[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 31 (Monday, February 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        DR. DIETHER H. HAENICKE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 23, 2009

  Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
the illustrious life of Dr. Diether H. Haenicke, president emeritus and 
distinguished professor at Western Michigan University.
  From 1985 to 1998, Diether served as the University's fifth 
president, while later serving as interim president for the 2006-07 
academic year. During his 13-year presidency, WMU emerged as one of the 
leading public research institutions in the nation, becoming a pioneer 
in the life sciences. A lifelong champion of international study, the 
University's Office of Study Abroad and Department of Foreign Languages 
flourished during his tenure as well. At the same time, the University 
also conducted a successful multi-million dollar capital campaign that 
allowed for the construction of many major buildings across campus as 
well as the major renovation of several others.
  Shortly after retiring from the presidency in 1998, Diether began 
writing a popular weekly column in the Kalamazoo Gazette, which 
continued for over 10 years. The subject matter of his column ranged 
broadly from reflections on his childhood in Germany and his 
experiences as a naturalized citizen to commentaries on current events 
and musings on the absurdities of campus life. Like the man himself, 
these writings often gave the community a moment of pause.
  Not only a successful administrator, but a widely respected 
intellectual in his own right, Diether came to the United States as a 
Fulbright lecturer in the early 1960s. Having earned a doctorate, magna 
cum laude, from the University of Munich in 1962, he was the author of 
hundreds of published works on such diverse matters as comparative 
literature, history, academic administration, and international study.
  In his so-called retirement, Diether remained actively engaged within 
the University and also involved himself in countless civic and 
charitable organizations throughout southwest Michigan.
  There truly was no better friend to the University and the greater 
Kalamazoo community than Diether. And while his intellect, humor, and 
constant guidance will be sorely missed, perhaps the qualities that 
will be remembered most were his genuine approachability and 
astonishing gift for friendship. Throughout his career, thousands were 
fortunate enough to look to Diether as a friend and mentor--incoming 
first-year students and Members of Congress alike.
  May the Haenicke family find comfort in knowing the far-reaching 
impact that Diether had upon his community and those who were attracted 
by the university he built up. American higher education has lost one 
of the best and so have we all lost a supporter of the greater good.

                          ____________________