May 20-21, 1999

ITEM 103-1018-R0599 Resolution Concerning the Retirement of James Walsh, Professor of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences; The University of Montana-Missoula

THAT: Dr. James Walsh, Professor of Psychology, in his 26 years of dedicated service to The University of Montana, has merited the commendation of the Board of Regents of the Montana University System, and has earned the title of Professor of Psychology Emeritus.

EXPLANATION: Dr. James Walsh joined The University of Montana in 1972 as chair of the Department of Psychology. His retirement at the end of this academic year will leave a void in the department that will be hard to fill. Professor Walsh’s contributions to the Department of Psychology, The University of Montana, and the State have been generous in spirit, broad in kind and fundamentally important to all those he has touched. Professor Walsh is truly one of the founders of the Department of Psychology. His honesty, guidance, and generosity have been instrumental in building a tradition of democracy, openness and caring in the department. Not only do the dozens of graduate students he has mentored over the years remember him with respect and affection but so do the scores of faculty members he has helped over the years.

Professor Walsh has always been an eminent scholar and an excellent instructor. Although a quantitative psychologist by training, Professor Walsh has always been able to use his considerable statistical skills to investigate a wide variety of psychological issues from personality testing to helping educate children in forestry-related issues. It is a testament to his prodigious intellect and devotion to the scientific endeavor that his research productivity has never waned.

Professor Walsh has always been an excellent instructor, a fact acknowledged by the University when he was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1989. Throughout his career, Professor Walsh made sure that his students’ welfare came first. Although his specialty area is a difficult one to teach, Professor Walsh’s teaching prowess has always been a shining example for younger teachers. He has always been dedicated, demanding, rigorous and caring, a combination that is the envy of any self-respecting teacher.

The Department of Psychology is honored to recommend Professor James Walsh for Emeritus status.

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