Dick Malott - Fan Mail from Undergrads

Also, I figured that I would tell you that I got my BCBA certification. I passed the test and met all the requirements. The way that PPP (AKA BATS BCBA track) is set up helped so much. Not to mention the rest of the program. The other people I work with here are struggling on the test and are having a hard time getting in their supervised hours so everyone is real impressed that I have the BCBA. Their reaction made me think and so... I am thanking you for your program, your experience and ability to bring incredible people in to help like Dr Esch and Dr Kaye.

Greetings Dr. Malott,
I have procrastinated long enough and am finally making myself write to you.

My name is Tim Gullick and I met you through your close association with Don Whaley in 1977. He was at North Texas State University at the time. I had taken Applied Behavior Analysis (Basic Behavioral Principles) from Don and went on to present my lab work on "DRO and Self-Monitor System with the Severely Retarded" at the 3rd annual MABA convention in Chicago.

Slow those neurotransmitters, I don't expect you to remember me! I was one of many undergrads following you and Don around hoping some of your genius would rub off.

I am writing in an attempt to express what a positive and profound affect you and Don have had on me ( I still have my original Elememtary Principles of Behavior text; well worn and sacred).

About 3 years ago, after many years of being side-tracked on other life adventures, it dawned on me that I had not fulfilled my initial dream of becoming a Behavior Analyst. I was googling and wrote in Don Whaley's name, then up came your web site amongst several others. I read you wonderful account of Don and Sigrid Glenn's as well, and I cried and wished I could go back in time. I then made a contract with myself to complete my master's in psych, which I did last year. Unfortunately I didn't research well enough to know the requirements for becoming a BCBA. All of my courses in developmental psych, counseling psych and clinical psych wouldn't help me.

So, to remain focused on my goal I made a new self contract. I am currently in the ABA program at Florida Tech with Dr. Martinez-Diaz. What's 5 more grad classes and 1500 hours of supervision!

Although Dr. Martinez-Diaz was a student of Dr. Michael and we use his texts, I use your PB 6th addition as my optional text!
Dr. Malott, to this day (and that has been a long time, mind you) I consider you and Don Whaley my mentors and a source of inspiration. In a way, I am still following you guys around hoping for a little of your genius.

I passed this dawn reading two of its articles (behavior Autistic, Behavior analysis, and the Gene; Are women, people of color, asians, and southern europeans inherently inferior to north-european males?) and I was made an impression with them. The way with that you write is lovable. I am in the last semester of the graduation and come working with autism has some time, and I was scared for only having now discovered its articles. The arguments that you use give me security to support the principles of Behavior Analysis in any place or discussion, and also, to guide my interventions.

It wanted to only to say it that what you write influences people of other parts of the world and that this influence is very positive.

This morning I was reading an article for my diversity class, Why Be Moral: Humanist and Behavioral Perspectives (Reinecke&Kurtz 1996). The article was discussing ways that behavior analysts address the age old question of morality. Reading the article, I thought, How would Dr. Malott account for moral behavior? I turned the page and saw your name and a description of your conceptions of rule-governance and self-management. This is not the first time I have come across your name in the literature that I have read since I graduated from WMU; yet each time that I see, hear and read your work, I always respond with a smile on my face. I am currently nearing the end of my first semester of graduate school at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I have adjusted well to both school and life in Chicago. I have already learned many new skills and concepts, I think the most important thing that I learned is how cool I really am. You once told me and a group of students that we didn't realize how cool we really are, referring to the work we were doing and the skills and knowledge about behavior analysis that we possessed. During the transaction to graduate school and a new city, I had fear and doubts about my abilities as a student and as a future behavior analysts. I am proud to say that those thoughts and feelings were quickly extinguished by the constant reinforcement by my instructors, classmates, and assignments in regards to my abilities and knowledge of applied behavior analysis. For this I want to say thank you. It was from your classes and genius instruction methods that I have gained the skills and knowledge that allow me to respond in an optimal way in my new environment. I am so thankful for the education that I received at WMU under your supervision and as I continue my pursuit for a career in ABA, I am confident, enthusiastic, and singing praises of Dr. Malott and WMU. I often recall a special lecture in which you said that you have a special fondness for your experience spent as an undergraduate at Indiana University and you hoped to replicate that for students at WMU. I am ultimately writing this e-mail to tell you that you have succeeded! I hold both you and WMU in a special place in my heart. Thank you for everything! I WILL SAVE THE WORLD WITH APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS!

I'm totally not sending this to kiss ass, ( I had wanted to send anonymously, but couldn't figure out how w/o an established email acct) but I wanted to
emphasize what a wonderful experience I had in your 360 class. It was truly an environment that promoted relative learning and performance :). I'm NOT sending this for personal gain. If anything, I hope that this positively increases your opinion of the BATS students (if it is even necessary or possible). Everyone I had contact with (Britt, Allison B, Allison H, Jen,
Jessie, Lori, Amanda, Erin) were so great! I feel it is known how my friends and I feel about Brittany's stellar performance and before I over-kill the subject of her holy standing, I just want to say thanks. I'm not a super dork and have never before sent a cheesy e-mail like this after a semester, but I wanted to let you know from an inside source, that your BATS girls are performing top notch :)

Krista Hinz

Reply from Dr. Malott

Krista:
Thanks much for your kind words. I'm so proud to receive them that I'm taking the liberty of forwarding them to our department chair and BATS. In addition, if you don't mind, I'll try to get them posted on old.dickmalott.com.

Sincerely,

Dick Malott

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February 2004

Dr. M,

I just wanted to say that I have very much enjoyed your classes these last couple of semesters. You have a great method of conducting your classes, and it is refreshing to have a class that actually aims for optimal performance from the students - especially for those like me who always have too much going on at once. The first time I saw the syllabus for 360 I thought I would never make it. Once I figured out how well your type of class structure worked for me, I began to wish that more of my classes were that way. I learned an awful lot in only a couple of semesters, and I consider that learning experience to be important tools to help me in the future.
Also, I wanted to say thanks again for having us all over for "final feast". I am glad that I got a chance to talk with you for a while, it helped me put a lot of things in perspective.
I will be leaving in February for a new semester in warmer climates, but I hope you have a great new year!!

Jess Ludwig