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Evans, Louise, 1928-2021

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: September 6, 1928 - September 15, 2021

Biographical Information

Dr. Louise Evans was an internationally recognized clinical psychologist specializing in family, marriage, child, and clinical psychology.

Louise Evans was born in San Antonio, Texas to Henry and Adela Evans. During World War II, they moved to Evansville, Indiana where she attended Central High School (1942-1945) and was awarded two scholarships to universities which she declined in favor of financially needy students. Evans earned her B.S. (1949) in Psychology from Northwestern University, and M.S. (1953) and Ph.D. (1955) in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University.

While at Northwestern, she was entered without her knowledge in a beauty contest, which she won, conducted at the U.S. naval base. At Purdue, she had one of the three highest recorded I.Q.s up to that time. During her master's, Evans interned at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas and after earning her Ph.D., earned a post-doctoral fellowship working at the Menninger Clinic in Clinical Child Psychology, becoming the first woman in the program.

Prior to opening her private practice in California (1960), Evans held positions as a psychologist, child psychologist, director, consultant, and instructor at hospitals, clinics, and Washington University School of Medicine. She also published research and scientific papers, facilitated projects, and gave numerous speeches, presentations, and lectures to the public and for professional seminars and organizations. She was a member of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), founded the Orange County Society of Clinical Psychologists, was a founding member of the Orange County Psychological Association, and Secretary of the International Council of Psychologists (ICP). Owing to her efforts, the organization's membership expanded exponentially. She served on the committee for, and achieved for the first time in the United States, insurance coverage for patients' treatments by psychologists for mental health problems.

Evans earned numerous awards for her leadership and contributions to the field of psychology, including a Citizenship Award for Contributions to Mental Health (1975), Distinguished Alumni Award (1993), and Old Master Award (1993) from Purdue University. She also received an award from Northwestern University, International Woman of the Year Medal of Honour (1996-1997), 2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 20th Century medal, and many more. She was a Life Fellow of the American Orthopsychiatric Association, and was listed in Marquis' publications: Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare, and Who's Who in Finance and Industry.

Evans gave regularly to charities and provided her professional expertise pro bono. She donated land in New York state for public use, and she and her husband, Thomas Gambrell (married 1960), donated a large building to the American Legion in Texas and the proceeds from their citrus ranch farm for dental care for children living on reservation.

Dr. Louise Evans passed away September 15, 2021.

Citation

Louise Evans Gambrell. (6 October 2021). Borger News-Herald. Pressreader. Retrieved from: https://www.pressreader.com/usa/borger-news-herald/20211006/page/3

Citation

Louise Evans papers collection file. Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, West Lafayette, IN.

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

Louise Evans papers, addition 01

 Unprocessed — Box: 1
Identifier: 20190823

Louise Evans papers, addition 02

 Unprocessed — Box: 1
Identifier: 20200113.1
Dates: Majority of material found within 1987 - 2015

Louise Evans papers, addition 03

 Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 20201117

Louise Evans papers, addition 04

 Unprocessed — Box: 1
Identifier: 2022-126

Louise Evans papers, addition 05

 Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2022-127