Come for the Tacos....Stay for the Poetry

 On Thursday, March 31, an exciting thing is happening...

The return of the Honors Dinner.  

This per-semester event is one of my favorites when it comes to my Honors commitments.  The chance to gather together in a relaxing environment and celebrate learning, curiosity, passion, and community.  How can you beat it?

Well, mostly with tacos.  And shirts.  And the secret prizes that I always have.

And what ISN'T made better with tacos and free stuff?

On a serious note for a moment...I know the pandemic is not really over and COVID is not gone, but things have calmed down enough so that many of us can come together - carefully - and share in each other's company.   Isolation can have lasting impacts on our mental health and even if you've been strong throughout, it's still nice to have a get-together with like minded people now and then.  The dinner is a chance to do that, not just for Honors students, but for any student who is interested.

That's right...you don't have to be an Honors student to join us, but you have to want to hear stories of the Honors experience.  But don't worry, it's mostly students talking about how their semesters are going and what they love about the Honors class or classes they are in or took in the past.  You also have to want to hear about Honors offerings next semester and   

Someone almost always cries...for the best reasons.  There is a lot of laughter and some gentle encouragement of those who are hesitant to share - but no one is every forced to say anything.  It's all very laid back and casual.

This year, it is going to be made even more special by the fact that directly following the dinner, in the same location, is an Open Mic hosted by Prism, the LGBTQ+ club on campus.  You don't have to be a member of that community to take part as a reader or an audience member - all are welcome.  Come listen to your fellow students share their work or the work of someone they love.  

I'm looking forward to both events and I hope you will join us.  Here is the formal information:

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Dinner from 4:00 - 6:00

Open Mic from 6:00 - 8:00

Stage 14

Come for as much as you can - you are not remotely required to stay for all of either event.  Schedules are busy, so do what you can for as long as you can!  I also want to take this opportunity to share the rest of our events this semester so far:

• "Sheep!  From Wooly to Wearable" with Lydia Garafalo - 4/13 from 1:00 - 2:00 (location TBD, but in person and remote)
• Deaf Culture event - 4/13 from 3:00 - 4:00 in Stage 13
• "Working is not Like Colleging" with Brianna Smith - 4/19 from 6:00 - 7:00 (Virtual)
• "AMA about Working in the Gaming Industry" with Ro Williams of Riot Games - 4/27 from 5:00 - 6:00 (Virtual)
• Trail and Arboretum Cleanup with John Bateman - TBD

Join us....please?  Cowcat would like this.

Take A Deep Breath....For Yourself

Have you ever noticed how hard to can be to take some time for yourself?  To really sit down and rest for a moment?  To give your mind and your body and your heart and (if you believe in such things) soul time to really breathe?  I mean, REALLY breathe.

We just had a glorious spring-like day yesterday - and it brings me hope that warmer days really are coming.  There are so many things going on in the world and I, for one, desperately need all the help I can get in keeping myself feeling as positive and as relaxed as I can.  It helps me to deal with everything going on in the world; it helps me sleep better and generally have the energy to keep smiling and helping others.  But I need help with that...and I bet you do, too.

Those warm spring days aren't here just yet and as much as I love the sun, I suspect many of us are likely probably going to still be struggling then, too.  At least a little bit.  The semester and the world will continue doing what it does, and our lives will still be asking things of us that sometimes feel like more than we can deal with.  So, let's take some time to learn how we can take care of ourselves so we can better handle any kinds of stress thrown our way.

How?  Well, by being taught and guided through some mindful meditation.  Did you know we have a room on campus dedicated to that?  Did you know that we have a certified mindfulness coach who is amazing at teaching others how to not only understand this kind of practice, but can also lead us through a session.  This fellow is a math professor, so I am not surprised he needed to learn how to settle his mind.  I also cannot stress (no pun intended) enough how special this event will be.

Or maybe pun intended.

Anyway....this week's Honors talk is a little more present in that we are going to meet in person for it.  I will have my personal Webex open for people who want to listen in, but we are going to gather in person for a little deliberate practice and fellowship.

And I hope you can join us.

Wednesday, 3/9:  1:00 - 2:00

Room:  2064

SAVE THE DATE - March 31.  Taco Bar.  You know you want tacos.

What Is Honors? An Invitation.

"What IS Honors, Anyway?"

We have lots of new folks in Honors courses and it just may be that you don't even know what Honors is.

It's not about the smart kids.

It's not about grades.

It's not about outshining or outperforming.

It's not about more work.

Rather, it is a way of being in the classroom and a way of sharing in the energy of those learning around you.  It's a different way of teaching and learning that is meant to encourage curiosity and passion when so often the schooling system doesn't invite that at all.

It's how learning SHOULD be.

Though, I might be biased.

It's also a lot of things like points and paperwork, contracts and events.  And you may very well have questions.

Come chat with us about Honors.  Ask questions about everything I've talked about here.  Maybe hear from some Honors students who have done the things you are curious about.  Talk about your own experiences in Honors and what it has come to mean to you.  If anything.

And I hope it does.

You have SO much to offer your classes and your classmates, your college and your community.  And Honors can help you do that.  So, join us.  

Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, at 1:00, virtually.

Meeting link to join.

Join us, or fear Cowcat's wrath.  Okay, she's yawning...but still!