Dr. Gordon R. Werkema was inaugurated as Malone's President on December 1, 1981. With a bachelor's degree in elementary education and higher degrees in education and administration, he was both a teacher and administrator at the elementary school level before moving to higher education. Prior to his time at Malone, he was president of Trinity Christian College of Palos Heights, IL, executive vice president of both Seattle Pacific University and Gordon College, and president of the Christian College Consortium. While at Malone, Werkema oversaw increased financial stability, with a budget that was balanced for five years out of his seven, a student increase of over 56%, new educational programs in management, social work, and nursing, the establishment of a faculty senate, increased staff and faculty salaries, and new faculty development programs. Since leaving Malone, Werkema has turned his energy toward business as opposed to education. The collection contains .3 cubic feet of pamphlets, leaflets, newspaper articles, programs, memos, correspondence, reports and photographs concerning the presidency of Gordon R. Werkema. Many of the materials were produced by the office of the president, such as memos and reports, during his term. Other materials, such as programs, periodicals, photographs and leaflets, were produced as a direct response to his presidency. Some materials generated by outside sources relate to his work before and after his presidency and offer evidence toward his qualifications and character.
