Glenn Goerke

Indiana University East mourns the loss of former Chancellor Glenn Goerke. He passed away November 13, 2015, at the age of 84. Goerke was IU East’s second chancellor and led the campus from 1981-1986.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce, three children and seven grandchildren. Goerke was a resident of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, and Houston, Texas.

One of Goerke’s most influential marks left on campus was to bring baccalaureate degrees to IU East; previously IU East offered associate degrees. As chancellor, Goerke explored the possibility of baccalaureate degrees and received approval from the IU Board of Trustees for baccalaureate admission in1983. The first degree programs designed for the IU East campus were business, behavioral sciences and nursing. In 1986, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education approved four-year programs at IU East.

In addition to baccalaureate degrees, Goerke also gained permission for IU East to plan for its second building on campus, Hayes Hall.

“Glenn Goerke had the vision to help guide IU East to the campus it is today. He believed the campus could support four-year degree programs and brought this idea to fruition,” said Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe. “As a campus community, we extend our condolences to Glenn’s wife, Joyce, and their family.”

In 2011, Goerke said during the 40th anniversary of IU East that Richmond and the campus held many memories for him and Joyce. Goerke said his time at IU East allowed him the understanding and skills to prepare for his presidential roles on three campuses of the University of Houston system, including as the 10th president of the University of Houston.  “That would not have been possible without IU East,” Goerke said at the time.

Goerke was awarded president emeritus of each of the University of Houston campuses he served.

Goerke was born and raised in Lincoln Park, Michigan. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and Master of Arts in Administration at Eastern Michigan University. Goerke received his Ph.D. in Adult and Higher Education from Michigan State University.

He was a retired member of the military, serving in the U.S. Navy Reserves. According to his obituary, he founded the veterans’ support group through the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, “BAHEP Cares!”, in which returning veterans are mentored by senior executives to assist with life transitions and job placement.

Before his appointment as chancellor, Goerke was the dean of the Division of University Extension at the University of Rhode Island. He was a finalist in 1978 for the position of dean of the School of Continuing Studies at Indiana University. Goerke continued to serve on the Board of Directors of the International Association of University Presidents.

While he lived in Richmond, Goerke was an active member of the community and maintained many of those ties until he passed away. The Goerke’s also continued a scholarship, the Glenn and Joyce Goerke Scholarship, awarded to IU East students for demonstrated academic excellence. While chancellor, he was elected as a member of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce board in 1982, serving as its president in 1985. He was also a member of the Reid Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, First National Bank Board of Directors, and he served on an advisory panel for the Indiana Arts Commission.

Prior to 1978, Goerke was vice president for community affairs at Florida International University in Miami, Fla., where he also held positions as the associate vice president for academic affairs, dean of faculties and dean of university services and continuing education.

Following his time at IU East, Goerke was the president of the University of Houston–Victoria from 1986-1991. He was then interim chancellor of the University of Houston System in 1989 before being named president of University of Houston–Clear Lake, a position he held from 1991-1995. Goerke was president of the University of Houston from 1995–1997. He was also honored with the title of president emeritus of all three University of Houston campuses. He is the only individual to hold this distinction.

A memorial service for Goerke will be held January 16, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. (central time) in the Bayou Building at the University of Houston-Clear Lake campus. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to the Glenn and Joyce Goerke Scholarship at Indiana University East.