Fall Honorary Scholarships

Fall Quarter Honorary Scholarships

Ralph Waldo Emerson Award
Ralph Waldo Emerson was the “Father of American Transcendentalism,” and a major influence on Robert Waterman as he created the original curriculum for Quimby/Southwestern College (especially his essay “The American Scholar”). Emerson believed in the unity of all beings, in the pre-eminence of the Inner Teacher or Knower, and in drawing wisdom and compassion from one’s own soul, in connection with The One, or Divinity.

President’s Award
Southwestern College is committed to personal transformation as key to the process of moving our society forward into a more loving, compassionate world that honors and celebrates diversity. This personal change process is not simple. It is not a straight line, but rather it is a circular journey of introspection and sharing, of experience and reflection, of being willing to examine one’s own implicit beliefs and sit with the open-hearted curiosity necessary to truly hear another’s life story. This transformational journey is full of challenges as well as the joy of sudden insight and understanding. The President’s Award recognizes the important work each student must do to become a change agent capable of bringing their unique loving presence and light into the world. Where are you on this journey?

Art in Action Award (2 units)
At SWC we have a history of art making and art therapy in the community, and we would like to recognize a student for the same vision. We are looking for a student who has used art in community service.

Neva Dell Hunter Vision Award
Neva Dell Hunter was a metaphysical teacher and practitioner who founded Quimby Light Center, which led to the founding of Quimby/Southwestern College. Neva Dell offered the initial vision for a school that later would become Quimby/Southwestern College.

Southwestern College Alumni Scholarship
This scholarship represents the appreciation of Southwestern College Alumni for the hard work and sacrifice it takes to complete this curriculum.

Guadalupe Award
Images of Our Lady of Guadalupe are seen throughout New Mexico. These images transcend her historical and cultural origins and have provided inspiration to many people here. This award is to honor the divine feminine within us all.

Spirit of Unity Award

Southwestern College was originally founded as Quimby College, honoring the now little-known “Father of New Thought.” New Thought is a spiritually-sourced energy/spiritual healing movement that is still quite vibrant today, and was the foundation for Unity, the Center for Spiritual Living and other such groups. William James, the greatest American psychologist of his time, called New Thought a movement of “healthy-mindedness” and America’s “only decidedly original contribution to the systematic philosophy of life.” It involved a positive approach to life, a conscious alignment with divinity, and a firm belief that we can participate in our own health, happiness, and prosperity.

Gandhi Social Conscience Award
Interestingly, Gandhi was powerfully impacted by Henry David Thoreau’s life and writing. Thoreau, of course, was mentored by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who also impacted Robert Waterman’s educational philosophy profoundly. Gandhi, a wisp of a man physically, brought the powerful British Imperial Empire to its knees, leading to the freedom of India, the world’s second largest country. Gandhi had vision, and personified the idea that “one person aligned is stronger than a million who are not.”

Ancient Wisdom Traditions Award
Mainstream Psychology takes us part of the way, but seems to stop with the “actualization” of the self, the individual. All Ancient Wisdom Traditions have seen that as the half-way point, at best. Their emphasis on One-ness, the Unity of all beings and things, requires going beyond personalities and biology, into realms where Hermes Trismegistus, Pythagoras, indigenous cultures, the Druids, Phineas Quimby, Emerson, and modern day New Thought writers found higher truths, and greater depths of wisdom.

Board of Trustees Ambassador Scholarship
The Southwestern College Board of Trustees admires the path of each of our students, and their capacity to bring honor to the College as an “Ambassador” for the school as they move about the world, both now and after graduation.