Scandrette Lecture Series

Hosted by the School of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy, the annual Scandrette Lecture Series features an outstanding contributor to the integration of Christian faith and psychology for the enrichment of our students, faculty, and campus community.

“How do religiousness and spirituality facilitate—or hinder—the development of virtues?” given by Dr. Sarah Schnitker 

Innovations in theory, methodology, and empirical findings will be discussed to address the topic of how religiousness and spirituality facilitate—and hinder—the development of virtues. Dr. Schnitker will explore implications for application in educational and ministry settings, as well as future directions of inquiry.

Dr. Sarah Schnitker is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University. She holds a PhD and an MA in Personality and Social Psychology from the University of California, Davis, and a BA in Psychology from Grove City College. Schnitker studies virtue and character development in adolescents and emerging adults, with a focus on the role of spirituality and religion in virtue formation. Schnitker has procured more than $7 million in funding as a principal investigator on multiple research grants, and she has published in a variety of scientific journals and edited volumes. She is a co-editor of the forthcoming Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality. Dr. Schnitker is a dedicated mentor, having served as dissertation advisor for more than 20 doctoral students, whom she helps to cultivate intellectual virtues alongside scientific competencies. She is the recipient of the Virginia Sexton American Psychological Association’sDivision 36 Mentoring Awardand Student International Positive Psychology Association Mentor Award. More information can be found at https://sites.baylor.edu/science-of-virtues/ 

Mark Yarhouse is the Hughes Endowed Chair and Professor of Psychology at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Education

B.A. Seattle Pacific College, Seattle, WA (1939)

M.Ed. University of Washington, Seattle, WA (1953)

Ed.D. University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO (1958)

Biography

Dr. Onas Scandrette taught at every educational level from elementary school through graduate school. He worked as a therapist in a child guidance clinic, as a school psychologist, and as a college counselor. He published more than sixty articles in the areas of personality, educational psychology, the integration of psychology and religion, and photography. 

Dr. Scandrette came to Wheaton in 1957 and was instrumental in establishing the Psychology Department in 1962. He was the first chairman of the new department. During his tenure an impressive number of students pursued graduate study, in large part due to his efforts and encouragement. Dr. Scandrette retired in 1979. 

Photography was Dr. Scandrette’s principal avocation. More than 200 of his photographs were accepted in international exhibitions, and a number won special awards. In 1987 Dr. Scandrette was made a Fellow of the Photographic Society of America, the highest honor of the Society. He was a contributing editor of the PSA Journal, the official organ of the Society. Seattle Pacific University awarded him a “distinguished alumnus” medallion in June, 1989. 

Dr. Scandrette entered the presence of the Lord on January 12, 2005.