Editorial

How to cite this article in APA:

Saldarriaga, L. H. (2025). A meaningful legacy: 25 years of the Psychology Program [Editorial]. Poiésis, (48), 15-17. https://doi.org/10.21501/16920945.5235

A meaningful legacy: 25 years of the Psychology Program

Saldarriaga, L. H.

There are many emotions that surface at this moment, in this sacred enclosure, where today unforgettable memories of the 25 years of this educational project that had its origin in the conscience of those who directed Funlam, born from the womb of the Community of Capuchin Tertiary Religious, and that give them an indelible social seal to their works, are relived. It was born, back in October 1999, when they gave the registration, but it was conceived when the program was designed, a disruptive, different, critical program, called “Psychology”, with emphasis on social psychology.

And the establishment (Ministry of National Education) was not capable with the titles of emphasis of the programs, hence it ran to unify the denominations, to standardize contents, to delimit what the students had to receive in their training... and they would only be psychologists.

But this institution, this program, the teachers of the time were not intimidated, they did not give up their commitment, they courageously decided to keep their emphasis, their critical view, they decided that they had to go where the programs, as a colleague would say, “pispirinices programs” did not reach. For example, in the La Sierra neighborhood, scene of war, displacement, violence, we arrived with a volunteer project, to transform a reality, to contribute to society.

And the program grew in recognition, there was no need to say that “Funlam was diagonal to Éxito de Colombia”, today we say: “Éxito de Colombia is diagonal to the Catholic University Luis Amigó”.

This program, which has welcomed hundreds, thousands of young people, and others not so young, was growing, even reaching nearly 3,000 students. This program became a reference point for an entire academic community that did not understand how its growth and development was possible. But that did not scare us, it did not make us lose heart in our efforts. To train psychology professionals. And not for Medellín, not for Antioquia. Today our graduates are in Norway, Spain, Mexico and Argentina. They are professionals for the world.

We have been the cradle of formation of young people who are the first professionals in their families who, with the effort of their families, and sometimes their own, have achieved their professionalization and, after that, have grown personally, professionally and family-wise.

When we begin to name people, some will be left out, who will surely complain for not including them, but we will only mention those who have had the direct responsibility of directing the program and who in each era have imbued it with their stamp. Deans: Jaime Alberto Carmona Parra, César Augusto Jaramillo J. and Luz Marina Arango Gómez (who has been at the university for 24 years). And as directors: Richard Rosero and Alexander Rodríguez Bustamante. And me, the most fortunate, who has acted in both positions: dean and director.

We cannot fail to mention the rectors who, with their support, reflection, and ear pulling, guided us on the path of service, to be useful:

Father Hernando Maya Restrepo, founder of the university. Father, your mission has been fulfilled, and we continue walking.

Father Marino Martínez, with whom the first educational project of the Psychology program was formulated, with emphasis on social psychology. Father, back in Brazil, if he is still there, his vision and vision of responding to the needs of a convulsed society have been fulfilled.

Father José Wilmar Sánchez Duque, with whom we gained in maturity, who was responsible for the first of the three accreditations, and who showed us the way to stop being a University Foundation and become Luis Amigó Catholic University. He taught us to lose our fear of greatness.

Father Carlos Enrique Cardona Quiceno, who has had to face the most significant changes that have been imposed on the program by the governmental authorities, who see private education as their enemies to be defeated. We continue to fight with conviction and fortitude.

To all of them, thank you for your dreams, dreams, decisions and guidance.

Thanks to all of you for being part of this story, written with the soul. In which the will materializes three great dreams: that of the Capuchin Tertiary Religious Community, to socially transform their environments; that of all the students with their desire to be, to become professionals, to grow and progress; and that of the teachers, who with their willingness, will, responsibility and commitment, met in time and space, and made this a better program, which has been able to accommodate a large number of students, and develop with ethics, social commitment and reflective criticality the formation of amigonanian psychologists.

Students: thank you for your confidence in the university, in the program, in your teachers.

Teachers: thank you for your dedication, your comprehensive view of the student, your vocation and willingness.

Author note

Saldarriaga, L. H.

Director del programa de Psicología de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Salud y Bienestar de la Universidad Católica Luis Amigó.