Inkblots

A Newsletter for Psychology Majors

Inkblots, September, 2007

WELCOME BACK!  This past summer saw updates to Carmichael Hall, an addition to our psychology faculty, and a surge in our numbers – we now number 136 majors declared, with others expecting; 942 enrolled in psychology classes this Fall, comprising 642 separate persons.  Among new Freshmen, 286 indicated interest in psychology on their applications, while 71 transfer students did the same. The university has afforded us the whole of the second floor of Carmichael Hall, one of the highest buildings on the campus – so – we are at a peak! 

SUMMER UPDATES FOR UPPER CARMICHAEL. You may notice new ceiling tiles, renovated offices, a new classroom (242A), a lost and mourned computer lab now located in New Hall. Do you have any suggestions for an outdoor feature that would benefit our setting? When our home was Zagier Hall, Melissa Ackers, campus landscape architect, found grant funding and created the stream that graces University Heights beside the Zagier Hall … Melissa would probably help us if we had a good idea.  Pass ideas along through the Psychology Club or straight to Dr. Laughon. 

OPPORTUNITIES.  Here are a few opportunities to blend fun and learning outside the classroom. 
(1)  Work 1:1 with a variety of people who fall somewhere on the autism spectrum – contact Mikaila Mills 236-1547 ext. 107 or mmills@autismsociety-nc.org. 

(2) Attend Psychology Undergraduate Conference, Wilmington NC, Saturday November 10, 2007.  Meet students from across the State, attend sessions with “real” psychologists to learn what their work is like; talk to representatives from graduate schools; attend a session on getting into graduate school … $40 registration fee, deadline Oct 30, $35 if 10 or more register together. Attend solo or – more fun – if enough students get a group going, maybe the university can help. Express your interest to Dr. Laughon. Registration forms available by mid-September at www.ncpsychology.org or e-mail ncpacarol@mindspring.com 

(3)  Attend SEPA in Charlotte, NC March 6-9, 2008.  Hear presentations by leading psychologists throughout the Southeastern United States…consider presenting at the Student Poster Session if you will have research results by then…Check it out at www.sepaonline.com – registration discount for students. 

HEAVY ROLES:  FACULTY IMPACT ON CAMPUS. Your faculty influence UNCA outside the classroom:  Dr. Brown is serving on the Search Committee for the new Provost – boss of bosses, second in command after the Chancellor…Dr. Nallon just finished serving as Chair of the Faculty Senate…Dr. Himelein is co-directing the new NC Center for Health & Wellness, planning a $34 million building soon to rise on the site of the present-day tennis courts… Dr. Harvey is serving on the Faculty Senate, and co-directing the Undergraduate Research Program…Dr. Lisa Friedenberg, developmental psychologist, is on loan from us serving as Dean of the Social Sciences division.    

KUDOS TO: Kathleen Fowler, who has just returned from service in Iraq.  Kathleen is the HVAC person assigned to our building.  She is on well deserved vacation, but say hello to her in September if you see her in a classroom “twisting wrenches,” as she says, on an AC unit.  Kathleen has been working with Dr. Bruce on support activities for students with a connection with the military – returnees from military service, members of military families, those subject to being called up, et cetera.  If you are such a person – and interested – check in/sign up with Dr. Bruce, CH228.     

WHO SAID IT?  A national survey of clinical psychologists once ranked him second in influence on them, ahead of Freud and behind Carl Rogers.  He once said, “Neurosis was just a high class word for whining.”  And, “I aim to cure every screwball in New York, one at a time.” And also, “Most therapy helps you to feel better.  But you don’t get better.  You have to back it up with action, action, action.”
                           A.  Albert Bandura                    B.  Albert Ellis                    C.  Dr. Phil                    D.  Counselor Troy
In his last years he was almost totally deaf and wheelchair bound but he kept right on   teaching in his exuberant, acerbic fashion. Inkblots offers heartfelt salute to the remarkable Albert Ellis, inventor of Rational Emotive Therapy, a founder of Cognitive Therapy, who died this Summer at his home in Manhattan, age 93. 

NEW FACULTY MEMBER.  Welcome to the cool mountain air to Dr. Evelyn Chiang!  She arrives fresh from the University of Florida, where she earned her Ph.D. this May.  Dr. Chiang has worked with Education Licensure students for 8 years…she will have openings for research students in the Spring semester.  On the personal side, she has an 8-year-old son and no pets, but says “we are hoping to get fish!”   

DEEPEST THANKS TO DR. TRACY BROWN.  Dr. Brown served as Psychology Department Chair until this Summer. “People say it was only 4 years,” he says, “but it seemed much longer.” Dr. Brown loves teaching and research more than chairing, and students will see more of him now. Under his leadership we hired three outstanding new faculty members – Dr.’s M. Smith, M. Neelon, and E. Chiang – and moved the entire department from Zagier Hall to Higher Carmichael. Dr. Brown is dedicated to psychology as a major that requires professionalism and collegiality from the students, and he is an exemplar of these qualities. Many thanks to Dr. Brown.

NEW CHAIR. Welcome Dr. Pam Laughon to this important role.  The next Inkblots will include more about her and her ideas for Chairing our large department.  Send any items for Inkblots to Dr. Bruce, CH 228, wbruce@unca.edu

REMEMBER PARKINSON’S LAW:  By the time an organization has the building it deserves, it has already begun to decline.