Erasmus L. Hoch, Professor and Associate Chairman of Psychology, has retired from active faculty status as of July 1, 1978 after a most productive career as a clinician, teacher, and administrator.

A native of New York, "Bob" Hoch completed his baccalaureate in 1936 and a Master of Science degree in 1937, both from the College of the City of New York. Following military service during World War II, he entered Columbia University and completed his Ph.D. in 1950 with specialty in clinical psychology. He served as a clinical psychologist in several Veterans Administration hospitals in New Jersey and Main, rising in 1954-56 to the position of Chief Clinical Psychologist at the Veterans Administration Center in Togus, Maine.

In 1956 he was appointed Administrative Officer in charge of state and professional affairs of the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C. He served with distinction in this capacity during a period of vigorous development and rapid expansion of the roles of clinical and other professional psychologists in American society. His monthly column in the American Psychologist entitled "Psychology in the States" served more than any other single element to keep the profession informed of rapidly evolving legislative, organizational, and ethical issues during this era of rapid transition.

In 1962 the Department of Psychology attracted Bob away from the APA central office to serve as its Administrative Officer and later as Professor and Associate Chairman of the Department until the time of his retirement.

During his 14 years at the University, Bob Hoch, more than any other person, was responsible for the efficient operation of the Psychology Department. His conscientiousness, his ingenuity and above all, his sensitivity to the needs of students and of a diverse and vigorous faculty and staff created confidence and assurance that the program would run smoothly and that the teaching and research missions of the Department would be met to the full extent that available resources would permit. Never content merely to do his part, he undertook a wide range of service activities and professional responsibilities throughout the University and in the professional sector. He chaired the College Committee on the Use of Human Subjects in Research for five years, for two years he served as chairman of the Senate Advisory Review Committee, and during his last two years on campus he served as Secretary for the Faculty Senate and the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs. In the last 10 years of his professional career alone, he served on no less than 10 major committees of the Michigan Psychological Association, and the American Psychological Association, chairing half of the assignments-and always with wisdom, grace, and wit.

The AMOCO Good Teaching Award, which he received in 1976, is only the most recent indication of his excellence as a teacher. His students knew him not only as a delightful and challenging instructor, but as a close personal friend as well. His colleagues knew they could scarcely do better than to attempt to merely match Bob Hoch's performance as a mentor and advisor to students. He was known to all as one who could make the learning process not merely stimulating and enlightening but personally relevant, humane, and fun besides.

The Regents now salute this distinguished teacher, administrator and selfless good citizen of this University and his profession by naming him Professor Emeritus of Psychology.