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Memoir
Julius S. Cohen
Regent's Proceedings 258
Regent's Proceedings 258
Julius S. Cohen, professor of education, retired from active faculty status on May 31, 1991, after 23 years of service to the University of Michigan.
Professor Cohen received his B.A. degree from Syracuse University in 1949 and his M.A. and Ed.D. degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1950 and 1962, respectively. He worked as a teacher of the educable mentally retarded in the New York City public schools and the South Fallsburgh, New York, public schools from 1950-55. From 1955-57, Professor Cohen served as a psychological assistant for the U.S. Army and from 1957-61 he directed the vocational services at the Johnstone Training and Research Center in Bordentown, New Jersey. Professor Cohen served on the faculty at Syracuse University from 1961-67, at which time he joined the University of Michigan as associate director of the Institute for the Study of Mental Retardation and Related Disabilities and associate professor of education. He was promoted professor in 1971 and appointed deputy director of the institute in 1972.
As deputy director of the University of Michigan's Institute for the Study of Mental Retardation and Related Disabilities, Professor Cohen served as project director on many grants funded by the U.S. Departments of Education and of Health and Human Services. At the same time, he taught both graduate and undergraduate courses in the School of Education's Special Education Program and served as dissertation advisor to a number of School of Education graduate students. Professor Cohen's numerous publications cover a range of topics, including the legal rights of citizens with mental retardation and the development of mental retardation policy. Professor Cohen's expertise made him a sought-after consultant and advisor for a number of organizations and institutions. From 1976-78, he served as a special advisor to the President's Committee on Mental Retardation and from 1980-84 he was a member of the Michigan State Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities. His consulting assignments have included the Milwaukee public schools, the New York State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the New Jersey Division of Mental Retardation, Department of Human Services.
The Regents now salute this faculty member by naming Julius S. Cohen Professor Emeritus of Education.