Gaylen Byker
Encyclopedia
Gaylen James Byker is a former international businessman and the current President of Calvin College
in Grand Rapids, Michigan
. He is also a director for InterOil Corporation. Byker is a native of Hudsonville
, Michigan. He served in the United States Army
from 1967 until 1970. Following his service in the Vietnam War, he attended Calvin College graduating in 1973. He went on to do graduate work, and received a master's degree
and a JD
in World Politics
from the University of Michigan
, as well as a doctorate
from the University of Pennsylvania
. After completing his education, he worked in the fields of international banking and energy. He also taught at American University of Beirut. Byker married Susan Lemmen in 1970 and they have two daughters. In May, 2011, Byker announced he would retire as president of Calvin College at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year.
Calvin College
Calvin College is a comprehensive liberal arts college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1876, Calvin College is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed tradition of Protestantism...
in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. He is also a director for InterOil Corporation. Byker is a native of Hudsonville
Hudsonville, Michigan
Hudsonville is a city in Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,160.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,160 people, 2,514 households, and 1,920 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,729.1 per square mile...
, Michigan. He served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1967 until 1970. Following his service in the Vietnam War, he attended Calvin College graduating in 1973. He went on to do graduate work, and received a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
and a JD
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in World Politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, as well as a doctorate
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. After completing his education, he worked in the fields of international banking and energy. He also taught at American University of Beirut. Byker married Susan Lemmen in 1970 and they have two daughters. In May, 2011, Byker announced he would retire as president of Calvin College at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year.