In Memoriam: MSU Faculty Member Passes Away Dr. George Axinn, a professor of resource development at Michigan State University for more than 50 years and former Assistant Dean of International Studies and Programs passed away in Tucson, Arizona on Monday, March 8, 2010. He was 84.

Dr. Axinn was a member of MSU's emeriti faculty in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He graduated from Cornell University in 1947, received Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1958 and taught at MSU from 1960 onwards. He also served the United Nations as their Food and Agriculture Organization's Representative to the Government of Nepal (1983-1986) and the Governments of India and Bhutan (1989-1991).

His devotion to international development activities, took him and his wife, Nancy, around the world. He made significant contributions to people, organizations, and countries, leaving behind a legacy of resource development scholars. He has inspired a generation of international development faculty, who are now expanding research and development efforts at MSU and throughout the world.

"George Axinn's work on international development is widely read and applied in project work around the world," observed Frank Fear, senior associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who served previously as Dr. Axinn's department chairperson. "His span of influence was simply enormous. Generations of graduate students and practitioners were exposed to his philosophy about, and approach to, development practice. A handful of colleagues have achieved legendary status in the field; the Axinn name is known and respected around the world."

Dr. Axinn's efforts as a scholar have resulted in dozens of key programs to educate, reduce poverty and provide food in Asia, Africa and Latin America. His devotion to training the next generation of international development researchers was deeply rooted in his own belief that education and research could help alleviate poverty, help the world's farmers be more productive and feed the poorest people of the world.

His impact on MSU was significant. He was one of the original co-founders of the MSU Women in International Development Program and was an original co-founder of the MSU Center for Advanced Study of International Development . Wrote the original proposal to found the center and to successfully seek Department of Education Title VI funding.

Additionally he was a prolific author. His publications of note include Modernizing World Agriculture: Comparative Study of Agricultural Extension Education Systems ; and Collaboration in International Rural Development: A Practitioner's Handbook by George H Axinn and Nancy W Axinn (1997)

Dr. Axinn had a great deal of experience living and working in other cultures as an international development specialist. He spent several years in Eastern Nigeria in the 1960s, where he led MSU's University of Nigeria (Nsukka) program, building the first U.S.-style land-grant university in Africa. During his time in Nigeria he and his wife made frequent visits to rural villages near Nsukka as well as other parts of Nigeria and collected a variety of objects, from textiles to wood figurative sculpture.

In 1991, Nancy and George Axinn donated their collection of over 40 textiles made by artists in Akwete and 160 cultural items from Ethiopia and Nigeria including basketry, wood and pottery containers, masks and sculptures, Ethiopian paintings and silverwork, Coptic crosses, and Nigerian beads, amulets, and necklaces to the MSU Museum.

After retiring from MSU he moved to Tucson were he continued his own development, teaching an on-line graduate seminar at MSU called International Rural Development (RD876). Recently, he wrote a book on "Distance Learning" which, among other things, points out all of the advantages to "old" professors of teaching this way.

In addition to the admiration of faculty and students, his accomplishments and lifework was recognized by his peers -he won the highest lifetime achievement awards from both Cornell University's College of Agriculture and the Rural Sociological Association.

Those who knew George will remember his kindness, keen insight, helpfulness and resolve to make the world a better place.

"From my earliest days at MSU, George was a great mentor and friend," said Jeff Riedinger, Dean of International Studies and Programs. "George joined me, Scott Witter, and several other MSU faculty members to design and offer an innovative graduate seminar on International Development and Sustainability. It was an honor and a continuing learning experience to work with George."

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends as well as the faculty and students who have come to depend on his inspiration and wisdom. Please join me in sending condolences to his wife Nancy, their four children, Catherine, Paul, Martha, and William.

The family has asked: In lieu of flowers, please make donations in the name of George Axinn to the Southside Presbyterian Church Cross Streets Ministry Program, 317 W. 23rd St., Tucson, AZ, 85713.