Springfield College Humanics Lecture 2018

Tue, 04/17/2018 - 12:00

The 2017-18 Springfield College Humanics Lecture took place on Tuesday, April 17, with Springfield College Exercise Science and Sports Studies Chair and 2017-18 Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics Sue Guyer recapping the findings of her year-long vision to foster collaborative relationships and leadership on campus between exercise, health and other disciplines. The vision was to see all campus and community members across multiple disciplines discover, share, and adopt the principles of EIM-OC that will change the culture of chronic disease prevention and management.

Following Guyer's presentation, Springfield College School of Social Work Professor Anthony Hill was introduced as the 2018-19 Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics.

Guyer kicked off her research during the 2017-18 academic year with the Springfield College and Baystate Rehabilitation Care third annual Joint Speaker Series on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The event focused on how exercise is medicine, and the symposium led attendees through the importance of fitting exercise into a person’s daily routine.

As part of the Joint Speaker Series, Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper proclaimed October 2017, as Exercise is Medicine on Campus month with a special proclamation ceremony.

During the joint speaker series, a panel of experts shared ways in which individuals can start, and keep, exercise in their daily life and prevent injuries. Joining Guyer on the panel of exercise is medicine experts, were Dr. Julio A. Martinez-Silvestrini, medical director of Baystate Rehabilitation Care. Springfield College Assistant Professor of Exercise Science and Sport Studies Maura Bergan, and Assistant Professor of Psychology Christine May also were part of the symposium.

In February, Springfield College welcomed health experts from Baystate Medical Center, the New England Center for Functional Medicine, and the Springfield College Nutrional Sciences Program for a Heart Health Symposium.

A panel of experts including Baystate Medical Center Cardiac Rehab and Wellness Manager Heidi Szalai, MA CEP-ACSM; New England Center for Functional Medicine Medical Director Dr. Christopher Keroack; and Springfield College Nutritional Sciences Associate Professor Donna J. Chapman, PhD, R.D., discussed topics ranging from risk factors for heart disease, to the benefits of healthy living, and stressing the importance of good nutrition for a healthy heart.

Guyer also partnered with Director of the YMCA Challenge Diabetes Program (CDP) Chet Galaska, to offer an observational study to determine if what participants learn from peer leaders helps with their blood sugar levels.

CDP is a pilot program that helps diabetics understand their disease and teaches simple, effective ways to reduce blood glucose levels immediately. Galaska, who also is author of the book, The Diabetes Book, What Everyone Should Know, knows first hand the difficulties and frustrations of fighting it. Each class includes time for questions, answers and peer support. The classes are part of a clinical study to substantiate CDP's effectiveness. The program's goal is to provide an efficient way to reach, teach and motivate diabetics who would otherwise ignore the disease and suffer complications such as blindness, amputations, heart disease and others. Attendees will benefit personally but the entire community will be helped if CDP is shown to be effective.

Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics

Since 1967, the College annually has appointed a Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics to continue the preservation of Springfield College's guiding philosophy and to examine its implications of pedagogy, curriculum, management, recruitment, campus life, and community impact. The faculty members and administrators who have held this honor have come from various academic disciplines and areas of expertise, and have examined Humanics from a range of perspectives.

DateHonoreeProject Title

1967 Seth Arsenian The Meaning of Humanics

1969 Seth Arsenian Humanics and Higher Education: A Psychological Interpretation

1971 Herman H. Giles Human Nature and Human Affairs

1972 Herman H. Giles Humanics At Work Among Friends and Enemies

1973-1975 Charles F. Weckwerth A Report on a Pilot Study of the Image of Humanics at Springfield College

1976 Holmes N. VanderBeck Humanics is Like...

1977-1978 Charles Silvia Humanics and Athletics and Other Concerns

1979 Walter H. English Humanics and the Human Dilemma

1980 Josephine Cecco The Humanics Philosophy: A Legacy

1981 Henry Paar The Power of the Person

1982 Edward J. Sims The Meaning of Humanics