The Honors Connection

7/22/2019 The Honors Connection

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Table of ContentsA Letter From Our Director 2 by Dr. Wilson

PASSHE Summer HonorsProgram 3 by Dan Gladis

Honors Photo Gallery 4-5

NCHC Conference 5 by Zane BargerStudent and AlumniSpotlights 6-7 by Zane BargerStudent Poll 7 by Hanna Forrester

Faculty Spotlight 8 by Kevin Squires

by Zane Barger

Mardi Gras, jumbalaya, voodoo, andSlippery Rock? On No-vember 6, 2013, eight SRU Honors students travelled to the BigEasy to present at the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHCstudent research conference.

The event hosted hundreds of honors students from across the coun-try in an interdisciplinary conference that spanned ve days.

In addition to hundreds of poster presentations and artistic per-

formances, the conference also featured several keynote speakersincluding Ruby Bridges, the rst African American student to attendWilliam Fritz Elementary School in New Orleans. Bridges is the sub-ject of the iconic Norman Rockwell painting The Problem We All LiveWith and a recognizable gure in the civil rights movement.

I had such a great time in New Orleans with the Honors Program, said Jessica Sears, who presented on fundraising. I reallyenjoyed getting to meet honors students from across the countryand sharing our experiences. The NCHC conference is one of the largest undergraduate

Continued on Page 5

NCHC Conference

From the Slippery Rock University Honors Program

Volume I, Issue I Spring 2014

The HonorsConnection


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Welcome to the rst newsletter of the SRU Honors Pro-gram! I want to thank the students who have worked hardto make this newsletter happen: Zane Barger, Abbie La-hmers, Dan Gladis, Genna Walker, Maria Heintzinger,Hanna Forrester, Elizabeth Chobany, and Kevin Squires.I also want to congratulate this years Honors Programgraduates. Theyve worked hard to get where they areand I know that they are headed for more great things.

Im nearing the end of my third year as Honors Programdirector and it has been a great experience. I thought itwould be a good time to look back at where weve beenand look ahead to where were going. Geographically,weve been all over the map: spring trips to Toronto, Chi-

cago, and Washington, DC; National Collegiate HonorsCouncil conferences in Phoenix, Boston, and New Orleans;Honors spring break trips to London, Greece, and Cuba;excursions to Fallingwater, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fameand Museum, the Carnegie Science Center, the PittsburghZoo, the Warhol Museum, musicals, symphonies, danceperformances. Honors students sure do get around! Our students have also been busy in honors classes,delving into the historical past, learning about govern-ment and international relations, and occasionally think-ing philosophically; learning how to appreciate litera-ture and maybe even write their own; studying the starsin astronomy and the mind in psychology.Ive reviewed dozens of contract courses and researchprojects, and honors students have completed thousandsof service hours. It wears me out just thinking about it all youre a busy group! Personally, it has been incrediblyrewarding to be a part of all that you do. Looking forward, I see a bright future for the HonorsProgram. Slippery Rock University is in a period of tran-sition, with many new faces in the administration. Ournew president, Dr. Cheryl Norton, and new provost, Dr.

Philip Way, have emphasized the value and importanceof honors education at SRU. Well be working to growthe program, increase the course o fferings for honors stu-dents, support international experiences, and help you tosucceed professionally. We are also planning to improvethe facilities available to the Honors Program students;more about that in the future. The SRU Honors Programwill continue to offer students opportunities to grow aca-demically, to contribute to the community, and to explorethe larger world. And I look forward to continuing withall of you on this journey.

