It is with deep regret that we inform the campus community that Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Ron Scott, Ph.D., passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Dr. Scott served the Chapman community for 30 years (1981-2011) as a beloved full-time core psychology faculty member and clinical supervisor.

Ron was born and raised in Indiana obtaining his B.S. at the University of Indianapolis and M.S. in Psychology at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His life-long passion was clinical psychology, obtaining a Ph.D. at the California School of Professional Psychology at Berkeley (CSPP).

Ron was a close friend and research collaborator with James N. Butcher, the internationally known psychological theorist, psychometrician, and researcher. Butcher advocated for an updated revision of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the most widely used adult personality test in the world as well as the development of the adolescent version of the MMPI (MMPI-A). Ron and Butcher’s international collaborations across 5 countries culminated in the Hispanic MMPI-A Manual and International Case Studies on the MMPI-A: An Objective Approach. Ron’s other MMPI research examined personality profiles across disaster survivors, eating disorders, and substance abusers. Ron also collaborated with the late John Flowers examining MMPI profiles across domestic violence perpetrators and father-daughter incest perpetrators.

For those who may be new to Chapman, it should be noted that Ron was a highly respected pioneer in LGBTQIA+ studies. Ron was a fierce advocate of social justice. He produced, wrote, and narrated the seven-film program series titled Psychotherapy with Gay and Lesbian Clients. This series was originally released in 1995, revised in 2005, and continues to be used in graduate clinical psychology and marriage and family programs throughout the United States. Ron was one of the first openly gay faculty at Chapman University and developed the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Psychology course now called Psy 344 Psychology of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation.

Ron also was a passionate educator and clinical supervisor. Across the graduate M.A. in Preclinical Psychology (defunct program no longer offered at Chapman) and the M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy programs, Ron taught Clinical Issues in Human Diversity, Psychological Assessment, and was a long-term clinical supervisor.  Ron was an exemplary clinical supervisor who emphasized cognitive-behavioral assessment and intervention with a human touch. Ron supported the LGBT+ community both off and on campus. He was a fierce advocate for enhancing diversity, inclusion, and respect on the Chapman campus across faculty, staff, and students. He was strongly opposed to class distinctions and according to Dr. Carolyn Brodbeck, could often be seen chatting warmly with custodial and painting staff working in Smith Hall, the former home of the Psychology Department. Ron’s film series and humanitarian work has been recognized by the American Psychological Association and OC Human Relations Commission.

Ron will be remembered for his deep compassion and generosity of spirit. His many years of love and devotion to Eli Reyna were joyfully celebrated in marriage after the SCOTUS decision to approve same-sex marriage. Ron was a close friend of the late Frances Smith (founder of the Chapman Frances Smith for Individual and Family Therapy), Dr. Jeanne Walker,  Susan Jester, LMFT (director of the Frances Smith clinic), and a host of Chapman faculty, students/alum, and staff.

Ron will long be remembered. Funeral arrangements are pending. Celebrate and remember our dear colleague, Ron Scott.