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Wiebe Boer is a businessman and philanthropist who served as the 12th president of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Career

On 28 March 2022, Calvin University announced that it had appointed Boer as the 12th president of the university. On 26 October 2022, Boer was officially inaugurated as president, after beginning his tenure in July of the same year.

Resignation from Calvin University

On 26 February 2024, Calvin University's board of trustees announced that Boer had resigned as president after they received a report alleging that Boer had engaged in inappropriate communications with a non-student, non-faculty member of the community.

Lawsuit against Calvin University

On 12 April 2024, Boer and his wife Joanna filed a lawsuit against Calvin University alleging breach of contract, discrimination, and defamation. The lawsuit alleges that Boer was first made aware that a complaint of inappropriate communications had been issued against him after being called to a meeting with the board of trustees on 22 February 2024. During this meeting, Boer claims he acknowledged having communications with the complainant, but denies that the communication was inappropriate. Boer also claims the board told him to limit communication to only family and a trusted advisor or he would face termination.

On 24 February 2024, the lawsuit states Boer was given a meeting with the board to defend himself. Boer claims that after the meeting, the board told him they had the votes to fire him and was given a deadline to decide if he would resign. At 4:55 pm, Boer agreed to resign as president. Following his resignation, the board released a statement that the lawsuit alleges to contain several statements that defame Boer.

Following his resignation, Boer claims he was told they had until 15 April to move out of their home, DeWit Manor (which is Calvin University's property). On 2 April 2024, the suit claims that Calvin officials entered the DeWit Manor and changed the locks to prevent the Boers from reentering the Calvin property. On 7 April, the Boer family returned from a family vacation where they claimed they were greeted by Calvin security personnel who would allow one family member to enter DeWit Manor at a time accompanied by a member of security to collect their belongings.

Following the issuing of the lawsuit, Calvin University's board of trustees issued a long, comprehensive statement addressing alleged misinformation present throughout the Boer's lawsuit and expressing disappointment in the Boer's alleged failure to take accountability for the misconduct. The statement denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the lawsuit contained several misrepresentations of the events.

References

1. "Calvin University names 1997 graduate as institution's next president". mlive. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
2. "Dr. Wiebe Boer inaugurated as Calvin University's 12th president". wwmt. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
3. "Calvin University president resigns over 'inappropriate messages'". mlive. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
4. Shustack, Savannah. "Board releases details about Boer resignation in response to due process concerns". Calvin University Chimes. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
5. "Lawsuit Against Calvin University Alleges Breach of Contract and Defamation; Board Statement Counters 'Misrepresentations' | The Banner". www.thebanner.org. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
6. "Former Calvin U president releases statement amid lawsuit". FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI). 17 April 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
7. "Former president, wife sue Calvin University". WOODTV.com. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

• Living people
• Calvin University faculty
• Heads of universities and colleges in the United States
• Calvin University alumni
• Yale University alumni