Charles Merrifield

Charles Merrifield, Professor of Psychology at Newman University, retired in May 2014 after 31 years of service. His career focused on social justice, responsibility, and authoritarianism. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from Oklahoma State University, an M.A. in Experimental Psychology from Wichita State University, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Oklahoma State University. Merrifield revitalized Newman's Psychology program, increasing majors from 3 to 40, and established the counseling program addressing community needs. He advised students on 86 conference presentations and founded Newman chapters of the American Association of University Professors and Psi Chi. Post-retirement, he plans to travel, volunteer, and pursue hobbies like tuba playing.

• Education:
• Bachelor’s: Psychology, Oklahoma State University
• Master’s: Experimental Psychology, Wichita State University
• Doctorate: Psychology, Oklahoma State University

Research Interests: Merrifield’s work explored social justice through psychology, including civil rights advocacy and cooperative systems inspired by his family’s activism. He studied how societal structures influence individual responsibility and attitudes, bridging theory and community action.

Advising & Contributions: Mentored over 86 student research presentations. Expanded Newman’s Psychology program and launched its counseling curriculum, later integrating child/adolescent studies and criminal justice. His service included committee work and community initiatives.

Labs/Teams: While no formal lab is named, he fostered collaborative research environments through student projects and professional associations.