June 17, 2006

I’d like to have one last word with our new alumni: You are now graduates of the nation’s finest school of professional psychology. We want to stay connected and we want you to stay involved.  You are Chicago School alumni.

When I look out at The Chicago School class of 2006, I see the future leaders of our profession.  I see future alumni who will make their marks in business, social service, in the forensic field, in Applied Behavior Analysis, health care, and on behalf of our profession. I see alumni who will return to academia as teachers, supervisors and college presidents. And I see alumni who will see possibilities that no one else sees. Leaders see the future. We need you to look ahead and tell us where our profession must go; what we must do. I expect you to leave future generations the legacy of psychology as key to our nation’s overall health – whether that is in healthcare or in the health of systems, communities and organizations.

You are in the act of becoming a new professional. I want to keep catching you in the act of becoming – more sensitive, more available, more creative, more connected and more skilled.  Your alma mater will be there with you. The Chicago School will keep right on providing excellent education for practice and for leadership. And I expect you to be with us.

The success of our school will be determined by what is in the hearts and heads of the people who work here, study here and partner with us and by how you go forth into the world as alumni. We believe that leadership means helping to move people to a place in which both they and those who depend on them are genuinely better off, and it means getting that done in a way that is respectful to the people and communities we serve.

We are a school that has developed a vision for the future and we invite you to stay with us on our journey.  

I hereby proclaim that the 22nd Annual Commencement ceremonies are concluded.