Former Cornell College president dies at age 78

The Cornell community has lost a friend and former colleague, President David Marker. 

Now many are remembering who he was and what he accomplished in his 10 years as president of Cornell College.

In his first interview with the Cornellian during his presidency, he was quoted saying, “This isn’t my college. This college belongs to the students, faculty and alumni. We’re being adopted into this family.”

Marker was president of Cornell College from 1984 to 1994. He died May 1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the age of 78.

He was born in Atlantic, Iowa, and earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from Grinnell College, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. He received a master’s degree and doctorate in physics from Pennsylvania State University.

Prior to being named the 13th president of Cornell, he was a member of the faculty of Hope College in Michigan for 20 years. He was chair of the computer science department, and served as Hope’s provost for his final 10 years.

Marker was an advocate for the humanities and arts at Cornell. One of his priorities was to bring Cornell firmly into the computer age, while expressing reservations about the expanded use of technology without strong humanities underpinnings. During Marker’s presidency, Cornell made major strides toward installing the infrastructure necessary for a wired campus. He was president when the college registered its first web domain in 1991, and when he left office, every faculty member had an office computer.

During his presidency, the college embarked on strategic planning, a reorganization of the Board of Trustees, and a major fundraising effort. The campaign allowed Cornell to pursue upgrades and expansions in teaching and learning, academic and living facilities, and operations support.

After leaving Cornell, he became president of Des Moines University, a health sciences school in Des Moines, Iowa. He then served as vice president, president, and provost on an interim basis at institutions including Morningside College, Chaminade University of Hawaii, Maryville University of St. Louis, Pacific Oaks College, St. Gregory’s University, and the University of West Florida. He was vice president for academic affairs at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, from 2004 to 2007.

He is survived by two children, Paul Marker and Elizabeth Marker Patin ’94, two grandchildren, his former wife Cynthia Thomas, a brother, and a close friend, Richard Lewis of Wales, United Kingdom.