Dr. Wayne Velicer passes away after 44 years at URI

During the final weeks of his life, the last thing Dr. Wayne Velicer wanted to do was talk about his condition. He didn’t want his URI colleagues to know the extent of the cancer ravaging his body. He didn’t want to distract from the work happening on campus.

But he had to make sure his students were taken care of. That was just his way.

“Just before he died, he wasn’t talking about how sick he was, but he told his students they should switch their major professor,” recalls Kathryn Meier who worked closely with Dr. Velicer for many years at the URI Cancer Prevention Research Center. “It was a very caring gesture. That was Wayne. It was an indication of how much he cared about his students.”

The psychology professor and co-director of the Cancer Prevention Research Center died on Oct. 15 after a battle with a fast-moving cancer only diagnosed over the summer. He was 73.

Dr. Velicer is remembered as a brilliant, engaging teacher and researcher. He was a leader in quantitative psychology, perhaps best known as one of the principal developers of the “Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change” and for developing multiple risk factor interventions and theories. In behavioral statistics, he focused on factor analysis and component analysis, pioneered the application of time series analysis to behavioral sciences, and refined methods for measurement development.

“Wayne would do the science behind psychological theories; express things in mathematical formulas to show they work,” Meier said. “He was able to distill down complex psychology concepts and theories into explanations students and colleagues could understand.”

Dr. Velicer earned his Ph.D. in quantitative psychology from Purdue University in 1972 and worked at the University of Rhode Island from 1973 until his death. It was only the second professional job of his life. He was known for teaching the most essential topics in quantitative psychology including multivariate methods, time series analysis, experimental design, psychological tests and measurement, parsimony methods, the transtheoretical model, nonparametric methods, and statistical mediation analysis, among others.

Among his greatest achievements at URI was founding — in partnership with close friend and colleague, Dr. James Prochaska — the Cancer Prevention Research Center, whose mission is to “enhance the quality and quantity of life through prevention of cancer, other chronic diseases and premature death.” Velicer’s expertise in behavior change was an asset to the center, as was his near-encyclopedic knowledge, Dr. Prochaska said.

“Wayne was a giant in the fields of quantitative and health psychology. He was a walking textbook; I used to say he’s faster and better than Google,” Prochaska said of his friend and colleague with whom he would routinely engage in vigorous debate. “Students would get concerned because we were getting heated, but I told them, it was just passion. He would debate everything vigorously, which is important. When you just read a book, you miss out on the process of how a big idea is created.”

In collaboration with colleagues at the Cancer Prevention Research Center, Dr. Velicer was awarded more than $60 million in grant funding. In health psychology, his contributions include pioneering the application of computer-based intervention to health promotion and disease prevention. He was identified as one of the highest impact authors in psychology (average citation per paper) with major studies in 1992, 1996 and 2003, and his work has been cited more than 46,000 times.

“Wayne defined the very essence of his fields and I know of no one who has contributed as much or as clearly in behavioral statistics,” said Professor Lisa Harlow, who worked closely with Velicer. “His research, grants, teaching, presentations and student collaborations resonate with crystal clarity and increase our understanding, reaching far and wide around the globe.”

As accomplished as he was in the lab and the classroom, Dr. Velicer wasn’t all work; far from it. He was known as a well-rounded person who traveled the world with his wife, Anna, and encouraged friends to venture out and connect with others. He was an avid basketball player, fond of bragging about once beating Rick Mount, Purdue University’s all-time leading scorer, in a game of one-on-one, Prochaska said.

Velicer’s love of gourmet food and fine wine was well-known. He was the person to ask for a restaurant review, a vintage selection or a beer recommendation. He created an informal social group known as SWIG — the Society for Wine Imbibing Gourmets — which brought together his friends and colleagues from all walks of life to share wine and food, and, most importantly, connect with each other.

“He was always supportive, always listening, always there for you,” Meier said. “I feel like I traveled the world with him, hearing of all his adventures.”

As much for his contributions to research in his field, Velicer was known for his teaching, his mentorship and his ability to make complex concepts understandable. Perhaps few are better equipped to reflect on Velicer’s career than those on whom he imparted his wisdom. Many of Dr. Velicer’s students expressed what he meant to them personally and professionally in a series of emails before his passing:

Loren Bauerband: “I was fortunate to have Wayne Velicer as my Ph.D. mentor. For five years, he never doubted my ability to finish or land a job — no matter how many times I did. For a man who seemed to always be traveling, and working on a million things, he prioritized his students and kept us on track. I am proud to be his student, and sad to hear of his passing.”

Iman Almohammadi: “Dr. Wayne Velicer was my mentor and my advisor. He is a special person for all of us who loved him and ache with his passing. Our community will never be the same without him. I will greatly miss you Dr. Velicer and miss our every-other-week meetings. Rest in Peace.”

Leslie Brick: “In 2010, I had applied to several graduate programs and was thrilled to get an interview. I was nervous, but felt prepared for all the tough questions. I got the call from my potential advisor, Wayne Velicer, and we talked a little bit about statistics, but mostly about cheese curds. Five not-so-short years later, I had a Ph.D. and several opinions on PCA/factor analysis. He challenged me, kept me on track, and gave me the independence I needed to succeed.”

Suzanne Colby: “Wayne was so masterful in the classroom; I used to walk out of lectures blown away, inspired, exhilarated… by matrix algebra! Honestly, he was the best lecturer I have seen. Twenty-five years later, I still have all my notes from his wonderful classes … Wayne was a formidable researcher, mathematician, overall presence, and at the same time was a genuine raconteur of fine wine, art, travel, and had such a kindness about him. Wayne found (and brought) such happiness to his family and friends.”

Kerry Evers: “He influenced my life in more ways than I can count. Teachings in the classroom, encouraging my love of travel and organizing some great adventures abroad, introducing me to the wonders of wine and fine cuisine, and showing me, by example, how to create and maintain friendships that last a lifetime. His influence on my field, my company and my own personal life has been enormous.”