Former GIA President Glenn Nord Dies at 90

RAPAPORT... Glenn Nord, the third president of the Gemological Instituteof America (GIA) and a pioneer of its corporate training program and globaloutreach, died Sunday aged 90. "Glenn Nord was a committed advocate for GIA's mission, andfor our students and the GIA staff," GIA president Susan Jacques said Monday."His business acumen and wisdom, shared over decades with GIA management andthe board of governors, provided strategic guidance that built GIA's success." In 1959, Nord earned his graduate gemologistdiploma from the GIA. He joined the institute as a traveling instructor in 1961,promoting the GIA to local jewelers. Using that knowledge, Nord developed theinstitute's corporate training programs. In 1970, he extended the GIA'sinstruction courses to Israel and Japan, beginning a global outreach programthat now encompasses 14 cities in 12 countries. He left the GIA in 1974, but returned in 1983 to take overthe presidency from Richard Liddicoat. He retired in 1986, when Bill Boyajian becamepresident. In 2001, GIA presented Nord with its highest honor, the Richard T.Liddicoat Award. He remained on the institute's board of governors until hisdeath. Nord is survived by his wife, Hannah, their three children,and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services will take place onJune 22 in Pasadena, California. The GIA plans to establish a scholarship in his name. Image: Former GIA president Glenn Nord. (Gemological Institute of America)