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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.

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.

Date Honoree Project Title
1967 Seth Arsenian The Meaning of Humanics
1969 Seth Arsenian Humanics and Higher Education: A Psychological Interpretation
1971 Herman H. Giles Human Nature and Human Affairs
1972 Herman H. Giles Humanics At Work Among Friends and Enemies
1973-1975 Charles F. Weckwerth A Report on a Pilot Study of the Image of Humanics at Springfield College
1976 Holmes N. VanderBeck Humanics is Like...
1977-1978 Charles Silvia Humanics and Athletics and Other Concerns
1979 Walter H. English Humanics and the Human Dilemma
1980 Josephine Cecco The Humanics Philosophy: A Legacy
1981 Henry Paar The Power of the Person
1982 Edward J. Sims The Meaning of Humanics
1983 Edward T. Dunn Humanics: a Message of Hope
1984-1985 Jean Ross A Century of Humanics and Humanism at Springfield College
1985-1987 Herbert Zettl Humanics: Education with a Moral Dimension
1987-1988 Paul U. Congdon What It Really Is
1988-1989 James B. Robertson "Connections"
1989-1990 Diane L. Potter Operationalizing Our Humanics Philosophy: The Keystone a Diverse and Pluralistic Society
1990-1991 Joel Cohen Humanics: Creed Versus Deed
1991-1992 Janice Eldridge Toward an Authentic Community
1992- 1993 John Cox Values Revisited
1993-1994 James Genasci A Multimedia Presentation
1994-1995 Martin Dosick Humanics: Humane Dynamics with a Future
1995-1996 Elizabeth Evans Humanics: Zero Balancing with Donkeys and Dragons
1996-1997 Margaret Lloyd The Extraordinary Life: Justice, Play and Creative Tension
1997-1998 Joel Dearing Our Foundation is on Top
1998-1999 Peter Polito Principles of Humanics
1999-2000 Barbara Jensen Humanics in the Year 2000
2000-2001 Delight E. Champagne 2001: The Odyssey of a College on a Humanics Mission
2001-2002 Frank Torre Humanics and the Environment
2002-2003 Bernard Graney Annual Humanics Lecture
2003-2004 Dottie Zenaty A Journey that Touches the SC Family
2004-2005 Charles Redmond Exploring Spirit at Springfield College
2005-2006 Ronald Maggio The arts...In Service to Humanity
2006-2007 Richard Davila The Multiculural, Multiethnic, and International Aspects of the Humanics Philosophy
2007-2008 Mimi Murray Our Great Adventure in Education: The Whole Story
2008-2009 Albert Petitpas "What would happen if...?"
2009-2010 Robert Accorsi Humanics, Hope, and Grit: Powerful Catalysts for the Paralympic Movement (transcript)
Humanics, Hope, and Grit: Powerful Catalysts for the Paralympic Movement (video)
2010-2011 Robert Barkman A Celebration of Teaching
2011-2012 Naomi Graves They Call Me "Coach:" The Role of the Teacher-Coach in the Stewardship of Humanics
2012-2013 Charles B. Redington The Man Who Plants Trees
2013-2014 Carol Mitchell Experiencing Humanics through Film
2014-2015 Martin Dobrow Bending the Arc
2015-2016 Regina Kaufman Humanics as Pedagogy: Academic-community Engagement as the Pathway to Leadership in Service
2016-2017 Samuel Headley Assessment of Sedentary Behavior at Springfield College - Year-one of a Multi-year Study
2017-2018 Sue Guyer Exercise is Medicine: A year-long vision to foster collaborative relationships and leadership on campus between exercise, health and other disciplines.
2018-2019 Anthony C. Hill A focus on healthy masculinity - working with high school students and college students with an emphasis on promoting healthy masculinity.
2019-2020 Judy L. Van Raalte Humanics: Give it a "Tri"
2020-2021 Mary Anne Coughlin

Humanics: Two Pandemics - We Rise!

2021-2022 Keith Bugbee Show Up
2022-2023 Kathleen Mangano Title IX at 50: Educate & Advocate
2023-2024 Miguel Arce