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Professor recognized as outstanding fellow

Feb. 26, 2009

Shanna Taylor/Lariat Staff Dr. James Ellor, a professor in the School of Social Work, sits in his office Wednesday afternoon. Ellor was chosen as an outstanding fellow by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.

By Sommer Ingram
Staff Writer

Dr. James Ellor admits to being a closet historian.

Though a professor of gerontology, the study of the aging process in individuals typically 65 years or older, in the School of Social Work, Ellor says his passion for the field stems from his love of history.

"I've talked to Holocaust survivors, met the first woman on Omaha Beach during the Normandy Invasion in World War II," he said. "You read about this stuff all the time but I get to meet people who were there, people who remember, and it's fascinating."

The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education has named Ellor to be a fellow of the association based on his contributions to teaching, publication, leadership in administration, and involvement in the development of new programs in his field.

"Dr. Ellor was named a fellow specifically for his leadership and prolific contributions in the area of aging and religion/spirituality and his many contributions and leadership to AGHE," said Dr. Margaret Perkinson, chair of the committee that selected the fellows.

Ellor left today to attend the association's leadership conference in San Antonio, where he will be presented with his award and also attend various meetings and present his work.

"Essentially being a fellow means someone has determined that I work at the top end of the field," Ellor said. "And I feel very honored. The importance of the need in this field can be seen if you just look at your grandparents or your parents as they get older and may need your support."

A major theme at the conference will be economic security for the older population.

"A lot of older people's retirement packages are now 40 percent thinner because of the economy," Ellor said. "But many are too frail to go back to work and then go bankrupt. The conference will address socioeconomic issues that our economy has brought upon us."

Currently Ellor is trying to obtain funding for research involving the process of grief in people with Alzheimer's and dementia diseases.

"We're trying to document how they grieve loss and how to work with them through behavioral methods other than medication," he said.

"Sometimes they will become agitated and anxious because everyone around them is sad but they don't understand why. At that point, we give them the medication to mask their agitation. Surely we can produce some behavioral interventions that produce the same results," Ellor said.

Ellor is also working on a project involving the study of post-traumatic stress disorder and links throughout generations of the family.

He has also worked with Dr. Dennis Myers, associate dean of the School of Social Work, on a research project aiming to understand the needs and predispositions of Baby Boomers in the context of church congregations.

"Dr. Ellor is nationally known for his work, and has a deep commitment to gerontological research, particularly in the area of aging and spirituality," Myers said. "His scholarship in these areas resonates with the mission of the Baylor School of Social Work," Myers said.

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