development Initiative.

Wenner said a model similar to Brooks College wouldn’t fit at all universities.

“At more traditional universities, institutions are bound by more traditional boundaries,” she said. “At Grand Valley, we are able to make those boundaries more porous.”

Gayle R. Davis, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said Wenner’s talents helped developed Brooks College and give it a “firm foundation for the future.”

“The Brooks College needed the rare combination of talents and interests that characterize Dean Wenner’s work: creative energy, ability to inspire, optimism, intelligence, and willingness to design new paths toward academic innovation,” Davis said.

Wenner said she began preparing for her retirement last year. She said she would like to spend more time coaching faculty and staff members who are ready for leadership positions. She recently took up painting, and would like to continue to take more art classes.

A reception to celebrate Wenner’s retirement is set for Wednesday, April 25, from 4-6 p.m. at the Alumni House.