Summers, who died Aug. 30, served as chair since 1996. She had been an educational psychology professor since joining the faculty in 1989.

Summers was one of the leading researchers in sibling relationships and was chair of the National Sibling Research Group. She also moderated "Children's Minutes," a compact disc developed by University Relations containing 52 one-minute radio spots on raising children.

Before coming to Ball State, Summers worked for Utah State University. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Brigham Young University; a master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and a doctorate from Utah State.

Survivors include her husband of 21 years, Carl R. Summers, a Ball State psychological science professor; a son, Nathan Summers; two daughters, Miranda and Caitlin Summers; her mother, Mary Awbrey Taliaferro; a brother, Charles E. Taliaferro; and a sister, Patricia L. Taliaferro.

Memorials may be sent to the Ball State Foundation, the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities or Brigham Young University.

An endowment in the memory of Summers has been established by her husband to help support graduate students in the Department of Educational Psychology. Donations may be sent to the Department of Educational Psychology, c/o Pat Reed, Teachers College Room 524, Muncie, Ind. 47306.