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Timothy Malone

By Jennifer Tanner | Photos by Bobby Lacey

Tim Malone believes that to grow as a person it takes more than just stretching your comfort zone — you have to shatter it.
As a senior at Milton High School, the Alpharetta, Ga. native was on track to attend a major technical university, until he experienced what he calls "a series of personal epiphanies" which revealed a passion for learning about human behavior. He made the surprising choice to study psychology at VSU — which, he said, offered the challenges and opportunities he desired — and dove head first into the experience.

Some of his favorite memories include movie nights with fellow honors program students; but his involvement at VSU extends to intramural activities, volunteer service, hands on research and leadership in various student organizations. Malone was one of few students chosen to participate the Quality Enhancement Plan Task Force for Undergraduate Research, which — as part of the SACS accreditation process — explored innovative methods to facilitate, improve and fund undergraduate research at VSU.

Now a senior, Malone is just two semesters from earning bachelor's degrees in both psychology and philosophy with a minor in professional/applied ethics. Although he thrives on the heated discussions inherent to his major, you are just as likely to find him in a quiet biology lab working alongside Dr. Russell Goddard.

In spring 2010, Malone was chosen as the Most Outstanding Student in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology Program and also captured the Mac Award — one of the university's highest academic honors. But the former competitive rower has higher ambitions still. After graduation, he intends to shatter the familiar yet again by applying for medical school with plans to study neurology/neurosurgery — preferably somewhere close to water where he can resume his passion for rowing.

Of course, he would also love a career in public policy.

Regardless of where life takes him, his ultimate desire remains the same: to never become complacent, yet instead remain open to the new and unfamiliar and never allowing his talents and potential to be confined within his comfort zone.

Meet Timothy Malone

Academic Year: Senior
Academic Standing/GPA: Dean’s List/3.98
Expected Graduation: May 2011
Degree Objective: B.S. in Psychology, B.A. in Philosophy, minor in Professional/Applied Ethics
Employer: VSU/Auxiliary Services

Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
High school: Milton High School

Academic Achievements/recognition:
*Mac Award for Outstanding Male Senior (2010)
*Outstanding Student in B.S. Psychology program (2010)
*Author, Senior Thesis Project “Psycho-socionomics and Attractiveness” (working title, 2009-present)
*Author/Presenter at the Undergraduate Research Symposium of “Old Dogs and New Tricks: The Constitution and The Leviathan” (2010)
*Author/Presenter at the Georgia Collegiate Honors Conference of “Effects of Perceived Costs of the Relationship on Ratings of Attraction and Empathy" (2009)
*Student Representative, Quality Enhancement Plan Task Force for Undergraduate Research (2009-2010)
*Leadership Commitment Award, Honors Student Association (2008)
*Completed VSU Honors Program requirements (2008)
*Dean’s List (2006-present)
*Honors Student Association
– Intramural Coordinator/Captain (2006-2007)
– Treasurer (2007-2009)
– Community Service Coordinator (2009-2010)
– Senior Representative (2010-present)
*Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society
*Alpha Chi Honors Society
*Golden Key International Honors Society
*National Scholars Honors Society
*Neurology Shadowing with Dr. Eisa (2010)
*Research Assistant to Dr. Goddard (2010-present)

My favorite things to do on campus are… eat a Loop pizza, watch as things go terribly wrong in the Bio lab, and lovingly argue with my philosophy professors long after class has ended. I’ve always enjoyed laboratory time, but when a professor shows you why to wear closed-toe shoes with a 1000mL glass graduated cylinder at the expense of his/her own feet, it’s difficult not to develop an attachment.

When I have free time, I like… Wait… Free time? What a luxury! I get to cook, go bowling, watch movies, or play Magic about once a year. I do wish we had a decent body of water for a rowing team though.

My favorite place to study is… on the floor outside the classroom I’m about to be tested in. Sure, the library is quiet. Nothing brings a class together like the panic of last-minute studying though. Who can feel anxious with that much resigned frivolity around?

I chose my major/career because… of my fascination with humans and their behavior. Psychology was the natural first step, but philosophy, biology, and ethics have added an understanding of and connection to the human condition found nowhere else. Neurology or neurosurgery was the logical culmination to tie my love of the brain with my hatred of human suffering. I didn’t choose my majors or hopeful career – I belong nowhere else.

The most exciting/interesting thing I’ve done is… present a paper at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, although nerve-wracking might be a more appropriate term. I had presented at conferences before, but doing it on VSU turf with so many familiar Ph.D.’s in the room was both particularly scary and rewarding. If you want to grow, don’t push your comfort zone – shatter it until you’re a panicked mess. THEN you’re growing!

My favorite professor was… Dr. Jim Hill. Although his classes often require relatively fewer assignments, he consistently challenges his students and promotes heated discussion like few other professors on campus. In every class, the students come out with more than just lecture notes; they leave with new perspective.

My favorite class was… physiological psychology. The material is endlessly interesting to me and comes naturally due to my fascination. I would describe the class as easy, but I might be the only one. Dr. Browne’s personality made even neuroanatomy entertaining (although maybe that’s just because we share a similar madness).

If I knew I could not fail, I would… run for president. I don’t really want the job, but I’d like to restore respect for a few of the principles this country was founded on with the modern world in mind. Sometimes a loathing of politics is the best qualification a politician can have.

The thing that I will miss the most about college is… the atmosphere that learning is an end-in-itself. In the “real world,” it’s always why? What’s that good for? What can you do with it? Here, knowledge is understood as valuable even if the necessary context for application is unclear or outrageous. My need to learn is fostered here while complacency is abhorred, and that’s what I’ll miss most.

Some unique things about me are… I have a profound love for irony. I’m sometimes referred to as “the rare spotted Tim” due to my vitiligo, and I have an excess of self-discipline due to the combination of my drive to succeed and my premature bout with homelessness.

My favorite childhood memory is… playing with Lego’s on the hearth of a lit fireplace. Life was perfect and simple then.

My biggest supporters in life are… my friends. I would get nowhere without their support and ham sandwiches. I have no idea why they like me, but I hope I keep it up.