Adding the Her-story to the History of Psychology

The National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology convened for the first time on October 9-11, 1978 on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, jointly sponsored by the UIUC Psychology Department and the University's Division of Conferences and Institutes. Originally called "An Institute on the Teaching of Psychology to Undergraduates," the event was the brainchild of Frank Costin, a member of the Psychology Department at UIUC from 1948 until his death in 1998. Frank's idea for the Institute was as simple and straightforward as it was important, namely to offer psychology faculty an opportunity to get together to hear stimulating talks—and to exchange ideas and advice—about the challenges, frustrations, problems, and pleasures of teaching. The Institute has grown significantly in size and scope over the years, but its purpose and goals have remained the same.