Michael J. Wynne, Ph.D., professor of botany, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and curator of algae, University of Michigan Herbarium, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, will retire from active faculty status on May 31, 2007.

Professor Wynne received his A.B. degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1962 and his Ph.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1967. He pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington from 1967-69 and was on the faculty of the University of Texas from 1969-76. Professor Wynne joined the University of Michigan faculty as an associate professor in 1976 and was appointed associate curator in the Herbarium in 1977. He was promoted to professor and curator in 1986.

Building on the standard textbook on the structure and reproduction of algae he co-authored with Harold Bold, Professor Wynne taught an important course for many years on the morphology and life cycles of diverse groups of plants. His laboratories were notable for his insistence on having students observe the actual organisms, as fresh material, when at all possible. Through this approach, he was able to communicate his own love of plant diversity by letting students see and handle the real thing.

Professor Wynne's research resulted in a series of publications, many of which concern the systematics and life histories of two marine groups, Rhodophyta (red algae) and Phaeophyta (brown algae). His prolific scholarship has been informed by his tireless fieldwork and augmented by collaboration with many colleagues. For the past 30 years, he has also been responsible for the curation of the important collection of algae in the University of Michigan Herbarium. Professor Wynne has earned accolades from other phycologists around the world and has received national and international recognition.

The Regents salute this distinguished researcher and scholar by naming Michael J. Wynne professor emeritus of botany and curator emeritus of algae.