by Pamela Cavitt

Parsons Sun, July 21, 2002

A recent visitor to the University of Kansas research center on the grounds of Parsons State Hospital and Training Center illustrates the worldwide reputation of the facility's staff in research. Max Jones, a professor of psychology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, spent the past two weeks in Parsons while on sabbatical from his position there. He said he chose the Parsons research center as a destination because of the staff's reputation as international leaders in the scientific analysis of learning. "I was in a position to choose where I went while on sabbatical. The team they have here is world class in our area," Jones said. "I've read their research and figured it would be worthwhile including this in my itinerary. "It amazes me how much good work can be done from a relatively small facility like this," Jones said. "They aren't loaded with money but they publish some excellent stuff."

Other than the Parsons research center, Jones' three-month tour of America includes such highly respected facilities as the New England Center for Children in Boston, the Princeton Child Development Institute and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders in Los Angeles. Although Jones said he spent most of his time analyzing research in the office with Kate Saunders, Dean Williams, Richard Saunders and Rafael Bejarano, he has had some time to enjoy the local scenery. "My best memory of this place is staying out at Kate and Dean's home (near Big Hill Lake.) Seeing the wildlife I'd read about as a kid - the animals you don't see in New Zealand - has been very special for me. The fireflies, the beavers, raccoons, armadillos. Aside from what I've learned from Kate and Dean, the wildlife has been the most memorable."

Jones also drew a distinction between small-town life in America and that in New Zealand. "The spirit of New Zealand is in the small town and everyone knows it. When you live in a big city there you feel like you're compromising. I think that's not the case here. People should be proud of what they have here instead of apologizing for their way of life."

Jones will leave Parsons today to visit facilities in San Diego and Los Angeles before returning to New Zealand. "I've come a long way to spend time in this little place called Parsons, but for a very good reason. This small town has a lot going for it. You're selling yourself short here. You really are."

Back to News and Announcements Archive