Contributors (alphabetized by chapter name):
Alan Oda, Azusa Pacific University Psi Chi
M. L. Corbin Sicoli, Cabrini College Psi Chi
Maria T. Hurtado-Ortiz, California State University, Dominguez Hills Psi Chi
Laurie G. Dodge, Chapman University Psi Chi
Chuck LaJeunesse, College Misericordia Psi Chi
Craig W. Knapp, College of St. Joseph Psi Chi
Edward L. Palmer, Davidson College Psi Chi
Kenneth Weaver, Emporia State University Psi Chi
Margery Miller, Gallaudet University Psi Chi
John Murray, Georgia Southern University Psi Chi
Larry Sensenig, Morningside College Psi Chi
Karen Friedlen, Mount Mary College Psi Chi
Marcia Silver, Nova Southeastern University Psi Chi
Susan Dudish-Poulsen, Roosevelt University-Robin Campus Psi Chi
Students and Faculty, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Psi Chi
LaConyea Butler, Spelman College Psi Chi
Lauren F. V. Scharff, Stephen F. Austin State University Psi Chi
Jennifer L. Gibson, Tarleton State University Psi Chi
Paul Lambert, University of North Texas Psi Chi
Steve Lindsay, University of Victoria Psi Chi
Betsy Morgan, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Psi Chi
Arlene Davenport, University of Wisconsin-Madison Psi Chi
Students and Faculty, Wisconsin Lutheran College Psi Chi
Pictures:
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Alan Oda, PhD
Faculty Coadvisor
Azusa Pacific University Psi Chi Chapter
On behalf of the students and faculty of Azusa Pacific University, may I offer our prayers and condolences on behalf of Kay Wilson's family and those of you at Psi Chi.
M. L. Corbin Sicoli, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Cabrini College Psi Chi Chapter
Kay Wilson was a woman of great commitment and calm. Commitment because she never failed to try to make Psi Chi the best organization it could be, and calm because she handled every request (and emergency, such as last-minute inductee registrations!) with a calm, beautiful, and efficient response. We, at Cabrini College, will miss her.
Maria T. Hurtado-Ortiz, PhD
Faculty Advisor
California State University, Dominguez Hills Psi Chi Chapter
I am deeply saddened to learn that Kay Wilson has passed away. I met her once at a Psi Chi luncheon for new advisors. She made me feel as if I had met her and knew her from a long time back--she made me feel comfortable. I assume that everyone else felt the same way, because I later learned that this was her style.
Laurie G. Dodge, PhD
Faculty Coadvisor
Chapman University Psi Chi Chapter
As coadvisor of the Psi Chi chapter at Chapman University, I have nothing but warm thoughts and appreciation for Kay Wilson. She was extremely supportive when I was initiating extension of Psi Chi to the Vandenberg Campus of Chapman. She truly understood and supported how important it was for adult learners to also have the opportunity to participate in Psi Chi. She welcomed me with open arms at the first luncheon I attended at WPA. But most importantly, it was her insight and support that made a true difference for my students to be active participants in Psi Chi. Her kindness and support allowed my students to present their senior thesis with Psi Chi, an inspiring event for them. This has truly meant a great deal to me and has been a change agent for my students in setting and achieving academic goals.
Chuck LaJeunesse, PhD
Faculty Advisor
College Misericordia Psi Chi Chapter
As advisor of our Psi Chi chapter since its start in 1994, I had the good fortune of contacting Kay on several occasions, especially near induction-of-new-members time, when I was behind in getting my materials in. I remember her as being patient, kind, and understanding of my frantic requests. I wish all who knew her better than I did the best at this difficult time.
Craig W. Knapp, PhD
Faculty Advisor
College of St. Joseph Psi Chi Chapter
I appreciate the opportunity to reflect on my involvement with Kay during the past 10 years. Although we never met, I felt like she was a friend that I could always count on when necessary.
I first became a Psi Chi member through the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1971, where I served as chapter president for several years. In 1993, we formed a chapter at the College of St. Joseph, and I have been serving as faculty advisor since that time. Kay was extremely helpful, right from the beginning, with getting the chapter chartered and never once faltered or let us down during the next 10 years. Diligent? Annual chapter materials, copies of Eye on Psi Chi, and other correspondence always came like clockwork. When registration materials were sent in and we needed membership certificates overnight in time for an induction ceremony, they always came when she said they would, and they were always accurate.
