Exciting, Entertaining, Empowering Events!

Vol 3 No 18

Hello, Honors Friends!

This week’s (or, rather, last week’s) entry is just a little exciting housekeeping.  I’m very happy to report that we have added some information to the Honors website that might come in handy for those looking to plan ahead for points or just for Honors involvement.  This information will soon be moved to the front page, but for now you can find it here:

https://www.flcc.edu/honors/events.cfm

If you look under Upcoming events, you will see that there are now events listed there!  These are official Honors or Honors sponsored events that you can receive Honors Points for if you are so inclined.  If you are not seeking points at this time or through events, you are still welcome to attend any of them.  I can guarantee you will have an enjoyable time in addition to any learning aspects that are inherent as well.  Just a few added comments…

The Honors dinner this semester will be on April 2.  We are having a taco bar and a very fun giveaway for everyone who attends.  You can also get a T-shirt if you missed the dinner last semester.  Dr. Nye, President of the College, has already told me he is planning to attend, as this the Associate Vice President of Instruction.  I’m sure we will have some other staff and administrators join us as well – not to mention the Honors faculty that always comes to eat with us and talk about courses they have taught and will teach.  It’s a great way to meet Honors faculty and hear about next semester – as well as just making sure that you have a good meal that day!

For the Convocation, I want to encourage all Honors Students to make a poster that visually depicts some element of the learning they are doing this semester – whether it’s an overarching concept or a smallish project, show us what you are working on.  We will fill Stage 14 with posters and then listen to four students who will be selected to share their work with attendees.  This is one of my favorite events and each semester I hold high hopes that we will see many, MANY posters.   To this end, we will host a poster-making session at Study-a-Thon 2019 on April 29^th in the library.  More details on this to come!

Last, but certainly not least, is the Human Library on Laker Day (4/25).   This Honors Sponsored event is hosted by the library and will feature a number of Human Books that you can sit down with to talk about the concept or label they represent.  It’s an amazingly powerful way to explore aspects of the human condition that you may not otherwise have the option to explore in such a personal way.  You can get more information on that onehere.

I cannot stress enough how amazing this event is.  In a world that constantly seems to try to pull us apart, this is a way to bring us back together again.  Through open and honest conversation, we can come to better understand people that are different than us and that are often misunderstood, judged, marginalized, or silenced.  The casual space and the welcoming environment makes this an amazing experience for all involved.

There will be other events added soon and I hope that you find things of interest for you there.  You are welcome to attend all of them and you are always welcome to bring a friend or two with you.  The more the merrier….after all, this is Honors, so all you have to be is curious.

Fall 2018 Convocation - Guest Blogger

Vol 3 No 13

This edition of Honors Matters is brought to us by a guest – not just a guest blogger, but also a guest at the Fall 2018 Honors Studies Convocation.  It is tradition to have the ‘report’ of the event come from someone other than myself.  This way, you get to hear the voice of another who is invested in, and intrigued by, Honors.  I would like to thank those who attended and also those who presented.  You will read more about those presentations below.  I would also like to thank those who made posters for this semester’s Convocation:  Brianna Smith and Bucket Abdallah (Perspectives on Tolkien), Rebeccas Rayne (Math for Liberal Arts Majors), and Persy Woodruff (Games and Storytelling).  Now, without further ado, let us read about the presentations!

Greetings blogosphere,

I am Johnathan Murray, the Director of the One Stop Center here at Finger Lakes Community College.  Like you, I am curious about Honors Studies, and it was this curiosity that prompted me to attend the College’s third Honors Studies Convocation.  The convocation took place on Wednesday, December 5^th, and involved five Honors Scholars sharing their experiences with us.  It was an impressive, and moving event.  Each scholar shared an assignment from their course, and with their own unique style and voice, provided us with a window into the honors experience at FLCC.

Lisa Scott was up first, discussing HON 200 – Food and Identity in American Culture.  Lisa shared her experience growing up on a farm, and how it shaped her love of animals, and embrace of vegetarianism.  She showcased a genuine interest and passion for natural foods.

Mela Folan was next, discussing ENG 101 – Composition 1 Honors.  Mela provided an overview of the assignments she worked on in the course, and shared her initial apprehension about taking the course.  She, with the encouragement of her professor, discussed the detailed essay she wrote about smoothies.

Next, was the sister duo of Persy and Luc Woodruff.  Trista introduced the pair as de-facto twins, and noted their proclivity for collaboration.  The sisters shared their experience in HON 200 – Games and Storytelling.  The sisters took turns sharing the Vignettes they created in the course, about their names.  They each told a moving story.

