Alvin Zander, Professor of Education and Psychology, has retired Retirement from active faculty status on May 1, 1981, after a noteworthy career as a teacher, researcher, and administrator.

Professor Zander was educated at The University of Michigan, receiving a B.S. in 1936, a M.S.P.H. in 1937, and a Ph.D. in 1942; he did postdoctoral work at both the University of Chicago and State University of Iowa. During World War II, he was a psychologist in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Officers Corps. He held teaching positions at The University of Michigan, the University of Chicago, Brooklyn College, Springfield College, and the University of California.

Professor Zander joined the Research Center for Group Dynamics in the Institute for Social Research as a Program Director shortly after the Center moved to Michigan from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1948. From 1959-1978 he served as Director of that Center. During his long career his research was focused primarily on the properties of groups, even when other social psychologists were turning to the study of individuals. His program of laboratory experiments and field studies of work groups, executive boards, and business departments examined the nature of group goals, how they are chosen, and how they influence group performance. These studies culminated in his definitive book on Motives and Goals in Groups (1971). His best-known book, edited jointly with Dorwin Cartwright, is the text Group Dynamics: Research and Theory.

Throughout his career at The University of Michigan, Professor Zander was associated with the School of Education. He was a lecturer in the School while working on his Ph.D. and after World War II he was appointed an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology. In 1950 he was promoted to Associate Professor and in 1957 to Professor. His work in the School of Education was concentrated on the application of the theory of group dynamics to educational settings. He became recognized as a creative and skillful teacher and was responsible for the development of the course "The Social Psychology of Administration" which served as a vehicle for the dissemination of Professor Zander's ideas among public school leaders. He acquired national recognition for his approach to the problems of leadership and group procedures, and the graduate students in the School with whom he worked accorded him the highest esteem.

As a member of the faculty of the Department of Psychology, Professor Zander functioned both as a valued teacher and citizen of the University community, serving on several important University committees and offering the course, "Introduction to Group Dynamics." This course was a model of integrating the content and experience of group processes since he conducted the class in a way, which modeled the points he wished to make. He also taught in the Psychology Honors Program with good success. In 1973, Professor Zander was appointed Assistant Vice-President for Research and in 1975 was promoted to Associate Vice-President for Research, a position he held until the start of his retirement furlough in 1980. During the seven years he provided guidance in such important areas as affirmative action, recombinant DNA research, use of human subjects, laboratory animal care, and biological and radiological safety. His abilities in chairing the faculty committee, which prepared the report that was largely responsible for setting the policy for the future of Recombinant DNA research on the campus, were most noteworthy and indeed outstanding. He coordinated the allocation of funds for preliminary research projects and thereby assisted many faculty members in the development of their research interests. The scope of his duties and responsibilities were far too many for enumeration here, but his skill in carrying them out, his cooperative spirit, and his wisdom are gratefully recognized.

The Regents now salute this distinguished educator, researcher, and administrator for his dedicated service by naming him Professor Emeritus of Education and Psychology.