Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Religion
About
Richard D. Mann, professor of psychology in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, retired from active faculty status on November 4, 1991.
Professor Mann received his AB. degree in psychology from Harvard College in 1954 and his A.M. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan in 1956 and 1958, respectively. From 1959-64, he served as an assistant professor at Harvard College, returning to Michigan in 1964 as an associate professor. He was promoted to professor of psychology in 1969.
Professor Mann had a special commitment to undergraduate education, especially in the area of creating experiential learning opportunities. In his roles as undergraduate chair, director of the Outreach Program and coordinator of "Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science," he had a great impact on the undergraduate experience within the psychology department. He also performed exemplary service to the college as a member of the executive committee of the Program on Studies in Religion, and taught courses in community studies and at the Residential College. He was a beloved teacher who touched the lives of students not only in psychology but also across the college.
Professor Mann's long-standing interests and research were in the area of interpersonal interaction and learning. From his early book, Interpersonal Styles and Group Development (1968), through his later research on the nature of the contributions of confer-like technology to learning processes, student interaction, and teaching effectiveness, he has explored the undergraduate learning experience. More recently his work has centered on transpersonal psychology and the integration of psychology and religion.
The Regents now salute this distinguished teacher and scholar for his dedicated service by naming Richard D. Mann Professor Emeritus of Psychology.