The past, present and future came together on Nov. 2, when MSU’s Department of Entomology celebrated a gift launched by one of its most esteemed alumni, Gordon Guyer. A significant lead gift by Gordon and Mary Guyer inspired faculty, alumni and friends to join them in contributing a total of $80,000 to upgrade the department’s conference room.
One of the most heavily used spaces in the department, the conference room is the site of hundreds of seminars, classes, faculty and committee meetings. It is the heart of the department where students and faculty interact throughout the year. More recently, outdated furnishings, loud ventilation and inadequate technology had begun to limit the quality of service. Once again, by agreeing to fuel an effort to upgrade the facility, Guyer was a spark to prepare for a better future.
“It’s really rewarding to see the enthusiasm from alumni, stakeholders and our own faculty for joining Gordon in this project,” said Bill Ravlin, entomology department chairperson. “It’s more than just a facility upgrade. It’s a visual reminder of an alumnus finding his purpose and making a difference.”
Guyer is a graduate of the department and along with a distinguished career as a professor, served as chairperson prior to being director of MSU Extension. With his strong leadership skills, he quickly became the state’s “go-to guy” for leading Michigan into a better future.
He served as president of MSU and was appointed by Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard to direct the state Department of Natural Resources and by Gov. John Engler to lead the Department of Agriculture.
Some of his career highlights include leading one of the first American scientific groups permitted to visit China in the mid-1970s and the hiring of Tom Izzo as MSU head basketball coach following the legendary Jud Heathcote. When Heathcote retired, some thought “new blood” needed to be hired from beyond MSU for a strong basketball program, but Guyer believed in Izzo and advocated for promoting him to the job.
The Gordon Guyer conference room’s computer projection system meets today’s digital requirements and allows presenters easy control over its capabilities. Its furnishings easily wheel around for flexible seating and the quiet heating/cooling ventilation makes gatherings more comfortable. To inspire younger entomologists, the room includes memorabilia from Guyer’s diverse and august career.
“Looking at the new Gordon Guyer conference room, with all of the esteemed awards and memorabilia, it really sinks in how much of an impact one entomologist can have at university, state, right on through to international levels,” said Eric Benbow, assistant professor. “Gordon’s specialty is aquatic entomology, the same as me. I am honored to follow in his footsteps and hope to build on it into the future.”
More than 100 people packed the conference room for the open house. MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, Fred Poston, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Rich Merritt, past department chairperson, shared tributes for Guyer and the department. Basketball head coach Tom Izzo was also present and spoke of his appreciation of Guyer’s support and friendship over the years.