Stevens, Joseph Charles (1929-2014) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Joseph Charles Stevens was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 28, 1929. Stevens attended Calvin College as an undergraduate, earning his B.A. in biology in 1950. He went on to earn his M.A. in psychology from the University of Michigan in 1953. After earning his Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard University in 1957, he stayed on campus as an Instructor in psychology.  By 1961 Stevens served Harvard as assistant professor of psychology until 1966.

In 1966 he accepted a research associate and lecturer position at Yale University. Stevens also became a fellow at the John B. Pierce Laboratory, an independent research institution that is affiliated with Yale University. Throughout his career he participated in many scientific organizations such as American Association for the Advancement of Science and American Psychological Society. He also contributed to many scientific journals as well. Stevens stayed with both Yale and the John B. Pierce Laboratory until his death on February 7, 2014.

After his passing, he bequeathed $1 million to Calvin College for faculty research in the sciences.