UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Geoffrey P. Mamerow, assistant vice provost for assessment at Penn State, died on March 9, at the age of 43, the result of a tragic accident near his home in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.
Mamerow joined the Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research (OPAIR) in 2017 as the assistant director of learning outcomes assessment, quickly advancing to director in 2019. He was appointed as assistant vice provost of assessment for OPAIR in 2020.
“Geoff’s passing is a devastating loss for us all,” said Lance Kennedy-Phillips, vice provost for Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research. “He was a true partner and leader, a kind and thoughtful colleague who earned admiration and respect at all levels of the University. Geoff is deeply missed and will never be forgotten.”
Born Nov. 29, 1978, in Dayton, Ohio, he moved with his family to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, in 1987. He attended Rufus King High School, graduating in the International Baccalaureate program and earning apprenticeship papers in biotechnology from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. After high school – uniquely talented in a variety of disciplines – Mamerow earned an associate of science degree in the recording arts from Full Sail University. He then went on to earn his bachelor of arts in English and philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a secondary teaching license from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and a master’s degree and a doctorate in higher post-secondary and continuing education administration from UW-Madison.
Before joining Penn State, Mamerow began his career at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, as director of institutional research.
At Penn State’s March 16 Faculty Senate meeting, senate chair Bonj Szczygiel offered words of remembrance for Mamerow from the senate floor.
“Geoff Mamerow, in his role as assistant vice provost for assessment in OPAIR, supported faculty program coordinators and the Faculty Senate to develop and execute plans to assess student learning,” Szczygiel said. “Many of us worked with or interacted with Geoff, and many of you have spoken about his patience, his kindness, and his willingness to go the extra mile to help his colleagues. Our condolences go out to Geoff’s family and friends and all those who worked with him.”
Beyond his professional life, Mamerow entertained a wide range of interests. He loved making music and performed in rock bands in high school and college. He built an in-home studio to record his own music and with several bands. He was also an athlete who maintained a systematic running program for many years. Mamerow was adept at the culinary arts, and from kimchi to Greek spanakopita, to Thai stir fry, he enjoyed serving international dishes to his friends and family. Perhaps most importantly, he was a great maker of friends, maintaining close contact with the many friends and colleagues across the country.
He is survived by his parents, Paul and Deborah Mamerow, and sisters Clare and Elizabeth Mamerow.
Mamerow’s funeral services were held on Saturday, March 26 at St. Sebastian Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Members of the Penn State community who wish to honor Mamerow’s memory are asked by the family to consider a memorial gift to Wisconsin Public Radio, one of his lifelong passions.