Mark Frame draws energy from the fascinating things happening in UT Arlington's Psychology Department.

"There’s a feeling of constant growth, development and improvement in the department," the psychology assistant professor said. "We have world-renowned researchers among the faculty, some key new hires, and there's a nice energy, an enthusiasm, in the department."

Dr. Frame is doing his part to continue the momentum. Last year he established a scholarship in honor of his maternal grandfather, Ralph H. Rodrick, for the four-year-old industrial and organizational psychology master's degree program.

Although interested in psychology since junior high, Frame didn't consider a career in it until his days at the University of New Orleans. While studying psychology his senior year, he was an intern with the New Orleans Civil Service Test and Validation Unit and became intrigued by co-worker and workplace interactions. His focus soon became industrial/organizational psychology, which took him to Illinois for graduate work.

"I'm not sure if I found psychology or if it found me," he said. "I've always been someone who's observant of others' behavior—very psychologically minded."

A former faculty member at the Illinois Institute of Technology, DePaul University, Northeastern Illinois University, Elmhurst College and Roosevelt University, Frame joined the UT Arlington Psychology Department in 2003. He began pondering the scholarship after talking with students about their financial needs. He brought the idea to the Office of Development, which led to the Ralph H. Rodrick, Sr. Mentoring and Leadership Scholarship for master's students in the I/O program.

Frame wanted to honor his grandfather because he helped shape Frame's approach to life. For more than 25 years, Rodrick was a firefighter and assistant fire chief for the New Orleans suburb of Kenner.

"At the time I thought it was just spending time with my grandfather, but later on I realized he was mentoring me, teaching me leadership skills," Frame said. "He taught me how to do things right without complaining and to take pride in your work."

Rodrick's legacy inspired Frame to focus the scholarship on leadership and mentoring among graduate students—a cause embraced by Lewis Hollweg, CEO of Batrus Hollweg International. After meeting with I/O psychology graduate students and faculty in October, he donated $5,000 to the scholarship on behalf of Batrus Hollweg International, a human capital consulting firm that specializes in assessing and developing talent within organizations.

"If you build it, they will give," Frame said.

— Kim Pewitt-Jones