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IPS News Briefs
2008 - 2009

 

June:

  • Dean Gladys Sweeney is featured on NPLR's The Day Gardner Show and Living Hope for Life! with Michael Martelli.
     
  • IPS faculty author the first Catholic issue for Edification, a prominent publication from the Society of Christian Psychology.  To date, this is Edification's only issue devoted to the integration of psychology and faith from an explicitly Catholic perspective. Read more
    • Zenit reviews Edification's special Catholic issue
       
  • Dr. Michael Pakaluk will give a presentation on the issues of accounting ethics and professionalism to the Financial Standards Accounting Board (FSAB).  In July, Dr. Pakaluk and his wife will be featured speakers at the 14th Annual Family Life Conference in Edmonton, Canada.

 

May:

  • On Thursday, May 28, 2009, IPS celebrates its eighth commencement services. Sixteen distinguished IPS graduates receive their diplomas following Mass in the beautiful Crypt Chapel located in the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.  Dr. Russell Hittinger, Ph.D. is the commencement speaker and recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.  For a listing of 2009 graduates, click here.
     
  • 2009 Doctoral candidates successfully defend their dissertations. Read more
     
  • Dr. Michael Pakaluk is a visiting professor in the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. On May 28, Dr. Pakaluk will present Natural Law and Natural Right in Aristotle at the Istituto Acton.
     
  • IPS Research Professor Roger Scruton weighs in on the latest "sexting" trend and its impact on today's younger generation. Read more
     
  • Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. speaks highly about IPS. Read more
     
  • The Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences (Winter 2008) reviews the book, Human Nature in Its Wholeness: A Roman Catholic Perspective. The book was edited by IPS Academic Dean Gladys M. Sweeney, first IPS President Fr. Richard Gill, L.C., and Prof. Daniel N. Robinson.

 

April:

  • On April 22, Dr. Paul Vitz is a guest speaker at Regina Apostolorum in Rome. The following day, Dr. Vitz addresses the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, also in Rome.  Both lectures are on Psychology, Psychotherapy and the Virtues. 
     
  • IPS student recounts his transformative experience while on a missionary trip to Haiti during spring break. Read more 
     
  • The Mary S. Thelen Library is the recipient of more than 124 books from the private collection of the late Mr. Benjamin Homan.  Mr. Homan's widow, Mrs. Helen Homan, recently contacted IPS about making the donation.  "I believe strongly in the message of the Institute for the Psychological Sciences and am therefore donating a collection of books from my husband's library." 
     
    A big day for IPS externs!  All third-year doctoral students are accepted to their first-choice placements at prestigious sites.  Read More 
     
    On April 7, students attend a lively panel discussion presented by Dean Gladys Sweeney, Dr. Stephen Hamel, and Alpha Omega Clinic Director Art Bennett, M.A. The hour-long discussion titled Life After Graduate School detailed the many professional opportunities awaiting IPS students. Following the discussion, one student remarked, "the event renewed my excitement for pursuing a Psy.D. The program came at just the right time (before doctoral applications were due). I also appreciated their advice concerning the right motivations and foundational ideas to keep in mind as my career advances." 
     
  • IPS announces the formation of The Dean's Advisory Board. The new board is comprised of 10 internationally-known and highly regarded members from the theological, philosophical, and psychological sectors.
     
    The purpose of the board is to provide ongoing expertise to ensure that the Institute's unique mission of integrating the science of psychology with insights about the human person from theology and philosophy is supported. 
     
    Online news service ZENIT features guest speaker Christine Rosen, Ph.D. and her recent talk, Virtual Friendship and the New Narcissism. The lecture was broadcasted live as part of this year's John Henry Cardinal Newman Lectures Series titled Virtual Reality: Its Distortion of Self and Others.

The last lecture in the series is Thursday, May 14, 2009.  IPS Professor Paul Vitz will present the talk, The Analog to Digital Progression:  Modernity as the Removal of Reality.

