Ps Dwight Ireland, Ed.D. - Assistant Professor Robert McKelvain, Ph.D. - Associate Professor Lew Moore, Ph.D. - Professor & Director of Counseling Walt Porter, Ph.D. - Professor Jack Thomas, Ph.D. - Professor & Chairman 4 ccording to Dr. Jack Thomas, chairman of the psychology department, a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources will be available for the first time next fall to students wanting to major in psychology. Dr. Robert McKelvain, associate professor and sports psychologist, had worked on the idea since August 1984, with Dr. Jim Henderson, dean of the School of Business and Mr. George Oliver, associate dean of the school of business. Details were completed in late February. The proposal for the Bachelor's degree was jointly prepared by the School of Business and the Department of Psychology in order to make the student more marketable. "Many students will opt for this degree since it will not necessitate going to 1 0 0 Psychology 00Academic Departments Scribbling psychoanalysis. Dr. Lewis Moore, professor of psychology and director of counseling, evaluates the Strong-Campbell personality test. Freshmen who were undecided or unsure about their majors could take this personality test to see which field that they might be best suited for. The Strong-Campbell personality test compared interests of the student to interests of workers in different occupations. The psychology department worked to serve students in career planning. Dr. Moore had a reputation for always being available, which was often handy with college students! - photo by Bill Tripp. graduate school ," said Dr. Thomas. According to the objectives presented by both the School of Business and the Psychology Department , the Human Resources degree was created "to blend business and psychological knowledge, conceptual and interpersonal skills, and appreciation of cultural and spiritual values. "Also, another objective was to prepare students for service and leadership in human resources and related management fields." Dr. Thomas said the computers enhance the students skills in the work environment and makes them more qualified for graduate schools as well. "In my opinion, we are on the "cutting edge," said Dr. Thomas. "If they know SPSS, it places them in a very high level competitive market for graduate school assistantships and fellowships ," said Dr. Thomas. He said the students will need this knowledge to survive in graduate school and in the market place. Dr. and Mrs. Walter Porter contributed $5,000 to purchase computers for the department. Dr. Porter was a professor in the psychology department. The El Dorado, Jonesboro, and Hot Springs chapters of Associated Women of Harding (AWH) donated $3,900. Mr. and Mrs. George Oliver contributed $250 towards the purchase of a new printer for the department. The computer lab was started five years ago at the personal expense of Dr. Porter and Dr. McKelvain in order for the students to learn computer skills. Although the lab has been upgraded since Porter and McKelvain bought the first computers, this year's purchase of the IBM Compatible Computers has been the most significant addition to the lab since it began in 1983. Furthermore, there has been an increase in the number of psychology majors over the last two years said Dr. Thomas. There were 88 psychology majors in the fall of 1986 which had increased to 132 by the fall of 1987. A retreat for all the psychology majors and minors was held on October Tl, 1987, at the Wyldewood ~etreat Center. Two Harding alumm, Dr. David McAnulty, clinical psychology at LSU Medical School Family Life Division , and Dr. Scott Perkins who works at the VA Hospital in Jackson , Mississippi, were the keynote speakers for the retreat. "They did a superb job," said Dr. Thomas. Dr. McKelvain presented materials to the United States Gymnastics Federation National Congress in St. Louis dealing with such topics as "Motivating Practice" and "Stress and Burnout in Coaching." He did a presentation at the psychology retreat in April 1987 titled "What Makes Christian Counseling Christian.'' He was guest lecturer at the Searcy Sunshine School for handicapped students. Dr. McKelvain also had two books published: World Identification Systems for Gymnastics Talent and Psychological Nuturing and Guidance of Gymnasts Tulent. He worked with Dr. Mark Grahiner of Cleveland Clinic on the first book and Dr. Glyn Roberts of the University of Illinois on the second one. Dr. Porter attended an annual Christian associat10n for psychological studies convention in April 23, 1987. Dr. Thomas attended the Annual American Board of Medical Hypnoanalyst's convention in San Diego, California, in March 1987. He also organized the "Not Me" drug abuse seminar on August 16, 1987 held in the Benson Auditorium. Terry Richhart was the speaker. The seminar was sponsored by Family Life Ministry at the College Church of Christ. Dr. Dwight Ireland was promoted to the position of associate professor in the department. He served at Harding since 1CJ'77. Dr. Lewis Moore was a professor in the psychology department that seemed dedicated to his job as director of the Counseling Center. Students felt they could contact him at any hour, no matter what the problem. "Our students continue to be accepted to prestigious graduate programs throughout the United States and they report our program at Harding has prepared them well," said Dr. Thomas. - Janna Wharton
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