Last, but not least, was Mara Cornwall.  Mara presented on ENG 230 – Perspectives on Tolkien, a course that is on my personal bucket list.  In Mara’s course they watched the classic animated Hobbit film from the 70s.  Visions of a green frog-esque Gollum jumped around in my head, as Mara related a quote from the film to her own experience as an honors scholar.

The Honors Studies Convocation was a wonderful event.  It highlighted the wonderful work of our honors students. 

I hope to see you at the next convocation.  Remember, ‘all you have to be is curious’!

-Johnathan

Posters, Parties, and Presentations

Vol 3 No 10

convocation (n.)

late 14c., convocacioun, "assembly of persons; the calling or holding of a meeting, assembling by summons," from Old French convocation and directly from Latin convocationem (nominative convocatio) "a convoking, calling, or assembling together," noun of action from past-participle stem of convocare "to call together," from assimilated form of com "with, together"  (Harper)

We are rapidly hurtling toward the end of the semester and it's not going to slow down until we get right to the end.  It's always amazing to me that the end sneaks up on me every time.  This is my 15th year of teaching and I'm STILL surprised that next week is Thanksgiving and and then we are on into December.

And speaking of December, there's an amazing opportunity for all Honors students and I hope I will encourage you to take part.  It's the Fall 2018 Honors Convocation.  Twice now we have hosted an Honors Convocation and both times it has been an amazing experience for those who participated.  The first part is something open to all.   The poster session.

Poster sessions are a staple of student and faculty conferences and research across all disciplines and in all sorts of contexts.  It's more than just a chance to be creative and colorful, it's also an opportunity to think about what is truly significant and important about the work you are doing.  Showcasing this work celebrates the importance of intellectual rigor and taking the value of your learning beyond the walls of the classroom.  Faculty at North Carolina State University describes this kind of poster as a "[a] source of information, [a] conversation starter, [an] advertisement of your work, [and a] summary of your work" (Hess, Tosney, Liegel).  To be effective, a poster has to be a "visual communication" so that you can "get your main point(s) across to as many people as possible" (Hess, Tosney, Liegel).  We aren't a formal conference and you won't be judged on your poster, which makes this the perfect place to practice a skill that will serve you well as you move on in your academic career.  So, plan a poster!



To help with the poster making process, we will be gathering at the Study-a-Thon in the library on 11/29 at 7:00 to make posters together.  I'll bring markers, crayons, colored pencils, and poster board.  Bring any supplies you need and come on out!  There's food and other amazing things in the library that evening, as well.  Come relax and make posters with us.  I always end up wanting to go home after I've committed to going to this evening in the library, but you know what?  It does me good.  I always have an amazing time with the students who gather and we have great conversations about everything from what's going on in our Honors classes to popular television shows to plans for the future both near and far.  At this point in the semester, it is so important to take time out to just relax and making a poster can be a great way to do that.  You don't need to be an artist or creative or even prone to staying in the lines when you color.  You just have to figure out how to visually represent something you're learning.  We have to brag about Honors, so let's do it together.  And let's do it in a way that lets us relax a little bit as well.  You can even get help with other classes as well - or play games, have snacks, get a massage.  So many worthy reasons to go.

As for the Convocation, there's another piece in addition to the poster display.  That evening, for an hour, we gather in Stage 14.  This is a very special capstone for the day.  At that time, four Honors students will present their work to those in attendance.  They will present some aspect of the work they've done and leave some time for questions as well.  As something of a mini conference, these students are invited to practice skills that will serve them so well as they move forward in their academic and professional careers. Although speaking about a large conference on criminal justice, I agree with a faculty member who describes presenting as "the opportunity to showcase and get feedback on your work" as well as being "an opportunity to make connections, collaborate and explore" (Beshears) In short, it's a way "to feel as though you are making a real difference" (Beshears).  In the last two Convocations, we have had everything from memoirs and literary narratives to research papers and reflective essays.  Students have shared portions of their projects, journals, papers, presentations, or other elements of their work.  Perhaps this will be YOU?

Works Cited

(with implied hanging indents) 

Beshears, Michael L.  "The Benefits of Presenting and Attending Professional Conferences."  In Public Saftey.  American Military University, 13 Mar. 2017, inpublicsafety.com/2017/03/benefits-presenting-attending-professional-conferences/.  Accessed  Nov. 2018.

Harper, Douglas.  "Convocation."  Etymonline. Online Etymology Dictionary, 2018,  www.etymonline.com/word/convocation#etymonline_v_18320.  Accessed 15 Nov. 2018.

