June 15, 2007
More than 3,000 students, family, and friends packed the historic Civic Opera House on June 15 to participate in The Chicago School’s 23rd Commencement ceremony. Together they listened to messages of personal development, understanding, and connection.
Serving as commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient was inventor, entrepreneur, and emotional intelligence pioneer James Liautaud.
A clinical research professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Liautaud is responsible for the school’s Peer Development of Emotional Intelligence program, which began on campus this past fall. He was introduced by Chicago School alumnus Dr. Steven Nakisher.
Liautaud spoke on the themes of friendship, trusting yourself, and finding your calling in the world.
“A job makes money, a profession gets you an identity, but a calling feeds your soul,” he said. “I realize that you all came here with a calling…that means you’re going to be feeding your soul for the rest of your life. But more important, you’re going to be touching the souls of everyone that comes through your life.”
Following Liautaud was the presentation of the first ever class gift to the school, a ceremonial mace for use at future commencements.
The degree conferral portion of the program drew the loudest cheers as nearly 300 students walked across the stage to be recognized. One of them was Nicole Braam, the first graduate of the Business Psychology Doctoral Program. To commemorate the occasion, she was hooded by her parents, Dr. Steven Braam and Dr. Cassandra Braam.
Recognition of Chicago School alumni was next with the presentation of Dr. Richard Macur Brousil, Psy.D. ’91, by the Alumni Council as the school’s 2007 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Dr. Macur Brousil spoke about the values of teamwork, respect and understanding of patients, and the resilience of the human psyche to heal. His story about helping a young girl cope with the death of her mother proved to be particularly moving.
“Patients that we see are people that do have a hunger for healing,” he said. “Sometimes they need us to help by using the strategies that we have. Sometimes we need to just get out of the way. We are not the people to fix others, but the people that are able to help others to heal themselves.”
The alumni theme concluded with reflections on Dr. Leonard Draganowski, a member of the class of 2003 and Chicago School faculty member, who passed away in December 2006.
Chicago School alumnae Kim Mount represented the Alumni Council and announced the establishment of the Leonard Draganowski Fellowship to honor his memory. Dr. Draganowski’s life partner, Dr. Tony Hosey, presented the award to its first recipient, Clinical Psy.D. student Amber Siler-Knogl. The presentation was followed by a five-minute video that spoke to Dr. Draganowski’s impact as a Chicago School student, teacher, mentor, and friend.
President Horowitz wrapped the ceremony with the oath of affirmation and a charge to students. He spoke on the themes of connection and advocacy.
“The people in this auditorium do not need to be convinced of the importance of what we do,” he said. “It’s the people outside this building. We need you to speak for us to the people in Springfield and Washington. We need you to help educate them on such vital issues as a national parity that persists for people seeking access to mental health services, and about advancing psychopharmacology initiatives to more states. We ask a lot of you. None of it is easy, but all of it is possible…and more important than ever.”
A dessert reception followed the event allowing students and their families to celebrate.
“It feels really good,” said Forensic Psychology graduate Meghan Rowland, about finishing her degree. “It was a really nice ceremony.”
