College Honors Program

The Honors Program will sponsor a trip to Boston this Saturday, April 21st open to all students.  Explore the city, visit a museum, check out the library, or study at an outdoor cafe.

Source: lonelyplanet.org

We ended the month of March with an impressive day of research presentations, panels, and workshops.  Congratulations to the 150+ students who participated.  Read Julie Conlon’s Equinox coverage here: Academic Excellence Conference

Source: The Keene State College Equinox

Such a beautiful view from Pack Monadnock on Sunday, October 16, 2011.  The Honors Parliament hosted a hike up the mountain at Miller State Park.  Only two weeks later the view would have looked very different: autumn vs. winter.

Parents and other family members gather together for coffee and pastries on Sunday morning of Family Weekend

Students and faculty in the Honors Program hosted parents, siblings, cousins, and other family members for coffee and pastries on Sunday, October 2, 2011.   Dr. Ann Rancourt, Associate Provost, welcomed the audience of 120 people in the beautiful Centennial Hall in the campus Alumni Center. Dr. Nancy Lory (Education) and Dr. Anne-Marie Mallon (English, Women & Gender Studies) set the context for the featured student presentation.

Six participants in the Global Engagement: South Africa course — Brandon Carta, Alexandra Claus, Danielle Ireland, Becca Lazinsk, Greg McCormick, Hannah Walker — presented highlights from their journey to South Africa.

Click  here to see photos, video, music, and reflections from the May 2011 trip.

In 2012 students will have opportunities to travel to two new locations.  Watch for news about an academic advising session with faculty members in October. -Professor Margaret Walsh

Greg McCormick used Google mapping to show the location of Cape Town, South Africa.

Justin Yamet

Justin Yamet (Honors Program ‘14) just returned from 10 days in Israel with Taglit-Birthright.  He traveled to the historic city of Jerusalem, explored former Syrian Bunkers in the north, and watched a beautiful sunrise on Mt. Masada at 5:30 in the morning in the desert.  In a recent email he shared a few more reflections:  ”Words cannot express the amazing experience I felt when I was there.  It really is a beautiful country, and as a Jewish American, I felt a great sense of pride while taking in the sights and learning about the historical significance of the country.  I have gained a much deeper understanding of the issues in the region and have come back a much more passionate follower of Judaism.  I came back with 40 new friends who I had never met before and even picked up some Hebrew.”  Justin will be studying Communications when he returns to Keene State College in the fall.

Prof. James Smart’s book, Striving, a history of Keene State, was published in 1984 for the College’s 75th anniversary.  During the Centennial celebrations in ‘09 I found that volume, read it, and learned some interesting facts about our college.   For instance, Wallace E. Mason, who served as president from 1911-39, established a tomato club to strengthen the relationship between Keene and its surrounding towns:

“He decided in 1912 to establish a seed nursery for the boys and girls of Cheshire and Hillsboro counties.  Some places have corn and potato clubs, he said, but ‘I suggest a tomato club.’  ‘What we wish,’ he wrote to the youth of southwestern New Hampshire (and later the entire state), ‘is that you may have the pleasure of watching a seed sprout, grow into a plant and bear its fruit.’  It made no difference if the youth had an acre or only a flower pot; the seeds would still be sent.  The youth signed a pledge card which read,: ‘I wish to become a member of the Keene Normal Tomato Club and agree to plant the seeds sent me, to take care of at least one plant as directed, and to keep a written diary describing my work.”  (p. 59)

This was a “new, novel, and popular” project that thrived for over a decade.  Students, parents, and communities celebrated the connection of learning to the natural environment. Incoming Honors Program students will find vegetable seeds in their mailboxes this week.  (No pledge card though!)   Students: your assignment is to grow tomatoes and read about sustainability issues this summer.  In the fall you’ll have an opportunity to participate in a campus symposium on this topic:  “What Sustains Us?  Envisioning Our Future.”

We were so proud to witness our very first class of Keene State College Honors Program graduates walk across the stage at Commencement in May 2011.

Madelineine Basso, Art Education

Ella Brockelman, Biology Education

Nicole Ferri, Health Science Nutrition

Katherine Henthorne, Social Science

Adam Hogue, English Education

Kevin Malicki, Communication

Elizabeth Malone, Individualized, Anthropology

Matthew Miracle, Psychology

Carly Meyer, Psychology, Holocaust and Genocide Studies

Elizabeth Mitchell, Economics

Kelly Payeur, Individualized, Art

Emma Rivers, Communication

Nathan Rowe, Environmental Studies, Spanish

Allison Shufelt, English and History

Corey Smith, Journalism

Nicole Turgeon, Health Science Nutrition

Last month students reflected on their experiences in the honors program.  A sampling:

