Jesse E. Gordon, Professor Emeritus of Social Work and Professor Emeritus of Psychology, passed away January 25, 2018, at the age of 88. Information about Gordon's impactful career in education, research, and service can be found in his obituary here and his University of Michigan retirement memoir below.

Memoir:  

Jesse E. Gordon, professor of social work in the School of Social Work and professor of psychology in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, retired from active faculty status on May 31, 1993, after 34 years of service to the University of Michigan.

Professor Gordon obtained his B.S. degree from New York University in 1950, his M.A degree from New York University in 1951, and his Ph.D. degree in psychology from Pennsylvania State University in 1956. After applying his psychology education in a variety of arenas, he joined the faculty of the Department of Psychology in 1959 as an assistant professor. In 1964, he was appointed associate professor of social work and associate professor of psychology; he was promoted to professor of social work and professor of psychology in 1966.

One of the school's leading instructors in the area of research, Professor Gordon played a major role in the integration of research and clinical practice. His expertise was shared with the U.S. Department of Labor for many years, first in establishing selection, assessment, and training procedures for the Youth Opportunity Program, and then as head of a social service organization in which social science knowledge was to be applied to the development of training materials for employment agency personnel. While at the University and School of Social Work, Professor Gordon served on numerous committees to which his colleagues elected him. His knowledge of funding sources and grantmanship led to securing research grants and contracts for the University community. Included in Professor Gordon's extensive publication record is the college-level text Personality and Behavior. His retirement marks the departure of an outstanding member of the faculty of the School of Social Work and leader of the University community.

The Regents now salute this faculty member by naming Jesse E. Gordon professor emeritus of social work and professor emeritus of psychology.

- Memoir Courtesy of the Regents of the University of Michigan