Obituaries
GVSU Mourns the Loss of Patricia Oldt
February 22, 2021
Patricia "Presh" Oldt's strong belief in equity, social justice, and education defined her life as teacher, administrator, citizen and friend. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Oklahoma, where she was president of Pi Beta Phi, she earned Master's and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University. Her illustrious career in education included serving as the Assistant Dean of Continuing Education at Grand Rapids Community College, Assistant Superintendent of the Grand Rapids Public Schools, Superintendent of Northview Public Schools 1993-2000, and both Distinguished Professor of Education and Vice President for Planning and Equity at Grand Valley State University where she was instrumental in developing the Grand Valley charter schools' program. She was on numerous local and state boards devoted to education and social causes and was widely recognized for her contribution to the community and the organizations she served. Neither titles nor awards define her.
To read more about her life, visit the full obituary page.