MENTIONSHONORABLE

Kemper Shares His Experience with the

Honors Program

“!e Honors Program is challenging,

but I’m glad I decided to participate.

So far, the program has contributed

to a richer, fuller academic experience

— way above what I might have

imagined,”

Jared Kempera junior from Lucasville, Ohio

Jared Kemper is majoring in Environmental Engineering, and will graduate in spring 2014. He hopes to work for the EPA after graduation and continue graduate studies. He says that the Honors Program at Shawnee State has helped prepare him for his future.

“I decided to become a part of the Honors Program because I felt it would give me an advantage during my years on campus – smaller classes, a chance to get to know my professors, more one on one attention, challenging assignments and the opportunity

to meet some interesting people," he said. “!e Honors Program has met and exceeded all my expectations. I’ve learned how to dig deeper into general material and apply what I’ve learned in speci"c situations, so there is a full integration between knowledge and practice.”

Jared says that he would encourage quali!ed students to join the Honors Program.

“I think the experiences give you an academic edge now and an advantage later as you pursue a career,” he said.

In addition to the academic advantage, Jared says that he has enjoyed the social aspects of the program.

“Our service project this year was with Sierra’s Haven, an animal shelter. I love animals, so the experience of working there a couple of times a month was great, but what I really enjoyed was getting to know the other students in the program,” Jared said. “Experiences outside the classroom and academic setting have created a special bond between us.”

!e Shawnee State Honors Program Newsletter Fall 2012

Morocco with

Mandie: An

Honors student’s

Study Abroad

Experience

New Honors

Students Welcomed

!e 36 students who joined the Honors Program this fall were welcomed during the annual orientation session held August 15. Dr. Isabel Graziani was the guest presenter. !e Orientation Team (shown seated in front) included: Misty Alcorn, Alli McCoy, Allison Falgner, and Jared Kemper.

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Graduating

with Honors

We are proud of our honors students who graduated in May. All of these students graduated magna (at least a 3.75 GPA) and summa cum laude (at least a 3.9 GPA). Shown are (l-r): Brian Sauer, Zane Long, Bethany Holden, Brittany Heidenreich, and Abby Teske. Students completing the Honors Program wear purple cords at graduation and receive special distinction in the graduation program and on their transcript.

Bethany Heidenreich was our Outstanding Honors Scholar this year. She served as a Resident Advisor in our Honors Living & Learning Community, was an orientation leader in 2011, and graduated with a 3.93 in Biology/Pre-med (she’s been accepted into medical school at Ohio University).

Making a

Difference in the

Community

More than 62 honors students have volunteered with Sierra’s Haven since Fall 2011. Our students have also provided community service through Habitat for Humanity, Adopt-a-Highway, and Scioto County Clean-up. !is December, students will be caroling at area nursing homes. Shown at Sierra's Haven are (back, l-r): Don Loughry, Jared Kemper, !omas Edwards, Jonathan Clevinger, Mariah Conger, Saad Yamlikha, Brooke Barker; (middle, l-r): Kayla Drummond, Karlie O’Brien, Kassandra Mullins, Jessica Newton; (front, l-r): Candy Quach, Kelly Stratton, Mandie Maxwell, Sarah Cremeans; Not pictured: Misty Alcorn, Dr. Rader.

Honors student, Mandie Maxwell studied abroad during spring semester 2012 in Morocco, Africa, at one of SSU’s sister colleges. In addition to her studies, she also traveled to London, Paris, and Budapest. Mandie blogged about her experience for our Honors students—pictures and her story are available at http://mandiestravel.wordpress.com/. Additionally, Mandie was recently awarded a prestigious fellowship through the National Council on US-Arab Relations.

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Alcorn Encourages Freshmen to Learn

More about Honors

“It's not extra coursework, it's more challenging and meaningful coursework. It's good to stick with the program.”

!at's the advice that Misty Alcorn, a senior Honors student from Youngstown, said she would give new students.

“I've been with the program since my freshman year,” she said, “and I've seen the program continue to grow

SSU Honors Presents at National Conference

Marcie Hat!eld-Simms, director of Residence Life and Dr. Rader presented at the annual ACUHO-I Living & Learning Conference in Albuquerque, NM on October 12, 2012. !eir presentation was entitled, “New Honors Community, Little Budget and Little Time.”

and change for the better. Dr. Rader has built an honors community. It's been nice seeing it come together.”

Misty said that she initially wanted to be a part of the Honors Program because she thought it would be good to have on her resume. A Fine Arts major with a concentration in photography and a minor in Business Administration, Misty says that she has gotten more from the program.

“!e classes are more challenging. You get more out of your programs,” she said. “With the honors community, you develop friendships. We've had more events and community service. It's a nice balance.”

Honors students maintain a minimum 3.3 grade point

average while taking specially designed Honors courses and

completing several community service projects.

Our co-curricular !eld trip this fall will be to the Cincinnati Symphony and renovated Music Hall on November 17. "e 40 students and Honors faculty will be given a mini-lecture from Dr. Michael Barnhart, professor of Music, prior to the concert, a tour of the Music Hall, enjoy the symphony production, and have a discussion and autograph signing with the conductor and symphony members following the performance.

Learning that Extends

Beyond the ClassroomStudents Participate in Shawnee Bear Run

What does it mean to be an

Honors Student?

Twelve Honors students participated with Dr. Rader in the Bear Run, a 5K race hosted by SSU twice a year. Shown (back row, l-r): Jimmy Albrecht, Will Doering, TJ Cappel, Holly Eichenlaub, Nikki Harmon, Dr. Rader, !omas Edwards; (front row, l-r): Keri Boyce, Ashley Gilley, Karlie O’Brien, Carson Tucker, Shauna Hetsler.