After serving Grand Valley State University for 15 years, Margo Dill stepped down as Program Coordinator for the Regional Math and Science Center (RMSC) as of July 10.

Dill was responsible for coordinating the RMSC’s major events such as: the Genetic Update Conference with Dr. Sam Rhine, G3 Camp (Grandparents, Grandkids, Grand Valley), Science Olympiad Region 12 tournament, Science Technology and Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) day camp and the Fall Science Update for educators.

Karen Meyers, director of the RMSC, said in the spring Dill earned the AP Achievement Award recognizing her dedication to the university, profession and community. She said Dill left a strong legacy at GVSU with her strong commitment to the university, quality of work and attention to detail.

“Margo has a strong work ethic, her customer service and her awareness on the audience she was serving helped us a lot,” Meyers said. “She was able to work with a variety of people all over campus- that is one thing we will miss.”

The candidate to replace Dill’s position is currently in debate. Meyers said interviews are beginning and decisions will not be final until mid-October. She said until someone is re-hired, Dill’s responsibilities for the fall will be passed on to different members of the staff.

“One of the things our center does well is working as a team- we don’t have a stratification of roles like other departments,” she said. “Different staff members will pick up parts of Margo’s job until she’s replaced, which kind of works with our natural work flow already.

“It does place stressors on the system because there are many things, especially programs like Science Olympiad, her position was responsible for that require year-long planning – she will be hard to replace.”

Kathy Agee, science program coordinator at the RMSC, said Dill had a strong dedication to the students and to other departments at GVSU. She said Dill made various long-lasting connections at GVSU that benefit and uphold the center’s values.

“There were times faculty would come in for Science Olympiad, because they had test questions to create, and she always made the time,” Agee said. “She never said ‘I only have five minutes,’ she always focused on how to support them. No one felt like they had to rush with her service.”

In her time working at the center, Meyers said Dill brought in $463,850 in grants and donations to support the programs in her charge. In addition, she said Dill’s seven-year dedication to the GVSU Science Olympiad has brought great success to the schools in the region competing.

“Each year over 1,800 students come to the Allendale Campus to compete in on the largest regional tournaments in the country,” she said. “Due to the quality of the event, schools from our region go on to win the state tournament and place high nationally.

“She created a legacy that will take us to the next level within the community and university. She will be missed.”

Currently, the RMSC is searching for student volunteers to assist with the various programs running in the upcoming school year. To find out more information, visit the center at Mackinac Hall C-1-120, contact (616) 331-3412 or email [email protected].