Welcome to the Hamilton Holt School 

Announcements

Commencement

With the end of the academic year approaching, I write to thank you for your teaching in the Hamilton Holt School and to encourage your participation at Commencement. At this year's ceremony, we will have over 280 graduates receiving bachelor's or master's degrees. In being part of Commencement, you will experience our graduates' joy as they receive their diplomas and celebrate their accomplishment.

The Hamilton Holt School Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. in the Harold & Ted Alfond Sports Center.

Faculty will gather on Saturday, May 12, in the Annie Russell Theatre lobby at 9:30 a.m. Beverages and pastries will be available. The academic procession will begin at 9:45 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of the Theatre and make its way to the Harold & Ted Alfond Sports Center. After the ceremony, you are invited to a reception honoring our graduates in the Cornell Campus Center.

We look forward to a day of celebration at Commencement.

Sincerely,

Debra K. Wellman
Interim Dean for CPS and Holt

David Richard Named Holt School Dean

Professor of Psychology David Richard has been named the dean of the Hamilton Holt School.

Richard, a distinguished faculty member in the psychology department, is a clinical psychologist and cognitive-behavior therapist, who specializes in behavioral assessment, psychological trauma, and leadership.

“Richard's enthusiasm for the future of the Holt School is unmistakable,” said Carol Bresnahan, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “His track record of commitment to Holt and to innovation is impressive; he's also an accomplished scholar. I look forward to working with him as he comes aboard.”

Richard earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Hawaii and a master’s degree in counseling and consulting psychology from Harvard University. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of California at San Diego. Prior to joining the faculty at Rollins, he was an associate professor at Eastern Michigan University.

An accomplished scholar on clinical psychology and exposure therapy, Richard is the co-editor of two books in those fields and has a current book in progress on pathological gambling. He has published numerous scholarly articles on personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, exposure therapies, and behavioral assessment. His current research interests include the effects of nutrition on mental health, instrument and measurement development, and integrating multimedia technology and teaching instruction.

Since 2005, he has served as the director of the psychology and organizational behavior majors in the Hamilton Holt School, where he has taught courses on statistics, research design, clinical psychology, and abnormal psychology.

“I think I have a good understanding of the unique needs of our evening students, and an important goal will be to deliver educational programming to them in a way that takes into account the complexities of an adult learner's lifestyle,” Richard said. “If there is one word that might describe the way we will be approaching the Holt School, it is innovation. We're going to try some new things, see how they work, listen to our faculty and students, and provide an educational program that capitalizes on all the things that Rollins does well.”

By Laura J. Cole