Stormy Petrel Psychologist Annual Newsletter, Volume 5 May, 2012

Welcome to the fifth annual newsletter of the Oglethorpe Psychology Department. We hope that this newsletter allows prospective, current, and former students who are interested in the OU Psychology Major to learn about some of the events that took place during the year. To alumni, please send updates about personal life, subsequent education, or professional development to: [email protected]. Comments, corrections, and suggestions are welcome.

Reflections from the Chair By Professor Carton

The 2011-2012 school year recently concluded. One of our largest graduating classes in the history of the department recently sat through a commencement address in which two of the three most prestigious awards given to students upon graduation went to psychology majors (more on student accomplishments later in the newsletter). The department continues to attract excellent students interested in the science of human behavior. For those who graduated more than three years ago, psychology now is a Bachelor of Science degree at Oglethorpe. We are the only science major at Oglethorpe to require the foreign language requirement of the Bachelor of Arts programs. We also are the only major to have a qualifying examination that must be passed in order for a student to remain a major. Most of our classes fill to capacity and we regularly hire expert adjunct instructors to help us meet the growing demands of our student body. This year we were fortunate to have Dr. Kristy Sorenson continue in this important role, teaching sections of Introduction to Psychology and various biopsychology courses. We also borrowed Dr. Herb Chuven from his normal teaching responsibilities in our evening program. I want to extend a big thank you to both of them for their outstanding efforts.

Dr. Justin Wise, our resident cognitive-developmental-neuropsychologist taught his usual rotation of courses and, for the first time since he arrived at OU, he led two sections of senior CORE. Dr. Zinner taught three sections of Advanced Experimental Psychology in the spring, preceded by two sections of Research Methods in the fall and Social Psychology. I taught my usual rotation in the fall (two section of Introduction to Psychology and Theories of Personality) along with an overload: Learning and Conditioning. In the spring I was able to offer two special topic courses: Psychology and Law, as well as Psychology and Film, in addition to Abnormal Psychology.

Our department still looks forward to the time when we can engage in a national search for a fourth full-time professor to return to our former strength so that we can best meet the needs of our students. Until that time, though, our students continue to receive excellent training, as you can tell from the accomplishments they earn.

 

Student Research Accomplishments

Publications!

Brittany Weiner (‟12) was the lead author on a research paper examining adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and their relation to test anxiety. Her publication appeared in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. The research was based on a class project she designed as one requirement in the Theories of Personality course she completed a year ago with Dr. Carton. In addition, Justin Sabree (‟12) was a co-author on a paper investigating aspects of PTSD based on work he accomplished during his research internship last summer which was published in Frontiers of Behavioral Neuroscience. Congratulations to both of you!

Southeastern Psychological Association Research Conference

The work of all five OU Psychology Majors who submitted to the SEPA annual professional research conference was accepted following peer-review by experts in their respective fields. The conference this year was in New Orleans and the students had a great time presenting their work and enjoying the Mardi Gras activities that were taking place at the same time. Cassandra Hendrix, Balbir Khalsa, Marie King, Justin Sabree, and Brittany Weiner represented us well. For photos and details about their research, please see the separate news story on the department‟s website.

 

Georgia Undergraduate Research in Psychology Conference

This year 7 Oglethorpe Psychology majors entered the annual juried research competition hosted by the Georgia Psychological Association, this year combined with the research conference hosted annually by Kennesaw State University. Oglethorpe had taken home first place awards in this conference for three years running, so the pressure was on to see if our students could continue their winning ways, up against competition from Agnes Scott, Emory, GA State, GA Tech, Kennesaw, and other area universities. This year over 100 students from nearly 20 schools, including some from surrounding states (e.g., University of Alabama, University of South Carolina) competed for two awards: Best Research Talk and Best Research Poster. For the fourth year in a row, an OU student earned first place: Cassie Hendrix (‟12) won the Best Research Talk as judged by professors of research methods courses and executives of the Georgia Psychological Association. For photos and more details, please see the separate news story on the department‟s website. Congratulations to Cassie and to the other psychology majors who presented their original research: Jahnavi Delmonico (‟12), Julia Fukuda (‟13), Allison Moore (‟13), Justin Sabree (‟12), Brittany Weiner (‟12), and Janet Wood (‟13).

 

Psychology Departmental Honors

The Mary Whiton Calkins and Margaret Floy Washburn Awards are available each year to graduating seniors majoring in psychology. Selected by the psychology faculty, the awards recognize outstanding performance in the classroom, commitment to research, and service to the department and university. This year the department awarded Brittany Weiner the Margaret Floy Washburn Award. Brittany had won several research related awards earlier in her career at Oglethorpe, published a research paper her senior year, and was the senior class valedictorian. The department awarded Cassie Hendrix and Justin Sabree the Mary Whiton Calkins Award. Both of them had outstanding academic records at Oglethorpe, took leadership positions in our department and across campus, completed prestigious internships earlier in their careers, and conducted high-level research. Brittany plans to enter a social work program at Georgia State, while Cassie is working in two laboratories (Emory and Georgia State) in preparation for applying to clinical doctoral programs. Justin was accepted to a Ph.D. program in clinical psychology, but declined the offer and has decided to stay at OU to work for a new university venture with Education First.

In a closely related honor, the Outstanding Senior in Biopsychology Award went to Livia Balaban. Like the other honor recipients, Livia performed extremely well in all her coursework, completed a rigorous honors thesis (as did Brittany and Cassie), and was active on campus. Congratulations to all of you!

