About Frank McAndrew

about me -

I study human social behavior from an evolutionary perspective, and when I am not conducting or writing up psychology experiments, I write for the average person-on-the-street. I cover topics as diverse as why we grieve so deeply over the death of our dogs, why old people hate new music, and why clowns creep us out. I have also appeared in several documentary films (See a trailer for one of them) and I am currently writing a book about the psychology of gossip.

I am the longest-serving psychology professor in the history of Knox College (44 years & counting), and in the almost 200-year-history of Knox, only eight professors in any department served longer.

I have always been deeply engaged with the day-to-day life of the college. Among other things, I founded the environmental studies program, served as the associate dean of the college, and chaired the psychology department for a decade. On the side, I also worked with the McNair Scholars Program and coached the wrestling team for many years, and I organized the annual Flunk Day softball game for longer than I can remember. My family and I even lived in the dormitories for four years as "Head Residents."

Last, but not least, I had the distinct privilege of serving as Stephen Colbert's host and introducing him when he delivered the 2006 commencement address at Knox College.

PERSONAL TRIVIA:

*I was born on a U.S. military base in Germany and I grew up in the anthracite coal region of

Northeastern Pennsylvania. I also lived in Maine for five years, and I now reside on the prairie

in Western Illinois in a house that is approximately 120-years-old.

*I am the oldest of five children and I attended Catholic Schools for 17 years.

*I was a wrestler in high school (two-time state place winner) and in college (team captain in an

NCAA Division II program), and most of my students and academic colleagues are unaware that I

masqueraded as a college wrestling coach for 30 years, with 12 years as a head coach.

*My wife (Maryjo) and I have two grown children (Tim & Maura), one ungrown grandchild

(Colleen), and a dog named Audrey Hepburn.

* Maryjo was a long-suffering kindergarten teacher who eventually found a second career as an

archivist. She is a graduate of Misericordia University.

* Tim has degrees from Kenyon College & Washington University (St. Louis), and he is a

member of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Tim's spouse, Rose Dunphy McAndrew,

earned a doctorate in Occupational Therapy and has held faculty positions at several

universities after putting in many years as a practicing therapist; coincidentally, Rose also

happens to be a Knox College graduate.

* Tim & Rose's daughter Colleen is a 5th grader who plays the viola and enjoys swimming,

mathematics, playing online games with her friends, & anything related to Wednesday Addams.

* Maura has degrees from Macalester College & the University of Pittsburgh. She is a writer,

musician, media specialist, and adjunct instructor at the University of Oklahoma where her spouse, Robert Bailey, is an Associate Professor of Art History.