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Associate Dean, College of Commerce & Fianance; Dean of Evening Commerce & Finance (retired)

Dean Emeritus and Professor

1977

Bio:

Howard Ward first joined University of Detroit as an Instructor in Economics in1947; between1949-1950 he served as a Fellow in Economics at St. Louis University returning to U of D from 1952 to 1954 as an Assistant Professor in Economics; he left the university again returning in 1957 as Associate Professor in Finance and Director of the U of D Institute for Business Services and earned full Professor status in 1961.  While away from the university he served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Armed Forces and Senior Economist for Chrysler Corporation.

Professor Ward earned a B.S in Business from Central Michigan University (1947), a M.A. in Economics from Wayne State University (1949), a Ph.D. in Economics from St. Louis University (1951), and a J.D. in Law from University of Detroit (1972).  He became a member of the State Bar of Michigan in 1972.

He was named Associate Dean of the College of Commerce and Finance and Director of the Evening Division in 1963.  Following his serving as Associate Dean for the College of Commerce and Finance, Professor Ward was named as Dean of the Evening College of Commerce and Finance.  After a half a century the day and evening college names were changed to the College of Business and Administration.  In a joint statement, Deans Ward and Bernard Landuyt, Dean of the College of Business and Administration, stated “The purpose of this change is to adopt a title which reflects the increased emphasis upon leadership development in the University’s business program.  The structure has shifted markedly in recent years toward executive development in both individual courses and complete curricula.  Classroom instruction is, more and more, emphasizing managerial functions, including decision making.” 

Resigning as Dean of the Evening College of Business and Administration in 1975 he assumed a full-time teaching position in the Department of Finance.  He taught legal environment of business, business law, legal aspects of the management process, and business and social legislation.

While a faculty member he also served on the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Research selection committee, the college Promotion and Tenure Committee, Business Affairs Committee of the University Senate, and the search committee for the U of D Director of Public Safety.

A faculty newsletter published in 1964 announced that “Dean Ward’s co-authored book, Financial Management, was adopted by thirty-six American and Canadian universities since its March1963 publication.  Universities using the book included Yale, M.I.T, Columbia, North Carolina, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Michigan, Purdue, Illinois, Marquette, Washington (St. Louis), Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oregon State, Wyoming, and Southern California.”

While active in the academic world, Professor Ward was a member of the American Economic Association, the American Finance Association, the Catholic Economic Association, Beta Gamma Sigma, honorary commerce fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, international commerce fraternity, Blue Key, and Alpha Sigma Lamda, national honor society for evening students.

As a frequent consultant in management and financial planning, Dr. Ward served on the Board of Directors for Conveyor-Matic, Inc., City Executives, Inc., and Chem-Pharm, International.  He was a consultant for the City of Riverview, Construction Consultants, Inc., Michigan State Medical Society, Southeastern Michigan Roofers Association, and Wolverine Fabricating, Inc.

After fifteen years of teaching, Professor Ward notified the University of his intention to retire in May 1990.  In his letter, Dean Ward wrote “All-in-all, it has been a richly satisfying experience.  From my viewpoint, committing to the University of Detroit was a most fortunate career choice and I am grateful for all of the good memories I carry with me today.”

On May 7, 1977, Dr. Howard Ward was notified by Malcolm Carron, S.J., President, University of Detroit, that he was granted the title of Dean Emeritus.  The President noted “Your many years of outstanding achievement as a teacher and your special contribution as Dean for so many years, as well as your dedication to this university and its particular ideals, merge to mark you as an individual who has earned this honor.”

University of Detroit

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