Additional Honors Earned By Psychology Students

Oglethorpe senior psychology major Justin Sabree received Oglethorpe University’s first annual Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation Award on April 10, 2012. Oglethorpe University was selected in 2011 by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to have the honor of presenting the highly prized Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan Awards to two deserving seniors. The awards are given annually to a man and a woman whose remarkable character and dedication to service sets them apart as examples to others. Justin, who received the award during Oglethorpe’s Honors and Awards Convocation, is an Oglethorpe University Presidential Scholar, president of the senior class, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society and Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology.

The department is very proud of its majors who have earned entrance into the highly prestigious and competitive ODK chapter at Oglethorpe. This year, Kendall Burke (‟13), Krista Gray (‟13), Alexandria Hadd (‟13), and Janet Wood (‟13) all were inducted at the Boar‟s Head Ceremony in December in recognition of their many years of service and leadership to the OU community. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for all of the leadership and service you provide to our campus and surrounding community!

Last but not least, at the commencement ceremony this year two psychology majors received the most prestigious awards given to OU students. The Sally Hull Weltner Award, given to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average and most credit hours earned at Oglethorpe went to Brittany Weiner. The Oglethorpe Cup Award, given to the male and female students rated to best exemplify an education at Oglethorpe University, went to Justin Sabree.

Where Did They Go? (Graduate/Law/Medical School Placements)

Laura Baldwin ‟12 M.S.W. at the University of Texas – Austin
Cassie Pociask ‟12 M.Ed. in School Counseling at Augusta State University
Janet Sexton ‟12 M.S.W. at the University of Alabama
Alison Abercrombie ‟11 M.A. in positive psychology with I/O focus at Claremont University
Jacob Brisendine ‟11 M.S. in public health administration at the University of Alabama
Molly Ernst, ‟11 M.A. in professional school counseling at Appalachian State University
Rebecca McAlister ‟11 M.S.W. at the University of Georgia
Erica Taylor ‟11 J.D., at Mercer University
Noel Curry, ‟10 M.A. in Expressive Therapy at Lesley University
Cassandre (Elena) Dujour ‟10 M.S.W. at Barry University
Nicholas Etherington ‟10 M.S. in clinical mental health counseling at Mercer University
Shanelle Ebanks ‟10 M.A. in international studies at North Carolina State University
Marley Hirsch ‟10 M.S. in clinical mental health counseling at Mercer University
Max Arrechea‟09 M.A. in conflict resolution at Abiline Christian University
Sara Cross ‟09 M.D. at Wayne State University
Anthony Ryan Dykes ‟09 M.S.W. at the University of Chicago
Ryan Fulgham ‟09 M.A. in community counseling at Argosy University
Krystal Gayle ‟09 M.S. in public health, Saint Louis University
Jessica Graner ‟09 M.S. in clinical mental health counseling at Mercer University
Ilana Olin ‟09 M.S.W. and M.P.H. at the University of Georgia
Martha Nodar ‟08 M.S. in community counseling at Mercer University
Charlynn Hayes ‟07 M.A. in counseling psychology at New York University
Ashley Maehr ‟07 PsyD in clinical psychology at Argosy University
Stephanie Malms ‟07 PsyD in clinical psychology at Argosy University
Kira McCabe ‟07 Ph.D. in social psychology at the University of Gronnigen, preceded by M.A. in psychology at Wake Forest University
Daniel Pages ‟07 Ph.D. in neurobiology at Duke University
Amanda Wheat ‟06 Ph.D. in clinical psychology at University of West Virginia
Kionne (August) Feaster „06 M.A. in behavior analysis at Southern Illinois University
Sara Zipperer M.S.W. at the University of Southern California
Laurie Berger ‟05 M.A. in psychology at New York University
Courtney Terrell ‟05 M.A. in industrial/organizational psychology at MTSU
Jennifer Brecher Beegle M.Ed. in Montessori education at Loyola University
Eric Hill, ‟04 Ph.D. in social psychology at Arizona State University
Diana Fleischman ‟03 Ph.D. in evolutionary psychology at University of Texas Crysta Paul
Reddock‟03 M.A. in special education at Georgia State University
Elena Weiss ‟03 M.A. in women‟s studies at Georgia State University
Shahina (Sameja) Butler ‟02 M.A. in clinical psychology at Roosevelt University
Emily Diehl ‟02 M.S.W. at the University of Georgia; Ph.D. in counselor education at the University of Florida
Craig Reddock ‟02 M.S. in industrial/organizational psychology at UT-Chattanooga
Laurie Yancey ‟02 M.S.N. in acute and critical care nursing at Georgetown University
Amanda (Harris) Carton ‟01 Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Western Michigan University
Thomas McLean ‟01 Ph.D. in social psychology at Purdue University
Christopher Rylands ‟01 J.D., Vanderbilt University
Kimberly (Watkins) Daniel ‟01 Ph.D. in educational psychology at Waldon University preceded by M.A. in counseling psychology at University of West Georgia
Heather Zardus ‟00 J.D., Saint Thomas University
Stacey (Ryerson) Davis ‟99 Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Alabama
Theodora (Dora) Soublis ‟98 Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Houston

 

Please send me updates on graduate school, law school, medical school, social work, MBA, nursing, etc. I want
a comprehensive list of our placements. Evening Degree Program students are to be included, so I want to hear
from you too with your placements and updates!
Remember to join us on Facebook at “Oglethorpe Psychology Students: Past and Present”
Thanks for reading!

...