Celebrating the Careers of Dr. June Tangney & Dr. Jane Flinn

This spring, our department will bid farewell to two incredible faculty members, Dr. Jane Flinn and Dr. June Tangney, as they both retire after decades of dedicated service. Their contributions to research, mentorship, and development have left a tremendous mark on Mason and our department. 

Dr. Jane Flinn’s journey at GMU began in 1969 as a part-time lecturer in Physics. "I had a young daughter then," she recalls. "I started by teaching labs and gradually added lectures in both Physics and Psychology." By 1974, she transitioned to full-time, becoming an Assistant Professor in both departments. 

Dr. Flinn chaired Psychology for over a decade (1984–1995) and helped expand PhD concentrations in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Applied Developmental Psychology, Human Factors, and Biopsychology (now Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, or CBN). She also founded the Undergraduate Neuroscience Major in 2006 growing from 26 students to over 250 in just a decade. "Developing a colony of transgenic mice modeling Alzheimer's disease and mentoring over 26 PhDs are among my proudest achievements," she says. Her accolades include the Distinguished Faculty Award, University Mentoring Award (2015), David J. King Teaching Award (2016), and Teacher of Distinction Award (2016). Her research on metals in brain function, Alzheimer’s disease, and traumatic brain injury has earned grants from ARDRAF, the U.S. Geological Survey, and Brookhaven National Labs. 

Retirement won’t slow her down; she plans to travel, write a book on Alzheimer’s disease, and reconnect with friends. "I’ll miss the supportive Mason community, especially the students and faculty," she shares. 
 

Dr. June Tangney will be retiring from the University after an incredible career spanning almost four decades. Dr. Tangney has been a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Psychology and a driving force in research on moral emotions, self-control, and rehabilitation in criminal justice settings. 

Since joining Mason in 1988, Dr. Tangney has made a lasting impact through her teaching, mentorship, and research. Her work on shame, guilt, and self-regulation influenced policies aimed at reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation programs. Over the years, she has secured major research funding from organizations like the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), and her findings have been widely cited in psychology, criminology, and behavioral science. 

Beyond her research, Dr. Tangney has been a dedicated mentor to countless students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers. She’s also been an active leader in professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. 

Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the George Mason University Excellence in Teaching Award, Distinguished Lifetime Career Award from the International Society for Self and Identity, and the David W. Rossell Quill Award for university service and leadership.  

Join Us in Honoring Jane and June! 

As we prepare to say farewell, we want to express our appreciation for Dr. Jane Flinn and Dr. Tangney’s dedication to their students, the department, and beyond. To celebrate their remarkable careers, we invite colleagues, students, and friends to honor their legacy and share well wishes on April 10, 2025.

If you would like to attend, please contact Adam Winsler (awinsler@gmu.edu) by February 28, 2025. Include your connection to Jane or June to receive an invitation. We also invite you to submit photos or stories by March 15, 2025, HERE, which will be presented to Jane and June and featured in a slideshow at the event. We are eager to celebrate Dr. Flinn and Dr. Tangney’s incredible impact and wish them well in retirement!