On June 20, 2005, Carol Tracy announced her retirement as Psi Beta's Executive Director, a position she held since Psi Beta's birth. Carol, along with her mother, Ruth Hubbard Cousins of Psi Chi fame, cofounded Psi Beta in 1981. Because of Tracy's steadfast leadership, Psi Beta has grown steadily. The most recent figures show that Psi Beta has over 23,518 lifetime members and 135 active chapters across the nation! Moreover, Carol was instrumental in facilitating Psi Beta's acceptance into the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), becoming the first community college honor society in America to gain acceptance into ACHS.
     Those of us who had the honor of working with her over the years know Carol for the special person that she is. She manifests patience, grace, a strong work ethic, and a positive attitude--all strengths that made her the ideal individual to lead Psi Beta. She is the means by which Psi Beta has enhanced the professional lives of hundreds of psychology teachers and, therefore, thousands of students. Through her devotion to Psi Beta, countless students have been drawn into the field of psychology and have been given recognition for superior academic work.
     For those of us who have served on Psi Beta's National Council, it is difficult to imagine Psi Beta without Carol Tracy; Psi Beta truly will never be the same. But this is also a time to celebrate. First, Carol will have more time to devote to her beautiful grandchildren; we suppose they deserve a fulltime grandmother! Next, as Psi Beta approaches it 25th birthday in 2006, something the Psi Beta National Council plans to commemorate at the annual APA convention, we can anticipate the opportunity to formally honor both Carol Tracy and Psi Beta for contributing so much to thousands of students, faculty advisors, as well as the field of psychology. And you will find on the official Psi Beta website, Carol Tracy is now serving as the Emeritus Executive Director; it is gratifying to know that the National Council can continue to rely on Carol's wise council as we go through this period of transition.

Interim Executive Director
     Jerry Rudmann, past National President of Psi Beta (1997-98), has come forward to serve as Psi Beta's Interim Executive Director. Jerry, who teaches psychology at Irvine Valley College (CA), has also served on the executive committee for Psychology Teachers at the Community College (PT@CC). Dr. Rudmann will serve in this capacity until the National Council completes a formal procedure to identify the next Executive Director.


PHOTO CAPTION: Carol Tracy  (right; Psi Beta Executive Director, 1981-2005) is pictured here with her mother Ruth Hubbard Cousins, who was Psi Chi Executive Director from 1959 to 1991.

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