Family of longtime dean establishes scholarship

The family of longtime Grand Valley faculty member Rodney Mulder and his wife, Lucarol, has established a scholarship in their memory.

The Rodney and Lucarol Mulder Social Work Endowed Scholarship at the Grand Valley University Foundation will assist students who are pursuing either a bachelor's or master's degree in social work from Grand Valley. It will also promote diversity in the social work profession by assisting nontraditional students and students from underrepresented ethnic groups.

Mulder started working at Grand Valley as a French instructor in 1966. He was also a faculty member in the sociology and social work departments, and served as dean of the School of Social Work and College of Community and Public Service. Mulder passed away in 2010 before he was able to retire from Grand Valley with 44 years of service.

Cray Mulder, professor of social work and graduate program director, said when Lucarol passed away in 2019 she and her family wanted to establish a scholarship to honor their parents' passion for education and community service.

"My dad was a lifelong advocate for inclusion, diversity and social justice," Cray Mulder said. "He valued a professional school that reflected the diversity of populations social workers serve in West Michigan and nationally."

The scholarship will be awarded annually provided there are candidates who meet the qualification criteria. Recipients must be a junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in at least 12 credits (undergraduates) and at least six credits (graduate students) in the School of Social Work, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater.

This gift is a part of the Laker Effect campaign, which is transforming the lives of students and enhancing the West Michigan community. Learn more about the campaign at gvsu.edu/giving.