On August 15 Rex Forehand, Heinz and Rowena Ansbacher Professor of Psychology and director of the University's clinical training program, was honored by the American Psychology Association's 2008 Award for Distinguished Career Contributions to Education and Training. Forehand has taught over 50 graduate students and mentored countless colleagues throughout more than 3 decades contributing to the growth and development of the field of clinical child and adolescent psychology. His nomination for the award was due to the collective accolades of several former students who are now influencing the field through their own academic accomplishments.

"I think it's rare that you see such strong research and mentorship in the same person," said Ric Steele, associate professor of psychology at the University of Kansas, and one of Forehand's former students. "It's obvious that he cares so much about his students both in their professional and personal development and I think that's increasingly rare. He's an excellent model for that kind of concern for students."

Forehand joined the faculty at UVM after a long and distinguished tenure as Regents Professor at the University of Georgia and as director of Georgia's Institute for Behavior Research. He also started the ongoing Parenting Research Program in the 1970s. Forehand has spent his career researching the role of parenting in promoting children's psychosocial adjustment. He has co-authored more than 350 journal articles and book chapters with current and former graduate students, as well as three books for clinicians and the lay public on families and children, including the popular self-help book, Parenting the Strong-Willed Child.

Forehand has also developed an intervention program designed to teach parents how to help pre-adolescents avoid high-risk sexual behavior and is currently investigating techniques for helping families cope when a parent is depressed.

"Rex Forehand is the epitome of a scientist-practitioner, utilizing science to advance work with children," said Michael Roberts, a member of the APA's award selection committee and professor of psychology at the University of Kansas. "I've always wanted to be quoted as saying that Rex is the quintessential scholar while making contributions in the training of professional psychology. He is a true mentor of both students and colleagues."

In terms of lifetime career achievement, Rex Forehand is still going strong, both with research and mentorship. But the award clearly has him thinking about his legacy.

"The important thing," said Forehand, "is that I'm thankful to have been blessed with such great students over the years. What you hope you will be remembered for in the end is that you helped students through graduate school and continued to support them into their careers."