Friendly? I could hear it in her voice and almost see her smile over the phone every time we ever spoke. It was obvious that she enjoyed her work. We have relatives in Tennessee, and we would occasionally talk about regional weather and happenings.
Kay's voice was distinctive, and I suspect that others who knew her better than I did would say that she was distinctive in all other respects as well.
I was truly saddened to learn of her passing. I am certain that she is sorely missed at National. I know that I will miss her. Without even necessarily meeting them, she touched the lives of many people.
Edward L. Palmer, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Davidson College Psi Chi Chapter
Kay's untimely death is a tragic blow to us all. So beautifully gifted in so many ways, she had a firm sense of who she was and translated that sense into life's most critical values--her family, the growth and development of young people, and the general welfare of her chosen field and profession. In each of these areas, her legacy is truly timeless. Class and status were not part of her vocabulary. She openly cared, accepted, and worked alongside all--finding, respecting, and nurturing the unique gifts each brought with them. Her path and her model serve as a lasting inspiration to us all.
Kenneth Weaver, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Emporia State University Psi Chi Chapter
I have a number of memories of Kay Wilson, all of them so vibrant with her leadership, energy, intelligence, and humor. She enjoyed coming to the Southwestern Psychological Association and APA conventions, and thus our paths crossed several times over the years. My favorite memory, however, occurred during the Psi Chi festivities at the 2001 APA convention in San Francisco. That year, the Psi Chi awards ceremony was followed by a delightful dinner cruise on a sailboat around San Francisco harbor. Everyone was excited by the awards and eager to travel to the dock to embark on this wonderful evening. A student who attended the awards ceremony had a physical disability that prevented her from moving at the same pace as everyone else. With so many students and faculty signed up for the harbor sail, Kay's attention was focused on moving the group expeditiously from the hotel in order to meet a stringent time line. However, as soon as she noticed the student with the disability, she adroitly gave instructions to the entire group on the proper ground transportation. As they were exiting the hotel, she introduced herself to the student, warmly welcomed her to the outing, and accompanied her to the boat herself. Kay's graciousness, style, and presence turned what could have been an awkward, potentially embarrassing situation into a celebration of Psi Chi's ideal of fellowship. I miss her.
Margery Miller, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Gallaudet University Psi Chi Chapter
The Gallaudet University Psi Chi Chapter members were deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of Kay Wilson, the Executive Officer of Psi Chi. Kay was instrumental in guiding us through the chapter charter acquisition process. Gallaudet University is the only university in the world offering comprehensive bachelor's degrees to deaf and hard of hearing people, and Kay was delighted to have deaf Psi Chi undergraduate student members and deaf and hearing graduate student and faculty members participating in the Psi Chi programs. She was warm and welcoming and always supportive. Kay will be greatly missed and will be remembered as a strong and caring professional dedicated to Psi Chi and the high ideals and missions of this great organization. Our sympathies are extended to her family, with our deepest appreciation for all she has done for our "signing" chapter at Gallaudet University.
John Murray, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Georgia Southern University Psi Chi Chapter
Kay was always welcoming, validating, and appreciative of the faculty advisors of Psi Chi. She was a professional all the way. I will miss her smiling face and wonderful attitude.
Larry Sensenig, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Morningside College Psi Chi Chapter
The Morningside College Psi Chi Chapter is saddened by the passing of Kay Wilson. Her leadership and enthusiasm for Psi Chi will be greatly missed.
Karen Friedlen, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Mount Mary College Psi Chi Chapter
I am so sorry to hear about Kay. Although I never had the honor of meeting her, I just wanted to express how kind, helpful, and patient she was when we were working on the charter for our chapter three years ago. She continued to be an exceptional source of guidance as we continued to establish ourselves at Mount Mary College. Your whole staff is a pleasure to work with, which is a tribute to Kay's leadership. She will certainly be missed.
Marcia Silver, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Nova Southeastern University Psi Chi Chapter
We are a new chapter of Psi Chi, and Kay Wilson was instrumental in our obtaining a charter. Her help and assistance made working toward submitting our paperwork much easier. We talked on the phone many times, and she was always cordial and very helpful. She was a very special person, and I'm sorry that we didn't get to know her better.
Susan Dudish-Poulsen, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Roosevelt University-Robin Campus Psi Chi Chapter
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Kay, I was able to get a sense of her spirit and personality through our phone calls and e-mail correspondence. Kay was unfailingly warm, gracious, and helpful to me and our charter application students as we wove our way through the procedure of becoming a new chapter a few years ago. She was the voice of Psi Chi for us during that time, and we really couldn't have completed the process without her help, sincerity, and good humor. All of us at the Roosevelt University-Robin Campus Chapter send our deepest sympathy to her family and coworkers.
