TEMPLE TERRACE, FL, May 22, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- M. Thaxter Dickey, PhD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Dickey has established a distinguished career in academia, marked by over 45 years of dedicated service at Florida College. Since 1979, he has held the position of professor and department chair of social sciences, where his expertise in psychology program development has been instrumental in shaping the institution's academic landscape. In this capacity, he prepares and delivers lectures, grades assignments, meets with fellow psychology professors, reviews personnel and collects data on student progress for accreditation purposes. He teaches a wide array of courses, including general psychology, cognitive psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, cultural psychology, psychology of religion, social psychology and personality. Additionally, he manages the ongoing development of the psychology program and is responsible for hiring and mentoring faculty members.

Among Dr. Dickey's most notable achievements at Florida College is the creation and personal instruction of the Honors Reading program for 35 years. This initiative invites 10 to 15 students each semester to engage with classic works of Western civilization. He also developed the liberal studies degree program in 1991, which became one of the college's first four-year degrees and now serves approximately 10 percent of its graduates. Forty years ago, he established the institutional research program at Florida College, systematizing data collection and evaluation for accreditation and internal assessments. He has since managed this program and produced seven major reports analyzing student attitudes, activities, faculty and staff perspectives, course success rates and dropout statistics.

Dr. Dickey's commitment to academic excellence extends beyond Florida College. From 1980 to 1983, he served as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where he contributed to the academic community through teaching and mentorship. He also held an adjunct professorship at the University of Tampa during this period. His professional affiliations include membership in both the American Psychological Society and the American Psychological Association, reflecting his standing within the broader psychological community.

In his own academic journey, Dr. Dickey earned a Doctor of Philosophy in psychology-economics from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1986 after completing a Master of Arts in industrial-organizational psychology at the same institution in 1981. He began with a Bachelor of Arts in business-psychology-communication from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green in 1978 and also completed graduate coursework at the University of South Florida.

Reflecting on his career, Dr. Dickey attributes his professional success to the encouragement and high expectations set by his parents as well as his own persistent personality and determination, qualities that have enabled him to create innovative programs, mentor colleagues and sustain a long tenure at Florida College. Initially envisioning a corporate career in industrial-organizational psychology, he found his calling in academia after earning his degrees and has remained committed to serving students and faculty at a small liberal arts institution.

Beyond his academic responsibilities, Dr. Dickey has demonstrated a deep commitment to civic engagement through his lifelong involvement with the Church of Christ. For 47 years, he has served as a lay preacher for numerous small congregations throughout the local area—often working with communities unable to afford full-time ministers. In these roles, he provides spiritual instruction and support until congregations are able to employ permanent ministers. Currently serving a congregation of approximately 50 people, he values the close-knit community environment and takes pride in contributing to their spiritual growth. His approach is rooted in the traditions of the Church of Christ, where ministers are not formally ordained but instead begin service through mutual agreement with church elders.

In recognition of his professional achievement, Dr. Dickey has been recognized through several honors, such as two Special Service Awards from the dean at Florida College as well as being named Top Rated Teacher for 1997 to 1998. Additionally, he was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi at the University of South Florida in 1982.

Born in Millen, Dr. Dickey enjoys reading, writing and preaching outside his professional commitments. He takes great pride in his family, including his wife Wanda, their four children and their eleven grandchildren, all of whom have achieved professional success across various fields, including service at the Pentagon and military service.

Looking ahead, Dr. Dickey intends to further solidify the psychology program at Florida College while continuing to mentor new faculty members across campus by developing programs on effective lecturing for faculty conferences. He remains dedicated to passing on his knowledge and skills to help future educators succeed as he continues his longstanding service to both academia and his community.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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