M. Powell Lawton Distinguished Contribution Award for Applied Gerontology

The Distinguished Contribution Award in Applied Gerontology is presented in honor of the memory of M. Powell Lawton to recognize those whose contributions have improved the quality of life of older persons. The contributions being honored include developing or implementing a program, practice, policy, or treatment that has had or will have the great potential to improve the lives of older adults. 

The recipient will be presented with a plaque and a cash award of $1,500 at the Div. 20 Business Meeting during the annual APA convention in the year the award is received.

Nominees need not be members of Div. 20, but they must be nominated and endorsed by a division member.

Nomination materials should be sent in one email to the chairs of the chairs of the Awards Committee, Jennifer Birdsall and Jeanine Parisi, with "D20 Lawton Award Nomination" noted as the subject of the email. The nomination materials will include the following:

• A letter of nomination (by a Div. 20 member) describing the nominee's nature and significance of the nominee's research accomplishments.

• A current CV of the nominee.

• Evidence of the positive impact of the contribution(s) on older persons.

• A brief statement by the nominee of his or her current work and future plans.

• At least two additional letters of support (one must be from a Div. 20 member).

Nominees will be reviewed by a committee of past-presidents, as well as past and present members of the Division Executive Committee.

2020

Sara Honn Qualls, PhD, ABPP

2018 

Larry W. Thompson and Dolores Gallagher Thompson

2017

Peter Lichtenberg

2016

Neil Charness

2015

Sara Czaja

2014

Robin L. West

2013

Richard Schulz

2011

Joseph Gaugler

2010

Jiska Cohen

2009

Antonette Zeiss

2008

Forrest Scogin

2007

Bob Knight

2005

Luis Burgio

2004

Harvey Stems

2003

Michael Smyer

2002

Steven Zarit