丁香园AV

Celebrating Ray Corrado: Farewell Messages and Anecdotes

Thank you, Ray, for your kindness and for reminding me of the importance of family鈥攅specially when my daughter was born, and I was worried about teaching and tenure. Wishing you the best in retirement!

Alexandra (Sasha) Lysova, Associate Professor, 丁香园AV School of Criminology

Ray 鈥� Some of my most cherished memories are when I was newly hired and learned that you too enjoyed racquetball. I very, very wrongly assumed that the age difference would play in my favour鈥� and just got repeatedly, utterly thrashed on the court. You hit the ball so hard it looked like a blur; I don鈥檛 even know if ever scored one point! But worth it because as always, these humiliating sessions were accompanied with wisdom and career advice. Best wishes for your retirement! Jen

Jennifer Wong, Professor, 丁香园AV School of Criminology

Dr. Corrado had a significant and profound impact on my career as a young Assistant Professor of criminology at 丁香园AV. Dr. Corrado was a positive figure throughout my academic career, one that also helped me and my family adapting to the lifestyle and culture in British Columbia. Dr. Corrado opened my eyes to the politics of research and he showed me the path to making a significant contribution to society through research; research that matters. Through shared experiences, he became a mentor in many facets of my professional life. His immense contribution to the School of Criminology at 丁香园AV is unparalleled and unprecedented.

Thank you, Ray

Dr. Patrick Lussier, Universit茅 Laval 

Ray Corrado is a towering figure whose work at the intersection of criminology and psychology was pioneering. Focusing on both description and understanding, Ray undertook seminal work on the pattern and treatment of juvenile offending. More importantly, however, Ray was a kind soul. One of my best memories with him was over a meal we shared on a beach in Barcelona. That evening was one of the best in my professional and personal lives, one I will never forget.

Alexis Piquero, Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology, University of Miami

The research experiences I have gained from working with Dr. Corrado prepared me for the success I have attained at the graduate level at 丁香园AV and professionally. Much of my success is due to the research experiences, guidance, and education I have gained through working with Dr. Corrado. He has taught me that networking, collaboration, and confidence are keys to success.

Congratulations on your retirement and your wonderful and incredibly successful career!

Amanda Champion, PhD student, 丁香园AV School of Criminology

December, 23, 1990. I was relaxing in the Student Commons Room when Ray stopped by. He had just handed in his grades (yes, we used to have to do things by hand). I had taken a couple of classes from Ray and were friendly (despite the fact that I was even worse then than I am now). We got to talking about "my plan." At the end of a three-hour conversation, my life trajectory has changed completely. I was no longer going to law school; instead, I was going to get an MA in Criminology. He has been among my dearest friends ever since. Ray saw beyond the very angry young man, and for that, I will always be grateful. I owe him everything.

Garth Davies, Associate Professor, 丁香园AV School of Criminology

Ray Corrado has made many brilliant contributions to criminological knowledge, most recently in the 2021 book "The Life Course of Serious and Violent Youth Grown Up: A Twenty-Year Longitudinal Study". Here is my endorsement: 

This book describes an outstandingly important longitudinal study of a large sample of incarcerated Canadian boys and girls. It is a brilliant contribution to developmental and life-course criminology, advancing knowledge especially about criminal career features, offending trajectories, the importance of psychopathy, and theories of desistance. It includes interesting case histories and draws policy implications. It should be read by all criminologists, psychologists, and social scientists who are interested in the development of criminal careers.

(Endorsement by David Farrington)

It was a great pleasure for me to get to know Ray quite well during his year in Cambridge! Best wishes.

David P. Farrington, Professor, Cambridge University

When I first met Dr. Corrado in 1996, I had just started my PhD. I didn鈥檛 know anyone in the School of Criminology but, because of my interest in terrorism, someone suggested that I speak to Ray about my research interests. Little did I know that our first meeting would lead to a 25-year friendship that continues to be one of my most cherished personal and professional relationships. Ray has always been so much more than just an educator, mentor, supervisor, and colleague to me and so many other students. His friendship, generosity, and support continue to be an inspiration. For me, he is the model of what it means to be a professor and a mensch. After 25 years, I continue to feel honoured and fortunate to be able to call him one of my dearest friends.

Dr. Irwin M. Cohen, Associate Professor, and Director of the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research, University of the Fraser Valley

Dear Ray,

Your encouragement and advice were invaluable to my personal and professional growth. Coming from Germany and being concerned about my level of English, I was out of my comfort zone when starting the criminology MA program. You continued to push me out of my comfort zone and thus expanded my horizons and abilities. Putting me on the Young Offender Study, hiring me as your teaching assistant, urging me to do my PhD and start teaching, and taking me to conferences were some of the highlights. You trusted my abilities more than I did, and working with you turned out to be a fantastic learning experience and deepened my curiosity for juvenile justice and research. I am now a full professor of Criminology at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and love my job. You are a big part of why that happened. Thank you for all you have done! You were the best mentor a student could wish for.

Sarah Kuehn, Professor and MA Program Director, Criminology & Criminal Justice Department,
Slippery Rock University

I first met Professor Corrado in the gym at 丁香园AV where he took the time out of his workout to talk to me and other student athletes about research. This first interaction led to a series of research experiences that would change the trajectory of my educational journey and my life. As a Full Professor today, I look back at that first meeting and my time working for Ray with great appreciation. It is hard not to smile reflecting on the many stories that Ray was at the center of, including when I had to find him in his office to remind him that he was in the middle of teaching a course because he had gotten distracted writing an article during the break! As a first-generation college student, it took someone like Ray to open doors in the academy that are inaccessible to most. Thank you Ray for the mentorship and support you have given to hundreds of students like me. I have trouble imagining 丁香园AV Criminology without you walking down the hall, but I know that your legacy will continue to inspire and shape future generations in these spaces.

