The Fount

Steve Nida, Professor of Psychology, attended the annual meeting of the Association of Heads of Departments of Psychology in Atlanta in November. There he delivered a presentation dealing with "what he had learned during his first five years heading The Citadel's Psychology Department."

The Clinical Counseling Masters Program in Psychology hosted its fall Field Placement Site Expo in October. Representatives from six sites where our graduate students receive clinical training were available to answer questions, and approximately 20 students attended.

Graduate students Hallie Clark and Faraday Davies accompanied Dr. Johnson, Clinical Counseling Program Director and Professor of Psychology, to the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies in Philadelphia in mid-November. This meeting was the most extensive presentation of empirically-supported psychotherapies in the world. Dr. Johnson attend a workshop on treating combat-related stress in soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The South Carolina Psychological Association and The Citadel Chapter of PSI CHI (The National Honor Society in Psychology) co-sponsored the SCPA "Academic Day" at The Citadel Mark Clark Buyer Auditorium on October 9, 2007. The event brought nearly 200 students and faculty from 12 SC colleges and universities to The Citadel campus for workshops, speakers, graduate school displays, a Psychology trivia bowl, and keynote speaker Russell Barkley, an internationally acclaimed ADHD researcher. Our cadet Psychology Bowl team members distinguished themselves and the Psychology program by taking second place in the 10-team competition. SHSS support of this event was acknowledged and greatly appreciated.

Dr. Timothy Hanchon, Assistant Professor of Psychology, presented research at the American Psychological Association's 2007 National Convention in San Francisco in August. The title of his paper was "The Relations among Perfectionism, Achievement Motivation, and Psychological Adjustment."

The Psychology Department continued its active involvement in community service this fall. The Halloween Buddy Dance on October 29th was the largest on record, bringing more than 200 adults with disabilities to the Alumni Center for an energetic evening of dancing and refreshments. Nearly 100 cadets and graduate student volunteers insured that our visitors would have a safe and happy night. The next morning a dozen cadet and graduate student volunteers again combined their energies to prepare and serve lunch at the Crisis Ministries shelter for homeless men, women, and children. The next service event will be the collection of hats, gloves, socks, and toiletries for Crisis Ministries. Donations can be placed under the department Christmas tree between November 28th and December 10th.

On November 29, Dr. Kipling Williams, Professor of Psychology at Purdue University, presented the Psychology Department's annual Leverett Lecture, titled "Ostracism." This event honors the late Dr. Pat Leverett, who was a faculty member in the department from 1995 until his death in 2005.

The other assisting cadets were John Mallory, Wilma Harp, Rose Ulch, Jonathan Shegog and Colette Baumle. Professors and graduate students presenting research were Dr. DeRoma, Dr. Nida, Cynthia Gerard, Cathy Goyeneche, Danielle Saia, Sara Stouffer, Michelle Turner, Allison Tebbe, and Safiyyah Wright.

Their research mentor, Dr. Conway Saylor, was particularly gratified to see these students recognized as they have been exceptionally committed to the research process for the last year. Both spent their spring break last year interviewing public school students for a "Heroes and Bullies" research study that was the first step of their research journey. They have completely taken responsibility for their own studies and have even assisted/mentored other cadets who were beginning the research process.

Many thanks to The Citadel Foundation and the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, who made this research and travel possible. In addition, we recognize the role that the Arland D. Williams endowed professorship in Heroism played in Caleb and I both exploring an interesting and fruitful area of heroism research.

This year a record number of students presented research at the annual South Carolina Psychological Association (SCPA) in Myrtle Beach. Graduate students presenting original research include Whitney Bryant, Natalie Bushkar, Kate Bushnell, Natalia Davila, Graham Elmore, Joey McGuinness, Cristin Uricchio, and Shanti Whitsell. Undergraduate students include Billy Calvo, Caleb Dispenza, Brandon Jordon, Nick Mengis, Ana Miranda, Catie Park, Ben Pettis, and Stephen Spencer.

The following students won awards at the South Carolina Psychological Association Convention in Myrtle Beach at the end of March.

Graduate student Michael Flash (sponsors, Drs. Maya Khanna and Michael Politano) won first place for his poster entitled "Contextual Information Processing and Children: Which Factors Best Predict Their Ability to Use Context in Elementary School?"
Graduate student Graham Elmore, (sponsored by Dr. Conway Saylor), won second place for his poster entitled "Physically Active Recreation in Youth with Disabilities and Their Peers".

Undergraduate student Ben Pettis (sponsored by Dr. Conway Saylor) won first place for his poster entitled "Bullying in the Internet Generation: Exploration of 'Cyberbullying' in Middle School Students".

The South Carolina Psychological Association presented to Dr. Conway Saylor the 2007 "Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology" award.

Also, Dr. Lloyd (Chip) Taylor was installed as the 2007 - 2008 President of the S. C. Psychological Association.

Another group of Psychology students are presenting research at the annual National Association of School Psychologist (NASP) Convention in NYC on March 27 - 31. The professors and graduate students presenting research at this event are Dr. Allen, Dr. Politano, Taylor Davis, Audrey Dooley, Danielle Saia and Meg Williams.