The Legacy of Robert Mills Gagné

In June 1993, Albert Bandura’s colleagues and former students surprised him by gathering in California’s verdant Napa Valley for a 2-day Bandurafest. Months of secretive planning eluded his typically observant eye. He was lured to the event under a cover story. That so many people attended the gathering may seem remarkable because no papers were presented and no Festschrift publication was planned. Instead, the 2 days were spent in lively informal discussions, a sumptuous picnic in the vineyards, and a joyous celebratory dinner. People came from far and near to honor their esteemed mentor, colleague, and friend. He was affectionately described as the “jovial genius” by one of his former students for his wisdom, humility, and wonderful sense of humor. In this intimate gathering, joined by his wife Ginny and his daughters Mary and Carol, Al expressed his gratitude to those present and others who could not attend for enriching his life. In this chapter we attempt to recapture the spirit of the Bandurafest by reviewing Al’s life and contributions to the enlightenment and betterment of human life. His theory and program of research have had diverse influence on many disciplines, but their impact on educational psychology will receive special attention in the present chapter.