David Marker, Ph.D., who served as Des Moines University president from March 1, 1994, to Jan. 31, 1996, died May 1, 2016, in Philadelphia. He was 78.
Born in Atlantic, IA, Dr. Marker earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from Grinnell College and his master’s and doctoral degrees in physics from Pennsylvania State University. He was a professor, associate dean, chair of computer science and provost at Hope College in Holland, MI, for 20 years. In 1984, he was named the 13th president of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA.
According to Now is the Time; Des Moines is the Place, a history of DMU’s first 105 years, Dr. Marker was highly regarded in regional and national higher education circles as a member and chair of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, chair of the Iowa College Foundation’s board of governors, chair of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities’ Commission on Policy Analysis, and member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Presidents Commission. At DMU, he sought to create a more open atmosphere and increase interactions with and among faculty, staff, students, and alumni as well as external constituencies.
After his tenure at DMU, Dr. Marker went on to serve as vice president, president, and provost on an interim basis at institutions including Morningside College; Chaminade University of Hawaii; Maryville University, St. Louis; Pacific Oaks College; St. Gregory’s University; and the University of West Florida. He also was vice president for academic affairs at Assumption College in Worcester, MA, from 2004 to 2007.