A Letter From OurDirector: Dr. WilsonZane Barger

Editor and Writer

Environmental ScienceMajor, Writing MinorSlippery Rock, PA

23, Senior

PASSHE Summer Honors Programby Dan Gladis

In May and June of 2013, fel-low honors student Jessica Searsand I had the pleasure and privi-lege of representing the SlipperyRock University Honors Program onthe annual PASSHE Summer HonorsStudy Abroad program. The 2013program was hosted by BloomsburgUniversity and included intensivecoursework in Western EuropeanMusical History and Global MassMedia. Twenty-eight honors stu-dents, two from each PASSHE school,gathered to learn, explore, andgrow. While that sounds gauche andclich, it would be difcult to deny

that no learning, exploring or grow-ing occurred during the three weeksour group was together. This learning, of course, comes informs much more varied than thosefound in the lab or the lecture hall.To discuss the context of Mozart isone thing, but listening to some of hisworks at his own home is another; toconverse on the impact of mass me-

dia is ne, but to tour the BBC or the

Vatican Radio gives life to an other-wise abstract exercise. It was theseexperiences, and so many more, thatJess and I shared with new acquain-tances who are certainly now long-term friends.

There are so many wonderfulmemories I will forever retain fromthis trip, but one of that number I canshare was on our free day in Rome.I and a bunch of the new friends Ihad made on the trip took a trainto Lido di Ostia where we spent theday lounging on a beach along the

Mediterranean Sea. At that point, itwas only two days until we were togo home, and so spending that timewith those folks was worth the worldto me. And the Mediterranean Seawas beautiful and refreshing! At this point, I cannot but power-fully recommend that honors studentscontinue to apply for the PASSHESummer Honors Abroad program. Itcontains loads of wonderful, quirky,intelligent people with whom genu-ine, lasting friendships form. It pro-

vides opportunities for groeducation on so many levedition to the undeniably hecredits that each student eacost!

To hear more of these fun

unique stories, contact Dan

or borrow a copy of his bo

on the experience entitled,

Journal 2013, which can b

online for free at blurb.com

very soon borrowed from

Honors Ofce in hard-copy

Dan GladisWriter

History & EuropeanCultural Studies Majors,

Philosophy MinorAliquippa, PA

Senior, 20

Newsletter Staff

Maria HeintzingerLayout

Public Relations Major,Business Administration,International Affairs MinorsValencia, PA

20, Sophomore

Abbie LahmersLayout

English Major,Communication and

Literature MinorsDelmont, PA

21, Junior

Dr. Wilson Fairy

Magic MajorHometown: Oz

Age: 254789374875983

475982 years

Senior (Citizen)


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NCHC Conference (Continued)research conferences in the country, and only seems togrow as time goes by. This past years theme was Con-ict, Transformation, and Creolization and emphasized

research that dealt with challenging cultural structures.As such, it was set in New Orleans, LA, a city known forits iconic culture that blends both old and new customsinto a resplendent, oft-conicting mash-up of languag-es, religions, and ideals. Nowhere else in the countrycan one nd towering Catholic cathedrals juxtaposed

against whimsical voodoo shops, the air ripe with jazzand the scent of decay. The students got to experience this cultural meltingpot in their off-time, though it was no less education-al than the conference itself. Several took part in the

NCHC-sponsored City as Text program, wstudents throughout the city to research selecteto present on later in the day. For example, s

dents went to the celebrated Preservation Hallthe history of jazz; others met with a voodoo to learn about the religion. No matter the topic, the students agreed thaference was both exciting and informative. I lelot in New Orleans, said participant Caitlin Ostrongly encourage students to apply for the coif given the c hance. The 2014 NCHC conference will occur in Denunder the theme of The Thrill of the Climb.

Dr.SparrowsHealthcare/MedicalEthics

Honorsclass

Honors ProgramPhoto Gallery

Kevin SquiresWriter

Biology Major,Chemistry MinorWest Mifin, PA

Junior, 21

Ollie the OtterMarine Science MajorHometown: Somewhere off

the coast of Africa

Age: How dare you.

Super Senior

Genna WalkerWriter

Creative Writing andPhilosophy Major,

Literature MinorWindber, PA

Junior, 21

Bottom left:In Fall 2013, the students traveled toFrank Lloyd Wrights famed Fallingwater building.Mid-left:While waiting for the art gallery crawl inPittsburgh, students posed with the Giant Duck.Mid right:Students at Heinz Hall following the per-formance of the music of composer John Williams.

