Laura G. Manis, an associate professor emerita in what had been the University Counseling and Testing Center at Western Michigan University, died Jan. 18. She was 93.
Manis joined the staff in 1966 and retired in 1982 after 15 years of service to the University. She was instrumental in establishing the women's studies minor, and had been the program's adviser for many years.
Laura G. Manis
In 1974, Manis helped found the Susan B. Anthony Center, which eventually became part of the WMU Center for Women's Services. In addition, she co-established a popular career-search workshop at the center as well as conducted assertiveness workshops for the organization.
Manis also was active with WMU's Commission on the Status of Women and chaired the commission in 1972-73. She was named its 1980 Woman of the Year, based on her service to colleagues, students, the University, the community and women in general.
Her scholarly writings included numerous published articles and manuals, such as "Womanpower: A Manual for Workshops in Personal Effectiveness" and two manuals and workbooks on assertiveness training.
Manis served on the board of directors of the Kalamazoo Consultation Center, including as its vice president, and was a member of the Michigan Personnel and Guidance Association for Specialists in Group Work.
Prior to coming to WMU, she was personnel director at Doctors Hospital in New York City, an aptitude tester and interpreter at a human engineering firm, and a public school teacher and counselor. For many years after retiring from the University, she played leadership roles in several Honolulu community organizations.
Manis earned a bachelor's degree from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago and a master's degree from WMU.