President Dr. Stuart C. Lord

As the fifth president of Naropa University, I come to Naropa
as it embarks upon a journey to achieve greater excellence. Though I am humbled by this responsibility, I find it nearly impossible to contain my excitement! Nestled in the front range of the Rocky Mountains, Naropa is a fantastic place. Its scenic beauty is only paralleled by the character of its community.

When I first visited the campus, I was in awe of the lively spirit of the community. Never had I witnessed the marriage of learning and compassion so strongly. Naropa is truly a place where creative thought and intellectual rigor are inextricably intertwined. Merging the finest traditions of both Eastern and Western philosophies, Naropa immerses the intellectual challenge of higher education within the pursuit of greater spirituality. Naropa created the model of “contemplative education,” but it is much more than that. It is a way of life that infuses learning with the experience of awareness, insight and compassion. I believe it is what connects the hearts and minds of each member of our community; it is what makes us distinct.

As you further explore Naropa through this website, you will find an array of educational paths from which to choose. Be it Transpersonal Psychology or the Fine Arts, Naropa provides students with many opportunities to engage themselves in the world. Guided by an outstanding and caring faculty, Naropa students are encouraged to develop a sense of self and to understand their own relationship to the world—and then to make a difference. At Naropa, we challenge our students to be ethical leaders through the development and application of deep personal values. We challenge them to find new ways to address the needs of an ever-changing world. Our goal at Naropa is not simply to graduate students, but to produce empowered citizens of the world.

I welcome you to explore the rich and diverse tapestry of Naropa University. You will find, like I have, that it is a very distinctive place.

In the Spirit of Service,
Stuart C. Lord, President

"We, the community of Naropa University, affirm both the idea and ideals of contemplative education, of its transformative purpose of teaching, learning, discovery and research. My job as president will be to make sure that Naropa not only transforms students, but also transforms as an institution to be the best contemplative liberal arts university in the world."

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