Faculty and Staff Profiles

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Thomas K. Fagan

Tom Fagan, age 70, received his Ph.D. (1969) in school psychology from Kent State University (KSU).  He has been employed as Director of the School Psychology Program at Western Illinois University (1969-1976), and Coordinator of School Psychology Programs at The University of Memphis (1976-present). Tom has been active in the NASP since 1970 holding several elected and appointed positions including its Presidency (1980-1981, 1987-1988).  He served on the editorial board to the School Psychology Review (1972-2005), and edited the NASP Communique (1981-1987).

Tom serves as historian to the NASP and the APA Division of School Psychology.  He has authored publications on the historical development and delivery of school psychological services in the United States, including (with Paula Wise) School Psychology: Past, Present, and Future, 3rd edition published by NASP in 2007.  With the late Paul Warden he co-edited Historical Encyclopedia of School Psychology (Greenwood Publishers, 1996).  His research has established a comprehensive history of school psychology and provided an historical identity for its organizations and practitioners. He has published memorial articles on more than 50 contributors to the field school psychology. In recognition of his contributions, Tom holds Honorary Life Membership in NASP and the state associations for Illinois, Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.  He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Division of School Psychology (APA, 1991), the School Psychology Trainer of the Year by The Trainers of School Psychologists (2006) and NASP’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2007).  In 2011 he received the University of Memphis’ Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award, and a Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Education, Health, and Human Services at KSU. He is also a recipient of LSPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.  Tom has spoken to school psychology groups in more than 40 states, Canada, and Switzerland.  The Fagan family consists of Tom, his wife Susan, and three children, Shannon, Lance, and Colleen.