GEOFFREY NORMAN, Professor of Botany, is retiring on June 30, 1976. He has been a member of the faculty since 1952, and during that time served for ten years as Director of the Botanical Gardens and for eight years as Vice-President for Research. He is recognized as an excellent teacher, researcher, and administrator, and has bought distinction to the University not only for activities within the University, but for his contributions at the national level.

Dr. Norman was born and educated in England and holds earned doctorate degrees from the University of Birmingham and the University of London. He came to the United States in 1937 and to The University of Michigan in 1952. Upon his arrival at the University, he became director of a major research project in plant nutrition. Two major contributions to his field are the result of his editing twenty volumes of Advances in Agronomy and six volumes of Agronomy Monographs.

In addition to teaching, conducting research, and editing major professional publications, Dr. Norman made a significant and long-term contribution to the University by providing the leadership, which led to the selection of a new site and to the development of a new facility for the University's Botanical Gardens. He established rapport with the donor of the site and enabled him to see the scientific significance of the site for the gardens. His skill in planning the gardens, and in working with the federal agency which provided funds to help pay for the building, resulted in the orderly development of one of the leading university botanical gardens in the nation.

As Vice-President for Research from 1964-1972, Dr. Norman was a most able administrator and guided the growth of research in the University. During periods of controversy over classified research, he participated regularly in forums and meetings with students and faculty in order to provide informed discussion and rational approaches to solving differences. During periods of increasing financial stringency, he kept the needs of the research community-both faculty and students-before the University's Executive Officers and State officials. He used his considerable prestige to maintain good relations with federal agencies. These activities, which by their nature often went unnoticed or at least were not widely recognized by the University community, enabled the University to maintain its composure as well as its stature.

During his administration as Vice-President for Research, Dr. Norman directed the development of support for the Highway Safety Research Institute, a major research organization supported by the automotive industry and the Department of Transportation. Rapid development of support from NASA for civilian applications of remote sensing was also undertaken. He personally directed the negotiations for establishment of the Institute for Environmental Quality and served as its first director. He took a keen interest in strengthening the Computing Center as a resource for instruction and research, and he provided the leadership, which resulted in the Center's new building. Finally, he strengthened the ties between his office and the faculty by developing a close working relationship with the Senate Assembly's Committee on Research Policies. In summary, his tenure as Vice-President for Research was distinguished and enabled the University to increase its stature as one of the country's leading universities.

In 1963-65, he was adviser to the President of the National Academy of Sciences and in the four-year period, 1965-69, he was Chairman of the Division of Biology and Agriculture of the National Research Council. In these positions he provided guidance at the highest levels of government for policies affecting research and its support.

The Regents now salute this distinguished botanist and administrator for his dedicated service to The University of Michigan by naming him Professor Emeritus of Botany and Vice-President Emeritus for Research.