College History: Humanics

In 1962, Dr. Glenn Olds, President of Springfield College, began to wonder why the name Humanics was given to the intended philosophy of the college by Dr. Laurence Locke Doggett in the early days of the institution. Olds acknowledged that the practices of the faculty were in large part consistent with the Humanics philosophy, but he believed that a more self-conscious application would improve chances of its continuity and survival. In 1965 Springfield College Trustees voted to establish the position of Distinguished Springfield Professor of 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. Dr. Seth Arsenian served as the first Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics from 1966-1969. The purpose of this position was to catalyze a renewal of consciousness in the philosophy. This was done by annually mandating the Distinguished Professor of Humanics to give a Humanics lecture on the definition of Humanics and what the concept meant to them. Arsenian gave the first speech in 1967 entitled, “The Meaning of Humanics,” in which he described the concept as a set of ideas, values, and goals that make our college distinct from other colleges and make commitment and unity toward commonly sought goals possible. This 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.

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

While originally the position was called Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics it has become known as the Distinguished Professor of Humanics (DPH). Also, originally given to faculty members nearing retirement (and sometimes held for more than one year), a more recent practice has been to open to all full-time faculty at Springfield College through a nominating process that includes former DPH. Currently the DPH serves for one year and is expected to give a lecture in April. Links to these lectures are included below. 

Current nomination criteria include:

• Current member of the full-time faculty of Springfield College; 
• Serves as faculty role model by demonstrating excellence in their teaching, professional/scholarly/creative work, and in their service activities on campus and in the community; 
• Demonstrates, through their life and work, the principles of the College’s Humanics philosophy and mission to educate students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity; 
• Has the potential to provide leadership for a Humanics program or project that will serve the best interests of Springfield College and its faculty, staff, and students. 
• What is particularly helpful to our selection committee is to have letters of nomination that offer examples of the nominee’s service work on campus and in the community.