Tributes to Martha Wilson Alcock - Educator and Myers-Briggs Researcher

A mutual friend Melody Camp had been keeping me posted on Martha's courageous struggle with Cancer. For a while things looked hopeful, but then shortly before the end, her trademark sunshine spirit could no longer mask what was just around the corner. In an email, Melody delivered the news that Martha had lost her brave battle on June 15, 2005.

Reflections. I first met Martha at a workshop on the Expanded Analysis version of the MBTI where her EAR profile was among those used for the classroom illustrations. When I learned she was a neuroscience researcher, I was interested; when I learned of her unique (for a scientist) type letters - ESFJ - I was intrigued. And when something funny bubbled out her infectious laugh, I was captured. This was someone I had to know.

Subsequently I had the pleasure of attending her presentations on type and neuroscience and type and child development. When she became Chair of the Great Lakes Region of APT, she helped me nurture a local type interest group into becoming the Madison Chapter of APT. She became an admired friend who I looked forward to seeing on a personal basis as well as intellectual. I had imagined that her research in education and learning would someday make a significant contribution in these fields. Hopefully what she has started will continue. I'll miss her warm and inspiring light.

Another mutual friend, Jeanne Marlowe, had this to say about Martha:

The Association for Psychological Type will honor Martha by naming our scholarships to APT conferences in her name. In 2003 Martha helped me establish criteria for these ongoing scholarships, which we hoped would increase the diversity of our membership.

Martha's smiling presence and compassionate mentoring guided our association at the local, regional, and international level. She brought joy to our leadership, encouraging us to reach out to the community with wide-ranging educational programs. Without her enthusiasm and warm welcome we would not have the volunteer resources that make our meetings fun.

Martha touched us all.

Jeanne Marlowe
Great Lakes Region Past Chair

Martha' employer, Capital University posted the following tribute:

Martha Wilson Alcock
October 12, 1954 to June 15, 2005

Dr. Martha Alcock, professor of education and interim director of faculty development at the Capital University Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, passed away peacefully June 15 after a brief, yet courageous, battle with cancer.

Martha celebrated the goodness of life every day with energy and compassion. Her positive attitude and radiant smile, present even in the face of personal adversity these last few months, were a blessing and motivation to all who knew her.

Joining the faculty in 1989, Martha lived the Capital ideal of  "The Education You Want. The Attention You Deserve." Her students' education both inside and outside the classroom, their happiness in life and their success in their profession were always foremost in her mind. She was recognized for her commitment to Capital and pursuit of excellence in her teaching  in 1992, when she was named the Homer and Isabel Cotterman Endowed Chairholder. In 1993, Martha received the Cotterman Award for
outstanding student advising and in 2000, the Praestantia Award, Capital's highest honor for teaching excellence.

Martha earned a bachelor's degree in elementary/special education from Wittenberg University, and both her master's and doctoral degrees from The Ohio State University's College of Education. Martha was internationally known for her neuroscience research, particularly in the areas of brain mapping and psychological type and their implications on classroom teaching and learning.

She was recognized by numerous professional organizations around the country, receiving grants and honors for her research. Martha was an active member of the American Educational Research Association, the Association for Psychological Type, Phi Delta Kappa and Pi Lamba Theta Education Honorary.

She was an exemplary role model to her students and colleagues in the field of education. And she was an example to everyone who knew her of how to live life to its fullest, through friendship and faith.

Martha will be missed by all and remembered fondly for years to come.

In addition to her academic and professional contributions to psychological type, Martha was an active volunteer and officer in our Type association. She was a former President of the Columbus APT Chapter, former Chair of the Great Lakes Region of APT, and former President of APT International.

--Ross Reinhold