Dear Saybrook Alumni,
This past June, I promised to periodically update you on progress we are making at Saybrook. I am very pleased to say that I have some wonderful news regarding developments at Saybrook to share with you.
First, we are now Saybrook University with three distinct colleges: the Graduate College of Psychology and Humanistic Studies, housing our traditional legacy programs in Psychology, Human Science, and Organizational Systems; graduate College of Mind-Body Medicine, the first WASC accredited program of its kind, and LIOS Graduate College, a 40-year old leading institution of experiential-based graduate learning and leadership training, based in Seattle which affiliated with Saybrook early this year. Though united as one institution, each of these three colleges will have their own distinct learning models.
However, one thing isn’t changing– the soul of the school. Saybrook University will remain the home of humanistic thought, in all its manifestations, inspired by the work of our founders. Their teachings will be carried into new fields and new forms of human endeavor through Saybrook University.
Saybrook University welcomed its first incoming class this Fall, 2009, and a robust new student enrollment of 170. This total – the combined total Fall ’09 enrollment for all colleges – represents a significant growth of more than 50%.
To accommodate the new students, Saybrook has also revitalized its learning technology, creating a whole new cyber-environment for instructing courses, offering course materials, and helping students and faculty create an academic community. In addition, an entirely new website will be launching this fall. This new technology will make it easy for students, faculty, and alumni to compare notes, share information, and create an academic commons that combines scholarship with real-world applications.
Lastly, I had the distinct pleasure of welcoming three new Trustees to the Saybrook University Board: alumna Vicki Saunders, Brad Fisher and Rick Hanson. The Trustees are committed to providing the resources and leadership necessary to fully realize our vision for Saybrook and the role of humanistic education in developing future agents of change. These new leaders will help us fulfill our potential.
On October 28 at 11 AM PST, I will be conducting a conference call with alumni to speak with you first-hand about all of the developments at Saybrook as well as the search for our new president. I look forward to speaking with many of you at that time (For conference call connection information contact George Aiken [email protected]).
Thank you again for your support. I will continue to keep you abreast of all the wonderful things happening at Saybrook University.
Note from the alumni blog editor: See Alison’s new blog at Psychology Today http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/healing-possibility
Blessings,
Alison Shapiro
Chair, Board of Trustees