2009 Jul 24

Julie Gass received the 2009 J.E. Wallace Wallin award for her engagement in psychology research activities at Augustana College. This annual scholarship is awarded to one senior who has been accepted into a doctoral or specialist degree psychology program. Next year, Gass will pursue her PhD in clinical psychology at the University at Buffalo in New York. "Even though Augustana's psych department is relatively small compared to large universities, it provided me with ample opportunities for diverse research," she said. "As someone moving on to graduate school, I appreciate the experience in independent and faculty-based research study." Gass's research experience included working with Augustana professor Dr. Erin Stoffel, who studies the relation between impulsive behavior and drug abuse. Gass represents a majority of psychology students who will enroll into a graduate school after leaving Augustana. Dr. Jayne Rose, professor and chair of the psychology department, is proud of how Augustana prepares its students for demanding graduate programs. "We provide students with multiple opportunities to gain experience in clinical and research settings," said Dr. Rose. "This research gives students the opportunity to explore different areas and strengthen their graduate school application." Gass graduated Cum Laude with a psychology major and Spanish and Latin American studies minor. She is the daughter of Reed and Theresa Gass from Algonquin, Illinois, and attended Harry D. Jacobs High School. At Augustana, she played in the symphony orchestra, was a member of the Chi Omega Gamma sorority and volunteered at the Quad City Animal Welfare Center and the Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Center. She was also a member of the Mortar Board national honor society and Psi Chi National Honors Society in Psychology. John Edward Wallace Wallin graduated from Augustana in 1897 and became one of the primary contributors to the development of school psychology and special education services in the early twentieth century. He wrote numerous ground-breaking books and established psychoeducational clinics and special education departments at several colleges and public school districts. The endowment established in his honor funds the Wallin lecture and the annual J.E. Wallace Wallin award.