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WBSI CHRONOLOGY In 2008 WBSI celebrated its 50th anniversary. Here are highlights: |
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1958 With retired Caltech physicist Paul E. Lloyd as its initial benefactor, the institute is founded in La Jolla, California as an independent, nonprofit organization for research, education and advanced study. 1959 Theodore Newcomb, dean of American social psychologists, becomes the first of many distinguished Visiting Fellows. 1960 WBSI receives its first research grant, from the Office of Naval Research to study leadership and social power. Foundation, government and corporate support follows to enable dozens of major studies ranging from nuclear deterrence strategies to educational gaming to self-directed therapeutic groups. 1961 Psychology superstar Abraham Maslow writes his most important book, Toward a Psychology of Being, while serving as a two-year Visiting Fellow on the WBSI staff. 1963 Carl Rogers, considered America’s most influential psychologist, joins the staff as Resident Fellow. 1964 The institute becomes an official evaluator of President Johnson’s War on Poverty program. 1965 WBSI conducts the first televised group therapy series, Human Encounter, designed as stimulus to leaderless, self-directed community groups.
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1968 WBSI wins the Oscar for Journey Into Self, the year’s best feature length documentary film, directed by WBSI staffer Bill McGaw. 1969 First article in a national magazine advocating women’s rights, since suffrage times, by WBSI co-founder and chairman Richard Farson, (Look, Dec. 9, 1969). 1972 Co-founder Wayman Crow employs ex-convicts to help conduct crime prevention research, eventually reducing 7-11 store robberies by 40%. 1974 Richard Farson’s book Birthrights: A Bill of Rights for Children, is the first to call for full Constitutional protection of children. 1980 The pioneering mental health training film Relations employs a comedy approach, featuring Ed Asner, a star-studded cast and, incidentally, Whoopi Goldberg’s first film appearance. 1981 The School of Management and Strategic Studies, with senior executives from 26 countries, launches the world’s first program in online distance education, a full decade before the introduction of the Internet. 1983 WBSI conducts the first combined online and residential discussion among 50 Fortune 500 CEOs and top labor leaders sponsored by the Dept. of Commerce, and dealing with declining rates of productivity. |
1985 For Harvard University, WBSI designs and manages the first demonstration of how alumni could be mobilized in an interactive, educational online network. 1991 The national economic recession forces the closure of WBSI’s programs, including the pioneering and highly successful School of Management and Strategic Studies. 1999 A grant from trustee Douglas Strain rejuvenates WBSI and funds the planning and development of a new program to tap the collective wisdom of our most influential global leaders.
2001 Inauguration of the International Leadership Forum, the first Internet-based, non-partisan, online think tank composed entirely of highly influential leaders deliberating the great policy issues of our time. 2003 The ILF Digest is created to present to the general public online the International Leadership Forum conferences, interviews and commentaries. 2007 WBSI develops a topical blog, ILF Post, featuring the views of ILF Fellows and special guests. 2008 WBSI celebrates its 50th anniversary by expanding its International Leadership Forum and introducing research on design in the public interest. |