May 1, 2010

Congratulations to alumnus RONALD E. HAYS MCAT 1977 on receiving the Drexel University Alumni Board of Governors' Special Distinction Award at a ceremony held on Saturday, May 1, during Alumni Weekend. The award is conferred upon an individual, whose professional or community involvement reflects credit upon the university. 

Ron recently retired as Clinical Associate Professor within the Creative Arts in Therapy Department. He had served as the Director of the Program.

During his tenure at Drexel, Ron developed 10 new courses for the Creative Arts in Therapy Program. He was instrumental in the development of three widely used art therapy assessments: the Dot-to-Dot, the Six Drawing Art Therapy Assessment, and the Bridge Drawing. Ron also served a six-year term as Chair of the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. He was instrumental in securing Pennsylvania state licensing for Creative Arts Therapists as Professional Counselors. Mr. Hays is a Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Ron has practiced art therapy since 1969, and he has been involved in a private practice since 1977. After receiving his graduate degree from Hahnemann, Mr. Hays worked with children in the Philadelphia area. In 1973, he moved to Virginia Beach where he served as the Director of Eastern Virginia Medical School's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Art Psychotherapy Education Program, which he also developed. He also served as the Director of Adjunctive Therapies at the Norfolk Community Mental Health Center & Psychiatric Institute. In addition, Hays has taught at Old Dominion University, Rutgers University, the University of the Arts, Marywood University, Goldsmith College in London, and Haifa University in Israel.

Photo: Gloria F. Donnelly, PhD, Dean, College of Nursing and Health Professions, and James B. Dougherty, Jr. Esq. '78/'81, Chair of the Alumni Board of Governors (right) congratulate Ron Hays, recipient of the Alumni Association's Special Distinction Award.

Ron has received several awards, including: Honorary Life Member of the Delaware Art Therapy Association; 1995 Teacher of the Year by the Hahnemann Graduate School Student Government; 1996 Service Award from Hahnemann; 1996 East High School (Des Moines) Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee and the 1999 The Lindback Award.