The Cummings Center for the History of Psychology welcomes Dr. Daniel T. Willingham for the 11th Annual Ludy T. Benjamin, Jr. Distinguished Lecture in the History of Psychology

The University of Akron’s Cummings Center for the History of Psychology is pleased to announce that Dr. Daniel T. Willingham, an acclaimed psychologist known for his extensive research on the application of cognitive psychology to K-16 education, will deliver the 11th Annual Ludy T. Benjamin, Jr. Distinguished Lecture in the History of Psychology. The event will take place on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Jean Hower Taber Student Union. 

The presentation, titled “Improving the Use of Psychological Science in K-12 Education,” will explore how the teaching of psychological principles to educators can be enhanced to better support classroom practice and student achievement. The evening will begin with a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and Dr. Willingham’s lecture at 7 p.m.

Willingham is a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, where he has taught since 1992. Renowned for his work on the application of cognitive psychology to education, he is the author of numerousinfluential books, including the best-selling “Why Don't Students Like School?” and “Outsmart Your Brain.”President Barack Obama appointed Willingham in 2017 to serve on the National Board for Education Sciences.

The Ludy T. Benjamin, Jr. Distinguished Lecture in the History of Psychology is a signature annual event hosted each May by the Cummings Center. Named in honor of Dr. Ludy T. Benjamin, Jr., an exceptional teacher, scholar and researcher, this lecture series celebrates his contributions to psychology and its history. 

Sponsorship opportunities 
Those interested in supporting the Benjamin Lecture, regardless of attendance, are encouraged to consider sponsorship. Contributions help provide opportunities for student attendance and ensure the continuation of this important lecture series. Sponsorships can be completed online or by mail.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit the Cummings Center’s website at uakron.edu/chp/.