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Obituary
William Charles Morse
LSA Minutes
LSA Minutes
William Charles Morse
1915 – 2008
William C. Morse, Professor Emeritus of Education and Psychology, died on January 25 in Michigan at the age of 92.
Professor Morse was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on October 23, 1915. He received the B.A. degree from the University of Michigan in 1938, the M.A. in 1939, and the Ph.D. in 1947. He was appointed instructor at The University of Michigan in Educational Psychology and, in 1956, attained the rank of professor. From 1945-1961, Professor Morse was Director of the University’s Fresh Air Camp, a therapeutic summer residential camp program for emotionally disturbed children. In 1965 he was appointed Chairman of the Combined Program in Education and Psychology, an interdepartmental unit within the Rackham Graduate School. He also became Professor of Psychology at that time. After retirement as faculty emeritus, Dr. Morse served as visiting professor at the University of California/Northridge and the University of South Florida at Tampa.
He received the following honors while at the University: UM Distinguished Faculty Award (1970); American Association of Colleges Teacher Education Program Award (1975); William Clark Trow Distinguished Professorship (1977); Wallin Award of the Council of Exceptional Children (1978); Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Association of Teachers of Emotionally Disturbed Children (1982); and the C.S. Harding Mott Award (1982).
Professor, author and mentor to countless aspiring educators, William Morse was beloved by colleagues and students alike for his compassion, wisdom and dynamic leadership in guiding individuals to become effective advocates for and teachers of disturbed children. Professor Morse was renowned in the field of special education.
Professor Morse is survived by his wife of 71 years, Bernice S. (Sunny) Morse of Chelsea, MI; his daughter Susan S. Morse of Chelsea; his son James D. Morse and daughter-in-law Katherine Gantz Morse of Everett, WA; and his grandson Jeremy G. Morse and Jeremy’s fiancé Kelly Flammia, of Chicago, IL.
-- Department of Psychology