HonorsstudentsattheFranklinD.

RooseveltParkinWashington,D.C.

Elizabeth ChobanyWriter

Athletic Training MajorJohnstown, PA

Freshman, 19

Hanna ForresterWriter

Early Education,Special Ed. MajorEllwood City

Freshman, 18


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Alumni Spotlight: Rachel Diamond

How long have you been a mem -

ber of the SRU Honors Program?

I have been a member of the SRUHonors program my entire SlipperyRock career, two years.What are you most excited about

seeing in Canada?

We are supposed to receive alobster shing lesson so that should

be memorable.What do you hope to get out of

this experience/how will this ex-

perience benet you?

I hope to gain knowledge aboutthe Canadian Maritimes throughhands on experience. This trip will

benet me because I will get to

ow long were you a member of

e SRU Honors Program?

I was in the honors program for allyears of college and a member ofe Executive Board for 3.hat was your favorite Honors-Pro-

am related memory?

Probably one of my favoriteings was the travel. I visited manyew cities that have helped to makee a more well-rounded person. Ient to Boston, Toronto, and Chica-o, all of which I had never visitedefore the HP trips. I was also able

incorporate the HP into my in-rnational experiences through myntract course about the globaliza-

on of business.hat do you miss most about the

onors Program?

I miss getting to travel and attendltural events for free or reducedst. To all the current honors studentsay Take advantage of all the op-ortunities the HP provides for you.ou will never be able to travel and

experience new things like that

again in your life.How did the Honors Program aid

you in achieving your goals?

I have been able to reference myexperiences in the HP in every jobinterview. I have gained so much ex-perience within the program and onthe Exec Board.What are you currently doing?

I am currently nishing up my year

with the SAP Graduate Academyand I am starting to apply for a per-manent position at SAP. The GradAcademy is one of SAPs initiativesto recruit early talent. To those thatare looking for post-college employ-ment, many companies are investing

in these types of program. They of-fer a great opportunity to try differ-ent types of jobs before committingto one.What are your future plans/goals?

I would like to work my way upas a consultant to become a ProjectManager at SAP. I absolutely loveto travel, so I hope to be able to domore of that.

Do you have any advice for cur-

rent Honors Program students?

Take advantage of every oppor-tunity you have in college. I cannotpossibly recommend the Career Ser-vices Department enough. Developyour personal and professional net-work. You never know where thoseconnections will lead. I would not beat SAP if it were not for the greatpeople in Career Services and theUniversity Payroll Ofce.

Student Spotlight: Parker Ballabe exposed to a culture I have notbeen around before and it will giveme rsthand insight into my eld of

study, Environmental Science.Do you have any advice for future

applicants to the summer honors

program?

Put effort and time into your ap-plication.What are your future plans/goals?

After graduation I hope to nd

a job where I can contribute to theenvironment. I would love to be out-doors a lot in my career and havethe opportunity to travel frequently.Parker will be representing the SRU

Honors Program at the 2014 PASSHE

Summer Honors Program in Canada.

How long have you been a mem-

ber of the SRU Honors Program?

Ive been a member since I wasan incoming freshman.What are you most excited about

seeing in Canada?

Im most excited about all of theexperiences that will take me outof my comfort zone, such as lobstershing and tasting unfamiliar foods.

Overall, the entire trip in and of it-self is enough to be excited about;meeting new students who are aspassionate about education and ex-ploring as I am will be a wonderfulfeeling. I know that we will all be

able to learn from one another dur-ing the course of this program.What do you hope to get out of

this experience/how will this ex-

perience benet you?

I hope to not only gain a bettersense of community with fellow Hon-ors students, but I also hope to gainbetter global awareness. Studyinggeography and the way people live

will be enlightening and even applyto my future career plans.What are your future plans/goals?

In the future, I would like to be-come a successful marketer, pref-erably in the eld of fashion or

pharmaceuticals. Marketing involvesstudying people and patterns, whichis part of what the Canadian Mari-times Honors trip will involve.Additional comments or things

you would like to mentioned?

