26th Annual Commencement of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Draws Many Fans of Its Own Among Two Million

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The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Jun 21, 2010, 03:09 ET

CHICAGO, June 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Amidst the almost two million fans that flooded the loop on June 11 to celebrate the world champion Chicago Blackhawks, students at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) garnered a sizeable fan base themselves, as almost 700 students received master's or doctoral degrees in one of 11 psychology programs. Graduates, family and friends, faculty and staff filled the Civic Opera House to near capacity at the 26th annual commencement of the respected institution.

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Student speaker Jennifer Rose Nerren, who received her master's degree in psychology from TCSPP's online-blended program, credited the school with changing her life and the lives of the students she teaches in a special education program. She found the online program and support of fellow students and professors to be particularly enriching.

"To quote Harasim et al.," Nerren said, "'online you get to know your students' minds, not just their faces.'"

This commencement ceremony marked the last for Dr. Michael Horowitz in his role as president of the leading nonprofit graduate institution dedicated exclusively to the applications of psychology and related behavioral sciences. In the 10 years he served as president of TCSPP, Dr. Horowitz led its growth and expansion from a few classrooms and one program in Chicago to an institution that now has over 3000 students at multiple campuses in Chicago and California, offering 20 programs as well as an online-blended option. With a focus on service learning and community engagement, this year alone the Chicago Campus provided over 750,000 hours of service to the community.

Dr. Horowitz will be transitioning to a new position as president and CEO of TCS Education System, the nonprofit entity of which TCSPP is now an affiliate. Dr. Michele Nealon-Woods, an alumnae, former professor and department chair and current campus president of the TCSPP campuses in Los Angeles, Westwood and Irvine, California, will begin her term as the new president of the institution beginning July 1.

Keynote speaker Dr. Edward Bergmark received an honorary doctorate in clinical psychology from campus president Dr. Carroll Cradock, for his unique contributions as an entrepreneur within the field of psychology and for his longstanding commitment to The Chicago School. Dr. Bergmark is the founder of Optum®, now a part of UnitedHealth Group known as OptumHealth(SM), which is one of the nation's largest health and wellness businesses providing personalized health advocacy and engagement programs that encompass care solutions, behavioral solutions, specialty benefits and financial services. He has served on the Board of Trustees of TCSPP since 2002.

The formidable Dr. Bergmark displayed yet another talent as he delivered his commencement speech to graduates in full meter, encouraging them to continue on the path they began at TCSPP to become innovative, engaged, purposeful agents of change who serve the global community. Said Dr. Bergmark:

Ask not what's easy, tried and true,
But ask yourself what can I do
To make the world still better yet.
Yes, a cliche, but still a bet

That's worth the work and energy.
And if you're lucky you will see
A path behind you viewed with pride,
For others acting as a guide.

* * *

Looking forward life is long,
But looking back it's but a song,
Too brief, too short, too sweet to leave,
Be sure to live what you believe.

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is the nation's leading nonprofit graduate school dedicated exclusively to the applications of psychology and related behavioral sciences. The school is an active member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, which has recognized TCSPP for its distinguished service and outstanding contributions to cultural diversity and advocacy. The school's community service initiatives have resulted in three consecutive years of recognition on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service to disadvantaged youth. In 2009, the school was named to The Chronicle of Higher Education's annual list of "Great Colleges to Work For." Campuses are located in Chicago; in Los Angeles, Westwood, and Irvine, California; and a new campus is proposed for Washington, D.C., which is awaiting final approval from the Higher Learning Commission. Programs are offered on-ground and in an online-blended format.

For more information about The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gradpsychology. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thechicagoschool.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Michele Nealon-Woods, Psy.D.

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=49271

Michael Horowitz, Ph.D.

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=49224