10/19/2020

PCA Remembers Dr. Francene Haymon

PCA learned of the passing of its 2002 President, Dr. Francene E. Haymon.  Dr. Haymon was a professor emeritus from Slippery Rock University where she worked for thirty-three years in numerous faculty positions including that of a clinical faculty member in the counseling center. As PCA president, Francene worked diligently on the following:

• assisted newly licensed counselors and new counselors seeking their first licenses in navigating this process
• strengthened the association by creating the Keystone Account to support the work of divisions and chapters
• developed strategies to increase membership by creating regional coordinators which were the forerunners of our current chapters, Greater Pittsburgh Counseling Association (GPCA), Greater Philadelphia Area Counseling Association(G-PACA) and Northeast Pennsylvania Counseling Association (NEPCA)
• created the Past-President’s committee which is now a standing committee

Her conference theme was “Valuing Commitment” in which she stated: “This theme reflects the committed counselors who serve families, schools, communities, volunteers, police, firefighters, and communities during and after September 11, 2001, the Que Creek Mining accident, and currently the sniper problem.” Francene was the consummate advocate for the counseling professional as shared in her statement: “Counselors are in my opinion our most valuable asset; may we never forget to share our gifts and talents with others.” She truly lived these words as the president of the Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) from 2008-2009 by initiating the annual “Day of Service” at the 2009 ACA annual conference which is still going strong today.

Past PCA President Mark Kenney, remembered Dr. Haymon during the PCA Virtual Conference.  He quoted, "Francene, we will miss your caring nature, your visionary leadership and your desire to share your gifts and talents with your clients, your colleagues, your community and the counseling profession. We all will continue to strive to “value commitment” by acting on behalf of others who are in need of and benefit from our work as professional counselors."  In the photo below, taken in 2002, Dr. Francene Haymon Phillips (president-elect) is on the right, Dr. Ford Brooks (past-president) is the center and Mark Kenny is on the left (president).