Principia College - Sheaf Yearbook (Elsah, IL)

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Spiritual Growth - Key We are a community committed to spiritual growth. We are all here because we want to grow in ideals and the performance of those ideals. It is this concept of high standards of thought and conduct upon which Principia is built and which is our greatest challenge to uphold. . . Principia's commitment to character education is far more than a hopeful concept. We like to feel that we are so com- mitted to character education that it is part of every activity that is undertaken. As Mrs. Morgan says in her writings, 'The subject matter of the classroom is only the vehicle for the larger purpose. . .' implying that this purpose is character de- velopment or the spiritual progress of the individual. . . Of primary import is that Principia is a community of Chris- tian Scientists--faculty as well as students. As far as straight academic subject matter is concerned, undoubtedly equally as good instruction is being offered at other institutions. However, as long as an instructor is committed to the concept of char- acter development, the spiritual growth of the students is fun- damental to his teaching. This actually makes for better in- tellectual growth as well. I know of no place else which is working from that Christianly Scientific basis. . . Instructors do not teach Christian Science in the classrooms, however, maintaining the whole man concept 'of education manifests itself in better quality education. For example, Pol- icy Statement lll, an integral part of this concept, states: 'The Principia refuses to accept as final any belief of limitation which would grant greater capacity to one individual than to another.' This scientific expectation of good is liberating for the student. . . It is essential to have a consciously designed program to de- velop the whole man. The key element in this concept, we feel, is Spiritual. If the individual is developing spiritually, all other elements will fit into place very easily. With this spirit- ually based development, there will be no imbalance. Each aspect of the whole man concept receives formal recognition and support within the administration. . . There are certain areas in which Principians can direct their attention: --We need to work toward an on-going interaction between faculty and students, one in which each individual feels the loving support of the community and which results in a con- scious uplifting of our standards. --We must ever maintain the perspective that Principia's primary function is to serve the cause of Christian Science. --We each must be sure that we are, as individuals, devoted to Principle, committed to the community, and are striving to make a viable contribution to that community. If we apply ourselves in these areas, we will see a lifting of thought here that we would not otherwise experience.

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continues JANUARY 3'-fav M A Y Nixon re-elected Kissingefs Peace at Hand N O V E M B E R A FEBRUARY ' --ft V . Y 195 Y 6 1002

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The primary purpose of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES is to make certain that the Pur- pose and Policies of The Principia are car- ried out with understanding and effective- ness. The Trustees have accepted as their pre- amble a portion of Mrs. Morgan's message to them in 1938: 'The Board of Trustees is responsible for the establishment of the ftuidamental policies which make Principia what it is. It is responsible for the guidance and instruction of the administration of The Principia in terms of these policies under whatever procedures it may see fit to es- tablish. The Principia must always be a credit and help to the Cause of Christian Science. It must remain true to the ideals upon which it has been founded. This insti- tution will achieve only such distinction in service to the Cause of Christian Science as is represented by the level of thought and conduct of this Board. We are the leaders of this work. We must give it the quality of leadership it requires.' Throughout Principia's existence, there has been unquestionable proof that the institu- tion's services bear fruit in proportion as the vision of Principia's founder, Mary Kimball Morgan, is cherished and heeded.