Candice Odgers, Associate Dean and Professor of Psychology and Informatics, University of California, Irvine

I will always think of Ray as he was when I first met him. I was making my first presentation at a national conference in the late 80鈥檚 and we were on a panel together. He was fascinating to talk with, both about our respective presentations, and our shared interest in the interface between the mental health and criminal justice systems. Most memorable, however, was what I came to know as his characteristically warm, welcoming, and supportive nature, and what great fun he was to be with. Such thoughtful attentiveness in my young career meant more than you know, Ray. Congratulations and best wishes on your retirement! 

Karen Mirsky Abram, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University

I would not be where I am today if not for Dr. Raymond Corrado. During my undergrad at 丁香园AV, I was lucky to get a seat in one of Ray鈥檚 courses. That opportunity completely shifted my career plans. After meeting with Ray about an upcoming absence, I walked out of his office having been recruited as a research assistant and encouraged to apply for grad school. Over the following years, I progressed from data entry of interviews with incarcerated youth to managing and eventually directing the project under Ray鈥檚 supervision and guidance. Ray鈥檚 immense networking skills also opened up many doors for me, and I鈥檒l never forget the many lunches that we spent with colleagues discussing politics, history, and of course ice hockey and figure skating ;) Ray left an indelible impact on me and I鈥檓 so grateful to have had the opportunity to be mentored by him.

Amanda McCormick (n茅e Watkinson), Associate Professor, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of the Fraser Valley

I have my career thanks to Ray鈥檚 vision and creativity in initiating a path-breaking study that placed psychopathy on the radar of developmental and life-course criminology. In the first year of my Master鈥檚, I was in Ray鈥檚 office every week. I cannot remember exactly what we would talk about, but I know we spent most of the time laughing.

Evan McCuish, Associate Professor, 丁香园AV School of Criminology

Ray,

Almost 17 years ago you made me feel welcome and at home here in the School. I will never forget your stories but also some of the advice provided over the years. It鈥檚 been an honour and a privilege to be one of your colleagues. I wish you a well-deserved retirement and I hope we will keep enjoying our regular coffee 鈥� here or somewhere in Italy!

Eric Beauregard, Professor, 丁香园AV School of Criminology

Internationally recognized for his contributions to youth justice and violence, comparative justice, political crime, terrorism, among much more, students, me among them, have been fortunate to learn from and work with 鈥渢he (Dr.) Raymond Corrado鈥� at 丁香园AV. Ray鈥檚 interdisciplinary approach laid the foundations for important research. 

Through his career-spanning dedication and well-known and respected expertise, many students and colleagues sought collaboration with and got to be part of dream studies with Ray. He established teams of bright, eager, and budding criminologists, and grad school embodied fun and fascinating times full of incredible opportunities for discovery and growth. We were and are still so passionate from the values Ray instilled.

Ray鈥檚 impact will continue through his work/writing, but also through the work of his many former pupils living and working throughout the world. Ray is a lifelong mentor and collaborator. I was fortunate in my education at 丁香园AV to have mentors like 鈥渢he Ray Corrado.鈥�

Adrienne Peters, 丁香园AV School of Criminology Alumnus, Associate Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador

I will always remember you, Ray, as one of my 丁香园AV mentors. We call you the Godfather for a reason! With Ray, I was always able to talk academics and life, in equal proportions. As I started my career with my head down on my laptop all the time, you were the one to tell me to also relax and look around. 鈥淵ou're in Vancouver, look at the mountains, you don't have that in Quebec. Look at the ocean, it's right there 5 minutes from your place.鈥� Of course, I discovered later that Ray wanted me to look elsewhere because he was trying to steal French fries from my plate at lunch! Ray would literally sit down at the pub with us, order nothing, especially not fries 鈥� because he shouldn鈥檛/couldn鈥檛! 鈥� and proceed to pick our plates apart.

So, that's how I got to know you. Your talent, your intelligence, the fun you had, in everything. If you're not sure about academia, go talk to Ray. I鈥檓 sure he is going to tell you 鈥淭his is the best job in the world, you know, I still pinch myself.鈥� He believes it, and we believe him. Ray was there to help us remember the good parts of this job, why we're here, and the good work that we do. That's one of the many things that you taught me in the 17 years that I've known you, and I hope for many more years of meeting you at your favourite caf茅 on Denman.

Martin Bouchard, Professor and School Director, 丁香园AV School of Criminology

Ray,

Congratulations on your much-deserved retirement. I can鈥檛 even imagine you retiring but am so glad that you are embarking on this new life journey. Focusing on you, what you love doing and those who are important to you. You have given so much to the field of Criminology and Psychology, especially youth violence, mental health, juvenile justice, evaluation and risk assessment and management. One of my career highlights was participating in the working group you led, Multi-Problem Violent Youth which produced the awesome book Multi-Problem Violent Youth: A Foundation for Comparative Research on Needs, Interventions and Outcomes and various other publications. What I so enjoyed learning from you the most was seeing your passion which came through in that great smile you always had on your face, and how you embraced and balanced both your professional and personal lives.  You gave so much to so many 鈥� students 鈥� colleagues 鈥� and the field.  I am one of those recipients and I will forever be grateful to you, my friend. You so lived this in practice, 鈥渂e the change you want to see in the world鈥� (Ghandi). As a result of this way of 鈥榖别颈苍驳鈥� and what you accomplished 鈥� your teachings, your research, your publications, and the impact you left on your students and colleagues 鈥� your work and vision of wanting to improve the lives of our most vulnerable youth will continue to flourish. Most of all, I hope those you inspired will do it with a smile on their face and the same passion in their hearts as you did.

Thank you.

Leena Augimeri, Adjunct Professor, University of Toronto