 

March: 

  • Reservations are now being accepted for the IPS Pastoral Summer Seminar: Psychology Serving Marriages & Families.  This comprehensive seminar features renowned speakers in the fields of psychology and pastoral ministry and is designed specifically for priests, deacons, religious, and laity who provide spiritual guidance and counseling. Read More 

To download an application, click here
Register by May 15 and save $100 or more
 

February:

  • In the Winter 2009 issue of LeCristo Magazine, First IPS graduate Dr. Christina Lynch is featured for her work serving seminarians at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary of the Archdiocese of Denver.
  • Saturday February 7, Paul Vitz, Ph.D., participates in a day-long conference titled, Religion, Mental Health, and the Search for Meaning, held at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX. (read more)


January:

  • On the evening of Monday, Jan. 26th, IPS students heard from a representative of SunTrust Bank about consolidating loans, budgeting, and the impact of the economy on student loans.  The well-attended information session was sponsored by the Financial Aid Dept.

December:

  • IPS and The Witherspoon Institute co-sponsor a 2-day conference entitled, The Social Cost of Pornography. Ten scholars will deliver  papers on subject-specific aspects of pornography's impact, and  approximately twelve scholars will serve as discussants throughout the  meeting.  The conference will be held at Princeton University from Dec. 11-13.

 

November:

  • IPS Doctoral candidate Eric Gudan speakes with ZENIT about his  experience and study of how the virtue of gratitude may counteract the effects  of depression.
  • Recent virtual suicide is subject of Prof. Roger Scruton's commentary

Professor Scruton's Times article was extracted from a presentation he gave in October as part of the John Henry Cardinal Newman Lectures.  The 2008-2009 lecture series, Virtual Reality: Its Distortion of Self and Others, includes a distinguished team of psychologists and philosophers who will explore the new internet culture and chart the transformations in human relationships that it is encouraging.

  • ZENIT publishes an interview with Dr.  Frank Moncher entitled, Psychology and Seminarians. In the article, Dr. Moncher  discusses the Oct. 30th document, Guidelines for the Use of  Psychology in Admission and Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood,  released by the Congregation for Catholic Education.


October:

  • The popular John Henry Cardinal Newman Lectures resume.  This year’s theme, Virtual Reality: Its Distortions of Self and Others, features a series of seven lectures presented by a distinguished team of psychologists and philosophers who will explore the new internet culture. Attendance is free of charge but reservations are recommended.  For those who are unable to attend, live streaming webcasts will be available for each lecture. For more information and to make reservations, please click here. 

Dr. Frank Moncher, Recovering from Addiction: The Healing Process [audio available on Dr. Moncher’s biography page]

Dr. Philip Scrofani, Taking the ‘Crisis' out of Midlife [audio available on Dr. Philip Scrofani’s biography page]

With more than 5,300 members, APT promotes research, public education, and promotional programs that advance the psychosocial development and mental health of people, particularly children, through play and play therapy.

                   

September:
  • Dr. Kathryn Benes is elected to serve as the second president of the new Catholic Psychotherapy Association (CPA).  Dr. Christina Lynch, IPS’ first Psy.D. recipient, will serve as secretary, and Dr. William Nordling will serve as a board member beginning in Spring 2009.

The association is committed to the development and practice of psychotherapy which truly responds to the whole person  -- mind, body, and spirit -- and is in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

  • In the new book, What is Death?  A Scientific, Philosophical and Theological Exploration of Life’s End, Dean Gladys Sweeney and IPS doctoral student Antony Bond co-author the chapter, “Psychotherapy and End of Life Issues.” (A. Aguilar, L.C. Ed.) Libreria Editrice Vaticana (Vatican City: 3008), pp. 147-179.

“Psychotherapists often underestimate the need of the terminally ill clients and their families to be supported throughout the dying process in an ethical and sensitive manner.  Little attention is paid to signs that people believe in the transformative effects of suffering. . . the great value of life until natural death.

This chapter outlines three biographical accounts which detail the decline and death of the terminally ill, and illustrate the value of accepting dependency, limitation and a search for meaning." -- Founder and Academic Dean Dr. Gladys Sweeney



July:


  • Prof. Roger Scruton, esteemed IPS Research Professor and Senior Research Fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University's Blackfriars Hall, is elected to the British Academy for his contribution to the humanities. Professor Scruton has published more than 30 books that have been widely translated, including works on philosophy, political and cultural commentaries, criticism and novels.

The British Academy, established by Royal Charter, aims to support the humanities and social sciences and to recognize  excellence and high achievement across the United Kingdom and internationally.  Election is a mark of distinction, as only a very small number of scholars in any field are elected.