Hess, George, Katherine Tosney and Leon Liegel.  "An Effective Poster."  Creating Effective Poster Presentations.  North Carolina State University, 2013, projects.ncsu.edu/project/posters/index.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2015.

Welcome Back!

Vol 3 No 1

Welcome back, returning students and welcome to FLCC to all you new folks!

Honors has so many exciting things to talk about and we hope you are all rested from a summer that was satisfying in whatever it provided for you.  We also hope you’re looking forward to a fulfilling and productive semester at FLCC and that Honors will be an active part of those plans!  Speaking of which, we have a number of dates for you to put on your calendar…

Before we do that, though, we want to remind you that it is NOT too late to add an Honors class to your schedule!  There are plenty of seats in our two seminars and from what we’ve heard, they’ve already started strong and enjoyable!  One – Games and Storytelling – meets on Tuesday nights and has some great speakers and activities lined up.  The other – on Wednesday evenings – is about food.  How can you go wrong?  There are also seats in Perspectives on Tolkien (ENG 230), MAT 101 and Psychology of Killing (SSC 215).  Remember…just change the prefix to HON on WebAdvisor and you can see what’s out there.  Check with the instructor ASAP and good luck!

Now for those dates…

SEPTEMBER 13 from 10:00 – 2:00 – Table Day in the hallway outside Stage 14 – and guess who is going to be there?  That’s right – the new HONORS CLUB.  Head on over to see what SWAG is there and find out how you can participate.

OCTOBER 30 from 5:00 – 7:00 – Fall 2018 Honors Studies Dinner in Stage 14 – open to ALL students who are part of Honors or just curious about it, this dinner has giveaways and a few guest speakers from the college who will voice how much Honors is valued at the college.  Then we hand over the microphone to students to talk about their experiences and answer questions.  You may also hear about next semester’s classes as well.

DECEMBER 5 from 10:00 – 5:00 – Fall 2018 Honors Studies Convocation Poster Session outside Stage 14 – All Honors Students are invited to create a poster born from the work being done in Honors courses.  More information on this later in the semester, but be brainstorming how you could illustrate the work you are doing and show off the kinds of things we are doing in the world of Honors.

DECEMBER 5 from 5:00 – 6:00 –Fall 2018 Honors Studies Convocation Presentations in Stage 14 – Four students will take 15 minutes to orally present their Honors work to anyone in attendance.  As with the poster session, more to come on this as we get into the semester.

There will be many more things that we do this semester and the blogs will go back to their weekly schedule, so you have those to look forward to as well.  We will talk about Honors matters, invite guest bloggers, celebrate accomplishments, invite you to various opportunities and events, and generally celebrate Honors.  In the meantime, don’t forget these important things:

• THIS BLOG!  Perhaps bookmark it:  http://flcchonors.blogspot.com/
• Follow us on Twitter:  @FLCC_Honors
• Check us out on Facebook:  FLCC Honors Studies
• Check out Honors Club on Facebook:  FLCC Honors Club
• Email us!  honorsstudies@flcc.edu
• And last but not least, check out our visuals on Flickr:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/flcc-honors/

Have a GREAT semester and remember….stay curious!

S18 Honors Convocation (Student Words)

Vol 2 No 27

It is rapidly becoming a tradition to have a member of the audience writer their perspective of the Honors Convocation.  Last semester, it was Emily White.  This semester, the reflection on the convocation comes to us from Jill Bond, dual major in Writing and Graphic Design, class of 2019.

The end of the spring semester is often equated with stress, finals, and upcoming graduation, but it is also the time for sharing the amazing work that is completed by Honors Studies students at Finger Lakes Community College. The First Annual Spring Honors Studies Convocation was held on Friday, May 4th, with the goal of sharing the work of Honors students with rest of the student body, staff, and faculty. Fact of the matter is Honors classes prompt the creation of fabulous work, whether it be psychological, artistic, or literary, but often times only the students and faculty that are involved in the class get to see what is researched, written, and created – but the convocation is here to help show off what happens in that cozy house across the street.


The Honors Convocation has two parts, both of which are student driven. The first is the creation of posters based upon the work that students are doing in their classes, whether it be a final research project, creative endeavor, or reflection. Six posters were created this year, five of which revolved around the Women Who Kill class and one that was crafted out of work completed in Introduction to Literature. These posters were then displayed outside Stage 14 between 10:00am and 5:30pm, where anyone and everyone had the ability to see them. At 3:00pm, several of the poster creators returned to the hallway in order to answer questions regarding their posters and the work that inspired their creation.

