As one of the original divisions of the association, Div. 3 must be recognized as one of the treasures of our discipline, founded in 1945, with first President Edward C. Tolman. The evolution of APA via divisions reflects to a significant extent, I believe, the post-1930s history of our field. The earliest division was Div. 1 (General Psychology), which made sense, as specialization had not had much history at that point. The next division, Div. 2, focused on the teaching of psychology, reflecting that demand for psychology education at universities was growing, and APA needed to be there, with many members then as now on university faculties. Div. 3 was created to provide a home in the largest of psychological societies for the experimental science that was seen by many as a central and defining feature of the field. Of course, specialization has escalated over the years, but my view is that those and most of the other early divisions continue to reflect major, key and continuing dimensions of the discipline. In that light, I would nominate Div. 3 as a national treasure in this great science. Few other scientific psychology bodies have survived and thrived for 75 years, aided by such early presidents who got the enterprise going as Tolman, Guthrie, Graham, Hull, Beach, Skinner, Brogden, Harlow, Schlosberg, Miller, Hebb, Gibson, Geldard, Pfaffman, Brown, Estes, Underwood, Grant, Neff, Riggs, Kimble, Kendler, Cofer, Solomon, Wickens, Melton, Postman and more, constituting a who's who of historic leadership in scientific psychology.
Today one continues to hear that much of science in APA has, to a significant extent, left for other professional homes. But I would argue that much science remains. Our division and other science divisions are vigorous, we have outstanding science at APA’s convention, the APA science journals are strong and we push for more science via the committees, forums and units of the Association, such as the Board of Scientific Affairs, Council of Representatives, Science Directorate, etc. Most APA members, in my view, understand the importance of strong representation of science in the field and in APA, and this understanding helps support the credibility of the entire enterprise we have committed ourselves to.
Let me conclude that I am totally humbled by election to the presidency of this profound and historic division, and hope that I can justify that support with able leadership in the months ahead.