JAMES G. HOLLAND Ph.D.

HOLLAND
JAMES G., PhD
James G. Holland, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, died on January 16, 2018. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 40 years, Dr. Pamela Meadowcroft; devoted children, Dr. Jonathan Holland (Malgorzata Mosiek), Julia Holland Flynn (Timothy), and Dr. Katherine Holland Bouley (Michael); and grandchildren, Thomas and Anne Bouley. Extended family include daughter, Patricia Smith; son, James R. Holland; brother, Robert Holland (Allyne); brother and sisters-in-law Patricia, Linda, Connie and Jimmy Meadowcroft; and many nieces, nephews and their families. Professor Holland received his PhD in Psychology from the University of Virginia, beginning his career as a research psychologist in the mid 1950s at the Naval Research Labs in Washington, DC. The renowned psychologist, B.F. Skinner, recruited Holland to Harvard University to develop a new method of teaching and learning: programmed instruction. It was there that Holland and Skinner co-authored the book, The Analysis of Behavior, which for over 50 years was a leading text for teaching young psychologists worldwide. Holland left Harvard in 1965 for the University of Pittsburgh's Learning Research and Development Center and the Psychology Department where he remained until retirement in 2003. He estimated that he taught well over 10,000 undergraduate students as well a devoted cadre of graduate students. While at Pitt, he consulted in Central and South America in areas of education, child health, and the science of human behavior. During the 1960s, Holland was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War. Since he had served proudly as a Marine prior to college, he led the antiwar effort with unique credibility, both locally and nationally. He hosted in his home national leaders including Julian Bond, Noam Chomsky, and Benjamin Spock and worked locally on peace and justice issues. During Holland's tenure as President of the University Faculty Senate in the mid 1990s, he was a passionate advocate for faculty. He championed shared governance between the administration and faculty and served as Chair and member of the University Health and Benefits Committee well past his retirement. In 2003, he received the Faculty Senate's Distinguished Service Award for his work spanning many decades. During retirement, Holland became an active member of the improvisational troupe, Wing and a Prayer Pittsburgh Players where he performed stories about growing up on Cockspur and Tybee Islands in the Savannah River and enjoying the giant oak tree and the squirrels in his Pittsburgh backyard. Pam recalls Jim's great kindness throughout his life. "He never spoke ill of anyone; he fought over ideas and policies but in the end, even his rivals became friends." His children commented that they learned much from their dad including the key to a happy marriage, focusing on what is important, living life in the moment and questioning authority. In 2000, Jim and Pam created the Benjamin T. Holland Memorial Fund for Land Stewardship at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, to honor son, Benjamin, who died in 1998. The fund now serves as an endowment for the continued stewardship of these lands, forests, and streams. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to this fund at Western PA Conservancy, 800 Waterfront Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 with the fund's name in the memo field of the check or call 412-586-2340. Visitation and a memorial service will be held and announced at a later date. Arrangements by JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC.
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