The scholarship was established to honor Dr. Myron (Mike) Arons, one of the pioneers and founders of the field of humanistic psychology. He is recognized both nationally and internationally, and also happens to be the founder of the humanistic psychology program at the University of West Georgia.
The scholarship is awarded yearly to a graduate student in psychology who demonstrates a working knowledge of major thinkers and the conceptual underpinnings of Humanistic Psychology, creative ways of engaging psychological challenges—whether academic, professional, or personal in nature—and a willingness to extend their knowledge to social and cultural contexts.
Lauren submitted a three-part application entitled Adventures in Humanistic Psychology: Reinventing the Couch.
Part I focused on creativity in existential matters, both universal & personal, citing Aristotle, Confucius, Kierkegaard, Erich Fromm, Carl Rogers, Rainer Maria Rilke, Rollo May, & Csikszentmihalyi, as well as Mike Arons himself. She also discussed the myriad ways her time at UWG has informed her personal journey and future as a licensed counselor working with queer and gender-variant individuals.
Part II was a showcase of tangible creativity via art pieces Lauren has created while a member of the psychology department at the University of West Georgia, some of which were displayed at the UWG Psychology Alumni Conference in 2007.
Part III was Lauren’s spiritual autobiography – a work in progress inspired by Jim Dillon’s course in Jungian/Progoffian Journaling, wherein she shared stories of her own existential creativity through the medium of creative writing.
Those interested in viewing the winning application may email Lauren at: lparker4@my.westga.edu.