The second part of the convocation started at 4:00pm in Stage 14, where four students presented work from their respective Honors class. The first to present was Eli Lorah, who spoke of his experience in Women Who Kill, a class co-taught by Dr. Trista Merrill and Dr. Linda Ross. During his strong and beautifully constructed presentation, he explained that while he has really enjoyed the group dynamics and psychological aspect of the course, he has also learned so much about how to handle the complexities of our everyday lives – showing how Honors can teach students so much more than just course content, which resonated with everyone in the room.

The next student to present was Brianna Smith, who read her raw and well-written literacy narrative from her Introduction to Literature class. Working her way through a lifelong relationship with books and the worlds she escapes into, from when she couldn’t get enough of Harry Potter at the age of five, despite the fact she didn’t understand it, up through her college days where the worn spines of books feel like home, Brianna communicated a passion for writing and reading that struck the audience.

Blinne Kreiger followed suit, who also presented her work for Women Who Kill, but took it in a completely different direction. Starting with a short presentation on the Night Witches, who were the 588th Night Bomber Regiment in World War II, she discussed the history of these women and their influence on a variety of different artists. Next, she read and discussed two striking poems that she wrote based upon her research, the first written from the perspective of the Germans and the second from the perspective of the Night Witches themselves – both of which left the audience inspired and fascinated by her writing and topic at hand.

The final presenter was Vicki Ilyssa, who read a beautifully written memoir crafted for her Composition I course. With an emphasis on atmosphere, naturalistic descriptions, and metaphor, she highlighted different struggles and events in her life, all while revolving the literary piece around her relationship with a shrine near her childhood home, which is now a symbol of peace – ultimately leaving everyone in awe, and some in tears, at the eloquence and exquisiteness of the writing.

Looking back upon this event it is easy to say that it was a success because it allowed students to share what they were curious and passionate about with other students and faculty who are also passionate and curious. And what I found to be incredibly fascinating about the presentations and posters this year, was the sheer amount of breadth in ideology and content that was covered, despite the fact only three classes were represented. From poems, short stories, memories, narratives, and comic book covers, to reflections and research that mixes mythology, psychology, and literature, this years’ convocation truly shows how open Honors is when it comes to exploring what you are curious about.

So, thank you so much to the students who presented and created posters for The First Annual Spring Honors Studies Convocation, you have inspired us all! And thank you to everyone who came to support these students and their amazing work. Make sure to stop by next semester for the fall convocation, so you can be inspired too.

Opportunities Galore

Vol 2 No 26

I cannot believe how close we are to the end of the semester!  I hope you will consider joining us at this semester’s Honors Studies Convocation!  We will have posters (still time to make one!) set up outside Stage 14 from 10:00 – 4:00 on Friday, May 4th (the same day as May Day!) and then, at 4:00, four Honors Studies students will share the work they’ve been doing this semester in one of their Honors courses.  Please join us!

And then on May 16^th, at 5:30 in Room 200 of the Honors House, we have the Honors Studies Awards Ceremony and Graduation.  Come support your fellow Honors students as they are recognized for their achievements!

These events of recognition and celebration are becoming so important to me - and, quite frankly, they give me energy as I, too, am wallowing in end-of-the-semester exhaustion.  There is something about gathering together and taking an hour or so here and there to celebrate the work being done.  To really step back and see what it is we are really doing.  It's so easy to forget that in the whirlwind of the work you are doing, your classmates and fellow students are also doing amazing work.  All of you need to be reminded that the sleepless nights, the stress and pressure, the anxiousness and obstacles are all worth it.  You are likely your own worst critic and not enough of us know what the rest of the Honors community is doing.  We have Facebook, we have Twitter (see below!), we have Honors events and we even have an Honors Club.  But let's also read the names of those who have excelled above and beyond and remind them that what they are doing matters beyond the confines of their classroom walls.  And take the time to showcase your OWN work in a poster.  Celebrate yourself.  Celebrate Honors.  Take a bow.  You've earned it and you deserve it.

In fun news, the bulletin board outside my office (Canandaigua Wing Rm 4285)  is now looking a bit more festive!  Come check it out.

Looking ahead, I am hoping to encourage more folks to look into Lori Vail’s class this fall.  We have an interesting relationship with food in today’s culture – from Instagramming pictures of our meals to trying out gastro pubs and exploring what we can do with kale.  It seems like that for every one who is desperately watching what they eat, there’s another ridiculous food choice that can be made somewhere else.  And those Girl Scout cookies!  Don’t even get me started!  J

Seriously, though, this class will explore so many ideas with food at their center that it is bound to change how you interact with this very basic human need.  I am reminded of a poem by William Carlos Williams called “This is Just to Say”:

This is Just To Say

I have eaten

the plums

that were in

the icebox

and which

you were probably

saving

for breakfast

Forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet

and so cold

It has always fascinated me as a poem – centered on food and yet laced with meaning that is heavily determined by the reader.  So much of the world around us depends on our perception of things and yet there is so much truth to be discovered as well.  I hope that you will consider joining Lori Vail this fall as she takes on the exploration of food – something else that seems so simple and yet is laced with meaning that is heavily determined by the ….eater.

