Don served as the department chair for 25 years. He was instrumental in moving the department into the area of computer science and for hiring the first computer science faculty. The department then became the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science in 1977. Don also provided leadership and support to our growing mathematics education program. In addition, during his time as chair Don was instrumental in hiring the first statistics faculty. As the computer science program grew, it eventually split off from the mathematics group and formed a separate department. Our department became the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and it was at that time that Don stepped down as chair. Later, the growth of the statistics program grew to the point that a separate Department of Statistics was created. Don set the stage for these new departments.

 

One of Don's many roles at the university was as the GVSU faculty representative to the NCAA. As a result of this role, Don served as President of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association for the NCAA. He loved athletics and was as passionate about Grand Valley's excellence on the field as he was in our educational mission. He was particularly fond of students who were not only mathematics majors but also were engaged in university-sponsored athletics. Before his retirement, Don and his wife Barb endowed a scholarship in their name to honor and support students majoring in mathematics who demonstrate excellence in both mathematics and athletics. A list of recipients can be found on a plaque outside the math department office.

 

Don was also very active in the broader community as a member of the Jenison Public School Board for 24 years, serving as president for 8 years. Sadly, Don passed away in 2009.