Remembering Glenn Michael Jacobsen
July 29, 1946 – October 29, 2024
Glenn Michael “Mike” Jacobsen, PhD, was a respected social work educator, administrator, and dedicated advocate for rural communities. He passed away unexpectedly on October 29, 2024, at the age of 78, after a period of declining health.
Born in Oelwein, Iowa, and raised in Dysart, Glenn earned his Bachelor of General Studies (1973), Master of Social Work (1974), and Doctor of Philosophy (1984) from the University of Iowa. Early in his career, he served as Executive Director of the Willow Creek Neighborhood Center in Iowa City before transitioning into academia, where he found his lifelong calling. Over the decades, Glenn taught and led programs at the University of Iowa, Niagara University, Delaware State College, and the University of North Dakota, where he served as Chair of the Department of Social Work.
His professional reach extended far beyond the classroom. Glenn consulted with numerous social service agencies and programs nationwide, often focusing on the unique challenges of rural social work and mental health services. He co-founded the New York Rural Human Services Coalition, chaired the Commission on Minority Group Concerns, and served on multiple boards, committees, and task forces dedicated to improving social service delivery. A recognized leader in his field, Glenn was listed in Marquis Who’s Who and received the Meritorious Service Award from the University of Missouri in 1986.
Glenn and his wife of 50 years, Barbara, shared a deep commitment to social work and to one another. In retirement, they traveled the country in their RV, visiting friends, family, and former colleagues, while cherishing time with their grandchildren. Glenn’s legacy lives on in the many students he mentored, the programs he strengthened, and the profession he helped shape.
He is survived by Barbara; his children Erich (Michelle) and Amy Reimer; seven grandchildren; his siblings Mary J. Nace (Dan), Joel Jacobsen, and Kris Gehl (Ed); and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jean and Glenn Jacobsen, and his son, Dain.