Regents Paul W. Brown and James L. Waters, on the Board for 24 years, attended their last meeting last week and were granted emeritus status. Harold R. Johnson, who ‘retired’ from his post as interim secretary of the University, also was honored. Excerpts from their citations appear here.
‘During the 24 years of his service as Regent, Paul Brown witnessed extraordinary changes in the University and had a major role in directing its responses to challenges arising both within the institution itself and in the society it serves. Merely to list them suggests the demanding nature of the role he has so ably fulfilled. They include issues associated with the Black Action Movement, the debate over investments in South Africa, controversies over DNA and classified research, the Replacement Hospital Project and development of the Medical Center, economic recession, diminution of state support for higher education, and the expansion and rebuilding of the Central Campus. In addition, he has been an informed and clear voice on matters of intercollegiate athletics and an advocate for the concerns of citizens of northern Michigan.’
‘During his service as Regent, Jim Waters has helped shape the University’s responses to a great many educational and social issues. These include efforts to expand minority enrollment; the debate over investments in South Africa; major growth in the University Hospitals and the Medical Center; ethical controversies surrounding DNA, classified research, and guarantees of nondiscrimination; and the continuing struggle to secure for the University a level of funding commensurate with its mission. In all of his work on these matters, Jim has been a particularly influential spokesperson on matters of social justice and diversity.’
‘The communities that have benefited from Harold’s considerable skills have been many and varied, including organized labor in Canada and the United States, community service organizations in Detroit, the worldwide community of the aging served by the Institute of Gerontology, and finally, the scholarly community of the School of Social Work and all of the individuals and agencies who gained from that faculty’s research and their development of methods for the delivery of social services.
‘When he came to the Fleming Building in 1993 after his long and meritorious service as dean of the School of Social Work, Harold surely did not imagine that he would be pressed into service as secretary of the University. Not only did he accept the call, but he has served the Regents admirably, sharing the wisdom gathered from his long service in the University and the sagacity developed over his lifetime of involvement in the political world.’