Dinner Report - Spring 2018

Vol 2 No 24

Last night was the Spring 2018 Honors Studies Dinner where students, faculty, and staff gathered together to share stories of what Honors meant to them and what they were doing in and for Honors. As is tradition, I will post my opening remarks below...but before I do that, I wanted to share some highlights - sound bites, if you will - of things I heard that really stood out to me.

...I found my voice...
...I was an Honors student before I ever knew it had a name...
...We will cry together in Honors...
...Inclusive...
...I have few regrets in life, but one will always be that I didn't find Honors earlier...
...a sense of belonging...
...discussions and passion...

...a sense of discovery...

...I learn differently...

...sharing passion and curiosity...

So many good stories and experiences - reminding me again how special Honors really is. So much more was said, but these struck me as being themes that carried through what students said and so I wanted to share them here. And now the speech I gave...

***

Honors means home and family to many students and that is something about which I’m immensely proud. I knew that Honors was about building community, but I never really appreciated just how much that was happening until last semester when I handed the microphone around to various students to hear what they had to say about their experiences. It was eye-opening in the best of ways.

Lately, I’ve been noticing that Honors is also about opportunity and is often referred to as a best kept secret at FLCC, known to a select few who love it and talk about it and celebrate it. Their voices are not always heard outside the metaphorical walls of the Honors House (which extend far past that amazing building across the street). Honors is anywhere that you find fellowship and conversation that pushes your own ideas further and farther.

Opportunity comes in many forms and takes many shapes. We will hear a little bit about our fall course offerings this evening as well as our brand new Honors Club, which you will hear about shortly as well. It’s also worth mentioning the growing number of Honors Studies Events popping up – activities on campus that celebrate what it means to be an Honors thinker. The Human Library, which we will hear about shortly, asks us to potentially face our own prejudices. Another activity on Laker Day will help us learn what to look for to help prevent violence while a third will challenge us to rethink what it means to take a selfie. Other upcoming events in April include one that turns our gaze to history and what we can learn about current events through the lens of past presidents and another that explores the forces of chaos in our universe. One more on the calendar is coming up quick – one week from today is the 16th Annual Campus Authors reading that Curt will tell us about in a few minutes. In short, it seems that more and more faculty are realizing that the Honors experience is a valuable one and I hope that you agree with them. I hope that all of you will consider not only participating in these events, but also challenge yourself to take the few extra steps it takes to earn Honors points for them. Take your learning and reflection outside the classroom and out into the world you inhabit.

And that brings me to one of the most powerful and visible ways you can fly your Honors flag.

On May 4th of this year, we will be celebrating our second Honors Convocation. This event is designed to celebrate the work that Honors students are doing in any of their Honors courses. It is an opportunity to show case to a wider audience the things you have so passionately dedicated yourself to this semester. You pour so much into the work you do and your ideas are so grand that they, like you yourselves, are larger than the classroom in which they were birthed. Therefore, I challenge each of you to consider creating a poster that shows us what you’ve been working on this semester. Choose from a project, an assignment, a paper, a concept; in short, anything that shows what you have been doing as an Honors student this semester. We know it’s a busy time of year, but this is worth it for the excitement of celebrating your hard work and your vision. To encourage you to walk down this path, I invite you to join us at Study-a-Thon on April 26th. This event, with its vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere (not to mention the free food) is a great time to come hang out, make a poster, and talk with other Honors students about what THEY are working on. You may even be asked to be one of our four presenters at the speaking portion of the event.

We created the Convocation because at the end of each semester, without fail, I found myself bursting with pride at the work my students were doing. Every semester, I desperately attempted to convey the various projects to other faculty and staff, to friends and family and, frankly, I always feel wholly inadequate to do so. I am so proud of all of you who have taken on the Honors challenge and I want the world to see what you are doing and I want them to love and appreciate you just as much as I do. Other Honors faculty feel the same way, and so the Convocation was born.

For those of you who are inclined to argue because you’ve heard the passion and enthusiasm with which I talk about Honors….well, you are still seeing it second hand. Why should I try to tell the stories when THE STUDENTS are the ones who are living them? Why should I fall short of show casing everything you are doing when you are the ones who are living and breathing that work (along with so much other work) in every moment you are awake?

