GVSU mourns death of first dean of business college

The Grand Valley community is mourning the death of Marvin G. DeVries, first dean of the Seidman College of Business, who died July 4 in Grand Rapids, five days before his 85th birthday. 

DeVries was one of the first six founding pioneer faculty members at Grand Valley. He was key to the introduction of business courses after he was hired in 1963 as an economics professor. He became director of the School of Business and Economics, and when the Seidman Graduate College of Business was created in 1973, he became its founding and longest-serving dean from 1973-1988.

DeVries was sought after for his speeches on the economy and served on several local boards. He took pride in The Washington Campus Program created by L. William Seidman, where business graduate students from Grand Valley and across the country examine the process and issues of federal public policy.

The Marvin. G. DeVries Scholarship was established at Grand Valley to assist students from West Michigan who are pursuing careers in economics. DeVries retired in 1994 as professor emeritus of economics.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 16 at 11:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 47 Jefferson Ave. SE, in Grand Rapids.

The family will greet friends and relatives at 10 a.m. prior to the service. Refreshments and a light lunch will be served following the service. 

Memorial contributions can be made to the Van Andel Institute, Parkinson's Association of West Michigan, and Porter Hills Foundation.