College History: Humanics

The concept of Humanics refers to Springfield College’s mission of educating students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity. For many years, distinguished faculty members at Springfield College have lectured about the Humanics philosophy. The following papers, along with the distinguished Humanics Lectures, represent some of the major writings about the Humanics philosophy.

Seth Arsenian was the first Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics at Springfield College. The purpose of his appointment was to renew consciousness of the philosophy of Humanics, the long-established ethic of the institution. In 1967, Professor Arsenian addressed the faculty on the meaning of Humanics. It was the first of what has become a series of efforts by various faculty to report to their peers about how they have applied this Humanics philosophy.

Humanics Philosophy of Springfield College (1969) edited by Seth Arsenian.

Writings About Humanics

Humanics is a word that has special meaning in the history and philosophy of Springfield College. As Seth Arsenian, the College's first Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics, wrote, "To build men, one must know man. Out of this conviction there developed the concept of Humanics - a set of ideas, values, and goals which through several metamorphoses became the accepted philosophy of education at Springfield College. It is because of this philosophy that the College believes itself to be distinct and different from other colleges. It is around this philosophy that the college administration, faculty, students, and alumni join in a cooperative effort to move toward commonly sought goals. It is by focusing on this philosophy that there develops on its campus a college community which, in open communication, makes communion and commitment possible."

The following papers, along with the distinguished Humanics Lectures, represent some of the major writings about the Humanics philosophy.

• Humanics at the Centennial: Still Trying Paul U. Congdon, editor 
• Humanics Inside out in Writing Paul U. Congdon, editor
• Trying to do Humanics Paul U. Congdon, editor
• Progress in Humanics Paul U. Congdon, editor
• Stalking the Humanix along the Watershops Paul U. Congdon, editor
• Humanics in the Year 2000 Barbara E. Jensen and Elizabeth E. Evans, editors
• Shaping Humanics, Henry Paar, editor
• The Image of Humanics at Springfield College: Classes of 1983-1987, Charles F. Weckwerth and Barbara E. Jensen
• A Research Study on the Image of Humanics at Springfield College, Charles F. Weckwerth and Barbara E. Jensen

Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics

Since 1967, the College annually has appointed a Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics to continue the preservation of Springfield College's guiding philosophy and to examine its implications of pedagogy, curriculum, management, recruitment, campus life, and community impact. The faculty members and administrators who have held this honor have come from various academic disciplines and areas of expertise, and have examined Humanics from a range of perspectives.