Professor, Psychology, College of Liberal Arts & Education
2015
Bio:
Dr. Libby Blume joined Mercy College in 1987 in the Child Development Program, Division of Professional Studies. Throughout her distinguished career, she has consistently proven herself to be an excellent teacher, scholar, and servant leader. Moreover, she has demonstrated excellence across fields, emphasizing interdisciplinary efforts in which she extends and integrates psychological concepts and theories to architecture, community development, and women’s and gender studies.
A review of Dr. Blume’s scholarly achievements shows clearly that she is an outstanding scholar, devoted to the pursuit of excellence in the scholarly process. In her 28 years at UDM, she has been highly productive on topics focusing primarily on middle childhood but also cross-cultural family issues, LGBT issues on campus and in families, and feminist perspectives in family theory. Her vita is impressive by any measure, as it includes authored and co-authored books, book chapters, numerous peer-reviewed articles, editorials, introductions to special issues, conference proceedings, discussant roles at conferences, and other activities at various state and national conferences. She has been an active reviewer for textbooks and journals, and in 2014 was selected to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Family Theory and Review.
Dr. Blume’s teaching effectiveness is revealed across the fields of not only psychology, but also architecture, community development, and women’s and gender studies, at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her success in teaching across fields and levels reveals her instructional and communication skills as well as the depth of her knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of psychology, human development, and family studies. Dr. Blume is sought after as an instructor; she receives outstanding student evaluations and has created eleven new courses.
Dr. Blume has served as a leader in her field, the University, the College of Liberal Arts & Education, the School of Architecture, and the Psychology Department. Dr. Blume is known for having the highest standards of excellence, regardless of the field or role she plays. Recognition of her centrality to her field is seen in her numerous leadership positions in the National Council on Family Relations, including President of the Association of Councils. She lives the mission of the University in her numerous service roles on community advisory boards, curatorial positions, and as mentor to junior faculty and shepherd of our undergraduate majors in Developmental Psychology.
Dr. Blue’s accomplishments are numerous and varied, demonstrating high achievement and quality at every level, from her daily engagement with advisees to high profile roles in national organizations. Her many contributions raise the standard for CLAE, SOA, and the University, showing that she is deserving of the 2015 Faculty Excellence Award.
Dr. Blume was presented by Pamela Zarkowski, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Faculty Excellence Award was conferred by Dr. Antoine M. Garibaldi, President of University of Detroit Mercy on November 6, 2015.