USM's 2005 Students of the Year
Student of the Year, Triva Ponder, with Drs. Ron and Mary Hulnick.Each year, the University acknowledges and celebrates its Students of the Year. Selecting these individuals is no easy task, for all students completing USM’s Graduate Programs have demonstrated enormous strength-of-heart, and a willingness to commit to a learning process that offers amazing opportunities for healing and growth. And with those opportunities comes the call to participate at the very highest level.
As USM’s Academic Vice President, Dr. Mary R. Hulnick, shared later, “USM’s Programs are academically rigorous and call each student forward to a deep level of self-exploration in service to learning and the evolution of their own consciousness. All of the students in this graduating class have certainly earned their degrees!”
Each of the 240 students that were awarded degrees and certificates at the graduation ceremony on August 28, 2005, had good reason to be proud of their achievement. Dr. Hulnick remarked to the 1,850-strong audience in Royce Hall, “For those of you who are here as friends and family of this graduating class, I tell you, they are awesome!”
This year, two students from the M.A. Program in Spiritual Psychology and one from the M.A. Program in Counseling Psychology were selected to receive Student of the Year awards.
How are the Students of the Year for the M.A. Program in Spiritual Psychology selected? As USM’s Academic Vice President, Dr. Mary R. Hulnick, shared before announcing this year’s honored students, “These students have been extraordinary in their fulfillment of the academic requirements with consistent excellence in all assignments throughout the two-year Program, as well as a high degree of mastery in the practical application and integration of the many skills, tools, and principles that are integral to a USM education.”
After the time-honored hooding ceremonies and the granting of degrees to this year’s graduates, and preceding an inspiring speech from commencement speaker Neale Donald Walsch, three (very surprised!) students were honored with awards.
This year’s recipients each shared their gratitude for the many gifts that they had received as a result of their participation at USM. Please meet the University of Santa Monica’s Students of the Year for 2005:
Kami Elliot, Master of Arts in Spiritual Psychology
As Kami received her award to the sound of the enthusiastic and joyful applause of her classmates (at USM, a win for one class member is celebrated as a win for all) she shared, “It has been said many times that our class is outstanding, magnificent, and the most spectacular group of people. I, for one, am so blessed, and I know I can speak for each of us in the class of 2005 that we are held so constantly in each other’s hearts. I am looking forward to living a lifetime in the amazing community that we have built. Thank you so much!”
Triva Ponder, Master of Arts in Spiritual Psychology
USM’s President, Dr. Ron Hulnick, explained to the guests in Royce Hall, “This is a class of remarkable students. Choosing just one Student of the Year was too great a challenge this year, so instead we have chosen two!”
After the wave of loving and applause from her class had carried her to the podium, Triva acknowledged the power of the two-year journey she had shared with her classmates: “I have journeyed deep into my Soul, and when I looked up, I saw each one of you. If there has been a listening for my leadership, my loving, and my humor, it is because it has been gifted to me by you. Thank you!”
Chausey Leebron, Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
A significant number of USM’s students answer the call to seek licensing as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California. Completing USM’s Master of Arts Degree Program in Counseling Psychology, which fulfills all the educational requirements for licensing as an MFT, is, in itself, a significant educational and professional achievement. This curriculum is presented within the USM context of Spiritual Psychology and Soul-Centered education.
USM’s Counseling Psychology students are in high demand in therapeutic settings throughout the greater Los Angeles area due to the extraordinary levels of competence, confidence, and excellence they demonstrate and the Presence they carry.
This year’s award was presented by Johanna Jenkins, the University’s Counseling Psychology Program Director.
“This is just the most beautiful gift I could receive!” Chausey began. And then, after a moment’s reflection, she continued, “Actually the most beautiful gift I could receive, I already have, and that is to have attended the University of Santa Monica. It has changed my life. It has opened my heart to my beautiful classmates, and so much more. I give my thanks to the students, the faculty, and to Spirit for all that I have been given this year—I am truly blessed. Thank you!”
Each of these individuals is a shining example of the levels of positive transformation, growth, and leadership that are the hallmarks of a USM Graduate. And each one of them has successfully integrated the tools and skills of Spiritual Psychology so that they truly meet the world first and foremost with a compassionate heart. The University is proud to add these individuals—and all those in the class of 2005—to our remarkable community of graduates!