I know that we are asking you to do something extra, but I also know that many of you are up to the task. I know that we are adding to the immense burden you are already carrying, but I cannot think of a more fitting way to share the secret of Honors with the FLCC Community. You are all gems and you should all be celebrated; you should all be, if you’ll excuse the pun, honored.

If you are brand new to Honors or came here tonight to learn about it, welcome. Next semester, I will think and feel these same things about you if you can join us in Honors. I will make the same pleas of you as we move forward and, in the meantime, come see it. See what your fellow students are working on and share their excitement. Let them ignite your imagination and your curiosity even more than they already have.

And speaking of honoring you, I want to encourage you to do two other things. First, join the Honors Club – regardless of whether or not you have taken any Honors courses (….yet). You’ll hear more about that from Jill Bond in a moment. Second, did you know that there are scholarships JUST for Honors students? Go, apply. You DO like money, yes?

You know, this may be the strangest speech I’ve ever written. It’s a speech of imploring. A speech of encouragement. A speech that is designed to move you to help us share the Honors story with the wider FLCC Community and to help Honors to thrive and grow OUTSIDE of the classroom. We are a group that is always changing as students come and go but one thing remains the same: Honors means home and family. Honors is worth our time and energy. And Honors is something that we need to promote and share. Our world is a tumultuous and chaotic one and I cannot think of a better collection of characteristics to celebrate than what we’ve built here: critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, lifelong learning, and a sense of belonging. Celebrate it with me.

FREE FOOD Matters

Vol 2 No 22

Invitation!

Come have dinner with us! 

When:  April 4th, from 5:00 – 7:00

Where:  Stage 14

Who: ALL STUDENTS interested in or curious about Honors

What:  TACOS!

What else:  shirts, coloring books, and this semester's gift

Come eat, and fellowship, and hear about important Honors matters such as…

Faculty and Staff reflecting on Honors

Students reflecting on Honors and asking questions

Spring 2018 Honors Convocation 

Poster making at Study-A-Thon 

What is Chaos Honors event

Presidential Greatness Honors event

Honors Club news 

Human Library - Honors Approved!

Fall 2018 Honors Studies classes

Spring 2018 Honors Graduation Ceremony 

Did you know?

Vol 2 No 18

Did you know?

This week's blog is just a few informational pieces that you might not know or might need to be reminded about.  Hope there is something here of interest!

• It is possible for you to claim that an event should be eligible for Honors Points based on what is going on during that event and how it ties to the values and mission of Honors. There’s a form – just ask!
• Not only is the Human Library an Honors Event for visitors, but you can also earn Honors Points by BEING a book. Is there something about you that is often misunderstood, little known, or misrepresented? Consider joining the Human Library as an actual book! Earn Honors points and spread the word about whatever you best represent! Follow this link to learn more: http://libguides.flcc.edu/human_library
• We have a dedicated Honors Librarian! April Broughton has blogged for us before, but if you’re new to Honors you might have missed it. It’s also a good reminder now that the semester is in full swing and those projects are being assigned and brainstormed. You can read her blog here – and her email is April.Broughton@flcc.edu.
• We have an Honors Convocation at the end of the semester (May 2nd) where we display the work of Honors Students through posters and an invitation for four students to present their research and writing. Keep this in mind as you move through your Honors course this semester. You can read about last semester’s Convocation here. 
• We also have a DINNER! This semester, the dinner will be held on April 4th at 5:00pm in Stage 14. This time around it’s a taco bar (with vegan options!) and new giveaways. We have T-shirts left from last semester’s dinner that we will be giving away as well as coloring books and a cool new item. Hope to see you there!
• You can declare yourself an Honors Studies major with nothing more than your name, your ID number, your signature, and my signature. This does not ‘lock’ you into getting Honors Studies Scholar status, it just allows the Honors Director to access your program evaluation and help you make choices to reach that status. If, in the end, you don’t earn the 15 points, there is no failure or penalty at all. Just use the Change of Degree or Advisor form available at the OneStop or online here.
• The Honors Studies website is changing! As the days and weeks unfold, you should start to see more information available on the FLCC Honors Studies website, located here. If you have any ideas about what else should be there, please let us know!
• You can send any questions, concerns, feedback, or ideas about Honors Studies to the Director simply by emailing to honorsstudies@flcc.edu or Trista.merrill@flcc.edu. I look forward to hearing from you and hearing how your Honors classes are going!

Let me know what you need or what's happening with you in Honors!  We hope that you can get as excited about Honors Studies as we do!  STAY TUNED FOR EXCITING NEWS NEXT WEEK!

