Former Psychology Professor Cephas Adkins Dies; Service Is March 12

Cephas Joe Adkins Jr., 88, of Norfolk, professor emeritus of psychology at Old Dominion, died Feb. 22, 2014.

After joining the psychology department in 1961, he was awarded tenure in 1965 and became a full professor the following year. Adkins retired from the university in 1994.

Before coming to ODU, Adkins was an associate professor at High Point College in North Carolina. His areas of expertise were experimental psychology and the history of psychology. He published and presented many papers in those areas.

At ODU, Adkins was a member of the graduate faculty in the industrial/organizational doctoral program. During his last several years on the faculty, he was heavily involved in the operation of the Virginia Psychological Association and, in 1992, was recognized for his distinguished service to the association.

Adkins is survived by several cousins as well as many of his former students at ODU; and countless members at Second Presbyterian Church, where he was an organist for more than 40 years.

A service to celebrate his life and love for organ music will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 7305 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12. Online condolences may be made through www.hdoliver.com.