Interview with Dr. Roger Ray: Rollins Alumnus and Professor of Psychology

Roger Dean Ray came to Rollins College in 1969 to teach psychology. Over his tenure, he has authored numerous publications and engaged in many experimental projects. Eventually, Ray became the head of the Department of Psychology and the founding director of the Quantitative Learning and Teaching Center at Rollins. Born in New Castle, Indiana, in 1941, Ray earned his B.A. in mathematics and psychology from Rollins College. He then studied at the University of Wisconsin for two years before completing his Ph.D. in general experimental psychology at the University of Tennessee in 1969. While at Rollins College, Ray engaged in many collaborative efforts. Co-authoring, researching with students, and working with international scientists all reflect Ray\u27s understanding of his field\u27s cumulative nature. During the late \u2780s and early \u2790s he worked alongside Soviet scientists at Rollins on a project that analyzed how mechanisms in brains deal with new information. In 1996, he developed Cyber Rat, an online program that simulates rat behavior for lab use by psychology students. Among other distinctions he received the 1980 President\u27s Award for Best of Conference paper at the International Congress on Applied Systems and Cybernetics, the McKean Award in 1986, the Erlbaum/ SCiP Distinguished Presentation Academic Excellence Award in 1991, and the Bornstein Award for Faculty Scholarship in 2007. Ray\u27s academic interests include observational methodology, behavioral systems analysis, and adaptive instructional design. He published many research articles, including Interbehavioral Methodology: Lessons from Simulation, Using virtual reality to deliver laboratory experiences in undergraduate education, and Setting changes and the quality of human life. Besides his academic career, Ray also enjoys sculpture and interior design, in addition to participating in several sports--most notably, water skiing. Once a professional in the sport, Ray won numerous championships while he was a student and was inducted into the Rollins College Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 1991