Welcome Back, Friends!

Vol 2. No. 16

Welcome to the Spring 2018 semester!

We're now two days in (a Thursday start was a little odd, yes?) and I wanted to take this moment to say hello and give you a little update and sneak peek into what we have planned for this semester so far.

Honors Courses and Contracts...
We have 10 sections of Honors courses running this semester, with 117 students enrolled.  We have several contracts that are likely to begin and one that has already bee submitted and approved.  Our courses range from a special topics one called Women Who Kill to two social science electives - one on Gender and one on Love and Romance.  We have psychology and English, literature and music.  It's a good range of classes and I hope that you are all enjoying the classes (Honors and otherwise) that you have been in so far.  I plan to visit all the Honors courses soon to tell you a little more about some things to look forward to.

Events...
We have several events planned already and more on the way.  You can read a bit more about events in general here.  I will also be talking more about them when I visit your Honors classes.  Anyway, we have two scheduled and one more on the way that I know about at this point.  This is in addition to the Honors Dinner and the Honors Convocation as well.  Lots going on!

On April 19th (Activities Day), the Library is hosting a Human Library event from 12-4.  During this event, you can 'check out' Human books and chat with them about the topic they represent.  This is an amazing event and you can expect to hear more about it as we get closer.

One May 3rd, we have an event during college hour that is called Presidential Greatness:  The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.  As you might imagine, this promises to be a fascinating talk with lots of opportunities to ask questions.

Also coming this semester is an event about Chaos and the self-organizing universe.  Wholly interactive, this should be an amazing experience.  More on this when we have it scheduled!

As you can see, we are getting more and more Honors things in the works and we hope to see more and more of you become part of these events.  Bring your friends - we don't have anything that is limited only to Honors Studies Students.  Remember....all you have to be is curious!

That's it for this blog - as I'm sure all are tired from these first couple of days.  I look forward to introducing myself to you in your classes and I hope to see you at Honors events this semester.

Good luck in all your endeavors this semester!
-T-

Dr. Trista Merrill
Director of Honors Studies and Professor of English
Rm 4285
Email:  honorsstudies@flcc.edu -or- trista.merrill@flcc.edu
Facebook:  FLCC Honors Studies

"self-confidence-2121159_960_720" by Alexas_Fotos is licensed under CC0.

Student Voice - Convocation

Vol 2 No 14

This week’s blog comes to us from Emily White, Fine Arts Major (Class of 2019), who shares with us her thoughts on the first ever Honors Studies Convocation.

On Wednesday, December 6^th 2017 Finger Lakes Community College held the First Inaugural Honors Convocation, directed by Trista Merrill – the Honors Director. The Honors Convocation is an event that showcases the work that has been done by the Honors students throughout the semester. Throughout the day students and faculty were able to view posters which were made by students in Honors classes surrounding topics of their class and what they have learned throughout the semester. The posters on display were from four different classes: Development of Modern Horror, Composition I, Math for Liberal Arts Majors, and Analyzing Alice. These posters were on display from 10 AM to the end of the evening.

While walking the corridor to the café, three tables held seven stunning posters which people were able to enjoy. The poster creators included Devin Armstrong – illustrated by Emily White, Jillian Bond, Henry Sloth, Will Maskrey, Blinne Krieger, Jillian Duprey-Schommer, and Loren Manchester. All of the posters were eye catching and very well received by the student body and faculty of the college, as well as visitors. Each of the posters gave insight to what the Honors class was about, and the work that student had completed before hand or of their final project for said class, as well as informing about a wide variety of different topics. Between 4 PM and 5 PM people were able to ask the student poster markers questions of their posters to gain further insight on the class.

Once 5 PM came, four students of three varying classes – Composition I, Development of Modern Horror, and Composition II – gave presentations in Stage 14. Each of the presenters spoke of either their final project or a piece of completed work from the semester. Jillian Bond – of the Development of Modern Horror class – presented a 38 second trailer of her final film, which will explore the concept of fear. McKenna Guarasce – of the English 103 class – presented her research which will go into her final paper, which will be an informative essay on the importance of keeping the world oceans clean for the creatures that inhabit them. Onni Adams – of the English 101 class – presented the memoir she wrote regarding the time she realized her ethnicity gave her superpowers. Will Maskrey – of the Development of Modern Horror class – presented a short paper which recounted his experience with discussing fear with a group of young adults exploring the implications of the Christian faith.

