An APA milestone

RUNNING COMMENTARY

An APA milestone

By Raymond D. Fowler, PhD
APA Chief Executive Officer

This issue of the Monitor marks a milestone in the association's history. It is the last issue to be published in the familiar newsprint format and the last of this century. This issue features a special report on the Monitor's evolution since it was launched in 1970 as a 12-page newsletter. In its first 30 years, the Monitor has grown to be a dominant source of information on psychology, and the availability of the Monitor on the Internet has expanded its public readership in the United States and around the world. The new Monitor on Psychology, which will be in your mailboxes in early January, will continue to provide APA members and other readers with the latest information about broad issues in the field in a more attractive and manageable size.

In recognition of this historic point in time, the Monitor editors asked Div. 26, (History), to prepare a brief history of psychology over the last 100 years, highlighting major trends and developments. The assignment of condensing 100 years into 14 brief articles was a major challenge, but Rand B. Evans, psychologist and historian, successfully rose to the occasion. The result is the special section that begins on page 14. These articles illustrate how the discipline has grown to become the complex and diverse field it is today. For the futurists among us, Dr. Evans has also made thought-provoking predictions about psychology's next century.

A personal milestone

In keeping with the historical theme of this issue, I wanted to share some reflections on the contributions APA's past chief executive officers have made to the association. This summer I marked a personal milestone in my history with APA, having completed 10 years of service as CEO. I am 10th in the succession of executive officers and well aware that each of my predecessors has made significant contributions to the association's history. Each faced a unique set of problems, brought a different variety of skills and saw the association through a particular part of its history.

Dael Wolfle, PhD, (1946-50) the first chief staff officer, built the first central office staff and was the first to work with the newly created Board of Directors, Council of Representatives and divisions. He was also founding editor of the American Psychologist.

Fillmore Sanford, PhD, (1951-56) was well known for his good humor and problem-solving skills. He served during the period of APA's maximum growth and helped to pull together a diverse membership that grew from 4,000 to 14,000 during his term.

Roger Russell, PhD, (1956-59) from the University of London, brought an international perspective, increasing APA's contacts and influence abroad. During his term, state associations and divisions grew in number and importance, and APA's Accreditation Office was established.

John Darley, PhD, (1959-62) enhanced psychology's public image and became well known for his role as host of the now classic film series "Focus on Behavior" that appeared on public television in 1963. A longtime department chair, he advanced the development of graduate education in psychology.

Arthur Brayfield, PhD, (1963-69) oversaw great improvements in the management of APA's finances and was heavily involved in plans for the APA's first headquarters building on 17th Street. He initiated the Monitor's predecessor, The Washington Report.

Kenneth Little, PhD, (1969-74) was known for building a strong central office staff. A coalition builder, he developed relationships with other organizations and helped found the Consortium of Social Science Associations. He initiated the APA Monitor.

Charles Keisler, PhD, (1975-79) implemented new administrative and fiscal policies and purchased two buildings in Arlington, Va., to house APA's publishing and business operations. He also initiated a strong advocacy program, advanced psychology's role in social issues and helped to involve ethnic minorities in APA.

Michael Pallak, PhD, (1979-85) facing threats of cuts in federal funding for behavioral sciences, strengthened APA's advocacy efforts. He initiated the first Capitol Hill visits by psychology department heads and other groups.

Leonard Goodstein, PhD, (1986-88) came from an organizational psychology background. Recognizing the need for a constituency-based structure in the central office, he established the Science, Practice and Public Interest directorates.

I am pleased to be the 10th in the progression of CEOs and to have had the privilege of building on their achievements. I have appreciated the opportunity to meet and work with so many of you during the past decade. I look forward to the challenges of the new millennium and to working with you in the years still to come.

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