Chip Conley, San Francisco Entrepreneur, to Receive Honorary Doctorate From Saybrook Graduate School.

Honorary Doctorate to Be Awarded for Conley's Contribution to Humanistic Scholarship

SAN FRANCISCO -- Lorne M. Buchman, Ph.D., President of Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center, today announced that Saybrook's Board of Trustees has confirmed the awarding of an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Chip Conley, founder and chief executive of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, California's largest boutique hotel company. The degree will be presented at Saybrook's graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 14. Mr. Conley will also deliver the commencement address to Saybrook's graduating class.

In announcing the award Dr. Buchman stated: "Chip Conley is a humanistic and socially conscious entrepreneur who is introducing a new generation to the work of Abraham Maslow, one of the thought leaders in the humanistic tradition and one of the humanistic psychologists whose work was instrumental in Saybrook's founding. Emphasizing and nurturing human potential is a fundamental requirement for 21st century problem solving. Chip's recent publication, PEAK: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow, once again demonstrates the relevancy of humanistic thought to contemporary challenges."

Mr. Conley was selected for this award by a committee composed of students, faculty, trustees, and administrative staff from an outstanding field of candidates who had been nominated by members of the Saybrook community and graduating students. The candidates who were chosen each represented a substantial body of work and high achievement in disciplines that embrace Saybrook values and principles.

Mr. Conley has won numerous awards including Guerilla Marketer of the Year from the American Travel Marketing Executives, Emerging Growth Company of the Year from the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, National Humanitarian Hospitality Company of the Year, and Northern California Entrepreneur of the Year from Ernst & Young. He holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Saybrook Graduate School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). It is also authorized by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree Authorization Act. Grounded in the humanistic tradition and values, Saybrook's focus is graduate education for a humane and sustainable future that honors the human capacity for choice and growth and encourages each student to reach their highest levels of personal development and potential. Saybrook Graduate School is affiliated with the Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS) and has locations in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA. For more information, visit www.saybrook.edu.