William C. Kelly, C. Scott Turner Professor of Geological Sciences and former vice president for research, retired from active faculty status on August 31, 1994, after a highly productive career as a teacher, researcher, and administrator. Professor Kelly received his AB. degree in 1951 from Columbia College and his AM. and Ph.D. degrees in 1953 and 1954, respectively, from Columbia University. He served briefly as an instructor at Hunter College and then joined the U.S. Army Operations Research Office, where he served from 1954-56. Professor Kelly came to the University of Michigan in 1956 as an instructor in geology and mineralogy. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1958, associate professor in 1962, and professor in 1967. He was appointed the C. Scott Turner Professor of Geological Sciences in 1983. Professor Kelly served as chair of the Department of Geology and Mineralogy from 1978-81 and as interim director of the Institute of Science and Technology from 1986-87. He was appointed associate vice president for research in January 1989 and interim vice president for research in July 1989. He served as vice president for research from 1990-93.

Throughout his career, Professor Kelly was noted for his imaginative and thorough research. He undertook major studies of tin deposits in Bolivia, tin-tungsten deposits in Portugal, copper deposits in Michigan, and gold-telluride deposits in Colorado. He also developed innovative research methods, including the analysis of fluid inclusion contents by electron microbeam methods. His work has been widely recognized by his peers through many awards, including the prestigious Penrose Award of the Society of Economic Geologists. Professor Kelly also excelled as a scientific citizen and teacher. He served the Society of Economic Geologists in a succession of posts, culminating in the presidency in 1984. He was advisor or co-advisor for 37 master's degree and 27 Ph.D. students, many of whom went on to success in industry, academia, and government. Perhaps the best indication of the esteem in which he is held is the fact that 25 of his former students, from the U.S., Canada, Venezuela, and Switzerland, came to a recent dinner in honor of his retirement. The Regents now salute his achievements by naming William C. Kelly vice president emeritus for research and C. Scott Turner Professor Emeritus of Geological Sciences.

Regents Proceedings,  December, 1994, p.145