Influential psychologist, former MSU professor dies
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To be a true Spartan, one should pave the way for others while still holding strong to one’s values.
And by doing so for more than 40 years, Thomas Gunnings was a pioneer, said Terry Denbow, MSU’s former vice president for University Relations and a friend of Gunnings.
Gunnings, a former MSU professor and psychologist, died Friday. He was 75 years old. A cause of death was not immediately known.
Gunnings joined the university as an assistant professor and assistant director of the MSU Counseling Center in 1969. He was the first black faculty member to gain tenure in the College of Human Medicine.
During that time, he developed the foundation for what would later become the Multi-Ethnic Counseling Center Alliance, or MECCA, at MSU.
Denbow said there was not just one instance where Gunnings made an effort to help others who were at a crossroad in their lives — it was his life work.
“He had courage, insight (and) wisdom — this was somebody who was unrelenting in his pursuit of helping people,” Denbow said. “I’ve known him for years and that’s just the cumulative effect — he didn’t do things for praise or do things to get in the newspaper.”
From 1972-79, Gunnings served as assistant dean for health programs in the MSU College of Human Medicine. He also was a professor in urban and metropolitan studies in the MSU College of Urban Development during that period.
Additionally, Gunnings founded and served as president and director of Meridian Professional Psychological Consultants, P.C., a local mental health and substance abuse treatment facility. He also was associated with the American Psychological Association and was appointed by U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush for various health assignments.
Gunnings was designated Professor Emeritus status of the MSU Black Faculty & Administrators Association at his retirement in December 1999.
“The unexpected loss of Tom Gunnings is felt deeply in the MSU and Lansing community and far beyond,” MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said in a release on Gunnings’ death. “His positive and inspirational influence — from his involvement in civil rights to work with young people in need of a role model and mentor — has transformed lives.”
Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Friendship Baptist Church, 2912 Pleasant Grove Rd., in Lansing.
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Hmmmmm
(08/23/10 10:35am)Report
Wait, the “Black Faculty & Administrators Association”??
1000 bucks says there isn’t a White Faculty & Administrators Association.
Why are black people so racist? It’s not fair, and they need to stop.
And things never change...
(08/23/10 11:29am)Report
Wow…that was such an ignorant statement. Why are YOU so racist? The fact that that is what you get out of this article is terrible. Grow up!
Hmmmmm
(08/23/10 1:25pm)Report
Sounds like you have a double standard – I don’t really care that there isn’t a “White” group, but you clearly do. You are most definitely a racist, and you did a great job exposing yourself!
green fan
(08/23/10 6:30pm)Report
Dr. Gunnings was a man of compassion, strength and dignity. He is an MSU legend and a legend in the field of psychology. His loss is a loss to the hundreds of lives he positively impacted.
@ Hmmmm
(08/23/10 6:58pm)Report
There is a White Faculty and Administrators Association: It’s called the MSU faculty and administration. (You really don’t get that?)
Condolences to Dr. Gunnings’ family and friends.
Hope
(08/23/10 10:20pm)Report
Why are you still this way? Why? I wish you would change, but I know that you already have improved, you aren’t as hateful as you once were, good for you and thank you. I know you are well meaning I know you!
Chrissy
(08/23/10 10:31pm)Report
What a beautiful human being this man was, from these words…“He had courage, insight (and) wisdom — this was somebody who was unrelenting in his pursuit of helping people,” Denbow said. “I’ve known him for years and that’s just the cumulative effect — he didn’t do things for praise or do things to get in the newspaper.”
God Bless his soul.
My sympathy to his family and friends.
We are all God's children...
(08/23/10 10:36pm)Report
Black, White, Jew, Gentile…He loves us all. Now for us to love one another.
I love all because Jesus lives in me.
John 3:16
Waaaaaaaiiiit a minute!
(08/24/10 8:59am)Report
The MSU faculty and administration is made up of all races, I am pretty sure that the Black Faculty & Administrators Association only allows blacks. Sounds pretty racist to me.
You guys are dumb
(08/25/10 4:20pm)Report
Are you really discussing race matters when this man died? I’m pretty sure the point of this article was to illustrate the things he accomplished in life and his influence…so where the race thing pops up-I have no idea. And there are tons of organizations with ‘barriers’ to who can join and what not. That’s life. Leave it for what it is. I wonder what you have to say about things like ‘Black History Month’ since you’re complaining about an association lol.
U are quit right^
(08/25/10 9:28pm)Report
Well written and thoughtful post.
ughh
(09/01/10 10:29pm)Report
can the state news please delete all these disrespectful irrelevant posts? There’s no reason that the death of an honorable man should be the forum for some menial racial bickering.