The Faculty History Project documents faculty members who have been associated with the University of Michigan since 1837. Key in this effort is to celebrate the intellectual life of the University. This Faculty History Website is intended as a component of the effort to document the extraordinary academic achievements of Michigan’s faculty in building and sustaining one of the world’s great universities. It provides access to a comprehensive database of information concerning the thousands of faculty members who have served the University of Michigan.
Find out more.
The Bentley Historical Library serves as the official archives for the University.
Memoir
Mitchell J. Rycus
Regents' Proceedings 351
Regents' Proceedings 351
Mitchell J. Rycus, Ph.D., professor of urban planning in the A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, retired from active faculty status on May 31, 2000.
Professor Rycus received his B.S. degree (1958), M.S. degrees in mathematics (1961) and physics (1965), and a Ph.D. degree in urban and regional planning (1976), all from the University of Michigan. He was a professor of physical science at Oakland Community College in 1977 and adjunct assistant professor in the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Flint campuses in 1977-78. From 1977-80, he was a research associate at the Mental Health Research Institute. He was appointed assistant professor in 1980 and was promoted to associate professor in 1983 and professor in 1989. Professor Rycus served as chair of the Urban and Regional Planning Program from 1986-92.
For his outstanding contributions as an educator, in 1983 Professor Rycus received the University of Michigan Faculty Recognition Award. He was a visiting scholar at the United Nations Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs in Vienna, Austria; a visiting professor at the Japan Center for Michigan Universities and at the University of Tokyo; and project manager for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency water security project. Professor Rycus is a member of the American Collegiate Schools of Planning, the American Planning Association, and Architects and Planners for Social Responsibility. In addition, he served as vice chair of the Washtenaw County Metropolitan Planning Commission.
Professor Rycus has done extensive research on urban security issues. Over the last 15 years, he has served as co-director of a $3+ million research project, employing a large number of faculty and students. Professor Rycus was a principal investigator for city of Detroit Water and Sewage Department research projects, developing security planning and implementation. He has been extensively interviewed on issues of security by newspapers and by TV and radio stations. He has authored numerous articles on crime reduction and urban terrorism and is currently co-authoring a book on crime and community planning.
The Regents salute this distinguished educator by naming Mitchell J. Rycus professor emeritus of urban planning.