We are saddened to share the passing of Jens Christian Zorn, who served as interim director of the Residential College during the 1973-74 academic year. Jens died on January 5, 2026, at the age of 94, surrounded by family. His life was marked by deep curiosity, generosity of spirit, and a rare ability to bridge disciplines, qualities that resonated strongly with the RC’s mission and values.
A longtime member of the University of Michigan community, Jens was a distinguished physicist, award-winning teacher, administrator, artist, and musician. Beyond his leadership in the RC, he served as Associate Dean of Curriculum in LSA and as a university ombudsman. His intellectual range was matched by his creativity: later in life, he became an accomplished sculptor, creating permanent installations honoring scientific discovery at universities around the world. Whether teaching quantum mechanics, singing gospel music, or documenting departmental history, Jens brought warmth, humility, and genuine care to everything he did.
Jens is remembered by colleagues, students, and friends as kind, brilliant, welcoming, and deeply human; a mentor and friend whose impact extended far beyond any single role or title. We invite members of the RC community to learn more about his remarkable life through his obituary, which will be linked here. A celebration of his life will be held on March 14 at the Michigan Union. Our thoughts are with his family and all who were fortunate enough to know him.