• The College Honors Program, above all else, gave me a sense of place…the program told me “yes” when all I heard was probably and  it gave me a broad hug when I was looking for a handshake.  I loved it.
• …the most satisfying experience the honors program offered was the opportunity to travel and to be part of small classes with professors who care…[and it met] the needs of the modern-say student….We were given a rare chance to search and explore the world with fresh eyes…
• The Honors Program forced me to expand my critical thinking. 
• I feel that I have been challenged and encouraged always to do better.  I have studied and traveled alongside other incredible students who have become my greatest friends.  I have learned so much from these people and from the courses and travel experiences… I am so thankful to have been a part of the Honors Program. I have learned so much and I have met so many wonderful people who have helped me to grow into myself.
• I’ve gained an interest in how loval and global are connected as well as how international affairs affects various fields.  I’ve learned how to work in small, focused groups of students doing intensive work together.
• The ability to travel changed everything about myself and about my perspective for the better.  Without these experiences the quality of my education would have never come full circle.
• It’s been nice to be surrounded by people with similar academic goals to myself that I could talk with or turn to as a resource.  It also challenged me beyond what I thought I was capable of doing.

Click here to see the graduation “card” featuring some KSC seniors trying on their commencement  sashes  at the April 25th dinner.

The Honors Living and Learning Community is for honors level students with a commitment to excellence. Students continue to develop their creativity, independence, and self-confidence as scholars in this supportive environment. Students will focus on their educational and personal goals, community membership, and professional preparation. Individual abilities are also strengthened by opportunities to work together to integrate and expand on knowledge gained through coursework. Events and activities that advance understanding on campus of global engagement, citizenship, scholarship, diversity, multiculturalism, leadership, mentorship, study away, and service are encouraged.

Other LLC Proposals include Leadership, Architecture, Backpack to Briefcase, Future Educators, Cultural Infusion, Community Service, Literature, GLBT Educators and Activists, Feminism, Music, Psychology, and Student Involvement.

The LLC complements the Keene State College Honors Program mission: to provide “exceptional students with intellectual stimulation and academically rich experiences for personal and professional growth. Students work closely with fellow students and professors and engage in creative and critical inquiry. They integrate and expand on what they are learning in Honors courses by attending enrichment activities and events both on and off campus.”

Student Martha Barnard presents her poster to Prof. Sara Hottinger

Have you been to the Academic Excellence Conference where students from across the campus present their research through posters, oral presentations, workshops, panels, and performances?  If not, you can catch the flavor of the event here: Academic Excellence Presentations at Keene State College

Now, you’ll want to attend yourself to learn something new and appreciate the work of young scholars at Keene State College:

Selections from the April 2011 Academic Excellence Conference Program

“Utilization of the Child and Adult Food Program in New Hampshire Child Care Centers” Student Presenter: Nicole Ferri  Mentor: Karrie Kalich (Health Science- Nutrition)  Funded by a KSC Undergraduate Research and Creative Projects Grant

“Global Efforts to Build Schools and Promote Education” Student Presenters: Erica Burke ,Alexandra Claus, Kirsten Whyte  Mentor: Margaret Walsh (Honors and Sociology)

“Overlooked: A Report on Families and Children below the Poverty Line” Student Presenter: Danielle Ireland  Mentor: Margaret Walsh (Honors and Sociology)

“Growing as a Global Citizen” Student Presenters: Kimberly Layman, Kirsten Whyte, Kaitlyn Carter  Mentors: Prudence Cuper, Jo Beth Mullens (Honors)

 “Looking Back, Looking Forward: Narratives, Connections and Contributions” Student Presenters: Allison Shufelt, Nicole Ferri, Matt Miracle, Kelly Payeur  Mentor: Pru Cuper (Honors)

“Optical Properties of Astronomical Silicates”  Student Presenter: Nicole Mihalko Mentor: Frederick Wolf (Physics)

“Wintertime Air Quality Monitoring in Keene: A Research Collaboration with the New Hampshire Division of Environmental Services”  Student Presenters: Alison Asmus, Dustin Sciacca, Austin Mills  Mentors: Nora Traviss, Brett Thelen (Environmental Studies) Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) and IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE)

Honors student Kim Layman answers a question from Professor Kristen Porter-Utley

 Many colleges and universities offer resources on creating effective presentations.  We’ve linked some tips here, with gratitude and credit to the authors of these resources and their institutions.  Use them to prepare for public speaking assignments in courses, academic clubs, and conferences.

Information about the academic excellence conference for students and definitions of presentation types and poster guidelines Keene State College

Guide for Oral Presenters, for AEC at KSC

Sociology senior Katie Weiss presents her statistical analysis

Additional materials:

Presenting Research Tip Sheet #1, University of Montana

Presenting Research Tip Sheet #2, Providence College

Presenting Research Tip Sheet #3, Dennis Jerz

Presenting Research Tip Sheet #4, Newcastle University

Presenting Research Tip Sheet #5, Mike Splane

Presenting a Workshop to Adults, University of Florida

Presenting a Workshop Wiki, Organic Design

Presenting Memorable-and-Action-Oriented Workshops, Ezine article

A Health and Education student talks with visiting artist Paul Baker, an environmental activist from Nicaragua.

Sugar Project 2010