Ruth Ann White Day
Ruth Ann White Day, hosted by the Department of Psychology, Counseling and Special Education, will take place on Friday, Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Rayburn Student Center, conference room A. The event will highlight men and women in the armed forces and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and other issues.
“Ruth Ann White Day was established to educate the university communities on issues impacting students and employees,” said Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, associate professor of counseling. “This year's event honors the brave men and women who have served our country with dignity, honor, and respect.”
The event will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with a presentation from Nick Patras of the A&M-Commerce Counseling Center about the facts of post-traumatic stress disorder followed by a discussion on traumatic brain injuries with Dr. Thomas Selvaggi from the Live Oak Professional Center. John Roach, Jr., 296 district court judge, will close the event with a Veterans Court presentation at 11 a.m.
Ruth Ann White Day was organized to recognize and honor Dr. Ruth Ann White for her contributions to the profession of student affairs/ services. Dr. White is a retired professor from Texas A&M University-Commerce and has served as a teacher, lecturer, administrator and held numerous student affairs positions at the local, state and national levels. She was a founding member of the Texas Counseling Association and has served in leadership positions in the Southern Association for College Student Affairs, the Texas Association of College and University Student Personal Administrators and the American Personal and Guidance Association.
“Many of our brave warriors are returning with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and other issues. The conference will focus on providing educational materials to attendees in attempt to better serve our veterans,” said Hendricks.
Admission is free to the public. The event is supported by the Office of Veterans Affairs at A&M-Commerce, the Hunt County Veterans Office, Paris Junior College, and the College of Education and Human Services.
For more information about the department of psychology, counseling, and special education, visit https://www.tamuc.edu/academics/colleges/educationHumanServices/departments/psychologyCounselingSpecialEducation/default.aspx.