I know many people who benefitted from interaction
with Frank. To know Frank Whalen was to know that he cared about
people, focused on his objectives, and was genuinely interested in
helping people and our society reach their maximum potential. Frank
was not influenced by political or self serving motives. Frank taught
by modeling what it is to be a caring, sensitive, contributing member
of society.
Don Mesibov
Frank was a wonderful colleague and friend to many. Even though
it has been a decade since he retired, I still vividly remember
during department meetings how quickly he could "put on" voices
and get us all laughing. Frank was always generous with his time
and much-sought after advice. I miss him.
Alan Searleman
During my first year at St. Lawrence I took abnormal psychology with
Dr. Whalen. I think I got a 65 on my first test. If anyone has ever
taken a course with Dr. Whalen you know how challenging his tests
were! After that embarrassing performance, I made it my mission never
to disappoint him that way again. I scheduled a meeting with him right
away to review the test and he talked me through what I should be
focusing on in class and in the text in order to succeed in his course.
I think I can credit my work ethic and analytical skills, in great
part, to my interactions with Dr. Whalen. After abnormal psych, I
took every course that Dr. Whalen offered. It took a lot to earn a
4.0 in Dr. Whalen's classes. I admired his passion for the field of
clinical psychology and the case studies and stories he readily shared
with his students. It was Dr. Whalen that inspired me to apply to
clinical psychology PhD programs. In the end, I didn't go on to a
PhD program. I no w work as the alumni director here at SLU, where
my staff and I work hard to make it possible for today's students
to have the same transformative experiences in the classroom that
I had with Dr. Whalen. I will miss him.
Kimberly Robinson Hissong '94
Having worked with Frank for about 20 years, I have many memories
of his time in the psychology department. Perhaps two will suffice
to capture the different ways that I have missed him since his
retirement. On the light side: Frank's office was three doors down
the hall, and upon entering or leaving his office Frank would commonly
break into song, often a tune from an old movie. (And if Tom Cunningham
was in the vicinity, a duet would begin.) Frank added a lot of
smiles to the 2nd floor of Flint Hall.
On the serious side: we did not have a centralized counseling
center for much of his SLU career, and our mental health services
were distributed to qualified people across campus. Frank was invaluable,
always willing to drop what he was doing if I ever requested that
a student needed his assistence. It did not occur a lot, but it
was very reassuring to know that if a conversation with a student
turned to issues that were beyond our range, we could rely on Frank
to see the student immediately. He was a wonderful colleague.
Jim Wallace
"Get those men out of the hot sun." I'm not entirely sure what Frank
meant "perhaps" what will be will be, but keep pushing forward. He
said that a lot to the kid I was when I moved into the office next
to him. I realize that I've missed his piano at department parties
more than I could have guessed, and I surely would savor just one
more friendly argument about Rorschach validities. Frank was a kind
man with a twinkle in his eye who shared himself generously.
Tom Greene
Dear Millie: I am just returning to Canton to find this sad news. Frank was a wonderful man, very open, honest and intelligent. I remember all our wonderful conversations over the years. You are in my thoughts and prayers. It is a hard walk that you are on, but you will grow stronger in time. Be good to yourself over the next few months. My love to you.
Laura O'Shaughnessy
