After 30 years of service to the School Psychology Program at TC, Ann E. Boehm, Professor of Psychology and Education, will be retiring. On April 4, the faculty of the Department of Health and Behavior Studies sponsored a party in her honor, which drew more than 50 students and friends.

Among those speaking at the event were Professors Stephen Peverly and Marla Brassard, as well as Margaret Jo Shepherd from the Department of Curriculum and Teaching.

Stephen Peverly, Associate Professor of Psychology and Education and Program Coordinator of School Psychology, said "Ann did what all faculty members are supposed to do but some do not achieve: establish a national reputation in a particular field of inquiry. She is a nationally recognized expert in the field of early childhood assessment."

He added, "Her dissertation, on the assessment of children's basic concepts, led to the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts. Not only is this a widely used instrument . . . but the Psychological Corporation wants her to spend her retirement preparing the next version."

Associate Professor Marla Brassard recalled that Dr. Boehm was an advisor on her first research project when she was a doctoral student at TC as well as a member of Brassard's dissertation committee. Brassard described Boehm's academic life as one "devoted to social justice through education."

Professor Margaret Jo Shepherd, who will also be retiring at the end of the academic year, talked about her relationship with Boehm. "We started together," Shepherd said, "and will finish together." Shepherd went on to say that "I could always count on your wisdom and intelligence and the nurturing you gave to your students."

Barbara Sandberg, adjunct assistant professor of Psychology and Education, who has been associated with the School Psychology Program for 22 years and was Professor Boehm's student in 1973, called her an "advocate of students and children."

When it came time for Professor Boehm to speak, she said that "I spent my entire adult life here at TC. I've had great mentors here," among them the late professor emeritus Miriam Goldberg, who was widely known for her studies of gifted and talented youth. "I've worked with a great group of faculty and they've been a great source of support throughout the years."

Accompanying Professor Boehm was her husband, Dr. Neville Kaplan, who was described by several speakers as the "most important priority in Ann Boehm's life."

Published Friday, Jun. 7, 2002