MU | N o t e s
In Memoriam
Parker Marden,
president emeritus
Parker Marden, 77, president of
Manchester University from 1994 to 2004,
died Oct. 7, 2016, in Maine after an illness.
While MU’s president, Parker increased
diversity among students and faculty and
elevated the University’s national profile.
He led MU through most of “The Next
Step” comprehensive campaign, which strengthened the endowment,
made significant capital improvements to the North Manchester campus
and expanded the donor base.
During a 31,000-mile national tour, Parker met with 10 percent of
Manchester’s living alumni. He liked to tell them why he was proud of
Manchester and that they should be too. No longer, he would say,
should we hide Manchester’s light under a bushel.
Parker was a wonderful writer and communicator, who brought people
together in common purpose. He was a true believer in and articulate
advocate for the value of a liberal arts education. Above all, he loved
Manchester students and embraced his role as their champion.
A native of Worcester, Mass., Parker graduated from Bates College
in Maine and went on to earn his master’s and Ph.D. from Brown
University. He taught sociology at Cornell University, Lawrence
University in Appleton, Wis., and St. Lawrence University. He came to
Manchester from Beloit College, where he served as vice president for
academic affairs and dean.
Parker is survived by his wife, Ann, and their children, Jon and
KerriAnn. The Mardens have lived in Maine since Parker’s retirement
from Manchester.
1980s James Brian Davis ’84 of Indianapolis, Ind.,
2010s Elizabeth Ivey ’10x of Marion, Ind., July 15, 2016
Jeffrey B. Baker ’87x of Toledo, Ohio, July 14, 2016
Friends of Manchester
Robbe Stouder ’89x of Warsaw, Ind., Aug. 4, 2016
David F. Blough of Goshen, Ind., March 7, 2016
1990s Elizabeth S. Sluder ’96 of Pompano Beach, Fla.,
Douglas J. Boone of Huntington, Ind., Feb. 1, 2016. He was an
assistant coach for the Manchester University golf team.
July 30, 2016
April 28, 2016
William “Trey” Lawrence Holcomb III ’98 of Fort Wayne, Ind.,
April 26, 2016
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Steve A. Bruns of Auburn, Ind., Feb. 20, 2016
Gale Burkholder of South Whitley, Ind., June 29, 2016, husband
of Barbara Burkholder, retired staff member of MU’s Education
Department.