Greg Ball
An Appreciation of Michele Gelfand from Gregory F Ball, Dean and Professor College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) at the University of Maryland, College Park MD.
Michele Gelfand came to the University of Maryland in 1996 and has over the course of her career at UMD excelled in all aspects of academic life including research, teaching and service. She is without a doubt one of the most impactful scientists in BSOS and at UMD in general. Her impact is apparent from the breadth of her publications and the widespread discussion they have received both in the scholarly circles as well as in the press. Another indicator of her impact is apparent from the many students whose lives she has changed for the better. She has received every honorific the University can bestow on its faculty including most recently Distinguished University Professor. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and member of the National Academy of Sciences. This combination of accolades is indicative again that Professor Gelfand is at the top of her field. The entire BSOS and University community will miss her. I have many memories of Professor Gelfand but one of the most salient was when she visited the Trustees of the UMD College Park Foundation and absolutely wowed them with her description of her on loose and tight cultures.
I attach a picture of Michele and Francis Lee when the Dean’s office had a celebration of their election to the American Academy.