Nov., 29, 2005 issue
Regents approve emeritus status for four faculty, staff

By Abby Palmer

 

The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents granted emeritus status to three former faculty members and to one former staff member at its regular meeting Nov. 15.

To be awarded emeritus status, faculty and staff must have served EMU for at least 15 years and be nominated for emeritus faculty status upon retirement.   Faculty and staff granted emeritus status are:

• Dansky

  Jeffrey Dansky, professor, psychology. Dansky, of Ann Arbor, retired in April 2005, following 29 years of service to EMU. Dansky's area of research is children's play and its importance to child development and cognitive functioning. His research was published in the most highly respected journals and he was a frequent presenter at meetings of the Society of Research in Child Development (SCRD). The SCRD is considered to be the most prestigious society for those working in the child developmental area. He routinely served on the psychology department's personnel committee and chaired it on several occasions. Dansky received both his doctorate and his master's degree in developmental psychology from Bowling Green State University and his bachelor's degree in psychology from Temple University.

• Hortin

  David Hortin, professor, political science. Hortin, of Ypsilanti, retired Aug. 31, 2005, following 38 years of service to EMU. Hortin, who died Nov. 2, will be honored posthumously. In 1987, Hortin received the Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award and, in 1991 and 1998, the Alumni Teaching Excellence Award. These awards from students and colleagues are the clearest testimony to his outstanding teaching. He helped to create the University's public law and government major/minor, and was EMU's preeminent pre-law adviser. Hortin also served on virtually every committee, helped to develop and revise every curriculum EMU offers and was the resident legal adviser. Hortin received his juris doctorate in law from the University of Michigan Law School; his master's degree from Southern Illinois University; and his bachelor's degree in political science from George Washington University.

• Elva Nicholson, professor, chemistry. Nicholson, of Ypsilanti, retired Aug. 31, 2005, following 33 years of service to EMU. Nicholson served the department in many important ways for two generations. She was the department's undergraduate adviser and coordinator for the organic chemistry courses. Many faculty members in Nicholson's department relied on her for sound and thoughtful advice. She received her doctorate from Harvard; her master's degree from Radcliffe College; and her bachelor's degree from Bucknell University.

The staff member granted emeritus status is:

• Barbara Delprato, executive secretary, advancement. Delprato, of Saline, retired Jan. 4, 2005, following 23 years of service to EMU. Delprato's positive spirit in representing the University and the thousands of donors she has relationships with have been instrumental in building support. Her professional competence and style of collaborative teamwork have contributed to a positive workplace during her tenure.