Faculty Memorial - Charles (Tony) Morris (1940-2019)
Charles G. "Tony" Morris, professor emeritus of psychology in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, passed away on June 30, 2019 at the age of 79.
Professor Morris received his B.A. degree from Yale University in 1962 and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois in 1964 and 1965, respectively. He joined the University of Michigan faculty as an assistant professor in 1965 and was promoted to associate professor in 1977 and professor in 1987.
Professor Morris taught a wide array of graduate and undergraduate courses and was known best for teaching psychology's huge general introductory course. His remarkable grasp of his discipline, his ability to communicate theory, data, and method and to stimulate curiosity, and his creation of customizable and engaging exercises and teaching materials all combined to form a course which generated such excellent student evaluations that he was repeatedly included in the University's Advice Magazine High Honors List of Best Instructors. Professor Morris had a profound impact on thousands of undergraduates and graduate student instructors who profited from his teaching skills and his enduring commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching.
Professor Morris's research focused on group interaction processes, leadership, shyness, and issues related to admissions, attrition, and academic counseling in higher education, and of course, the teaching of psychology. His most renowned contributions are his two major textbooks: Psychology: An Introduction, first published in 1973 and now in its eleventh edition, and Understanding Psychology, first published in 1991 and already in its sixth edition. His outstanding record of University service includes tenure as associate dean of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (1972-77) and associate chair of the Department of Psychology (1980-89), as well as service on numerous departmental and University-wide committees.
Professor Morris retired from active faculty status December 31, 2002.