Article archive / August 1, 2014
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 12. Source pages: 1, 15.
In the first ever reunion of Louisiana State University doctoral psychology students, alumni from as far away as Italy, California and Massachusetts, converged on the LSU campus for a three- day event to renew friendships and to celebrate the past and present.
The event included a campus tour and pizza at the Pastime on Thursday and a TGIF at the famous Chimes Street bar. The centerpiece was a four-hour reception and brunch hosted by the Department of Psychology held at The Club at Union Square (the LSU Faculty Club) on Saturday, July 26.
Over 50 alums from the 1970s and 1980s, faculty and guests shared cocktails, Louisiana cuisine and ample time “… to reminisce about college, renew friendships, share life stories,” said one of the alums and organizer Dr. Courtland Chaney.
Attendees also had the opportunity to celebrate the contributions of retiring Professor and Chair Robert (Bob) Mathews, who began his career as an Assistant Professor in 1975 and recently retired.
The group was treated to a chance to chat with retired Comparative Psychology Professor Dr. Bill Seay and retired Developmental Professor, Dr. Robert Coon, at the Saturday event.
The new Chair of the LSU Psychology Department, Dr. Jason Hicks, spoke to the group about current events and Dr. Mathews’ accomplishments.
Hicks told the group that psychology was doing well with 900 undergraduates and about 100 active doctoral students, and said that 15 to 20 new graduate students arrive each year.
The 21 active, full-time faculty members include seven in Clinical and seven in Cognitive–Development, with four faculty members for school and three for biological, Hicks said. The department had dealt with some difficult times, he explained, but even so has produced 200 peer-reviewed articles for 2013 with research interests ranging from substance use disorders, to autism, schizophrenia, cognitive aging, educational policy, and evidence-based outcomes.
Hicks praised Mathews for his service to the department and particularly for Mathews’ building of the doctoral program in cognitive psychology which began in 1986 and which has now gained national visibility, he said.
Hicks also reminded listeners that Mathews was named LSU Distinguished Research Master, one of the highest honors of the university, as well as LSU Rainmaker. Mathews also and served for over 10 years on the LSU Institutional Review Board.
One of Mathews’ students, Dr. Bill Sallas, spoke to the gathering about his relationship with Mathews and his appreciation for his guidance and mentoring through the years.
A special surprise at the Friday TGIF was an appearance by Ms. Elaine Moore, who served as the executive assistant for the psychology department through the 70s and 80s and who many students considered of primary practical and emotional support for them during their graduate school challenges. Ms. Moore has since obtained a law degree.
Professor Emily Elliott, current Director of Graduate Studies for the psychology department, greeted the guests at the Saturday luncheon, and provided updates on the department’s status and academic programs.
Some of those attending the reunion were Courtland Chaney, Roberta Chinn, Mark Paris, Cynthia Gracianette Fuerst, Richard Maples, Ed Chandler, D’Lane Miller, Frank Adair, Darlyne Nemeth, James Russell, Michael Carey, Gary Rosenthal, Catherine Seiler, Lewis Roussel, Eleanor Callon, Sally Davis Cuyler, Robert Cuyler, Kim VanGeffen, Sydney Parker, Brian Bienn, Christine Angellos, Randy Lemoine, Julie Nelson, Patricia Aptaker, Keith Wismar, Barbara Hardin, Linda Floyd, Jodie Guth, Same Marullo, Karen Speier, and Tony Speier, Bill Sallas, and Benjamin Hill.
Dr. Chaney, said, “The original idea for the reunion began when alumni Sam Marullo and Richard Maples were sharing a glass of wine in Italy and discussed how much fun it would be to get together with their entering psychology graduate school class of August 1975.” The two recruited Chaney to help and the reunion plans evolved. “All agree,” said Chaney,” it was an unquestionable success.”
“Many alumni gathered in smaller groups later on Saturday and Sunday to catch-up and make plans to stay in touch now that we have reconnected,” he said. “It was a delightful time with many asking when we could do it again.”
Chaney said that alumni are invited to visit the psychology department web site to learn more about the reunion events, view the postings and photos, and to submit biographies to the department.
Left: New LSU Psychology chair, Dr. Jason Hicks, addresses alumni, faculty and guests at a recent gathering.
Dr. Robert (Bob) Mathews listening to address by new Chair of the LSU Psychology Department, Dr. Jason Hicks. Mathews recently retired and was honored by faculty and alums at a reunion of doctoral program psychology students from the 70s and 80s.
Retired professor Dr. Bob Coon (L) talks with LSU alum Dr. Courtland Chaney about theoretical issues of mnemonic techniques, an independent study on narcotic addiction, and Professor Coon’s pastime with model electric trains. Coon was on Chaney’s thesis committee. The reconnecting happened at the recent LSU reunion that Chaney helped organize with Rich Maples and LSU psychology faculty member Dr. Emily Elliot.
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