Each student in their presentation allowed the audience to get a sense of not only their class, but as themselves as a student. The presentations also grasped the audience in different ways; Onni Adams’ memoir spoke to the audience at an emotional level while also inspiring everyone. McKenna Guarasce’s research informed the audience of the dangerous chemicals that are put into the oceans every day that endanger the lives of those who inhabit them. Jillian Bond’s trailer sent chills down the audiences spines while also alluding to the fact that not one person can truly identify what fear is. Will Maskrey’s speech and short paper informed people of the religious aspects of fear, further showing how elusive a true definition of fear really is.

The First Inaugural Honors Convocation was a success all around, from the incredible and informative posters, to the marvelous and edifying presentations. Being the first semester, the turnout was remarkable. Thank you to all who made posters and presented and to all who viewed the posters and attended the presentations. We look forward to the Honors Convocations in the semesters to come!

Photo Credits to April Broughton, Honors Librarian, and Trista Merrill, Director of Honors

November Honors Matters

Vol 2 No 12

Welcome Back!

Just a few points to mention as we embark on this mad rush to the end!

Come make posters with us and other wise engage in study and relaxation at the Study-A-Thon in the library this Thursday, November 30^th from 7:00-11:00.  This Study-a-Thon counts as an Honors Studies event!  Email me at honorsstudies@flcc.edu to learn how!

Nominate yourself to present and/or prepare a poster for the First Annual Honors Studies Convocation on December 6th.  Posters on display from 10:00 – 4:00 in the hallway by Stage 14.  Poster Question and Answer with poster makers from 4:00-5:00.  Presentations from 5:00-6:00 in Stage 14.  The Convocation counts as an Honors Studies event!  Email me at honorsstudies@flcc.edu to learn how!

Registration is in full swing!  Hope to see numbers in Honors Studies courses go up soon!  We have two GREAT seminars and a lot of excellent courses in the disciplines like Interpersonal Communications and Introduction to Psychology.  Don’t miss the fascinating Chaos Theory class or the Gender and Women’s Studies course, either!  Email me at honorsstudies@flcc.edu if you have any questions about these and other courses!

Head over to the Facebook page and give it a Like – no friending or membership requests needed!

You can declare yourself an Honors student with no commitment or repercussion if things change for you.  It just gives you the opportunity to have an Honors Studies adviser to help you make a plan and figure things out so you can achieve Honors Studies Scholar status.  Just fill in the ‘Change of Degree or Advisor’ available here:  https://www.flcc.edu/pdf/registrar/MajorChange.pdf

Four weeks left, folks….we can do this!

Special Invitation, Special Wish

Vol 2 No 11

An Invitation and a Wish

A Special Invitation!

In the hopes of making our first Convocation a positive start to a new tradition, we are holding a poster-making session in the library on the evening of November 30 – the night of Study-a-Thon!  So, along with making a poster in a casual, fun, AND productive environment, you will also get access to the other amazing things the library does that evening.  The Writing Center and the Math Center will be there, yoga and chair massages will be there, and even free pizza will be there!  We will have more information about WHERE in the library we will meet – but I hope you’ll make plans to join us.  Bring your poster board, your crafting materials, your course materials, and your good ideas and let’s be crafty together!  To help you start brainstorming, here are some wonderful poster making links:

• “Creating a Successful Poster” – Brown University (even more links on this page)
• “Creating a Poster” – University of Wisconsin-Madison (more in-depth steps here)
• “The Basics of Poster Design” - Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium (don’t let the name scare you!)
• “Poster-making 101” – Bates College (some technical help here, too)
• “An Effective Poster” – North Carolina State University

A Special Wish

As the rush of the holidays barrels down on us, complete with all the hectic chaos that the end of an academic semester holds, I hope that you can take some time during this upcoming break to take stock of all the blessings and positive forces you have in your life.  Being a student is a challenging role and so many of you are not just students, but also family members, friends, caretakers, employees, activists, community servers, church members, and countless other things.  There is a whole network of people supporting you, even if that network is small outside the college.  Take the time for yourself to ensure that you are as healthy and happy as you can be.  And may you take a moment to be thankful for all that you have and for all the promise your future holds.  Travel safe and be well.

Giving Thanks

The world is dark and dangerous, 

The days are long and bleak, 

And so my eyes stay close to home 

For the Thursday of this week. 

A day of thanks for all I have 

Though I feel it every day 

The rays of color in my life 

That keep back shades of grey. 

Friend and family lines are blurred 

As we lay the table fair 

And in these bustling moments, 

I lay my soul to bare. 

I love you if you’re reading this, 

My life you’ve wreathed in light 

May you find what you are looking for, 

Be it here or gone from sight. 

May each memory you have now made 

And those of days now past, 

Bring you peace and joy unbound 

And love to everlast.

T. Merrill

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.