Brian Harder Honors Day Celebration History

The Brian Harder Honors Day Conference is named after Brian Harder, a former student. Emerging from a small rural community and influenced by the Mennonite Brethren, Brian began his academic career at the ��ֱ�� in 1984. In his second year, he majored in Drama, which likely reflected his continuing interest in creativity and creative expression. After his second year, Brian decided to travel for a year. He frequently sought out situations he knew would challenge his personal philosophies and resourcefulness; so he undertook the journey alone. He visited Europe and the Middle East and was particularly enamored of Türkiye. In 1987 he entered the psychology undergraduate honors program and graduated with first-class standing in 1989. He married Joan Fitzpatrick in July of that year. He began his graduate studies at the ��ֱ�� in September 1989 and was studying dreams and the psychology of self with Professor Don Kuiken.

Brian died in July 1990 of a brain aneurysm at the age of 28. Many were shocked at Brian's untimely death. However, Brian knew he was at risk; he had already survived one aneurysm a number of years earlier. But Brian chose to live life in a way that was most meaningful to him. He was a thoughtful and contemplative individual, as much a philosopher as a psychologist. He often chose to ask the most difficult questions both of himself and of others. As a consequence, he encouraged others to think deeply about those things that matter most.

NOTE: From 2018-2023, the Joseph R. Royce and the Brian Harder Honors Day Conferences were combined for a 2-day event celebrating psychology research at the ��ֱ��.

Previous Brian Harder Conferences