Founder Dr. George Araki Retires
- Celebrating 24 Years of Holistic
Health
On
October 26, 1999, a packed crowd gathered in the Blakeslee Room of Thornton
Hall to offer appreciation and best wishes to Dr. George Araki after
his many years at SFSU. The following are condensed remarks from that
historic and enjoyable event:
Erwin Seibel, Professor of Geosciences and Past Dean of Undergraduate Studies served as Master of Ceremonies for the occasion. He acknowledged Dr. Araki as a scholar ahead of his time and someone who broadened our scope of critical thinking as he helped create the unique interdisciplinary tradition of SFSU. Dr. Seibel also praised Dr. Jim Kelly, Dean of the College of Science for his support over the years for George and this innovative program. His protective administrative efforts allowed Holistic Health to come into existence and become the most popular minor on campus.
Bruce Wolfe, President of Associated Students, spoke of the appreciation students have for the Holistic Health program and of his own interest in Holistic Health since his early years. He posed the question and concern why this popular program has not yet become a bachelors degree program and urged academic leaders to wake up to the value that is here.
Emily Murphy represented the Holistic Health Network (Campus Student Organization). She spoke about how Holistic Health has changed her understanding of education. As a Philosophy and Religion major, I have learned much at SFSU, yet in Holistic Health I entered into a journey of true change - more valuable to me than anything I have found in all my educational experience. The Holistic, "both-and" philosophy compared to the "either-or” Cartesian mind set has given me a place to find a symbolic relationship with the rest of my studies, my life, and the art of living. On behalf of the students in Holistic Health, thank you George for your dedication and wisdom that allowed this great work to come into being.
Mary Beth Love, Chair of Health Education, introduced George, acknowledging his inventive work and his courage to fight for and keep this dynamic program alive. She thanked George for the heart and relational support he brought to the work they shared and to the campus at large.
Dr. George Araki began by speaking of the 70's when innovative thinking took root as SFSU, and four different interdisciplinary programs were born: Ethnic Studies, NEXA, Women's Studies, and Holistic Health; all were products of the 70's. Their programs only survived because of the bold support of administrative leaders of that time. Since this beginning time over 15, 000 students have taken Holistic Health.
Dr. Araki also spoke of his early Biology studies as a graduate student at Stanford University, where he felt he was taught to think in “big terms”. He also mentioned his early work at Hopkins Marine Station and some of his mentors - including Dr. Cornelius Van Niel, winner of the first American Scientist Award, who taught him about the gifts and limits of science. He finished by talking about his transformation from what he called a "reductionistic biologist" to a "holistic biologist." Overtime he moved from Chair of the Cell and Molecular Biology Department to Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences. He spoke of a special meeting with Dr. Joe Kamiya of UCSF - through which he discovered biofeedback studies and new ways of learning. Biofeedback led to meeting and hiring Dr. Erik Peper. Other core faculty joined them and over time they formed the Holistic Health Program. In closing Dr. Araki thanked all past students, faculty and staff for these creative years and he wished the program many more.
Dr. George Araki
Dr. Erik Peper, IHHS Director thanked Dr. Araki for all these years of mentoring him and others in interdisciplinary thinking and for his vision, integrity and leadership. Dr. Peper then spoke about the future of HH noting: the future of Holistic Health is alive and well in the culture. Recent research shows us that more people are visiting complementary health providers than medical care professionals - spending over 21 Billion dollars for alternative health care in 1997. People are waking up to what holistic health care has to offer. We have been teaching holistic health at SFSU for the last twenty-four years and Stanford, UC Berkeley and others are just beginning to get involved. George, you leave us with a solid legacy. The way we can truly celebrate you is to point to the vibrancy of the program.With the ongoing support of the University we hope to maintain and further develop the program. Thank you from our hearts for nurturing us all these years.
SFSU President Robert Corrigan: "George, we feel a loss at your leaving. You have left a strong mark on the University." He then introduced the guest speaker, Senator John Vasconcellos. President Corrigan called senator Vasconcellos a "pragmatic idealist" and "Dean of the California State Legislature" and "a consistent friend of education and programs at SFSU - including holistic approaches to health."
State Senator John Vasconcellos: I come here today to challenge the university, the students, faculty, and especially the administration to recognize what it means to be educated today - to prepare people to live in the 21st century. I believe California is at the Center of seven major revolutions which are changing the course of history. The revolution in health care is part of a larger series of revolutions, beginning to unfold in our lifetime:
State Senator John Vasconcellos
- The Revolution in Technology - that started in a few garages in Silicon Valley and now informs economics and work places around the world.
- The Revolution in Race - California is no longer a white majority state and never again will be. And it is now a leader in learning about the richness and challenges of diversity.
- The Gender Revolution - genders are beginning to bridge their differences: women are being encouraged to think and hold power; men are encouraged to feel and be vulnerable.
- End of the Cold War - now there is no outside enemy; we must now learn to get along with each other.
- The Global Economy - companies are now changing countries like clothes. Our economy is truly becoming interconnected with goods and people from around the world.
- The Revolution in Communications - obvious by its presence everywhere.
- The Self-Revolution - perhaps the largest of all: a revolution in terms of who we think we are. This is about becoming a full human being - connected to mind, body and world.
Major boundaries are coming down everywhere - shattering past forms of religion, authority and reality. Integrative, holistic thinking is becoming necessary - not only to adjust to these changes but to meet them creatively. The major boundary coming down is between mind and body. People are developing greater body consciousness - owning our feelings and becoming more aware of our sexuality, our intimacy and our authenticity. That is holistic, that is human and that is hope!
I want to challenge you as President of the University to help prepare the students for the 21st Century - to help them become embodied, full human beings - passionate, visionary and able to lead healthy productive lives. Thank you George for being just such a role model for your students - by living boldly, courageously and holistically. I challenge each one of you here to honor him by living your lives boldly with vision and inspiration. George you have done so much - it will take two people to replace you and it is your job Bob (President Corrigan) to get the resources to replace him and support this program so it can continue to be at the front-end of helping people to heal themselves, heal our society and build a healthier future. Thank you all and God bless you.
A social reception was held in Hensill Hall 716 following the above program. For all those that could not attend, we thank you for your calls and best wishes. We hope this review will bring you a taste of the event. It was truly an enjoyable program.