$2.5 Million Pledge Launches Fund-raising for School of Psychology
MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology Trustee Dr. Raymond A. Armstrong Sr. has pledged $2.5 million in support of the School of Psychology. The donation will go toward facilities renovation and construction, and endowment.
“The School of Psychology’s success and community outreach necessitate additional space and resources,” said university President Anthony J. Catanese. “Our growing programs, first-class initiatives, student demand and societal needs necessitate that we go forward with our mission to equip the school with all that’s required to serve our students and the people they benefit.”
A board of trustees member since 1984, Armstrong said, “I recognize that the School of Psychology must replace and modernize its buildings, facilities and equipment to ensure an excellent academic environment. I pledge to help in every way possible.”
One of the university’s current priorities is a new building for the School of Psychology. The school’s Dean Mary Beth Kenkel said, “We believe that this very welcome gift from Dr. Armstrong will provide the seed to grow a strong funding effort.”
Senior Vice President for Advancement Ken Stackpoole concurs. He said, “This is the first substantial donation in a continuing effort to enhance the resources of the School of Psychology. It comes at an excellent time as we solidify our plans to support the school.”
The School of Psychology originated in 1980 to focus on preparing professionals to address some of the most pressing needs of society. The clinical psychology Psy.D. program, nationally accredited since 1984, was started to meet the need for a mental health workforce for the rapidly growing population of Florida and the Southeast. The School’s degrees and programs include industrial-organizational psychology, forensic psychology and applied behavior analysis.
This program reached national prominence with the opening in fall 2009 of the Scott Center for Autism Treatment. The $5.4 million building was funded through a generous contribution from Ed and Cheryl Scott and a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Armstrong, former chief of surgery at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Fla., and a leader in community affairs, currently resides in Monroe, La.
For more information about the School of Psychology, visit http://cpla.fit.edu/psych/
CUTLINE: From left are Dr. Raymond A. Armstrong Sr., Dean of the Florida Tech College of Psychology and Liberal Arts Mary Beth Kenkel and Florida Tech President Anthony J.
Catanese.
