When UCI political scientist Jim Danziger retired in 2007 after nearly 40 years in academia – all of which were spent at UCI – there was little doubt among those who knew him that his notable career of university service would persist. 

The award-winning Anteater advocate and mentor, who authored ground-breaking research on information and communication technologies, taught his department’s largest introductory course, helped establish UCDC’s academic program, and held numerous administrative roles on campus as dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education, chair of the Academic Senate and department chair, among others, was merely shifting gears.

In the 16 years since his retirement, Danziger has served as a foundational member of UCDC’s Governing Council. He’s continued to teach courses on metropolitan politics and introduction to political science – 69 of them, in fact, with enrollment totaling more than 3,000 students – while also mentoring students engaged in independent research and honors theses. He’s served as president of his discipline’s undergraduate honors society, Pi Sigma Alpha, and his annual introduction of initiates at the group’s year-end award ceremony is, according to colleagues, a memorable event.

He's served as president of the UCI Emeriti Association and continues to revisit the role as well as other leadership positions whenever called upon. He was a key player in the creation of a part for emeriti in the campus strategic plan and regularly meets with each school’s dean to ensure the campus effectively engages UCI’s retired faculty in contributing to the university’s missions of research, teaching and service. He is also involved in local politics, currently serving on the Laguna Beach Parking, Traffic and Circulation Committee, among other roles.

In recognition of his service post-retirement, the UCI Emeriti Association has named Danziger this year’s Outstanding Emeritus.

"Jim has been a fierce and persistent advocate for emeriti and has brought excellent and actionable recommendations to me in my capacity as dean, helping guide our school’s strategy to engage and benefit from the expertise and wisdom of our retired faculty members," says Bill Maurer, UCI social sciences dean. "He's continued to actively serve the campus and our students through his retirement, making an indelible mark on Anteater learning and career trajectories and building a truly lasting legacy. He is most deserving of this recognition.”

Danziger earned his bachelor’s degree at Occidental College, master’s degrees at both Stanford University and Sussex University, and Ph.D. at Stanford University. He joined the UCI faculty in 1972. In addition to the Outstanding Emeritus award, Danziger is also a past recipient of the Lauds and Laurels Distinguished Teaching Award (1979), the inaugural Academic Senate Distinguished Faculty Lectureship Award for Teaching (1987), the Teaching Excellence Award for Social Sciences from the UCI Division of Undergraduate Education (2005), and the Alumni Association’s highest Lauds and Laurels honor, the Extraordinarius Award (2009).

Read more about his storied UCI career online.

-Heather Ashbach, UCI Social Sciences