Northern held a dedication ceremony for the new Paul L. Lang Jr. Garden on Sept. 14. Mona Lang of Marquette honored her late husband, who served as NMU’s provost, by contributing the lead gift to establish and maintain a perennial flower garden on the academic mall. She and their daughter, MacKenzie, attended the dedication.
“It is fitting that this new garden now sits in the shadow of Jamrich Hall,” said Mona, after explaining that Paul was involved in the project to construct NMU’s primary academic building. “Paul was not interested in being in the spotlight. He preferred to help others realize their potential and shine.”
“I’ve seen many students and employees and community members walking through here, commenting about the garden and reflecting on what a wonderful memorial it is,” said NMU President Fritz Erickson. “I didn’t work long with Paul, but got to know him as a fellow provost on the former Presidents Council of State Universities of Michigan. He talked passionately about Northern’s great faculty and staff.”
Lang passed away Jan. 9, 2015. He joined NMU in 1997 as a tenured professor and head of the criminal justice department. In addition to those responsibilities, he was appointed associate dean of the College of Professional Studies in 2002. He later served as interim head and director of the School of Technology and Applied Sciences before his promotion to dean of the college. Lang was appointed interim provost and vice president in 2011. Interim was removed from his title one year later.
Kerri Schuiling, NMU provost and vice president for academic affairs, said Lang played a pivotal role in her career as a colleague and fellow department head. Years later, when she was dean of nursing at Oakland University, he urged her to consider applying for the position of dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies.
“When he hired me as dean, he gave me a chance to return to the university that meant to much to us,” she said. “Paul was a fair and honest man. One of the best lessons he taught me was, ‘Let the process work.’ He’d say it with a smile and tell me to be more patient, and he was right.”
