Dr. Anthony Traxler
Distinguished Service as Professor at SIUE
1969-2007
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Professor Anthony Traxler is retiring after what has truly been an illustrious and distinguished career. His retirement comes after 38 years of exemplary service as a Professor of Psychology and Program Director of the Gerontology Graduate Program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. A reception was held at Morris University Center on February 19th, and over 200 people attended in honor of Dr. Traxler’s career and retirement.
Dr. Traxler made significant contributions during his 38 years at SIUE in the disciplines of Psychology and Gerontology and in service to the department, school, university, community and the profession. Dr. Traxler became a professor in the Department of Psychology at a time of great change and with his colleagues was instrumental in moving the department in the direction toward making the Department of Psychology at SIUE the great department it is today. He started and developed SIUE’s Gerontology program that contributed to the education of thousands of students over the years. The Gerontology Program started as a unit in the Provost’s Office and was later moved to the School of Education where it played an important role as a leader in gerontological research, training, and services. Dr. Traxler was also a founding faculty member of the Psychology Department's Clinical Child and School Psychology masters and specialist degree programs. He served as the faculty adviser of the department’s Psi Chi Honors Society and in this role received the Kimmel Adviser of the Year Award. He was a mentor to countless students who are the leaders and future leaders in psychology and gerontology.
Dr. Bryce Sullivan, Psychology Department Chair, noted that Dr. Traxler “quite simply makes everything a special experience.” Dr. Sullivan related that, “He is such a caring guy who is truly concerned for the lives of those he comes in contact with. He has a special way of connecting with people.”
In the 38 years since receiving his Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University in Adult Development and Aging, Dr. Traxler worked at giving psychology away for the good of all people. His work in the department and service contributions are significant and will have a long-lasting impact on the University and the professions of Psychology and Gerontology. In his work as a professor he developed over 190 research papers and presentations, he was the recipient of over a dozen academic honors and awards, and he received numerous grants to support psychological and gerontological research, training, and services. Dr. Traxler is the past Vice President of Sigma Phi Omega, the National Honor and Professional Society in Gerontology; the past President of the Mid-American Congress on Aging; and the past Regional Vice President of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology. Among his many academic honors and awards he received the Illinois Governor’s Award for Unique Achievement for contributing to the quality of life of older Illinoisans by exemplifying aging as a “lifetime opportunity.” He also received the Pioneer Award from the Illinois Intergenerational Initiative and the Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Aging Award from the Mid-America Congress on Aging.
The faculty, staff, and students of SIUE will miss seeing Anthony in the corridors of Alumni Hall. Dr. Traxler will be teaching occasionally in the Psychology Department and Gerontology Program as well as help with the leadership transition of the Gerontology program. At the reception, the Department of Psychology honored Dr. Traxler for his 38 years of service to the university and presented him a plaque recognizing his service. SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift attended the reception to thank Dr. Traxler for his outstanding service to the University.
