USM's Ambassador of the Year: James Price
Ambassador of the Year, James Price ('02), with fellow graduate Jennifer Mack ('03).Ask the majority of this year’s incoming new students what drew them to contact USM for more information about the Graduate Programs in Spiritual Psychology, and almost 80% of them will give you a similar response: through meeting and talking with a current student or graduate.
More than that, they are motivated to an even greater degree by what they see in USM grads—their Presence, their level of authentic Self-expression, and the demonstration of unconditional loving and joy that are the result of living a Soul-Centered life.
Each year, USM acknowledges an individual who has chosen of their own volition to serve the University by consistently and successfully communicating the value of a USM education with a broad audience of highly-qualified candidates—inspiring many of them to contact USM and apply for admission for one of the 276 spaces available to new students.
What are the particular qualities and abilities of the individuals who receive this award each year? As USM’s President, Ron Hulnick, said, “It takes a distinctive kind of person to receive this award. Someone who not only has fully understood and integrated the educational process here at USM, and who continues to stay involved with the University, but who also has a penchant for going out and talking about the University to other people in a way that they see the opportunity available and apply for admission.”
James Price, 2005 Ambassador of the Year
This award came as a surprise to this year’s recipient, James Price, who was sitting in the auditorium with his fellow graduates from USM’s pioneering Soul-Centered Leadership Program.
James had graduated from the Master’s Program in Spiritual Psychology in 2002, and since then he has served as a classroom Assistant once a month for three consecutive years. He is also a regular member of USM’s graduate volunteer teams that have offered some of the University’s foundational Soul-Centered Communication skills in three separate workshops at the Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla, CA.
James shared, “There is no greater privilege that I can imagine than to talk about this University and the ongoing experience I have here. I am deeply touched to have that experience again today—to come into this room and not be able to look in any direction without seeing an extraordinary person that I love.”
James was also seeing the class that he had served as an Assistant during their First Year now graduate from the two-year Program in Spiritual Psychology. In a voice touched with emotion, he continued, “I am so proud of you . . . so proud of you! This class of 2005 truly is the ‘miracle on 21st Street!’ Thank you!”
After the ceremony he talked a little more about what motivates him to share about the University with the people in his private and professional life: “The greatest gift I feel I could give a client, friend, or loved one is to offer them the experience of connecting more deeply with their own loving.
“There is no other place I know of that facilitates this more effectively and deeply than USM. Under Ron and Mary’s masterful leadership, USM facilitates and nurtures an educational environment where this can take place consistently each weekend of class. Equally important are the tools and skills they teach to support students in Self-facilitating their own processes.
“These life skills are something that I hope one day are as common as knowing how to brush your teeth! Until that time, I will continue to enthusiastically speak about the University of Santa Monica to anyone I meet who is seeking more peace, authenticity, and loving in their life. I am very proud to be part of this USM community.”
And we are truly blessed to have you as a part of our community, James! Thank you for your loving support of USM! And our heartfelt thanks to all those who share about USM’s transformational programs with others. You truly are a gateway to Soul-Centered education.
This year’s classes begin October 7-9 and November 3-6, 2005.
