April 13, 2021
Dear Members of Our Denison Family,
I am saddened to share the news that David Przybyla, Professor Emeritus of Psychology has passed away. Dave retired last year after 35 years of service on the Denison faculty. His career teaching organizational psychology spanned a broad spectrum of theoretical and real-world issues affecting human groups and structures.
Dave directed the Organizational Studies program at Denison for 22 years. In Org Studies, students explore the theoretical framework behind institutional participation, authority models, and interpersonal behavior. As the director, Dave led students in hands-on consulting projects for local, regional, and national organizations, helping them develop skills in negotiation, teamwork, and leadership. Through the years, he built connections with industry leaders that allowed students to experience complex interrelationships between the behaviors of individuals, groups, and organizations and develop skills in interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Dave earned his B.S. from SUNY College at Fredonia, his M.S. from Purdue University, and his Ph.D. from SUNY-Albany. His research ranged from gender and sexuality to gender differences in the use of power in hierarchical and collaborative organizational cultures.
Dave will be greatly missed in our community. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. The Denison flag will fly at half-staff for a period of three days in his memory.
Arrangements are currently incomplete, and we will provide more information as it becomes available.
Nestor
Nestor Matthews, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Chair of Psychology
Chair of Neuroscience
Department of Psychology
Denison University
matthewsn@denison.edu
