FORMER NMU PRESIDENT 

BILL VANDAMENT PASSES AWAY 

MARQUETTE -- Northern Michigan University announced on Monday that former President Bill Vandament passed away over the weekend. Vandament, 81, died on Saturday at his home in Signal Hill, California.

Vandament came to NMU in June 1991 as the interim president but was asked by the Board of Trustees to become the full-time president in 1992. He was president of NMU during a time of substantial budget cuts but was still respected by NMU and the Marquette Community.

"Bill Vandament was an exceptional leader of Northern Michigan University during a challenging time," said NMU President David Haynes. "I worked closely with Bill during his tenure as president, and I always admired his integrity, ability to bring people together to make strong decisions, his vision and his sense of humor."

Students were also fond of Vandament. He would participate in student activities and even played with the pep band during hockey and basketball games, according to NMU. 
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Vandament implemented the flat tuition rate, which continues today at NMU. He also had recognition plaques put up across campus for the people buildings are named after.

"I think the relationships between the university and community was so strong when he was president, and the attitude on campus was one of pulling together," said former NMU interim president Mike Roy. "I think there were a lot of positives during that time about what the university was doing and, to a great extent, that was the way Bill did business. He was very unassuming and very easy going. He was a good mentor and a good coach for me and, I think, other people on campus, too. He was just that kind of person."

There are no services planned, but in lieu of flowers, Vandament's family would appreciate contributions to the William and Margery Vandament Endowment Fund, Northern Michigan University Foundation, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette, MI 49855. 

NMU's volleyball facility is named Vandament Arena in Bill's honor
 

FAST FACTS

• William Vandament, the 10th president of Northern Michigan University who served from 1991-1997, died Saturday, April 20, at his home in Signal Hill, Calif.. He was 81.  Vandament was born in Hannibal, Missouri, on Sept.16, 1931.  

• He received his bachelor's degree from Quincy College and his doctorate in psychology from the University of Massachusetts. He and Margery (Lampe) are the parents of Lisa and Jane.   

• After teaching psychology for a few years, Vandament had a long career as a university administrator. At Ohio State University, he was vice president for finance and planning. 

• He went on to become senior vice president of administration at New York University.  

• On the West Coast, he was provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs for the California State University System at Long Beach.  In 1989, he published Managing Money in Higher Education.  

• Vandament came to Northern Michigan University in June 1991 as interim president; he was asked by the Board of Trustees to become full-time president in the spring of 1992.  

• Vandament's time as president was marked by significant budget cuts. There was a $1.3 million cut to state appropriations that led to tough decisions such as whether to open the Superior Dome as planned. Ultimately, he had to cut $ 2.8 million and eliminated 49 jobs. 

• Also during Vandament's tenure as NMU president, he implemented the flat tuition rate, a tuition structure that continues today for students.  Other important contributions by Vandament include putting up recognition plaques across campus for the people whom each building is named after.  

• He established a temporary office at NMU to assist community leaders in jump-starting the process of converting K.I. Sawyer to civilian use.  

• He also initiated contracts with South African universities to make study abroad possible for NMU students.