Article archive / August 1, 2011
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 12. Source pages: 1, 4.
Tulane’s Associate Professor of Psychology, Dr. C. Chrisman Wilson passed away suddenly last Monday, July 25.
Dr. Wilson served Tulane, its students, and the Tulane scholarly community for 30 years, coming from Texas U. to a position at Tulane in 1981. His contri- butions to the school and the department were significant and long-standing. He served as Chair of the Psychology Department and as the Director for the School Psychology Doctoral Program.
He distinguished himself in service and leadership. He was Chair of the Institutional Review Board (Human Subjects Research), Chair of the Academic Integrity Sub- committee, and Chair of the Senate Committee on Athletics. He served as interim director of the Center for Education, and on committees for Dean's Honors Scholar admissions, Grievance, the Newcomb Childcare Center, Health Professions, and Academic Standing. He was named Distinguished Newcomb Fellow for his devotion to the academic life of Newcomb College.
His class in Abnormal Psychology was a favorite with students. “Nearly every psychology major over the past 20+ years elected to take Abnormal Psychology with Chris,” his family noted in the Times-Picayune article. “Every semester, the course enrolled 150+ students. Chris continually added video and sound bites to keep the course engaging to each generation. He recently developed a new under- graduate course in clinical interventions, a sign he remained the consummate teacher.”
Chris earned his Bachelors Degree from Western North Carolina University, his masters from Radford University, and his PhD from the University of South Carolina.
Chris’ research interests included professional school psychology, applied behavioral analysis, behavior therapy and social learning in children. He published in the area of child psychology including a book on behavioral assessment, and articles in Genetic Psychology and Abnormal Child Psychology.
“Chris was the co-founder of the School Psychology program at Tulane and served as the Director of the program from 1992 – 2004,” said Dr. Stacy Overstreet, Tulane Professor and colleague. “Chris left an indelible mark on the program and the students who completed it,” she said. “We will miss the experienced wisdom, professional perspectives, and sharp wit that Chris brought to our lives.”
Dr. Dan Tingstrom, a former student of Chris’ is now on the faculty of USM. He said, “Chris was always patient and very giving of his time and support… I learned a great deal from Chris both in and out of the classroom.”
“Chris also had a very quick wit and welcomed sense of humor.”
And, “He was a committed family man and loved his wife, Gail, and his son, Evan dearly. In our many get-togethers over the years he spoke of them often.”
Dan said, “Chris was my teacher, supervisor, mentor, and ultimately my friend. I will miss him dearly.”
Chris is survived by his wife Gail Cannon Wilson, PhD and son, Evan Chrisman Wilson. He was 67.
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