Mignonette Y. Cheng, professor of art in the School of Art and Design, retired from active faculty status on May 31, 1996, after a 33-year career as an artist, teacher, and researcher.

Born in China, Professor Cheng received her early training in classical Chinese painting at the Russian Art Academy in Shanghai. In 1953, she was awarded a merit-based Trustee's Scholarship from Ohio University, where she received her B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in 1957 and 1959, respectively.

Professor Cheng joined the faculty of the former College of Architecture and Design as an instructor in 1963. She was promoted to lecturer and then instructor in 1967, assistant professor in 1969, associate professor in 1971, and professor in 1975. A superior teacher with exceptional dedication to her students, Professor Cheng received the University's Teaching Excellence Award in 1990. Over the course of her career, Professor Cheng also taught at the University of Michigan/University of Wisconsin International Studies Program in Florence, Italy. She was appointed director of this program in 1994.

Professor Cheng received, three Rackham Research Grants, in 1975, 1982, and 1988. The first was for the study of ancient Asian "B'iao" techniques and rice paper as a contemporary medium; the second was for the study of the tonality and structure of the English landscape; and the third was for research in wax emulsion and oil painting, which culminated in a retrospective exhibition at the University of Michigan Museum of Art in 1988. She has also long been recognized with extensive regional, national, and international awards, exhibitions, and solo shows. In October 1995, Professor Cheng was honored with a retrospective exhibition at the Bobbitt Visual Arts Center at Albion College, Albion, Michigan. Currently, she is exhibiting a major show, "Themes and Variations," at the School of Art and Design's Jean Paul Slusser Gallery, comprised of a group of watercolors from her new book, Mignonette Yin Cheng: Watercolors of Italy (University of Michigan Press, June 1996). Professor Cheng's work is also included in the permanent collections of many museums and in corporate and private collections.

The Regents now salute this distinguished artist, teacher, and researcher for her dedicated service by naming Mignonette Y. Cheng professor emerita of art.