Id like to thank everyone involvedin the interviewing, planning, andnalizing processes of this once-

in-a-lifetime opportunity. For me,

there is no better way to learn thanhands-on. As a note to all collegestudentstraveling is an experiencethat I encourage everyone to seek.You will always nd a new way of

seeing things.

Student Spotlight: Ashley McCollum

Where would you like the Honors Program to takespring trip in 2015?North Carolina 16.7% 5

Virginia Beach 43.3% 13

Savannah Georgia 10% 3

Canada 30% 9

Where is your dream vacation?

Europe 40% 12

Spain 26.7% 8

Anywhere with Mountains 13.3% 4

Ireland 20% 6

Number of Students Polled:30

Date Poll was Conducted:April 15, 2014

Student Pollby Hanna Forrester

Congratulations to Ms. As

McCollum and Mr. Parker the next representatives o

Slippery Rock Honors. The

travel to Manseld Univer

and Canada in a few mon

for this years program, T

Canadian Maritimes: Geo

Wonders Living from the L

and Sea.


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Faculty Spotlight: Dr. BalokInterview by Kevin Squires

How long have you been teaching

honors courses?

I taught my rst honors class atSRU ten years ago.How does the honors section of

your course differ from a tradition-

al section?My expectations are higher; the

assignment load is heavier; the dis-cussions are richer and are the back-bone of the course.What do you feel makes your

course and honors courses in gen-

eral benecial to honors students?In recent years, I have given stu-

dents increasing opportunities todemonstrate their understanding ofa literary work in ways other thanon traditional tests. In other words,students are encouraged to developassignments within other strengths. I

Graduating SeniorsZane BargerCarol BarnesCandice BlevinsAlexandra BollingNicholas CerconeHolly ChesterHannah ChobyLisa CorrellKatherine Cramer

Nicole CrevarChelsea DenmanJenna DePizzoKelsi DobranElizabeth EckertAmanda FarberCassandra FoustJacob FramptonCorissa Fretz

Megan GuerrieriKatelynn HuberIlana IalongoChelsea KelligherLauren MarrinerLaurie MartinTimi MartinShane MattsonMichelle Millen

Michelle MullinsRyan NobletCaitlin ONeilMelissa PattersonPaige PautlerKourtney PikeLauren PollockKathryn PortHeather RaboldCarly ReedLindsay Ritchey

Sarah RothrockAlyssa RoughTara SchlosserAbby SchonRebecca SearightJessica SearsZachary ShermanJenalee ShieldsElizabeth Smith

Kelly SmithMelissa StewartAshley TaylorChukwuebuka

UgwuokeAmanda WassilKaitlin WiegmannMatthew WozniakDeanna WrightMaria Zaffuto

believe we possess different kindsof intelligence; unfortunately, agreat deal of assessment is basedon a students knowledge of linguis-

tics, a critical part of his or her per-formance, but linguistic success is notthe only way a student can demon-strate competence. For example, astudent recently performed a dancewhich reected her understanding of

a particular short story. Several se-mesters ago, two music majors wrotea piece of music which captured theplayful spirit of Puck from Midsum-mer Nights Dream. It has been my

experience with Honors students thatwhen given freedom to explore al-ternate ways of expressing theirunderstanding of a piece of litera-ture, they create incredible, creativework.What is the most rewarding part of

teaching the honors course?

I love what my students teach meAlso, it is refreshing to know that do not have to cover the basicseach time. Most honors studentshave strong academic foundationswhich allow us to move more quicklyand more deeply into material. I likethat.

Contact Information

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Ofce Location:Honors Program Ofce

336 Patterson Hall

Mailing Address:Slippery Rock University1 Morrow WaySlippery Rock, PA 16057

Telephone: 724.738.4003

E-mail: [email protected]

DirectorDr. Bradley Wilson

[email protected]

724.738.2379

SecretaryConnie Schmidt

[email protected]

724.738.4382

Photo courtesy of SRU

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The Honors Connection