Students and Faculty
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Psi Chi Chapter
Members of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Psi Chi Chapter were so sorry to learn about the death of our wonderful leader, Kay Wilson. Psi Chi thrived under Kay's leadership, and we will miss her dearly. We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to you and members of Kay's family.
LaConyea Butler, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Spelman College Psi Chi Chapter
I am taking this opportunity to express sympathy to Psi Chi and Kay Wilson's family from the Spelman College Psi Chi family. Kay continued the excellent work of Psi Chi in the manner that we had become accustomed to under Ruth Cousin's leadership and, indeed, carried the organization higher. Her annual reports and review articles are but some of the examples attesting to her heavy involvement in all aspects of Psi Chi's progress. She will surely be missed.
Lauren F. V. Scharff, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Stephen F. Austin State University Psi Chi Chapter
I am saddened to hear the news. I only met Kay a few times, but on each occasion she left a positive impression. It was especially nice to be able to view her as a female role model, of which I have not had the fortune of having many (nothing against the male role models!).
Jennifer L. Gibson
Faculty Advisor
Tarleton State University Psi Chi Chapter
Kay will always be remembered here at Tarleton State University. She attended our chapter induction ceremony several years ago. I remember her as being full of life. She was so helpful in helping me to get the chapter started. We can all feel safe in knowing that she is watching over us all as we continue to remember her spirit and continue her work.
Paul Lambert, PhD
Faculty Advisor
University of North Texas Psi Chi Chapter
I am very sorry to hear about Kay. I have spoken with her on several occasions, and she was always cheerful and helpful. We will miss her, and I will be sure to tell our new officers about her.
Steve Lindsay, PhD
Faculty Advisor
University of Victoria Psi Chi Chapter
My heart goes out to Kay Wilson and her family and friends. I never met Ms. Wilson, but she was instrumental in helping the University of Victoria establish Canada's first Psi Chi chapter. She provided clear, encouraging, and helpful responses to my queries in a timely manner from early in 2001 (when I first became interested in establishing a chapter) through March of 2003. She played a key role in enabling us to get our chapter off the ground, for which we are very grateful.
Betsy Morgan, PhD
Faculty Advisor
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Psi Chi Chapter
I have given several talks about career options for psychology majors as part of Psi Chi programing. One of my favorite memories of Kay is from a panel at the APA meeting in D.C. I asked the audience to raise their hands if they were students, faculty, or "riff-raff" respectively. Kay merrily raised her hand and held it high for "riff-raff." Of course, she was anything but "riff-raff," and that's what made it fun.
Arlene Davenport, PhD
Faculty Advisor
University of Wisconsin-Madison Psi Chi Chapter
I did not know Kay Wilson in person, but we talked on the phone many times. It seemed that no question was too trivial, nor too difficult for her attention. She always provided an answer. I shall always be grateful to her for alerting me to possible Psi Chi funding for a student in our summer REU program. We quickly took advantage of that opportunity during the past two summers. Our first student with that support is now in medical school. From a long-distance perspective, I have noted that during Kay's tenure the organization became more professional, more organized, produced an improved publication, and reached out to the "world" more often. I am sure we all hope that Psi Chi can find another Kay, or an approximation thereof.
Students and Faculty
Wisconsin Lutheran College Psi Chi Chapter
Kay was so wonderful in helping our fledgling psychology club develop into a thriving Psi Chi chapter. We flourish today because of the constant encouragement she shared with us, and we are grateful to her work with Psi Chi. We couldn't have done it without her!
Pictures
Kay always took time to speak with student researchers at poster and paper sessions.
Attendees of the 31st Annual Hunter Psychology Conference and Psi Chi/New York area Mega-Induction, held in May 2003, sending special greetings to Kay Wilson.
Kay greeting students in the Psi Chi hospitality suite at the 1995 APS convention.
Kay presents the 1994 Cousins National Chapter Award to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Psi Chi Chapter.
At the 1996 Psi Chi Miniconvention in Toronto, Kay and Southwestern VP Michael Robinson explain the value of Psi Chi to student attendees.
Kay joins Southeastern VP Slater Newman in greeting and visiting with students at the 1992 SEPA Convention.
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Fall 2003 issue of Eye on Psi Chi (Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 26-29), published by Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology (Chattanooga, TN). Copyright, 2003, Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology. All rights reserved.