Visionary leaders

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

Those words from Sir Winston Churchill are written in gold atop the new American Psychological Foundation wall of "Visionary" donors at APA headquarters, unveiled during the APF Friends of the Foundation Reception held in during APA's 2011 Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. and sponsored by APA Insurance Trust and Pearson.

The wall lists donors who have made exceptional contributions to the foundation to support its innovative research and programs, which seek to enhance psychology's ability to elevate the human condition and advance human potential. The names on the wall are divided into two groups: Visionary Partners, who have given at least $50,000, and Visionary Leaders, who have given $100,000 in cumulative support for research, scholarship and innovation.

"These pioneers are the driving force behind the foundation," said APF President Dorothy W. Cantor, PsyD, at the event. "They have supported talented students and scholars who work to develop solutions to issues such as violence prevention, post-disaster recovery, eradicating stigma and prejudice, and understanding how behavior affects our health."

The Visionary Circle donors are:

• Dr. Charlotte Altman

• APA

• CB Richard Ellis

• Dr. Charles L. and Mrs. Marjorie Suhs Brewer

• Dr. Noble H. Kelley

• Dr. Harry and Mrs. Miriam Levinson

• Dr. F. Joseph McGuigan

• Drs. Ruth G. and Joseph D. Matarazzo

• Dr. M. Brewster and Mrs. Deborah Smith

• Dr. Charles D. and Mrs. Carol Spielberger

• Dr. Raymond D. and Mrs. Sandra Fowler

• Dr. Barbara Evans Golden

• Dr. William C. Herbert

• Dr. Louis P. James

• Dr. Theodore and Mrs. Renee Millon

• Dr. Asher Pacht

• Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Shiva

• Mr. Robert Zoellner and Mrs. Victoria Eckhert-Zoellner

"The names of those on this wall will be an ever-present reminder of your commitment to solving some of society's biggest problems," said Cantor. "This list of visionary donors is ongoing, and we hope to add many more of your names in the next several years."

In addition to honoring the people listed on the Visionary Circle, Cantor lauded the foundation's many other donors. "All of you are here because you have given something significant—either through a donation, service on a committee or, in some cases, both," said Cantor. "We would not be here without you."

The reception also honored the especially generous donors of 2010: APA Div. 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) represented by Tania Israel, PhD; APA Div. 45 (Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues) represented by Jean Lau Chin; Norman B. Anderson, PhD; Charles L. Brewer, PhD; Mary Beth M. Cresci, PhD; Florence L. Denmark, PhD; Marsha McCary, PhD; Dolores O. Morris, PhD; and W. Bruce Walsh, PhD. Cantor also recognized several major donors who were unable to attend the reception: Tema David on behalf of the late Henry David, PhD; Louis James, PhD; Nancy McWilliams, PhD; Celeste Pearsall; and the late Helen Strauss, PhD.

Cantor gave a special thanks to Lee Gurel, PhD, whose recent gift of $170,000 brings his cumulative gifts to APF to more than $280,000. And APF welcomed two new "Legacy Club" members: Linda Forrest, PhD, and Terry Gock, PhD.

Such gifts have increased psychology's knowledge and launched careers, said Cantor. "You have enabled APF to fill a funding niche that is desperately needed," she said. "Even today with all your support, APF can only fund 6 percent of the applications it receives. We will continue to do more with your help."

—S. Martin