WWU's James Orr to send psychology books to Saint Louis University in Thailand

Western Washington University counselor James Orr has partnered with Father Scott Connolly of Bellingham’s Church of the Assumption to send textbooks and reference materials from WWU’s Psychology Department to Saint Louis University in Bangkok, Thailand.

Orr provided psychology books from his own collection and solicited donations from other Psychology faculty in the areas of abnormal psychology, counseling and organizational psychology.

The donation includes approximately 50 books.

Connolly is supporting the donation in association with the Church of the Assumption by paying the shipping costs to deliver the books.

Saint Louis College, primarily a nursing college, recently started a Psychology program but has no professional library supporting that subject’s study.

Orr said he became involved with efforts to improve the study of Psychology in Thailand after meeting Somchai Teaukul, a well-known psychologist who is responsible for implementing new minimum standards to the field of psychology in Thailand. Orr met Teaukul during volunteer efforts in Thailand after it was hit by a devastating tsunami.

“I have returned to Thailand every December since meeting Teaukul, and usually bring him materials to help him teach his Psychology classes,” Orr said. “[Donating the books] seemed like an opportunity to do an even greater good for a greater number of people.”

For more information, contact Orr at (360) 650-3164 or james.orr@wwu.edu.