Stéphane Lafortune retires after 40-year career in ECE

Lafortune leaves behind a legacy of field-defining theory, influential mentorship, and more at Michigan ECE

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Stéphane Lafortune, the N. Harris McClamroch Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, retired at the end of December 2025 after 40 years of impactful research, teaching, and service in Michigan's electrical and computer engineering (ECE) department. In January 2026, he delivered a lecture overviewing his research career, followed by a celebratory reception.

Why it matters

Lafortune's work has been foundational in the field of discrete event systems, a subset of control theory and dynamic systems. His contributions have influenced research and applications in areas like transportation systems, safety and failure avoidance, and sensor networks. As a cherished colleague and mentor, Lafortune has also played a significant role in shaping the next generation of ECE leaders.

The details

Lafortune's research journey began as an undergraduate at École Polytechnique de Montréal, where he worked on a senior design project with Michael Polis. Polis encouraged him to pursue graduate studies, leading Lafortune to work on his master's degree at McGill University under Peter Caines. Caines then recommended Lafortune to work on his PhD with Eugene Wong at the University of California, Berkeley. There, Wong introduced Lafortune to the problem of concurrency control in database systems, which sparked his interest in discrete event systems and the theory of supervisory control.

  • Lafortune retired at the end of December 2025.
  • In January 2026, Lafortune delivered a lecture overview of his research career, 'There is nothing as practical as a good theory definition,' followed by a celebratory reception.

The players

Stéphane Lafortune

The N. Harris McClamroch Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan, who retired in 2025 after a distinguished 40-year career in ECE.

Michael Polis

Lafortune's undergraduate advisor at École Polytechnique de Montréal, who encouraged him to pursue graduate studies.

Peter Caines

Lafortune's master's advisor at McGill University, who recommended him to work on his PhD with Eugene Wong at the University of California, Berkeley.

Eugene Wong

Lafortune's PhD advisor at the University of California, Berkeley, who introduced him to the problem of concurrency control in database systems.

Murray Wonham

A co-developer of the theory of supervisory control, which Lafortune's work on concurrency control led him to.

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What they’re saying

“Until tonight, it hasn't really felt like retirement.”

— Stéphane Lafortune, N. Harris McClamroch Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (umich.edu)

“Peter Caines really taught me how to do research, and as much as I liked it, I told Peter, 'you're great, but I think I'm ready to go to the United States for my PhD.'”

— Stéphane Lafortune, N. Harris McClamroch Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (umich.edu)

“I'm very proud of this work because the community really built on it—all those extensions really boil down to us writing that definition of diagnosability after several iterations on the blackboard in [EECS room] 4122. So, it started at Michigan.”

— Stéphane Lafortune, N. Harris McClamroch Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (umich.edu)

“All of my PhD students did great work and, more importantly, they all went on to successful careers. I'm super proud of what they've accomplished in academia, industry, national labs, and start-up companies.”

— Stéphane Lafortune, N. Harris McClamroch Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (umich.edu)

“When I look back at the last four decades, I can say that I was really lucky, incredibly lucky, in my career. So I want to wish the same to all of you. Thank you.”

— Stéphane Lafortune, N. Harris McClamroch Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (umich.edu)

The takeaway

Stéphane Lafortune's distinguished 40-year career at the University of Michigan has left an indelible mark on the field of discrete event systems, with his field-defining theory, influential mentorship, and commitment to advancing ECE research and education. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide the next generation of ECE leaders.