Release date: Jan. 28, 2008

Emory Theology Professor Elected American Psychological Association Fellow

Contact: Elaine Justice, 404-727-0643, elaine.justice@emory.edu
Contact: Kelly McLendon, 404-727-4481, kelly.mclendon@emory.edu

John Snarey, professor of human development and ethics at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, has been elected a fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), an honor rarely given to those teaching in seminaries.

Snarey was elected through the APA's Division of Developmental Psychology. Fellow status is an honor bestowed upon APA members who have shown evidence of unusual and outstanding contributions or performance in the field of psychology; the honor requires that a person's work has had national impact.

Now in his 20th year at Candler, Snarey said he was "thrilled" by the prestigious election and pleased that the review committee "recognized the unity of my work."

"This is a signal achievement for both Professor Snarey and for Candler," said Jan Love, dean of Candler. "His research, like that of other Candler professors, stretches across disciplines to bring theology into significant interaction with other fields. I am delighted that a non-religious and non-theological professional association has recognized John for his remarkable scholarship."

Snarey is a developmental/cultural psychologist and educator whose areas of interest include adolescent and adult development, personality and social-moral development, and the psychology of religious experiences. He also serves as an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and the Division of Educational Studies. He has authored, co-authored or co-edited six books and 60 articles or chapters.

"It's all about how people become better people," Snarey says of his research.

Snarey grew up the son of a steelworker and grandson of a coalminer in western Pennsylvania. He believes he has been "unusually blessed in terms of exemplary mentors who cared for me along the way."

A graduate of Geneva College (PA) and Wheaton College (IL), Snarey earned his master's and doctoral degrees from Harvard University and completed postdoctoral studies in cognitive neuroscience at Emory.

Previous accolades include the James D. Moran Book Award from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for his 1993 book, "How Fathers Care for the Next Generation: A Four-decade Study," and the Moral Education Book Award from the Educational Research Association for his 2004 co-authored book, "Race-ing Moral Formation."

Emory University (http://www.emory.edu) is one of the nation’s leading private research universities and a member of the Association of American Universities. Known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate college of arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities, Emory is ranked as one of the country's top 20 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its nine schools, the university encompasses The Carter Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, the state's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

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