COMMERCE, Texas -- Dr. Tracy B. Henley of Texas A&M University-Commerce is a psychology textbook writer who happens to enjoy computers and cooking.

Head of the department of psychology, Henley has co-authored "Connections in the History and Systems of Psychology," in its third edition. This textbook, published by Houghton-Mifflin earlier this year, is used in upper division undergraduate classes and graduate classes.

"This text has had good adoptions throughout the country. Over 130 schools use it. It's used at a number of prestigious and good size schools including University of Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn, Boston College, Clemson, University of Georgia, University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Texas Woman's University, and University of North Texas," Henley said.

The text is co-authored by Dr. B. Michael Thorne of Mississippi State University, a former colleague of Henley's.

A native of Kingston, Tenn. who completed his doctorate from the University of Tennessee in 1989, Henley has co-authored two other professional books with major publishers. His bachelor's and master's degrees are in philosophy and much of the history of psychology overlaps with developments in philosophy, he said.

On why he enjoys the academic life, Henley said, "My passion is knowledge, ideas, and logic. That is why I started in philosophy. At some point, however, my interests narrowed to 'the mind,' which is the province of psychology."

A full professor by his mid 30s at Mississippi State, a Top 50 research institution, Henley said he was looking for a new challenge. "I spent a sabbatical year working as a software designer for a computer games company, but then couldn't bring myself to leave academia. Moving into administration seemed like a good option and so I became a department head at Texas A&M University-Commerce."

Henley is in his second year at A&M-Commerce and his wife, Lani, who has a Ph.D. in animal behavior, is an adjunct faculty member in the A&M-Commerce department of biological and environmental science. They have an 8-year-old son, Robert Alexander.

On Tracy Henley's work at A&M-Commerce, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services Frank Ashley said, "The College of Education and Human Services at Texas A&M University-Commerce has long been known for its contributions to educator preparation, but Dr. Tracy Henley is a great example of the outstanding productive faculty in the human services side of the college.

"It is really an honor to have Dr. Henley and his psychology and special education colleagues as members of the College of Education and Human Services and faculty here at A&M-Commerce," Ashley said.

In his free time, Henley enjoys cooking. After he retires, he says he is interested in retraining as a chef. "I also still enjoy game design, both computer-based as well as board and card games," he said.

Henley also enjoys golf and loves to watch football.

 

EDUCATOR AND AUTHOR -- Dr. Tracy B. Henley of Texas A&M University-Commerce displays the psychology textbook he has co-authored. The book is titled "Connections in the History and Systems of Psychology," in its third edition. Published by Houghton-Mifflin earlier this year, the text is used in upper division undergraduate and graduate classes. Head of the department of psychology, Henley also enjoys computers and cooking.  (A&M-Commerce photo)