Dr. Jonathan Bassett, associate professor of psychology at Lander University, was named recipient of the 2011 Outstanding Teacher of Psychology Award given by the South Carolina Psychological Association at its spring conference in Myrtle Beach earlier this month.
Lander colleague Dr. Deborah Acorn, professor of psychology, nominated Bassett for the award describing him as a "passionate, enthusiastic professor who truly loves his job." She said he is available to help the department by teaching whatever courses are needed.
Bassett, she added, is also dedicated to involving Lander students majoring in psychology in research projects which is an important benefit in their education.
Bassett joined the Lander faculty in 2005 and the following year he received Lander's Young Faculty Scholar Award. A native of Gaffney, he received his undergraduate degree at Furman University and his master's and doctoral degrees in social psychology at Georgia State University. He has other teaching experience as a visiting professor at Georgia State and an assistant professor at Southeastern Louisiana University.
He is active in the psychological association, having served as secretary of the organization and recently was named president-elect. For the last two years, Bassett organized the association's Academic Day activities that were held at Lander.
The association is the only professional organization in South Carolina that represents all areas of psychology including academics, practitioners, public service and students. It was founded in 1955 and its mission is to advance psychology as a science and a profession, and as a means of promoting human welfare.