Merkle transitions to faculty after 32 years as dean of students

It was a full house April 22 at a reception to honor Bart Merkle, vice provost for Student Affairs and dean of students. Merkle, who joined Grand Valley in 1984, will leave his role this summer to join the College of Education faculty.

Alumni, students, and current and retired faculty and staff members joined Merkle and his family in the Kirkhof Center for a celebration of his 32-year career as dean of students. 

Provost Gayle R Davis, whom Merkle considers a mentor, said Merkle has made a tremendous impact on Grand Valley.

"When I came to Grand Valley in 2002, then-President Mark Murray asked, 'What area do you feel may be a challenge?' I said, 'Student Affairs,' because I didn't have much experience in that area,” Davis said. “President Murray said he wasn't worried even a little because we had a strong voice and leader in that area, and he was right. Bart is patient, determined and stands up for people and their ideas." 

Prior to Grand Valley, Merkle served as acting dean of students at Tulane University in New Orleans. His early responsibilities at Grand Valley were to revamp campus housing, expand opportunities for students out of the classroom and build the Division of Student Services.

Sue Willemsen Douma, administrative assistant for dean of students, has worked with Merkle for 30 years. She said she is proud to see the division grow under his leadership. Merkle began with a staff of 27 individuals. Today, the Student Services Division includes 200 staff members. 

Merkle said he hopes his staff is proud of what they’ve accomplished. “We've worked hard to support our students and help them find their pathway to their future,” he said. “To spend your professional life doing just that – working with students to help them grow and develop – I can't imagine a better way to spend one's professional life."

Merkle also led the development of the College of Student Affairs Leadership graduate program in the College of Education. Since it was established in 1995, more than 450 people have graduated from the program. A scholarship fund that provides support for students and faculty members in the program was renamed in honor of Merkle.

Merkle said there's a common theme that runs through Grand Valley; it was what initially attracted him to the university. 

"I've never seen it at any other institution, but we are always striving to be better, to make Grand Valley better," he said.

Grand Valley President Thomas J. Haas said: "Our focus is student success and that happens because we have great leadership. Bart is a perfect example of that. He has ensured that thousands of students have a place they can call home each year."