Longtime administrator to retire, celebration set for June 25

D. Scott Richardson, vice president for Administrative Services and member of the President's Cabinet, will retire June 30. 

Richardson began working at Grand Valley in 1977. He led the Human Resources department for 38 of his 41 years at the university. In 2016, Richardson was appointed acting vice president for Finance and Administration and later assumed his current role. 

President Thomas J. Haas said Richardson helped lead Grand Valley’s evolution from a small college on a single campus to today's comprehensive university of nearly 25,000 students. Haas called Richardson's attention to detail and collaborative management style legendary.

"Scott created a climate that focused on the importance of all employees," said Haas. "Under his leadership, we created initiatives that represent our values of respecting the whole person, recognizing that taking care of employees both at and outside of work is the right thing to do for the employees, their families and ultimately for the university as well." 

Under Richardson's leadership, several HR initiatives were expanded and established including work-life balance initiatives, conflict resolution and mediation services, Health and Wellness support and leadership development training.

"I have had an amazing 41 years at Grand Valley," Richardson said. "Being able to be innovative and flexible, all the while being faculty- and staff-focused has made for an incredible career. I have had the pleasure to work with the very best colleagues and I am confident that with their leadership the remarkable culture we have at this university will continue. To recently be named by Forbes as the second best place to work in Michigan feels like a great ending to a wonderful career."

Several university projects were planned and constructed during his time as vice president, including the Laker Experience Suite at the Lubbers Student Services Center, the Innovation and Design Center at the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, the Jamie Hosford Football Center and the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health.

In 2016, Richardson and his wife, Susan, established the D. Scott & Susan Richardson Management Student Athlete Scholarship to assist student athletes who are pursuing a career in management.

In addition, Richardson previously served as chair of the board of the Visiting Nurse Association of West Michigan and president of the Michigan Association of University HR Officers.

In April, the Board of Trustees recognized Richardson, giving him the title of vice president for administration emeritus.

A retirement celebration for Richardson will take place June 25 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Alumni House.