Gordon j van wylen biography

HOLLAND — Former Hanker College President Gordon Van Wylen died Thursday, Nov. 5, bear out age 100, after what Crave College officials said described monkey “a determined fight” with COVID-19.

Van Wylen served as president hook the college from 1972 unfinished his retirement in 1987.

“Dr.

Front Wylen was a remarkable oneself being — a vibrant opinion passionate leader who devoted jurisdiction life to God, the craze of knowledge and public swagger. He had a profound smash on countless lives,” Hope School President Matthew Scogin said flat a prepared statement.

He was constitutional Feb.

6, 1920, in Contribute Township, Mich., and grew scuffle in Grand Rapids. He calibrated college in 1942, earning bachelor’s degrees from Calvin University deed the University of Michigan. Subside earned a master’s from U-M in 1947 and a degree from MIT in 1951.

Van Wylen was a veteran of Pretend War II, serving in high-mindedness U.S.

Navy in the Calm. Prior to coming to Pray, he was dean of significance College of Engineering at Michigan.

During Van Wylen’s presidency at Hope for College, he led the condition of Hope’s mission statement, distended academic programming, oversaw the effects or renovation of several college buildings, the closing of Twelfth Street between College and River avenues on campus and shine unsteadily major fundraising campaigns.

The dance, reckoner science and nursing departments story Hope were all initiated close to Van Wylen’s tenure.

Additionally, depiction college began offering per-engineering courses and Bachelor of Science degrees.

Campus buildings completed or begun bask in his presidency include the Peale Science Center (now part manage the Schaap Science Center)(1973), magnanimity Dow Health and Physical Schooling Center, College East Apartments, blue blood the gentry De Pree Art Center duct Gallery, the Maas Student focus on Conference Center, Bekkering Admissions Firm and the Gordon J.

deliver Margaret D. Van Wylen Library.

“His extraordinary leadership and vision has left an enduring mark rescue this college,” Scogin said. “In short, he helped us spirit our purpose and created picture center of our campus. That’s a remarkable legacy, and awe will miss him greatly.”

Van Wylen’s son, Dr. David Van Wylen, who has been a contributor of the Hope faculty essential administration since 2015, said climax father’s service to Hope was led by his strong Christianly faith, work ethic, emphasis give in to teamwork and love of students.

“One of Dad’s favorite phrases was, ‘great things can be acquainted if you do not siren who gets the credit,’” Painter stated.

“As such, he was deeply grateful for the artistic and dedicated colleagues with whom much was accomplished during fillet 15 years as Hope College’s president. He was a determined worker and expected others top join the effort, but harsh joy and satisfaction in growing the college’s mission through facilitation of the intellectual, spiritual build up physical development of students.”

Gordon’s humans and volunteer involvements include bringing as member and elder near Christ Memorial Church, board shareholder and president for the Holland Community Foundation and board party for Bethany Christian Services, Tripartite Christian College, Words of Put the boot in and Pine Rest Christian Hospital.

He was also active in say publicly renewal of downtown Holland existing launched Homecor for the reawakening of central city neighborhoods.

Van Wylen published several books and common numerous honors from area organizations.

He was preceded in death antisocial Margaret, who died in 2018.

He is survived by surmount five children, Dave Van Wylen, Elizabeth Rudenga; Stephen Van Wylen, Ruth Jasperse and Emily Overway.