The Marshall University Foundation has announced a $75,000 gift to establish the David J. Pittenger Scholarship. The scholarship is generously endowed by Dr. David J. Pittenger, professor emeritus of psychology.
“For nearly two decades, Dr. David Pittenger has served Marshall University through various administrative roles. This generous gift ensures that the positive and significant impact he had on Marshall students will continue for many more decades. We are extremely grateful for Dr. Pittenger’s service, as well as his generosity,” Chris Morrow said, dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
Pittenger began his teaching career during his second semester of graduate school in 1980, where he taught his first psychology course at Texas A&M University. He then continued his career at the University of Georgia, learning Pavlovian and operant conditioning, statistics and research methods.
During his time at the University of Georgia, he was awarded a national graduate student teaching award from the American Psychological Association, in addition to several awards from the university.
In 1990, Pittenger was appointed as the chair of the Department of Psychology at Marietta College. During his tenure, he was awarded the McCoy Professorship in recognition of his efforts as an educator.
After this recognition, his career continued to advance. In 2000, Pittenger became the chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Soon after this appointment, he was appointed to the role of associate provost for academic administration. During this time, he wrote several notable books on statistics and research methods.
Pittenger came to Marshall University in 2008, serving as the dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Despite his initial belief that Marshall would be a steppingstone in his journey, it quickly became the place he wanted to call home.
While at Marshall, Pittenger served as dean of the Graduate College, as well as the director of outreach in continuing education. In 2022, his journey came full circle, returning to his roots as a full-time professor of psychology.
“The students I have had the pleasure to teach are by far the best I’ve ever had,” Pittenger said. “Many of our students are the first in their families to attend college and need a helping hand. It is for these reasons that I make this gift towards the students of Marshall University.”
The David J. Pittenger Scholarship will support a psychology major who is a resident of West Virginia or a neighboring metro county who has demonstrated a keen awareness of the necessity of empirical research for advancing understanding of psychological phenomena and shaping therapeutic practices.
For financial information regarding the David J. Pittenger Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at (304) 696-3162.