We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Nelson, a professor emeritus of economics in the College of Business. Nelson served on the College of Business faculty for over 45 years, retiring in 2018. He passed away August 5 at the age of 78.
Nelson helped shape the lives and careers of thousands of Michigan Tech students, many of whom have gone on to find great success. In fact, former Michigan Tech president Glenn Mroz was Nelson’s student.
Nelson received his B.S. in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a M.S., M.A., and Ph.D. in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1972, he joined Michigan Tech where he served as assistant and assistant professor.
Nelson was on the cutting edge in supporting women who were interested in studying business and engineering, directing a career management program for young women in the 1970s. Nelson also had a significant impact on MTU’s entrepreneurship programs, becoming involved in a number of campus enterprises and teaching entrepreneurship-focused short classes from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s.
A story in the 2017 College of Business Impact magazine states that from September 1993 to April 2017 Nelson generated 29,471 student credit hours. Extrapolating to his start date in 1972, he amassed an amazing 55,600 student credit hours over his tenure in the School of Business and Economics. He maintained the same office for 45.5 years.
Read Nelson’s full obituary. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Tuesday, August 13, at 11 am at the Church of the Resurrection, Hancock. Visitation is from 10-10:45 am on Tuesday. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Hancock.
