Peter O. Steiner, professor of economics and dean emeritus of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and professor of law in the Law School, retired from active faculty status on August 31, 1991, after a remarkably productive career as a scholar, teacher, researcher, and administrator.

Born in New York City, Professor Steiner received his A.B. degree, magna cum laude, from Oberlin College in 1943. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Professor Steiner received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University in 1949 and 1950, respectively. He taught at the University of California at Berkeley from 1949-57, and at the University of Wisconsin from 1957-68. In 1968, he joined the University of Michigan faculty as professor of economics and professor of law.

At Michigan, Professor Steiner was instrumental, both in the classroom and as chair of the Department of Economics, in revising the core graduate and undergraduate economics courses. He also taught industrial organization at the graduate and undergraduate levels. In the Law School, he was instrumental in developing the law and economics program and the joint degree program in law and economics. He also taught antitrust law, including detailed analysis of legal procedures.

Professor Steiner's research in economics has spanned a number of fields. His early work was largely on theory and method; his latest on law and economics. In between, and throughout his career, his work has generally been concerned with connections between economic analysis and public policy, broadly construed. His most famous theoretical work, on the problem of peak-load pricing of public utilities, addresses a very practical problem, and has affected the way in which public utility pricing is undertaken. Virtually all of his published work is of both academic and more practical interest. In this, and in his lively interest and engagement in his colleagues' and his students' work, he has exemplified the best traditions of the economics department and the Law School.

Professor Steiner chaired the economics department from 1971-74, and served as dean of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts from 1981-89. He was president of the American Association of University Professors from 1976-78, and has held numerous other distinguished posts, both within and without the University. He brought to the administration the same combination of intellectual power and appreciation of practical necessity that typify his academic work.

The Regents now salute this distinguished faculty member for his many contributions to the University of Michigan by naming Peter 0. Steiner Professor Emeritus of Law, Professor Emeritus of Economics, and Dean Emeritus.