USM Grad Wins Major Book Award!

Oklahoma Secretary of State, Susan Savage (C) looks on as 2005 Oklahoma Reads Oklahoma winner Tim Tingle (R) presents a medallion to 2006 winner, Dayna Dunbar (L).

Like many writers, USM Graduate Dayna Dunbar had longed to write a novel since she was very young. In fact, for Dayna, this had been her dream since third grade!

And she's here to tell you that dreams can come true. Not only did she write that novel, she also secured a book deal with a major publishing house. And not only that . . . she was also signed on to write a sequel. And there's more-her novel, The Saints and Sinners of Okay County, was recently awarded the Oklahoma Book of 2006 Award!

Dayna wrote her book in order to fulfill one of the curriculum requirements in the two-year Master of Arts Degree Program in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica.

As part of her coursework for a Master's degree? Absolutely. Here's how Dayna describes it:

The End of a Ten-Year Search

“Unlike the majority of prospective students who apply to USM, who have friends, family, or colleagues who have encouraged them to attend the University of Santa Monica, I discovered USM on my own.

“I had been researching graduate programs in transpersonal and spiritual psychology for almost ten years, seeking to find an educational environment that would go beyond the regular barrage of intellectual, philosophical, and theoretical rhetoric that I'd found elsewhere.

“Each time I returned to gather additional information about USM, I learned more about the highly experiential approach to education there. I encountered terms such as 'heart-centered listening,' 'soul-centered living,' 'healing issues for the last time,' and listened to graduates and students share about the sacred, supportive, and encouraging learning environment. This was a revelation to me and very different from any other school I had researched. I was intrigued.

“What truly caught my imagination was hearing about the opportunity each student has, in the Second Year of the Program, to design, implement, and complete a heartfelt project of their own choosing. I would be asked to identify something that truly would be a stretch, a challenge, and something that I had long dreamed of, but not found the time, encouragement, or resources to complete. I was asked a powerful question:

What would you do, if you knew you could not fail?

“MY NOVEL! I had wanted to write a novel since the third grade but had been too insecure and afraid of failure. Too scared to dream that big-to take a chance on myself. What if, after all this time, I was horrible at the thing I wanted to do the most?

“At USM, I found the skills and practical support to move beyond that way of thinking. I did indeed write my first novel as my Second Year project. And I faced all the demons of self-loathing, fear, and insecurity that can deter many writers, and which had kept me from pursuing my dream until then. And I healed them.

“Through the deep and lasting friendships I made with my classmates, I learned so much about myself and others; about what truly motivates all of us; about the power that comes from following our aspirations; about our dreams-and the old hurts and limiting beliefs that can hold us back from attaining them.

“The authenticity of this shared educational experience, and the power of learning and growing in this way alongside the other students (each of whom was just as committed to making their own long-held dream a reality!), informed and enriched my writing. And I learned the practical tools designed to move beyond my limitations, as well as highly effective ways to manage a project as big as writing and promoting a novel and taking it to successful completion!

“I received unwavering support from my classmates and the University faculty. Each time one of us shared a win, we all won. I've never experienced an educational environment like it anywhere else. Writing this novel at USM was such a joy and truly a magical process.

A Deal is Struck!

“Not long after I graduated from USM, my book was published by Ballantine Books, and I was signed to write a sequel as well. I have since retired from my regular job and am now writing full-time!!

“Now the novel, The Saints and Sinners of Okay County, has just won the Oklahoma Book of 2006 Award. What can I say? I'm living the life I had always dreamed of. I'd say to any aspiring writer, do this for yourself . . . and your future readers!

“In fact, I'd say to anyone who has an aspiration to make a lasting contribution in the world-USM is the place where you can make it happen!”

Congratulations Dayna, from all of us at USM-and we wish you continued success with your writing career!

Latest News!

Dayna's second novel, The Wings That Fly Us Home, has just been released! It is available at all your regular booksellers and online stores.

And if you'd like to learn more about USM's Graduate Programs in Spiritual Psychology, you can do so by choosing one of the following options:

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