Mark Nickerson, who died March 13, will be remembered for his major contributions to pharmacology, including his research on adregenic blocking drugs. But at the University, he is best known for his dismissal during the Red Scare.
Nickerson faced a congressional hearing for his involvement with the Community Party ten years prior to the McCarthy Era. But at the time of the scare, he was not politically active.
He was posthumously honored during yesterday's Senate Assembly meeting at the annual "Lecture on Academic and Intellectual Freedom."
Before the lecture, the audience observed a moment of silence for his passing.
"I feel deeply sorry for Nickerson that the University of Michigan didn't formally apologize," said Peggie Hollingsworth, president of the Academic Freedom Lecture Fund. "He was a good friend."
Before his death, Nickerson was a professor emeritus of pharmacology and therapeutics at McGill University. He won the Jacob Abel Award in Pharmacology for his work in the field. In addition, he wrote more than 250 scientific articles.
Nickerson was remembered yesterday for his stance against Congress in 1954. He chose to plead the Fifth Amendment, which lead to his suspension and eventual dismissal from the University faculty.
"I salute Mark Nickerson, whose life was remarkable and inspiring," said Eugene Roberts, a famed journalist and yesterday's lecturer.
Former University instructor Chandler Davis, who became friends with Nickerson because they both were subpoenaed during the Red Scare, said he remembered that Nickerson's dismissal "didn't make him miss a stride."
The two talked with each other about political views during their trials, but Davis said it was difficult because they were in different departments.
Nickerson's untimely death could serve as a catalyst for action, said Wilfred Kaplan, a mathematics professor emeritus.
"It is sad that Nickerson passed away before an apology," Kaplan said. "But now seems to be a very good time to press for an apology."
03-17-98
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