Welcome to Springfield College

History and Traditions

Songs of Springfield College

Greetings from the Vice President of Student Affairs

Greetings from the Student Government Association

Class Boards

HISTORY AND TRADITIONS

The mission of Springfield College is to educate students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity by building upon a foundation of Humanics and academic excellence. Founded in 1885, Springfield College is a private, coeducational institution that emphasizes the education of leaders for the health sciences, human and social services, sports movement activities, and the arts and sciences. Undergraduate and graduate programs reflect its distinctive Humanics philosophy, which calls for the education of the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.

Springfield College is world renowned as the Birthplace of Basketball®, a game created by alumnus and instructor James Naismith in 1891; as the alma mater of William G. Morgan, inventor of the game of volleyball; and for its longstanding and close relationship with the YMCA. Springfield College’s 1964 commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient was a young civil rights leader named Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Other honorary degree recipients include John F. Kennedy; Sargent Shriver; Art Linkletter; Henry Luce, the founder of “Time” magazine; Elliott Richardson; Julius ‘Doctor J’ Erving; Congressman Edward Boland; Tenley Albright, Olympic gold medalist and physician; Bonnie Prudden, women’s physical fitness pioneer; and Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Traditions:

• Springfield College students extend greetings to everyone they meet on campus.
• Springfield College students take pride in the campus and do not cut corners …not walking on the lawn traditionally involves concern for the appearance of the campus.
• Stepping Up Day is held every spring; it is the time when each class president receives an apprropriate symbol from the president of the next higher class and “steps up” to the next class.
• New student beanies have been a tradition at Springfield College since the early 1920s and are worn during New Student Orientation.
• The College colors are maroon and white.
• The College mascot is “Spirit,” the majestic lion. The athletic teams are known collectively as the Pride.

SONGS OF SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE

“Go Get ‘Em Springfield” (fight song)

Go, get ‘em Springfield
We’re out today to win this game
Go, get ‘em Springfield
We’re backing you to win this game
Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight, Victory is near
And your praises loudly we will cheer
Go get ‘em Springfield! Go, get ‘em,
Go, get ‘em, Now!

“Show Me the Scotsman” (traditional song of celebration at Springfield College)

Show me the Scotsman who doesn’t love the thistle;
Show me the Englishman who doesn’t love the rose;
Show me a true-hearted son of old Springfield
who doesn’t love the spot,
where the Massasoit flows.

“Song for Springfield”  (College Hymn)

Now raise a song for Springfield,
Let hearts and voices blend
To celebrate her praises,
Whose fame shall have no end;
While fellowship makes holy,
While eager hope elates,
And visioned youth come thronging
Her spacious gates.

Earthwide, may happy childhood
Lift high its wond’ring eyes,
Strong youth bring back the vision
Of earthly paradise;
To follow truth to wisdom,
Nor faint through falt’ring fears,
Be this thy task, O Springfield,Through all the years.

GREETINGS FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

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Dear Springfield College Student,

On behalf of the Springfield College community, I am delighted to welcome you to the 2015-16 academic year! Since 1885, Springfield College has remained true to its founding mission of education students in spirit, mind and body for leadership in service to humanity.

The Springfield College Handbook provides important and valuable information you will need to optimize your student experience. The handbook also provides a centralized resource for all College, academic, community standards, and residence hall policies. I encourage you to familiarize yourself both with the wide range of resources and opportunities available at the College and with the policies and expectations that will guide your experience.

The first portion of the handbook provides a brief introduction to the many departments, programs and services that enhance the student experience at Springfield College. As you pursue your studies in the classroom and through various applied and cocurricular learning experiences, you will have many opportunities to examine new philosophies, develop new interests and skills, learn from people of different cultural backgrounds and prepare for active participation and leadership in service to others in our rapidly changing global society. I encourage you to take every opportunity to expand your horizons and take advantage of the wide range of programs, services, and individuals that are available to help you be successful.

The second part of the handbook presents the policies, regulations, rights, and responsibilities that have been established in the interest of all members of the College community to ensure we honor our commitment to creating and maintaining a community that affords all members opportunity for intellectual and personal development. These policies and the expectations that we have to support and respect each other are core components to our community and to our ability to live our mission.

I am confident you will find Springfield College a compelling place with much to offer you including outstanding faculty, staff and students; a challenging curriculum; extensive cocurricular and athletic opportunities; and an engaging residential experience. Our faculty and staff members are committed to supporting and working with you to develop your intellectual passions and personal talents to enable you to live out our mission. Please actively engage at the College, invest in yourself and others, offer your ideas and perspectives and create the experience you desire-one that prioritizes shared responsibility, personal growth and development, and the betterment of our society. I look forward to working with you, supporting you, and challenging you on your journey!

Sincerely,

Shannon M. Finning, PhD

Vice President for Student Affairs

GREETINGS FROM THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Dear Students of Springfield College,

The Springfield College campus has gone through some exciting renovations and expansions in recent years. With the establishment of the Wellness Center and Field House, the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union, and many other enhancements, Springfield College has made important advance which have allowed for students to excel both academically and athletically. Springfield College continues to build its reputation of preparing students to serve as leaders in their professions through
classroom studies and in-the-field experience.

Springfield College offers its students many great opportunities to get involved and to become part of the College’s community and family. Whether it is  playing a sport, participating in Humanics in Action Day, joining a club or organization, or working in the surrounding neighborhood, Springfield College provides many ways to become an active member of the institution and to promote the Humanics philosophy.
 

The Student Government Association (SGA) executive board members are proud to serve and represent all students. The members of the SGA executive board areapproachable, friendly, and here to address your needs and concerns. Don’t be afraid to get to know each one of us a little better! I look forward to working and interacting with each and every one of you. Have a great year at Springfield College!

Sincerely,
Ryan Carrie ‘17
Student Government Association President

2014-2015 Student Government Association Executive Board

CLASS BOARDS

The class boards (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, and graduate) shall carry out their mission to serve as a community-building organization focused on forging unity amongst members of each individual class at Springfield College; and, shall serve as a class-based organization focused on building bridges between students on campus and the Springfield College alumni community. Through these complementary missions, the class boards shall serve to strengthen student ties to the College both while they are students, and once they have graduated as alumni.

Class of 2016

Class of 2017

Class of 2018

Class of 2019